Luganville
The port of Luganville, servicing the northern provinces of Vanuatu is located on Espiritu Santo (Santo), on the Segond Channel immediately adjacent to north-eastern part of Aore. With a population at 11,000 Luganville is Vanuatu's second largest urban center after Port Vila. During WWII 100,000 American servicemen were based in Luganville, a stepping stone from the horrific battles that took place in the Solomon Islands to the north. Today, decaying Quonset huts and paved landing strips that occasionally emerge from the dense vegetation stand testament to the past history. A number of maritime wrecks, such as the President Coolidge sit quietly submerged in the clear warm waters of the Segond Channel.
