Royal Beach Club Lelepa, Vanuatu
Royal Beach ClubSM Lelepa reflects current design conceptsand may include artistic rendering and/or images of other destinations. All features and experiences are subject to change without notice.
Table of Contents
- A New South Pacific Beach Experience
- Royal Beach Club Lelepa at a Glance
- View Cruises to Lelepa
- Where Is Royal Beach Club Lelepa?
- Two Beaches, Two Different Experiences
- Adults Cove
- Dining at Royal Beach Club Lelepa
- Nature and Island Exploration
- Family Activities on Lelepa
- What Is Included?
- Optional Upgrades and Paid Experiences
- What to Bring Ashore
- Cruises to Lelepa from Sydney and Brisbane
- Who Will Enjoy Royal Beach Club Lelepa?
- Responsible Development on Lelepa
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Discover Royal Beach Club Lelepa
A New South Pacific Beach Experience
Royal Beach Club Lelepa is Royal Caribbean’s first exclusive cruise destination in the South Pacific, opening in Vanuatu in October 2027.
Designed around the natural beauty of Lelepa Island, the destination will offer Royal Caribbean guests access to two beaches, complimentary island dining, an adults-only retreat, a scenic nature trail and a selection of beach activities. Entry is included in the cruise fare, making Lelepa different from other Royal Beach Club destinations where a separate day pass may be required.
The destination is intended to deliver a relaxed South Pacific beach day rather than a large resort or theme-park experience. Guests can spend the day swimming, relaxing on the sand, exploring the island landscape or choosing from additional water activities and private daybed experiences available at an extra cost.
Royal Beach Club Lelepa will feature on selected Royal Caribbean cruises departing from Sydney and Brisbane, giving Australian travellers an accessible new way to experience Vanuatu. Sailings departing at the end of October 2027 are scheduled to be the first to visit
Royal Beach Club Lelepa at a Glance
Location: Lelepa Island, Vanuatu
Planned opening: October 2027
Access: Exclusive to guests on participating Royal Caribbean cruises
Admission: Included in the cruise fare
Arrival: Complimentary tender from the ship
Beaches: Family-friendly East Beach and activity-focused West Beach
Adults-only area: Adults Cove for guests aged 18 and over
Dining: Two complimentary eateries
Beach bars: Four bars, plus drink stations around the island
Activities: Nature trail, beach games and selected water activities
Pool: No pool is planned
Wi-Fi: No Wi-Fi will be available on the island
Australian departure ports: Sydney and Brisbane
Royal Beach Club Lelepa is under development. Facilities, features, operating arrangements and experiences are subject to change before opening.
Where Is Royal Beach Club Lelepa?
Lelepa is a small island located off the northwest coast of Efate, the main island that is also home to Port Vila. Royal Caribbean describes Lelepa as a 967-acre island reached by boat from the Efate coastline, within Vanuatu’s wider chain of South Pacific islands.
Royal Caribbean guests will travel between their ship and the beach club by complimentary tender. This means the experience will involve boarding a smaller vessel rather than walking directly ashore from a cruise terminal.
Lelepa’s setting gives Royal Caribbean the opportunity to create an exclusive destination that retains a strong connection to the island’s beaches, vegetation and surrounding waters. The project is being developed in partnership with local communities, traditional leaders and the Government of Vanuatu, with plans focused on tourism, employment, environmental management and community benefits.
Two Beaches, Two Different Experiences
East Beach
East Beach is planned as the more family-friendly of Lelepa’s two main beaches. It will provide access to crystal-clear water, included loungers and umbrellas, and nearby spaces for families to relax and play.
Families will be able to combine swimming and beach time with complimentary games and the island’s nature trail. The experience should suit guests looking for a straightforward South Pacific beach day without needing to purchase a separate shore excursion.
As with any natural beach environment, sea and weather conditions may affect swimming and activity availability on the day.
West Beach
West Beach is positioned as the more active and adventure-oriented beach. In addition to swimming and relaxation, guests will find complimentary beach games, including volleyball, beach cricket and cornhole.
Optional water equipment is expected to be available for hire, including glass-bottom kayaks, paddleboards and snorkelling equipment. These activities are not included in the standard visit and may incur an additional charge.
Guests can move between the island’s included areas, allowing families and groups to choose the level of activity that suits them throughout the day.
Royal Beach ClubSM Lelepa reflects current design conceptsand may include artistic rendering and/or images of other destinations. All features and experiences are subject to change without notice.
Adults Cove
Adults Cove will provide a complimentary adults-only area for guests aged 18 and over.
The space is intended to offer a quieter alternative to the family and activity areas, giving adult guests somewhere to relax while still enjoying the beach and island surroundings. Entry to Adults Cove is included with the Royal Beach Club Lelepa visit.
Adults travelling without children may choose to use Adults Cove as their main base, while parents could consider the area when different members of the group have separate plans. Families should not assume that supervised childcare will be available ashore unless specifically advised by Royal Caribbean.
Dining at Royal Beach Club Lelepa
Dining on Lelepa will be included in the cruise fare, with two casual island eateries located close to the beach.
Royal Caribbean has indicated that the food selection will include fresh fruit, fish and chips and flavours influenced by the destination. Four beach bars and drink stations will also be positioned around the island.
Gluten-free and vegetarian choices are expected to be available at the island’s dining venues, together with options for many other dietary requirements. Kosher meals may need to be arranged with the ship before the visit. Guests with food allergies or specific dietary needs should provide the relevant information before sailing and reconfirm the arrangements onboard.
Non-alcoholic drinks will include options such as water, soft drinks, juices and teas, as well as local coffee and smoothies. Royal Caribbean has not yet finalised or published all details concerning the use of onboard beverage packages at Lelepa, so booked guests should check the latest guidance before travelling.
Guests must be at least 18 years old to consume alcohol at Royal Beach Club Lelepa.
Nature and Island Exploration
A complimentary nature trail will give guests an opportunity to explore more of Lelepa beyond the beach.
Royal Caribbean describes the trail as a dedicated walking path through the island’s green landscape, with viewpoints and opportunities to experience local flora and fauna.
The trail can provide a useful change of pace for guests who do not want to spend the entire day on the sand. Appropriate footwear, sun protection and drinking water should be considered, particularly in warm or humid conditions.
Guests should remain on marked paths and follow local instructions to help protect the island environment.
Family Activities on Lelepa
Royal Beach Club Lelepa will welcome Royal Caribbean guests of all ages.
Family activities are expected to include the nature trail and dedicated play spaces with games such as beach cricket, volleyball and cornhole. Toy Story-style water parks and large cruise-resort attractions are not part of the current Lelepa concept. Instead, the experience is centred on beaches, natural surroundings and simple activities families can enjoy together.
There will be no swimming pool at Royal Beach Club Lelepa. Swimming will take place in the surrounding sea, subject to local conditions and Royal Caribbean’s operating guidance.
Complimentary beach push-chairs are planned throughout the island on a first-come, first-served basis. Because guests reach Lelepa by tender, Royal Caribbean asks that personal push-chairs not be brought ashore. Families travelling with infants or young children should check the latest instructions before sailing.
What Is Included?
Admission to Royal Beach Club Lelepa is included in the applicable Royal Caribbean cruise fare. Royal Caribbean currently identifies the following as complimentary:
- admission to the beach club
- tender transport between the ship and island
- access to East Beach and West Beach
- Adults Cove for guests aged 18 and over
- nature trail access
- loungers
- umbrellas
- towel refresh
- two dining venues
- restrooms
- selected beach games, including volleyball and beach cricket
This represents an important difference from other Royal Beach Club destinations, where guests may need to purchase admission separately.
The exact inclusions should still be checked against your selected sailing, particularly because the destination has not yet opened and operating arrangements may evolve.
Optional Upgrades and Paid Experiences
Guests wanting a more personalised or active beach day will be able to purchase selected upgrades.
Planned paid options include private daybeds, shore excursions and water-sports equipment such as glass-bottom kayaks, paddleboards and snorkelling gear.
Private daybeds will accommodate up to four people and include additional loungers and attendant service. Pricing will vary, with booked guests directed to My Royal Cruise or the Royal Caribbean app for current availability and costs.
Optional experiences could sell out on popular departures. Guests interested in a daybed or shore excursion should review availability after booking rather than waiting until arrival.
What to Bring Ashore
For a comfortable day at Royal Beach Club Lelepa, consider bringing:
- SeaPass card and required identification
- swimwear
- reef-conscious sunscreen
- hat and sunglasses
- comfortable walking footwear
- personal medication
- waterproof phone pouch or protective bag
- a reusable water bottle, where permitted
- a change of dry clothing
Royal Caribbean advises guests to carry their SeaPass card to leave and re-board the ship, together with the government-issued identification specified in the voyage instructions.
There will be no Wi-Fi on Lelepa. Guests wanting internet access will need to use the appropriate service onboard the ship before or after the visit.
Cruises to Lelepa from Sydney and Brisbane
Royal Beach Club Lelepa will feature on selected Royal Caribbean cruises departing from Sydney and Brisbane from late October 2027.
Published itineraries include seven and eight-night options from Brisbane and nine and eleven-night options from Sydney. Depending on the departure, Lelepa may be combined with other South Pacific destinations.
Scheduled ships include Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas, although deployments are subject to change.
The right itinerary will depend on the preferred departure city, ship, cruise duration and other destinations visited. Families tied to Australian school holidays should review availability early, particularly when requiring cabins that accommodate more than two guests.
Who Will Enjoy Royal Beach Club Lelepa?
Lelepa should appeal to travellers looking for a relaxed South Pacific beach day with many of the essentials already organised.
Families can make use of East Beach, the nature trail and included games. More active guests can base themselves around West Beach or purchase optional water activities. Adults wanting a quieter environment can visit Adults Cove.
The destination may be less suited to travellers expecting a large water park, resort pool, extensive shopping precinct or constant internet connectivity. Royal Beach Club Lelepa is being positioned around the island’s beaches and natural landscape rather than a heavily built resort environment.
Responsible Development on Lelepa
Royal Caribbean states that Royal Beach Club Lelepa is being developed in partnership with local communities, chiefs and the Government of Vanuatu.
The project’s stated environmental priorities include energy, waste and water management. Royal Caribbean also says the development is intended to create local employment, source goods and services from the region and support economic activity in Vanuatu.
Community initiatives identified by the project include restoration work at a local nakamal, rainwater tank upgrades and support for Amaro Primary School.
As the destination develops, guests should respect marked areas, local guidance and environmental protections during their visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Royal Beach Club Lelepa open?
Royal Beach Club Lelepa is scheduled to open in October 2027. Sailings departing near the end of October 2027 are expected to be the first to visit.
Is admission to Royal Beach Club Lelepa included?
Yes. Admission is included in the cruise fare for guests travelling on a participating Royal Caribbean sailing. Complimentary tender transport between the ship and island is also included.
Is Lelepa a private island?
Lelepa is an inhabited island in Vanuatu. Royal Beach Club Lelepa is an exclusive Royal Caribbean cruise destination being developed on the island. For accuracy, it is better described as an exclusive cruise destination or beach club rather than a Royal Caribbean-owned private island.
How do guests reach Lelepa?
Guests will travel between their Royal Caribbean ship and Lelepa by complimentary tender.
Are food and drinks included?
Food at the two island eateries is included. Complimentary non-alcoholic drinks will also be available, while full details concerning beverage-package usage have not yet been published.
Does Royal Beach Club Lelepa have a pool?
No. Lelepa will not have a swimming pool. Guests will instead have access to two stretches of beach and the surrounding seawater.
Is there an adults-only area?
Yes. Adults Cove will be available to guests aged 18 and over, with access included in the cruise fare.
Is Lelepa suitable for children?
Yes. Guests of all ages can visit. Family activities are expected to include beach access, the nature trail, play areas and games such as beach cricket, cornhole and volleyball.
Is snorkelling equipment included?
Snorkelling equipment is expected to be available for hire rather than included. Glass-bottom kayaks and paddleboards will also be available as paid options.
Are loungers and umbrellas included?
Yes. Loungers, umbrellas and towel refresh are among the complimentary inclusions currently listed by Royal Caribbean.
Is there Wi-Fi on Lelepa?
No. Wi-Fi will not be available on the island.
Are private daybeds available?
Yes. Daybeds for up to four guests are planned as a paid upgrade, with additional loungers and attendant service. Pricing will be available to booked guests through Royal Caribbean’s booking channels.
What happens if I do not want to visit Lelepa?
Guests can remain onboard and use the ship’s available facilities. Guests with a booked shore excursion should follow the instructions provided for that experience.
Discover Royal Beach Club Lelepa
Royal Beach Club Lelepa will bring a new type of South Pacific beach day to selected Royal Caribbean cruises from Australia.
With admission, beaches, loungers, island dining, the nature trail and selected activities included, guests can enjoy Lelepa without needing to purchase a separate admission pass. Optional upgrades will provide additional choices for travellers wanting water sports, shore excursions or a private daybed.
Compare current sailings from Sydney and Brisbane or speak with a Cruiseco cruise specialist about the Royal Caribbean ship, itinerary and cabin best suited to your holiday.