Eton Beach

Eton Beach is on Efate's eastern coast where a reef stands offshore and takes the Pacific swell, leaving a sheltered pool of turquoise water inside it, with a river coming down through the sand at one end and white coral sand along the shore. The village charges a modest fee and maintains shelters and a kiosk. It is the standard eastern beach stop on the ring road circuit.

The landscape

• The reef pool - sheltered turquoise water inside the offshore reef.
• The river mouth - fresh water meeting the sea at one end of the beach.
• The coral sand - the pale shore inside the reef line.
• The shelters - the village-maintained shade and kiosk.

When to go

April to October is the dry season. November to March is wet with cyclone risk. Weekends and cruise days bring the most people.

What to expect

An entry fee applies and is collected at the gate. The beach fills on cruise days. Currents outside the reef are dangerous and swimming there is unwise.

Nearby

The Blue Lagoon is north, and Port Vila is west.