Coco Beach Resort Vanuatu

Facing west across a lagoon, CoCo Beach Resort catches the sunset straight off its jetty restaurant, TIDE, which is built out over the water on stilts. The beach itself is white sand, backed by coconut palms, with water calm and clear enough for snorkelling most days of the year. The resort sits on Efate, fifteen minutes from Port Vila by road, or by a water taxi that CoCo Beach runs along the coast into town — a shortcut few other properties on the island offer. Fifteen fares make up the accommodation, built in island style with screened louvre windows that let the sea breeze through; some sit right on the beachfront, others are set back among gardens. A three-bedroom villa is also available for larger groups. Furniture throughout is hand-worked hardwood, kept simple against the tropical interiors. Guests swim, kayak and paddleboard directly from the sand, or take a bicycle out to nearby villages and quieter beaches along the shore. Evenings centre on TIDE, where the kitchen turns out fresh local dishes, including Vanuatu's well-regarded beef, alongside cold beer at the sunset bar. It is a small resort, built for couples rather than crowds. Wi-Fi runs throughout the property, and each fare has ceiling fans, with air conditioning fitted in the beachfront rooms.