Emae Island

The waters around Emae lie among the Shepherd Islands of Vanuatu. Emae and neighbouring Makura are Polynesian outliers within a largely Melanesian region; the Emae language belongs to the Futunic group, whose speakers also live on other outlying islands. These connections provide context for the island communities bordering the sea.

Emae rises along the northern rim of the largely submerged Makura volcano, whose formation also includes Makura and Mataso. The proximity of these islands places Emae within a landscape of short sea crossings as well as cultivated land.