Port Resolution - Clearance
For full details on clearing into and out of Vanuatu, see Noonsite’s Vanuatu Formalities.
Update October 2018: Latest reports are that it is no longer possible to clear into the country in Tanna (see Related User Comments) and yachts must go to Port Vila. We are still trying to get confirmation about this.
International Arriving Vessels may not call at Mystery Island (Aneityum), Port Resolution (Tanna) or any other place in Vanuatu unless the Director of Customs & Inland Revenue grants prior written permission. Masters of vessels who visit these places prior to obtaining inwards clearance and being issued with an “Inter-island Cruising Permit”, or obtaining written permission, may be subject to fines and/or prosecution.
Go to the Customs & Inland Revenue website and email the Customs Border Control section. You should get a response within 24 hours.
If planning to visit here (to visit the volcano), it is worth obtaining this prior written permission as the trip from Lenakel to Port Resolution is very tedious in normal trade wind conditions.
You will have to pay $6000 vatu (roughly $60 USD) to have an officer come to Port Resolution for clearance. This can be shared with any other boats clearing in/out here at the same time.
Customs, Immigration and Quarantine are all based in Lenakel on Tanna’s SW coast. The harbour at Lenakel, however, is small and fairly open, so in the past boats would anchor at Port Resolution and take a 4×4 car over to Lenakel on the other side of the island to clear in. However, it is now necessary to obtain prior permission to do this from Vanuatu Customs and Inland Revenue or face large fines.
Note: While clearance can be paid for in US$, the fee for tours up the volcano must be paid in Vatu. There are no banks or ATMs in Port Resolution, so Vatu must be obtained in advance (in Fiji for example).
Last updated: October 2018.
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at editor@noonsite.com. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
Next Section: Profile: Docking
Related to following destinations: Port Resolution, Tanna, Vanuatu
Port Navigation
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.comMain Ports - Vanuatu
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.com
Echoing an earlier report from @gemma ross don’t miss a visit to Black Beach on the opposite side of The Yacht Club. There is another village nearby and the only source of income for these families is tourism.
It’s worth asking for fruits and vegetables to buy or trade (ask what they most need at the time, children clothes and school supplies are always a good option, as are magazines).
Cooking in the 50 degrees Celsius hot spring water hole by the beach is a real treat, ask to be shown around and seek permission if you want to cook your own meal there (I am told pasta works very well!). Some money will be greatly appreciated if you don’t do the tour. You may be able to visit the village if someone is available.
The tours to the hot springs at time of writing is 1000 vatu per adult and 500 Vatu per child.
Reported July 10th, 2018 by SV Australis (visit us at svaustralis.com).
Contacted immigration ahead of time via email as per the official website. There is an additional charge to clear in at Port Resolution which must be accepted before being granted permission.
We attempted Lenakel but found it unsuitable for anything more than a brief stop (winds in the 30-35kn) and diverted to Port Resolution requesting permission to clear in at Port Resolution on the way which was granted.
Our advice is to contact and notify the authorities of your planned port and ETA by email a few days in advance.
Reported October 8th by SY Golden Glow:
IMPORTANT UPDATE.
We cleared immigration at Port Resolution in August with no problem, but customs had to be done in Port Vila when we got there some weeks later (the officials in Tanna told us not to worry about the delay and officials in Port Vila also had no problem with that).
Friends who tried to clear Vanuatu immigration into Tanna EITHER in Lenakel or Port Resolution a few weeks ago however, were told it is no longer possible. There was a sign on the door in Lenakel saying go to Port Vila.
So folks, check the currrent status before you go. Stanley in Port Resolution May have the answer +678 68791
In 2018 there was a new restaurant opened on the south-west corner of Iwea Beach (the black beach in P. Resolution Bay- opposite side to the yacht club). Most people go into the main P. Res village to dine & they don’t visit this one.
The restaurant is run by Sheila & Willy & they are a young couple trying to start up so please go & support them, they can also trade your vegetables (as in most villages) & the tours to see the hot springs & steam vents are run by them.
The restaurant is family owned, the money from the tours goes to the village. So look out for the rasta coloured canoe on the beach & the elevated palm roofed hut visible from the anchorage.
We visited the area in 2005. We were greeted by chief Ronnie and met his son Stanley. My wife, a nurse, assisted Stanley’s wife in the delivery of her first child. They named the girl Naomi Pat after my wife’s first name.
Can we get in contact with Stanley? Is chief Ronnie still alive? Can we provide assistance to the area through Stanley or his nephew? Contact us on 805 708 5388 or emails wotrubadick(at)yahoo.com or pwotruba(at)hotmail.com.
Thanks – Dick and Pat
Posted on behalf of SY Tenaya:
We spent two months, over two consecutive years, in Port Resolution on Tanna and made several friends. Stanley is the yachtie liaison, and Werry is the owner of Port Resolution Yacht Club. We have been in close contact with Werry since Cyclone Pam devastated the island. Along with two photos of his ruined bungalows, we received this message from him:
Hi, Jim Here is some information for you in regards to cyclone pam. Most houses are down in the village. The classroom was damage and yacht clubhouses were gone.
Food and tools are mostly needed for the village community. Tell other friends who are coming to talk to me, Stanley or Johnson about gifts for the villagers as people are getting help from yachties without sharing them equally to other nearby families. Looking forward to hear from you.
Before Cyclone Pam, yachts could email customs in Port Vila ahead of arrival and receive clearance to stop at Port Resolution, Tanna, before checking in at Lenakel, Tanna, or Port Vila, Efate. To check for the latest information, contact: https://customsinlandrevenue.gov.vu/index.php/en/travellers/yacht-clearance
All the gardens were wiped out so Ni-Vanuatu people will need food through to the end of the year. We urge any boats leaving New Zealand or Fiji to please take extra food to give to people on any island of Vanuatu.
Jim and Katie Thomsen, SY TENAYA