Lenakel & Market
Lenakel
The main town on Tanna’s west coast. On market days, villagers from across the island come with fruit, vegetables, kava, and handicrafts, creating a lively and down-to-earth scene.
Lenakel is on Tanna’s west coast, next to the provincial capital Isangel. It is the island’s commercial center, with a wharf, a cooperative store, a bank, and a post office. The open-air market is busiest on market days, usually Monday and Friday, when villagers from across the island bring Tanna coffee, bananas, taro, kava roots, woven baskets, and grass skirts, making for a vivid scene. Visitors can exchange money, stock up on supplies, and taste local coffee here. It is about 15 minutes by car from White Grass Airport. Note that bank branches and ATMs are scarce, so bring enough cash in advance, and greet villagers before taking photos of them.
Opening hours
Market by day (market days per local schedule)
Nearby sights
- Giant Banyan Tree (Tanna)
- Yakel Kastom Village
- White Grass Plains & West Coast
- Yasur Ash Plain (Siwi)
- Tanna Blue Cave
- Mount Yasur
- Sulphur Bay (John Frum Village)
- Port Resolution