Relics of World War II
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Port
Luganville, Vanuatu
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$99.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 2½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
World War II ended more than 70 years ago but remnants and reminders are still found in and around Luganville town.
Departing the pier by non-air-conditioned minibus, you'll visit a jail (concrete blockhouse). It was built in 1942 to house Japanese prisoners of war from two patrol boats that were sunk by the USS San Juan.
A high vantage point offers excellent photo opportunities over the surrounding islands, the location of an old submarine net and the minefield that sank the SS President Coolidge.
Continue to Million Dollar Point, where the Americans dumped valuable equipment into the ocean at the end of the war. You'll see old truck parts and paraphernalia lying all over the foreshore. Underwater there are bulldozers, trucks, forklifts, etc. The amount of equipment that is visible varies with the tide.
After a drive through the bush, past some isolated homes and an organic coconut oil mill, you'll visit a small museum located on the concrete foundations of one of the many American hospitals that were constructed in the area during the war.
Driving back towards Luganville town, your driver will show you the old Bomber 2 Airfield -- now the international airport.
You'll visit an old World War II jetty, the BP (Burns Philp) pier, which is still in use and cross the Sarakata River before stopping at a local resort. On display here are some photographs of the location during the war -- they are quite interesting.
A cool, refreshing beverage will be waiting for you before you return to the ship.
Notes:
Bring insect repellent. Sighting of some memorabilia is dependent on the tide. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, wear light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. Bring a hat and sunglasses; wear biodegradable/reef-safe sunscreen. Bring bottled water.