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Espiritu Santo is the largest island in Vanuatu with the main centre being Luganville Town on the south coast about 10 minutes drive from Pekoa Airport which serves the island both domestically and internationally. The majority of tourists visiting Santo do so to dive the wreck of the American ship the SS President Coolidge which sunk during WWII in the shallow passage off Luganville. The island's other attractions include several excellent but arduous hikes in the south west side of the island, the dazzling sands off Champagne Beach, the US military dumping ground at Million Dollar Point and several unusual blue holes on the east coast.
Luganville and around
Luganville is a small one street town with a few practical shops and banks as well as several good restaurants. Apart from its busy market, there's little to do here but it makes the most convenient base for diving the President SS Coolidge.
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Coral Quays Resort, Luganville, Espiritu Santo
A$ 175 - 270 per couple
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Coral Quays Resort is a small retreat in a peaceful tropical environment with ocean views, ten minutes drive to Luganville Town. With quaint bungalows set around a swimming pool, Coral Quays is a popular base for divers as well as attracting couples looking to explore Santo’s scenic attractions.
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Deco Stop Lodge, Luganville, Espiritu Santo
A$ 125 per couple or A$ 50 in shared room
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Deco Stop Lodge is a budget resort aimed primarily at scuba divers and located on a hillside suburb overlooking Luganville Town. The lodge is a ten minute walk to town and has cleaning facilities and storage for dive equipment There's an attractive pool surrounded by wooden decking and a cosy restaurant with views.
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Islands off Luganville
There are several beautiful islands off Luganville with boutique resorts and nice beaches: Aore Island is the more affordable; the uninhabited island of Bokissa is Vanuatu's most luxurious resort. These islands are a good option for a romantic secluded beach holiday with good snorkelling and kayaking, as well as having easy access to the SS Coolidge dive wreck.
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Bokissa Private Island Resort, Espiritu Santo
A$ 495 - 795 per couple
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Bokissa is a secluded private island resort off the southern tip of Santo with a delightful white sandy beachfront, fabulous snorkelling lagoon and laid back atmosphere. With just sixteen bungalows Bokissa makes an ideal honeymoon beach retreat offers a private PADI scuba diving set up for the Coolidge and reef dives.
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Aore Island Resort, Espiritu Santo
A$ 265 - 335 per couple
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Aore Island Resort is beach front property on a peaceful offshore island, ten minutes by boat from Luganville Town. With a pretty beachside setting and good snorkelling, Aore is a great value holiday resort for couples and families or a comfortable island base for scuba diving the Coolidge Wreck and other nearby dive sites.
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East Coast Santo
The east coast of Espiritu Santo has the best sightseeing, mostly because it has the only driveable road outside of Luganville. Attractions include Million Dollar Point and Michener's Hill in the south east corner of the island, and an hour drive from Luganville along the coast, the stunning Champagne Beach. There are also several blue holes to explore and swim hidden amongst tropical rainforest.
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Moyyan Villas, Espiritu Santo
A$ 340 per couple
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Moyyan Villas is an intimate property with just four contemporary styled villas hidden under giant 300-year old tropical trees beside a fine white-sand cove beach. With good swimming and snorkelling, and offshore islands to explore by kayak, Moyyan is ideal for couples and honeymooners.
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Turtle Bay Resort, Espiritu Santo
A$ 85 per couple
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Turtle Bay Resort offers budget ocean front accommodation along the quiet east coast of Santo about 30-minutes drive to beautiful Champagne Beach. With regular circus workshops, good snorkelling offshore and a small swimming pool, this is a good spot for both budget travellers and families.
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