Oceanic Beach

We arrived on a cruise and were looking for a nice spot to swim, eat, and unwind. Someone suggested Black Pearl, so we called to confirm if we could visit. The service was excellent! We had a couple of pizzas for lunch. They were pricey, but we could pay in AUD. The beach on the right was much better for snorkeling compared to the one on the left.

A fantastic place to stay! Owners Ivo and Annie were incredibly kind and went above and beyond to make our stay enjoyable. The community is very welcoming, with many local expats dining at the restaurant, which serves amazing food. We stayed for 5 nights as part of a fishing trip with Ruan of Pacific Reef Sportfishing.

Due to a power outage disrupting our plans to dine at Turtle Beach Lodge, we found ourselves at Black Pearl Restaurant & Bar for lunch. The venue, with its impressive thatched lobby, restaurant, lounge, and bar, made for an intriguing visit. For AUD 10, you can snorkel here, and judging by the slightly choppy water, it seemed like there would be more coral to explore compared to Barrier Beach Resort nearby. It's worth mentioning that construction is ongoing, as power tools were in use while we ate. The chalkboard menu offered a refreshing change with fish options beyond the usual poulet. The dogtooth tuna sashimi (1200VT) was sliced so thinly it resembled fish charcuterie, pairing well with the small amounts of wasabi and the teacup of soy sauce. We also ordered a garlic cheese pizza (1600VT) to satisfy our dairy cravings after nearly three weeks on the island. The tuna steak (3500VT) looked appealing with its vibrant red fresh tomato salsa with lime, wilted bok choy, and rice, but unfortunately, it was cooked through despite our clear request for rare. Despite this misstep, Black Pearl is worth considering for lunch if you're exploring the east coast attractions from Champagne Beach to the various blue holes.

The restaurant is quite expensive, even by Vanuatu standards, and the atmosphere feels more like an upscale pub than a high-end restaurant. There's a foosball table positioned right in front of the bar. The food was alright, but nothing stood out enough for us to recommend it. You'll find tastier, cozier, and more affordable options just a bit further down the road.

Fantastic venue and location. The bungalows are stunning, with some featuring a 9m x 4.5m pool.