Luganville : Profile

Clearance

Luganville is one of 4 (soon to be 5) Ports of Entry in Vanuatu. On entering the harbour, one should fly the Q flag and call customs or Santo Port Control on Channel 16 or working Channel 12. Officials might not answer outside of office hours.

If conditions are too rough to anchor by the old black quarantine buoy, one may pick up a mooring off Aore Island Resort (1200vt/night) on the southern side of the Segond Channel and dinghy or take the shuttle back across to the Customs, Quarantine and Immigration offices on the main wharf. It is not recommended to tie up to the quarantine buoy or the main wharf.

The anchorage at Beachfront Resort is somewhat more protected than the Q-buoy anchorage.

The immigration office is on Rue Higginson (main street) at the east end of Luganville, but outside the commercial port. The customs office is inside the commercial port, first building on the right. Customs will contact Quarantine, and in general, both Customs and Quarantine agents will want to visit the yacht to collect fresh fruits, vegetables, and garbage. A fee of 3000 Vatu is charged by Quarantine.

Animals onboard yachts are not permitted to land, but can be kept onboard the yacht while in Vanuatu waters. See here for further details.

A cruising permit is required for all yachts transiting between clearance ports in Vanuatu. Obtain the permit (no fee) from the Customs office before leaving Luganville. You must name the islands at which you intend to call.

Last updated October 2008.

Customs and Immigration
Tel:+678 36225
Santo Customs are open Monday to Friday, 07:30-11:30 and 13:15-16:30. If they are needed outside these times contacts are: Reuben Lini 44118 and Graeme Waute 54049.

Docking

There is no marina in Luganville. Three anchorages are convenient to town:

BP Wharf/Q-buoy - Yachts can anchor on either side of the BP wharf although the anchorage is fairly open to the east and the bottom is foul in many spots.

Beachfront Resort - This anchorage along a sand beach just west of the Sarakata River is the preferred yacht anchorage on the Luganville side of the Segond Channel. Holding is good in 5-15 meters, sand. The anchorage is relatively open to the east, and especially at high tide in the afternoon the anchorage can be choppy. Dinghies may be landed on the beach at the Beachfront Resort.

Palikulo Bay - The anchorage at Palikulo Bay is well protected and quite beautiful, but it's about a 30-minute ride from town. Buses, trucks, and taxis pass along the east-coast road nearby, although traffic is light.

A very popular anchorage is situated in Peterson Bay around the Oyster Island Resort. The anchorage is almost a cyclone hole and numerous cruisers end up staying here much longer than planned as they enjoy the hospitality of Grant (the new manager), the quiet anchorage, the good food, fast satellite internet connection and numerous activities in the area (blue holes, snorkeling on WWII plane wrecks, hiking etc.). Transport to Luganville is relatively easy to find.

Last updated October 2008.

Aore Island Resort
Across Segond Channel from Luganville
Tel:+678 36444, Fax:+678 36703, VHF Channel 68
aore@vanuatu.com.vu
10 moorings laid down for visiting yachts (1200Vt/night) in location 15°32.269 S, 167° 10.790 E. Water very deep for anchoring (28 meters). The resort welcomes visiting yachts as long as their presence does not interfere with the resort guests. Fresh water (FOC in containers or 1000Vt/hour direct filling from wharf), laundry (2000Vt/load), fax, internet (375Vt/15min). Free cold-water showers; also hot showers at 500Vt/person. Garbage disposal 1000Vt/large bag. There is a ferry service across to Luganville at 250Vt/person. Rates October 2008.

Beachfront Resort
1.6km West of Luganville
Tel:+678 36881, Fax:+678 36882, VHF Channel 16
DaveCross@TheBeachfrontResort.com
The Beachfront Resort offers a safe anchorage in the Segond Channel, 5 minutes from town, with excellent holding. Can be choppy in strong trades. Facilities include showers (400Vt hot shower), laundromat, ice, fresh water FOC, book swap and rubbish disposal (200Vt/bag). Cruisers are welcome.

Oyster Island Resort
Eastern side of Espiritu Santo
Tel:+678-36283, Fax:+678-37044, VHF Channel 8
stay@oysterisland.com
Cruiser friendly. Markers lead into protected anchorage with moorings planned for 2009. Bar, food, accommodation, Wi-Fi, laundry, provisioning close by.

Yacht Clubs

There are no yacht clubs, per se, in Luganville although both the Beachfront Resort and Aore Resort welcome visiting sailors and offer various services that sailors can appreciate (showers, laundry, water, bar and restaurant).

Port Vila Leading Lights (08 Jun 2010)

Vanua Lava Yam Festival - September (02 Jun 2010)

Pacific - List of Radio Nets (02 Jun 2010)

Port Sandwich Art and Cultural Festival - July (03 May 2010)

Malekula Arts & Culture Festival - August (23 Apr 2010)

Port2Port 2010 Yacht Rally - Vanuatu & New Caledonia to Port Bundaberg (14 Feb 2010)

Are Propane and Butane interchangeable with most boat systems? (19 Jan 2010)

Vanuatu, Vanua Lava - Kastom Festival (02 Jun 2009)

Vanuatu Islands: Festivals and Traditional Custom Ceremonies (20 May 2009)

Kava – Southern Pacific way of life (20 May 2009)

Amongst Used-to-be Cannibals (20 May 2009)

Volcanic Activity Causes Magnetic Interference (13 May 2009)