From the Blue Lagoon swimming hole to quiet bays on the north coast: the beaches, lagoons and island swims around Port Vila and Efate.
Efate has no single “main beach”. Instead there is a ring of reef-sheltered bays, a famous swimming hole and a lagoon of small islands. Here is what is on offer, roughly from closest to Port Vila outwards.
Where: Eastern Efate, a couple of kilometres from Eton Beach.
A large, deep swimming hole fed by the ocean at high tide, ringed by tropical trees with rope swings. Family-friendly and lively at weekends.
✓ Visited on: Blue Express Round Island Tour and Day Tours #1 and #4
Where: Eastern Efate, about 40 minutes’ drive from Port Vila.
White sand, child-friendly rock pools and protected snorkelling over colourful marine life. The beach is privately owned and charges a small entry fee; high tide is the best time for the water.
✓ Visited on: Blue Express Round Island Tour and Day Tour #4
Where: Mele Bay, southwest coast, close to Port Vila.
A relaxed grey-sand bay lined with small stays. A slow, easy finish after the Cascades.
✓ Visited on: Blue Express Day Tour #2
Where: Efate (confirm exact meeting point with Blue Express).
A beach stop that Blue Express combines with Eton Beach and Blue Lagoon for a variety day.
✓ Visited on: Blue Express Day Tour #4
Where: A short boat ride (about three minutes) off Mele Bay.
A tiny private coral island with a coarse-sand beach, easy snorkelling straight off the shore and an on-site dive centre.
Where: Outskirts of Port Vila.
Calm lagoon water and a cluster of boutique beach and lagoon resorts, close to town.
Where: Southern coast, about 20 minutes from Port Vila.
A quiet, picturesque stretch of beachfront away from the town centre.
Where: Southeast coast, about 20 minutes from Port Vila.
Wilder beachfront with an ocean feel. Blue Express runs airport transfers to Tamanu Resort.
Where: North coast, roughly 30 km from Port Vila.
A secluded deep-water harbour and lagoon ringed by offshore islands, with warm calm water for swimming, snorkelling and diving.
✓ Visited on: Blue Express Round Island Tour (Havannah Eco-Lodge)
Where: North Efate, reached from the Havannah Harbour area.
The beach where parts of the TV show Survivor were filmed.
Where: Off the north and northeast coast of Efate.
About a dozen small islands sit in the lagoon off the north and east coasts, popular for boat day trips; Lelepa is the best known.
Where: North of Efate, about a 10-minute boat ride from Emua Wharf.
Small island with white beaches, four villages and a Marine Protected Area declared in 2003.
Explore more: Nature & Waterfalls · Culture & Local Life · Tours & Transfers
Salt-water hungry? These finish a lagoon day well.