Luganville

Luganville is a major export centre and the quayside bustles activity. One of the typical sights you see is locals unloading sacks of copra that are crammed into towering piles in the copra sheds, filling the whole quayside with a distinctive ‘coconut’ aroma. Santo beef, timber and cocoa are the other main exports making this one of busiest ports in Vanuatu. The town is located approximately one kilometre from the ship overlooking the attractive Segond Channel. Luganville has some local bars, restaurants, general stores and the Women’s Market, selling handicrafts from all over Espirito Santo. Walking into town (0.5km) you pass handicraft stalls and remnants of buildings surviving from when the American’s were stationed there in WWII. Santo is becoming a popular destination with tourists because of its beautiful undiscovered beaches (many only a short drive from the ship), island resorts, fascinating traditional villages and WWII American wartime relics such as the President Coolidge.