Luganville
Visitors come for the World War II sites, the SS President Coolidge wreck and the coral reefs around the town.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Luganville is Vanuatu's second biggest town, behind Port Vila, and the only city in the north of the country. It sits on Espiritu Santo and is the main town of Sanma province, the largest province in Vanuatu. The name comes from Armand Lugan, a French naval officer who commanded the ship Tanaïs.
American forces made the town their main base in the western Pacific in 1942, and it grew fast. Remains of that period include thousands of Quonset huts, a floating drydock and Pontoon Wharf. Boulevard Higinson, the main street, is unusually wide because a base commander wanted four tanks to drive side by side. Scuba divers come for the wreck of SS President Coolidge and the reefs around it. Luganville is also a regular cruise stop and the most multilingual place in Vanuatu, with Bislama, English and French widely spoken. Rain is common, with about 2,920 millimeters (110 inches) a year, and temperatures stay near 25°C (77°F). Plan two days for the museum, the wartime sites and a dive.
Luganville in five
- Check flights into Santo-Pekoa International AirportSanto-Pekoa International Airport, Vanuatu's second largest, serves the town and has offered international flights since 2007, including a weekly service to Brisbane. Check the current schedule before you fix the rest of the trip.Getting around
- Carry vatu and withdraw at a bankTown has six main banks, among them ANZ Bank and BRED Bank. Withdraw during opening hours and carry small notes for the market and the smaller shops.Money and costs
- Pack for heat and rain all yearAverage rainfall is about 2,920 millimeters (110 inches) a year, and temperatures stay near 25 °C (77 °F). Bring quick-dry clothes, a rain jacket and a dry bag for boat trips.Clothing
- Visit the South Pacific WWII Museum firstThe museum covers the Second World War across the South Pacific, so it explains the wartime sites around town. See it before the wharf, the floating drydock and the Quonset huts.
- Book a wreck dive with an operator in townThe wreck of SS President Coolidge and the surrounding coral reefs are the main draw for divers. Check each operator's certification and your dive level before you pay.Tours and tickets
Need to know
- Currency
- Vatu (VUV)
- Entry
- Entry rules depend on your passport; check them before you book
- Emergency
- Ask your lodging for police and ambulance numbers; Northern Provincial Hospital is in town
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+11, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryWet, cyclone season
- FebruaryWet, cyclone season
- MarchWet, cyclone season
- AprilWet, easing
- MayDrier season
- JuneDrier season
- JulyDrier season
- AugustDrier season
- SeptemberDrier season
- OctoberDrier, warming
- NovemberWet season starts
- DecemberWet, cyclone season
Right now in Luganville
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 26°
- Humidity
- 99%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 80%
Luganville
08:16 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today28°22°80%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Wed28°22°92%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Thu29°23°94%Thursday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Fri29°22°65%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Sat29°23°72%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 72%.
- Sun28°22°80%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Mon29°21°60%Monday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 60%.
Updated 04:40 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 119.2 VUV
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Aore IslandCheck boat times locallyAn island across Canal du Segond, the sheltered channel off the town.
- Port VilaCheck flight times locallyVanuatu's capital and largest city, reached by air, so it is not a road day trip.Read the guide
- Rest of Espiritu SantoCheck road and transport times locallyThe island the town sits on, with rural villages beyond town where the town is called Kanal.Read the guide
Before you go to Luganville
Rules for Luganville, checked
- Check visa-free entry for your passport on the official government immigration site before you book.
- Declare food, plants and animal products on arrival, since biosecurity checks apply; check Vanuatu's current rules before you pack.
- Ask before you photograph people, especially in villages and at ceremonies.
- Dress modestly for church visits and when you visit villages outside town.
Plan around Luganville
Entry, the islands and the wider trip
Read the guideEspiritu SantoThe island the town sits on
Read the guideGetting aroundFlights, taxis and town buses
Read the guideMoney and costsVatu, banks and typical prices
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules for your passport
Read the guideWhere to stayBases in town and near the airport
Read the guideLuganville FAQ
How do you get to Luganville?
Fly into Santo-Pekoa International Airport, which serves the town. Taxis, buses and public transport trucks serve the town, so a car is optional.
Is Luganville worth visiting?
Yes if you want WWII sites, wreck diving and everyday town life. It is Vanuatu's second largest city, with 17,719 residents at the 2020 census, and the most multilingual place in the country.
What language is spoken in Luganville?
Bislama, English and French are widely spoken. Languages from the northern islands are also heard here, spoken by people who moved in from the countryside.
Why do locals call Luganville Santo?
Indigenous residents of the northern islands call the town Santo, and rural people on Espiritu Santo call it Kanal. The name Luganville is taken from French naval officer Armand Lugan.
How many days do you need in Luganville?
Two days cover the WWII museum, the main wartime sites and a dive. Add a day if you want to see more of Espiritu Santo beyond the town.
Do cruise ships stop in Luganville?
Yes, Luganville is a regular stop for many cruise lines. The sheltered channel Canal du Segond, between Espiritu Santo and Aore Island, gives the town its harbor.