Vanua Lava

The island has two natural harbors, Port Patteson in the east and Vureas Bay (Vurës) in the southwest. The island includes Mount Suretamate (also spelled Sure Ama, Sürétimiat, 921 m), an active volcano. The last major eruption was 1965. The highest altitude on the island is 946 m. To the east of the island are the islets of Kwakea and Ravenga. On the west side is Waterfall Bay.

Vanua Lava was first explored by New Zealand Bishop George Augustus Selwyn in 1859. The sulfur deposits of Mt. Suretamate were formerly worked by a French company. Copra is the chief export.