Pacific Dive
Dive center in Luganville, provides trips to wrecks and coral reefs.
🌐 pacificdive.net🕒 Mo-Su 07:00-17:00
Plizio Visual Lab
Luganville Wharf
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
Port
Weather…
Water temperature…
The Luganville Wharf on Espiritu Santo island is Vanuatu's second-largest port and a vital pillar for the economic development of the northern provinces. Situated along the Segond Channel, it gives deep, sheltered waters, making it convenient for large ocean-going vessels. Historically, the port gained global fame during World War II as a massive U.S. military base, with numerous wrecks nearby still bearing witness to that era. Today, the wharf primarily serves the export of agricultural products such as copra, cocoa, and beef produced on the fertile island of Santo. The infrastructure has recently undergone extensive modernization to improve container handling and increase overall export capacity. The port is also significant for tourism, serving as the primary gateway for diving expeditions to the world-renowned wreck of the 'SS President Coolidge.' The wharf's expansion has turned Luganville into a dynamic commercial hub, bolstering the economic independence of the northern islands.
- Location: Vanuatu
- Top sights: Pacific Dive · South Pacific WWII Museum · Jehovah witness
- Nearby: Big Nambas Territory (66 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 |
| Rain mm | 272 | 274 | 271 | 272 | 183 | 162 | 116 | 105 | 109 | 151 | 175 | 170 |
📋 Practical info
What is this place?
Luganville Wharf on Espiritu Santo is Vanuatu's second-largest port and central transshipment point for copra, beef, and cocoa. It supplies northern islands with imports and exports agricultural products.
Visiting
The port is visible from the main road along Luganville Bay. Visitors can watch cargo ships and container handling, but access to the quays is restricted.
Where to view it
The best viewpoint is the Luganville waterfront promenade overlooking the harbor basin. From there, one sees the cranes and docking ships against the backdrop of Santo's hills.
Local products
From this port, Santo copra, frozen beef, and high-quality cocoa are exported. Travelers can buy these products in Luganville shops and at the nearby market.
Active season
The port is active year-round, with seasonal peaks during cocoa and copra harvests. Beef exports are continuous as cattle farming runs all year.
Nearby
Combine the port visit with a side trip to Millennium Cave and the Grountour waterfalls in Santo's interior. The SS President Coolidge wreck dives are world-famous.
Geography
Facts
- Vanuatu's second most important export harbor
- Located on the naturally deep Segond Channel
- Former site of the massive WWII U.S. 'Buttons' base
- Primary transit point for copra and premium beef exports
- Modernization was completed via Chinese investment projects
- Gateway to the famous 'Million Dollar Point' diving site
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Luganville Wharf (7)
Sarakata Anglican church
Anglican church in the Sarakata district of Luganville, a place of worship for the community.
Flower Garden Water Music
Water feature with music in a flower garden in Luganville.
Leweton custom village
Traditional village in Luganville, showcasing customs and dances of islanders.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
What is the importance of Luganville port?
It is the second-largest port in Vanuatu and a central hub for Santo.
Can you book tours from the port?
Yes, local operators often await visitors directly upon ship arrival.
Are there attractions nearby?
The famous shipwrecks like the SS President Coolidge are not far away.
Do you need a visa for port access?
For tourists, access to general port areas during travel is visa-free.
Is the port safe for pedestrians?
You should be cautious as it is an active work area.
Luganville Wharf: where is it located?
Luganville Wharf is located in Vanuatu.
Luganville Wharf: what is there to see?
Highlights include Pacific Dive, South Pacific WWII Museum, Jehovah witness.
Luganville Wharf: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Luganville Wharf: why is it worth visiting?
The Luganville Wharf on Espiritu Santo island is Vanuatu's second-largest port and a vital pillar for the economic development of the northern provinces.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in Oceania
More places in Vanuatu →
Nearby cities
History & landmarks
Port Vila City Hall
The City Hall is the administrative center for the municipal government of the capital, Port Vila.
Northern District Hospital
The Northern District Hospital in Luganville is the main health center for the northern islands.
Luganville Market House
The main trading hub in Luganville, essential for the distribution of fresh food across Espiritu Santo.
Luganville Municipal Market
The main market of Luganville on Espiritu Santo island is a vital commercial hub for the region.
Luganville Quonset Huts
These distinctive corrugated iron huts are remnants of the massive US military presence in Luganville during the Pacific War.
Unity Park Luganville
Unity Park is the central public green space and event venue in the city of Luganville.
SBD Dauntless Wreck
A US dive bomber that crashed off the coast of Espiritu Santo during World War II.
Luganville Airfield
A massive military airfield constructed by the US on Espiritu Santo during World War II.
Nature
Aore Island Reefs
The coastal waters of Aore are rich in brain corals and provide habitats for diverse marine invertebrates.
Ratua Wildlife Reserve
Ratua combines sustainable tourism with the protection of wild horses and tropical bird species.
🗺️
Bokissa Island Marine Reserve
A private island dedicated to preserving turtle nesting sites and protecting local dugong populations.
🗺️
Riri Blue Hole
Riri Blue Hole is accessible via a shallow river creek rich in mangroves and riparian vegetation.
🗺️
Matevulu Blue Hole
Matevulu is one of the largest blue holes on Santo, known for its lush mangroves lining the banks.
🗺️
Circe Blue Hole
A lesser-known blue hole distinguished by its deep sapphire color and surrounding undisturbed wilderness.
Oyster Island Mangroves
This small island near Santo hosts an important ecosystem for oysters and other shellfish within its mangroves.
Malo Peak
Malo Peak is the highest elevation on the island of Malo.
More places
Santo War Memorial
This memorial in Luganville honors those who served on Espiritu Santo during World War II.
Santo Meat Packers
The primary meat processing facility in Luganville, packing premium beef for export to markets like Japan.
Pekoa Cargo Center
The logistics facility at Pekoa Airport on Espiritu Santo supports the export of northern agricultural products.
Pekoa Airport Terminal
The Pekoa Airport terminal serves Luganville and the island of Espiritu Santo.
SS President Coolidge Wreck
The wreck of this luxury liner, sunk during WWII, is one of Vanuatu's most famous historical landmarks.
SS President Coolidge Reef
The wreck of the SS President Coolidge is now a massive artificial ecosystem for marine life off Espiritu Santo.
Million Dollar Point Reef
US military equipment dumped after WWII has created a unique artificial reef with high marine biodiversity.
🗺️
Sarakata Hydroelectric Power Station
This facility provides most of the electricity for Luganville, reducing reliance on expensive imported diesel fuel.