Champagne Bay Vanuatu

Many years ago I holidayed at Espiritu Santo and dived the President Coolidge Shipwreck. On the opposite side of the island is Champagne Bay. Our dive schedule at the time prevented us from visiting this idyllic location and I have regretted missing it ever since. 

This cruise ship was not scheduled to stop here but recent bad weather cancelled our trip to Dravuni Island the substitute location selected by the Captain was this absolutely delightful beach. The water was indescribably aqua  with the whitest soft sand in the region. Coral and tropical fish are plentiful and the water is warm with these interesting, refreshing cool patches that are actually fresh water springs beneath the ocean floor bubbling to the surface, hence the name Champagne Beach. I LOVED it. No current, deep pristine water, it was gorgeous.  My favourite day so far on the trip. The tender boat trip ashore was ridiculous many people simply didn't bother because if the prolonged wait. We didn't get ashore until after lunchtime and it was very hard to leave such a perfect place. There were many locals selling cooked crayfish, crabs, fruits and locally crafted artifacts and handmade clothing, so so very pretty exactly like a perfect tropical island. 

The cruise ship sits out in the bay and the tender boats travel around the corner to surprise you with a picture postcard view.

There are a number if huts set up as stalls filled with reasonably priced island souvenirs .