Widely regarded as one of the finest beaches in the Pacific, Champagne Beach stretches in a long arc of powder-white sand beneath coconut palms, lapped by clear turquoise water. The colour of the sea here — varying from pale jade in the shallows to deep blue beyond the fringing reef — is as good as it gets in Vanuatu.
The beach is remote, about 50 kilometres from Luganville on a mix of sealed and dirt roads, but the drive through the island's interior is scenic and the beach repays the effort. On days when cruise ships are in, Champagne Beach can get busy with day-trippers; arriving early morning, or timing your visit to avoid ship days, means you may have it to yourself. Facilities are minimal: a few shelters and cold drinks available from the village. A small entry fee is charged, with the proceeds going to the local community.