Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade raised the advisory level for Vanuatu's Ambrym and Tanna islands to Level 4 on July 12. The alert covers a 10-kilometre radius around Mount Benbow and Yasur craters due to ongoing eruptions and ashfall. All Australian citizens in these zones received evacuation recommendations via SMS alerts.
Level 4 means do not travel and leave if already present. Flights to Port Vila remain operational but domestic connections to the islands face cancellations. The Vanuatu Meteorology Department recorded ash plumes reaching 3,000 metres on July 10.
Previous Level 3 advice issued in June allowed essential travel only. The upgrade follows similar warnings from New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Tourism operators on Efate island report a 40 percent drop in bookings for August.
What this means for you
Cancel any bookings to Tanna or Ambrym immediately and request full refunds under travel insurance policies. Rebook stays on Efate or Santo islands which remain at Level 2. Monitor the Smartraveller app for daily updates before any Pacific itinerary.
Carry N95 masks and eye protection if transiting near affected areas. Purchase comprehensive insurance covering volcanic disruptions before travel to Vanuatu.
The situation may stabilise within weeks but could extend into September depending on seismic readings. Confirm flight status directly with Air Vanuatu 48 hours before departure.