Please select your home edition
Edition
North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

World ARC Pacific: A volcano in Vanuatu

by World Cruising Club 7 Sep 2023 06:56 UTC
World ARC Pacific © World Cruising Club

The World ARC Pacific fleet have arrived in Port Resolution on Tanna Island, Vanuatu. As all the boats arrived overnight and in the morning on Tuesday, clearances for the whole fleet were completed in one day. Officials from Customs, Immigration and Biosecurity travelled from Lenakel to Port Resolution, a three hour trip, to clear the boats in. All clearances were completed by lunchtime leaving the first group of boats free to go on the highly popular volcano tour.

The group travelled in the back of three pickup trucks to make the journey to Kastom village a local village near the volcano. The roads are unmade with parts more 'off roading' than road so the journey is quite an adventure up and down hills with bumps, craters and an occasional river crossing.

On arrival at the village the fleet were greeted by villagers in traditional dress who welcomed them to the village then performed local dances before demonstrating the uses of different plants in everyday life.

After some time to speak to the villagers and browse and buy local handicrafts the group piled back into the vehicles for the next part of the journey to visit Mount Yasur, an active volcano on the south of the island. Arriving at dusk, there was a short climb up the rocky lava and ash slopes before reaching the crater at the top with plumes of smoke billowing out.

Looking down into the crater through a constant stream of smoke and black clouds at dusk against the backdrop of sunset over the volcano was an incredible experience. As the sun set and the light faded the lava eruptions from deep in the crater were even more spectacular with bright sparks flying up into the night sky.

As many participants commented it was a once in a lifetime experience and definitely not to be missed with the second half of the fleet heading out on the tour the following day.

The fleet have a short stopover in Port Resolution before most of the boats leave on Friday where they will either head straight for Port Villa or some may choose to stop at Erromango, an island on the way.

Related Articles

World ARC 2024-25 concludes in Saint Lucia
The 26,000 nautical mile adventure round the world concludes World ARC 2024-25 finished on Saturday in IGY Rodney Bay Marina, Saint Lucia, from where the boats set sail 15 months and 26,000NM ago. In total, 330 people aged from a toddler to over eighty sailed on one or more stages of the rally. Posted on 23 Apr
World ARC 2025-26 in the Galapagos
From Doldrums to Delights The World ARC 2025- 26 fleet is slowly gathering in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz. Posted on 28 Feb
ARC 2025 - 40 years of transatlantic rallies
Following in the wake of 8,000 boats The crews who will set sail from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria this November will follow in the wake of 7,890 yachts and over 30,000 people who have sailed the rally since 1986. Posted on 15 Feb
Great Prizegiving in Santa Marta for World ARC
The prize-giving ceremony for the first leg The time in Santa Marta seemed to fly by, many happy memories were made and everyone had a great time. Posted on 21 Jan
An exciting week ahead in Santa Marta
The programme kicked off this morning with a tour to a coffee farm and waterfalls After a couple of packed days with arrivals in IGY Santa Marta, Colombia, the programme kicked off this morning with a tour to a coffee farm and waterfalls. Posted on 18 Jan
The 39th ARC comes to a close in Saint Lucia
2,700NM of ocean memories, achievments and reflection The ARC rally ethos of collective endeavour, friendship and support took centre stage at the awards ceremony on Saturday night in Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia. Posted on 22 Dec 2024
12th ARC+ Rally comes to a close in Grenada
Achievements recognised, cherished memories, and lasting friendships The final gathering of the 12th edition of the ARC+ transatlantic cruising rally took place last night in Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina in Grenada. Posted on 13 Dec 2024
ARC+ 2024 - Exploring & celebrating in Grenada
All boats now safely docked in Camper & Nicholson Port Louis Marina All boats who took the ARC+ start from Mindelo, Cape Verde Islands are now safely docked in Camper & Nicholson Port Louis Marina. Posted on 11 Dec 2024
ARC Season arrives in the Caribbean
First yachts make landfall: ARC+ in Greanada and ARC in Saint Lucia The ARC and ARC+ transatlantic rally yachts are arriving in the Caribbean. Both rallies started in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in November, with the ARC+ fleet sailing to Grenada via Cape Verde, and the ARC fleet sailing direct to Saint Lucia. Posted on 10 Dec 2024
World Cruising Club Statement about Ocean Breeze
33-year-old Swedish sailor Dag Eresund was lost overboard on Monday It is with great sadness that World Cruising Club confirms that 33-year-old Swedish sailor Dag Eresund was lost overboard from yacht Ocean Breeze on Monday 2 December at 02:27 UTC. Posted on 3 Dec 2024
Noble Marine 2022 SW - FOOTERHyde Sails 2024 - One DesignCure Marine - Cure 55 - Footer