Luganville
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At a glance
- Country
- Vanuatu
- Region
- Sanma
- Population
- 18,000
- Best time to go
- May to October
- Main airport
- Santo-Pekoa International (SON)
- Coordinates
- 15.53°S, 167.17°E
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Overview
Vanuatu's second town is a modest, one-main-street place on Espiritu Santo, laid out as a huge American base during the Second World War. The town itself is quiet, but it's the base for some of the best diving and swimming in the Pacific.
Divers come for the wreck of the SS President Coolidge, while everyone else heads up the east coast to freshwater blue holes and the white sands of Champagne Beach.
Things to see
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Photo: Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0 SS President Coolidge
A wartime troopship lying just offshore, one of the world's most famous wreck dives.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: U.S. Navy, Public domain Million Dollar Point
Where US forces dumped tonnes of equipment into the sea after the war, now a striking snorkel site.
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Photo: Simon_sees from Australia, CC BY 2.0 Champagne Beach
A sweep of soft white sand and clear water on the island's east coast.
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Photo: Simon Goodall, CC BY-SA 3.0 Blue holes
Spring-fed pools of startling blue in the forest, such as Matevulu and Riri, perfect for a rope swing.
Things to do
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Dive the Coolidge
Local operators run trips for all levels, with deeper dives reaching the ship's famous Lady statue.
Find tours -
Millennium Cave
A demanding full-day trek and river float through a cave and canyon with local guides.
Find tours -
Drive the east coast
Follow the road north past villages and beaches to Port Olry.
Where to stay
Luganville town
Simple hotels near the dive shops and waterfront, practical for divers.
Hotels in Luganville townEast coast
Bungalows by the beaches and blue holes, for a slower island stay.
Hotels in East coast
Getting around
Taxis and minibuses run around town and along the east coast road; hire a car or arrange a driver for day trips.
Santo-Pekoa airport is about 10 minutes from town, with flights from Port Vila; inter-island ships also call at the port.
When to go
May to October is cooler and drier, with good visibility for diving. November to April is hot, wet and cyclone season.
Plan your trip to Luganville
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.