Malampa Province: Island Culture, Volcano Trails and the Sea

Malampa Province brings together cultural traditions, hiking and experiences by the sea. If you are looking for a hotel, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on during your trip: on Malekula, routes and cultural themes take center stage; Ambrym is associated with the Rom Dance and Benbow; while the Maskelyne Islands offer canoe traditions and snorkeling.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

Malampa’s main islands are connected to Port Vila and Luganville by regular domestic flights. Norsup on Malekula is considered the main gateway to Malekula and is served by flights from Port Vila and Santo. Boats and cargo ships also operate between Port Vila, Santo and the islands of Malampa. These connections offer a starting point for planning your journey by air or sea. Check specific flight and boat schedules before your trip.

Culture and Historic Sites

On Ambrym, the Rom Dance is a masked dance performed during spiritual and initiation ceremonies. Malekula is home to the Small Nambas and Big Nambas tribes. They are known for ritual dances, traditional clothing made from pandanus leaves, and tribal ceremonies. In Rano, the Small Nambas Tour is associated with the Namangi dances, which are considered an important ceremony in village life.

The Wala Island Historical Site Tour offers a different perspective on Malekula’s history. It leads to an ancient site with pig-counting stones and mysterious monoliths. The island is thus home to both cultural ceremonies and a site with distinctive historic features, though they tell different stories: the Rom Dance and Namangi dances are embedded in ceremonial contexts, while the tour on Wala leads to an ancient site.

Hiking and Cycling

The hike to the rim of Benbow Crater can be done as a day trip, with a ten-hour round trip; the Manbush Trail is a four-day hike. Trekking tours on Mount Benbow on Ambrym cross ash fields and pass steaming craters. Access depends on volcanic safety conditions. The Manbush Trail runs from Malekula’s east coast to its west coast, passing through rugged, jungle-covered mountains, tropical rainforests, traditional and remote villages, and unspoiled coastal scenery.

Paama also has a scenic trekking route. It offers impressive panoramas and the opportunity to explore gentle hills and remote beaches. For a cycling route, the Dog's Neck Bike Trail is a separate option: it runs from coast to coast through northern Malekula. These different descriptions can help you plan your time and decide whether you would rather include a hike, a multi-day trail or a cycling route in your trip.

Snorkeling, Waterfall and Canoe Traditions

At the Iri Marine & Conservation Reserve, you can snorkel in coral gardens, where turtles and possibly dugongs may be spotted. The Maskelynes Outrigger Canoe Tour includes snorkeling at Ringi Te Sui, the Giant Clam Gardens. On the Maskelyne Islands, the annual canoe racing festival celebrates traditional canoe racing and traditional boatbuilding. This brings together a snorkeling tour and an event devoted to canoe racing and boatbuilding. Check the details before your trip for event dates.

At Losinwei Waterfall, the experience includes a guided hike and swimming at the waterfall. Together with the snorkeling opportunities, this offers another way to experience Malampa’s landscapes.

Discover more destinations: Norsup, Lakatoro, Veturah, Sanma, Tafea, Penama Province and Shefa.

Go to the main travel overview: Vanuatu.