There are volcanos and waterfalls to visit on Vanua Lava and walking can simply be an interesting way to get from A to B.

Mount Sere Ama Volcano
The Mount Sere Ama Volcano is good for a day-walk. There are several solfatara fields on the flanks of the mountain with smoking fumaroles. The hot ground heats the waters of the Selva River as it passes and in some places you can cook in the stream.

Lalngetak village on northeast Vanua Lava is the place to find a guide to take you to the volcano. To get to Lalngetak, you either charter a speed boat or walk. From Sola, a speed boat charter to Lalngetak costs about 4000(?) Vatu, one way. From Mota Lava Island it's about 5000(?) Vatu.

Walking, Lalngetak is three hours from Sola along level ground. Follow the road, go past the airport (30 minutes), along the beach, cut across Port Patteson and then walk parallel to the coast for one hour more.

The Selva and Alket rivers may present a hazard. First, you can only wade across the Selva River at low tide. Second, there are crocodiles in the rivers. In 2007 people waded through the mouth of the Alket River. In 2008 they crossed over a shaky footbridge in the mangroves. It's safer walking with a local and you are likely to meet villagers walking along the beach when the tide is out. In Sola your hosts can arrange a guide.

There are two or three crocodiles and they most often hang around the Alket river. It's not known if they are breeding. Sometimes, at high tide, they swim around to the Selva River. The locals infrequently see them as they are shy and avoid people. It is said the crocodiles will only bite you if you done something bad. One man was attacked a few years ago and escaped.

Safely arrived in Lalngetak, you can meet Presto, he represents the chiefs and you pay the 1000 Vatu per person volcano visitor's fee to him. Guides are 500 Vatu, usually they will be two and you pay both of them. You need strong shoes and they are going to get wet. Another contact in Lalgnetak is Pascal Walter, he can help with guiding and provide accommodation if needed.

The walk up to the solfatara on the Selva River is around 5 km and takes about 2.5 hours, more if you take time to enjoy the surroundings. The track starts through the forest, climbs up hill and then plunges down into the Selva River gorge. Here there is a small creek and waterfall with good drinking water (carry a water bottle and fill it up here).

You then follow the Selva River, jumping on stones and wading as required. The water is hot but not burning and the stones are not slippery. At the solfatara there is a steep climb over loose ground.

There are limited possibilites for camping at the solfatara and nearly all visitors return in a day. If you do want to camp, it's OK in the forest near the drinking water source, about an hour downstream from the volcano. Camping on top of the volcano is not comfortable because the ground is rocky and the fumaroles expel sulforous gases.

Lalngetak is a friendly little community and offers local-style hospitality with simple accomodation and food. There are nice streams to bathe in, rain water to drink and lots of kava. The only annoyance is sand flies, depending on the tide. Your hosts may not ask for money but you should compensate them for their efforts. About 1000 Vatu per night is OK.

In 2009 there was increased activity and a new solfatara. The new solfatara is to the south of Mount Sere Ama and is probably best approached from Sola. Ask in Sola for a guide.

Walking to Vureas Bay and Waterfall Bay
There's no need to carry a tent if walking to Waterfall Bay since there are bungalows to stay in. The walking is fairly easy but the distances are long, so pack lightly.

It is a good three or four hours walk from Sola to Vureas Bay (about 12 km) passing coconut plantations, several small villages, crossing one river and walking through several smaller streams (plan to get your boots wet). Nerr Bungalows is a good place to stay. It's quiet and the food is good.

The walk from Vureas Bay to Waterfall Bay takes another three to four hours (about 12 km), crossing three rivers before descending to the coast and following the beach (plan to get your boots wet again). At Waterfall Bay there's Malau Yacht Resort.

From Sola, your hosts should be able to organise a guide. Alternatively, you can start walking alone and meet someone on the way. Follow the truck road and go past the turnoff to Mosina.

Quite a few locals walk the route between Sola and Veutumboso every day but you will see less traffic on the Veutumboso to Waterfall Bay leg. If you stay at Nerr Bungalows they can send someone with you to Waterfall Bay.

Last updated: July 2009 by Stephen