This paper is about the reducing the vulnerability of coasts through appropriate adaptation measures. This is the focus of the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) programme which has four coastal zone demonstration projects, in the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Samoa and Vanuatu. Three of the projects demonstrate ‘climate-proofing’ of coastal infrastructure, and the fourth focuses on community-based integrated coastal management. The paper argues that Climate analysis is a key step in the early planning stages of climate-sensitive projects, alongside other essential assessments such as socio-economic assessment and cost–benefit analysis. It also argues that good strategic planning and governance is also essential to protect coasts, and gives examples of how the PACC projects are demonstrating ways to do this.