This is one of the four official clearance ports for Vanuatu. See Vanuatu Formalities for detailed information on Clearance. Tax-free fuel is available here - see the Fuel section for more details.
Remember: 24 hours prior notice of arrival is required by Customs.
Clearing In:
On entering the harbour, fly the Q flag and call Customs or Santo Port Control on VHF Channel 16 or working Channel 12. Officials might not answer outside of office hours.
Arriving yachts may pick up a mooring off Aore Island Resort on the southern side of the Segond Channel and dinghy or take the shuttle across to the main town wharf to clear in.
Alternatively, yachts can anchor off the Beachfront Resort, which has good holding and gets a bus into town to clear with the authorities.
The customs office is inside the commercial port, the 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.
The immigration office is located on the first floor of the last building just before the road veers to the right for the wharf from the main road going east from Luganville. The blue and white building is not marked in any way. A taxi or bus driver will know the way.
There is are fees to be paid for Immigration clearance but no fees for Customs clearance.
Clearing Out:
If heading north, it is possible to arrange to clear out from Sola on Banks Island but as at August 2023, there were no customs or immigration officials posted there. You must get permission from the Head of Immigration in Luganville and pay for the cost of transport to and from Sola (return flights) and also the daily living expenses of agents for each department.
Note that all vessels that have been granted a certificate of clearance must depart for overseas within 24 hours of its issue and must not go to any other place in Vanuatu. So if you clear out from Luganville, you cannot continue cruising and anchoring anywhere else.
Last updated: August 2023
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