Lonnoc Beach Bungalows, Santo Visitor Ratings

More than 20 years now, Lonnoc Beach Bungalows is an established low key resort near Champagne Beach and Hog Harbour on east Santo. It's an idyllic place, in a beachfront garden setting with beautiful views.

Champagne Beach, more famous than Lonnoc and a cruise ship destination, is only a short walk from Lonnoc. It costs 500 Vatu to visit but who do you pay? There are two families disputing ownership of Champagne Beach.

Four kilometers north of Hog Harbour there's a classic blue hole with crystal clear spring water for swimming. It's free to visit except on cruise ship days. Further north is Golden Beach where there is a sign and kastom fee collection box. Sometimes you'll see a minibus with tourists from Luganville on a day tour passing by Lonnoc, most of the time you'll have the place to yourself.

Costs and Booking
Today mobile phones have reached east Santo and you can indeed call to Hog Harbour and Lonnoc (5416456). The high season starts around June each year and lasts two or three months. At other times you might not need to make a booking. Lonnoc's staff speak Bislama, English and one or two can speak French.

Phone: 5416456 (mobile)
Post: PO Box 190, Luganivlle, Santo, Vanuatu
Website: http://lonnocbeachbungalows.com/
Vanuatu Tourism Office web page: Lonnoc Beach Bungalows

Bookings and payments for Lonnoc can also be made through Vanuatu Hotels, telephone: 24444, email: info@vanuatu-hotels.vu

Lonnoc accepts payment by Vatu cash, local cheque and maybe credit card(?). Cash is always best on the islands. The table below details the latest pricing (2008). Exchange rates.

Accommodation and Food
Lonnoc's bungalows are of different vintages and styles. The newest have concrete walls, others are bamboo. Most have two or three beds inside. All have ensuite bathrooms with showers and modern flush toilets. In total there are 5 double /twin bungalows, 3 family bungalows and a big dormitory-style house (sleeps 12).

Each bungalow is equipped with private bathroom, linen, blanket, mosquito coils, candles and matches, hurricane lantern and mosquito nets. Water is supplied from a bore, pumped into an elevated tank and the pressure at distant bungalows can be weak and unreliable. The water is generally OK to drink. A generator is run in the evenings for lighting the restaurant, bar, kitchen area and several bungalows.

Lonnoc is quite westernised and the food and prices reflect that. Standard breakfasts are toast, fruit and coffee or tea. Real coffee and milk are used. Lunches and dinners are simple and satisfying, for example rice and beef stew with potato chips for 600 Vatu. In the high season expect more choice. If you want something special such as aelan kaekae you're free to ask. Lonnoc sells cold Tusker beer for 350 Vatu a bottle, they might have wine.

Transport, Services and Suggestions
Lonnoc can arrange transfers from Luganville on request. See our Santo page for information on public transport.

There are a few basic stores, a community telephone and a medical clinic in Hog Harbour village.

First surveyed: May 2004 by Stephen.
Last updated: Jan 2009 by Stephen (with help from Lonnoc's volunteer).