Espiritu Santo Vanuatu

Santo, Vanuatu Island Paradise.

Well it’s hard to believe that in six months would be to Vanuatu to 3 times, this time we decided we would visit the island of Espiritu Santo.

Santo, is it known by the locals is the largest island of the 83 islands that make up the Vanuatu group. We haven’t really plans to go to Santo it was more a case of the aircraft was going that way so why not stop for 3 days and take a look around and get a feel for what this place is really about.

Now after being there for 3 days I have totally fallen in love with this small island paradise, it’s definitely quieter than being in Port Vila and we wondered what it we would be like to go and live there. The cost of land is cheaper than in Port Vila, however there are some rules when buying property in Santo or in any part of Vanuatu for that matter. If you’re interested in buying property and then please contact us as we have amassed a fair bit of information over the last six months.

There are some great places to visit here and one of the spots you have to go to is Champagne beach, it’s quite often visited by large cruise ships but the day that we went there we had the beach literally to ourselves.

There’s very few sealed roads on the island of centre but you can hire a car and drive the 60 km to Port Orly. This place once again surprised us as we had the beach to ourselves again. There’s a small restaurant here, when I say restaurant it’s more like a hut that serves burgers chips and that’s about it but the view here is absolutely spectacular and I would never have missed this journey for the world. If you’re lucky laugh as we were you can walk to Dolphin Island which is just off the coast at low tide you can walk the Sandbar, make sure you find the chickens.

Interesting Facts about Espiritu Santo

Ok so you might know that this is a great place to dive and fishing here is pretty good too but there are some little places that are worth knowing about what the locals call Santo (including the main town centre). The largest place to stay in town is The Espiritu. Simon (the owner) also operates a car hire and restaurant from the same premises. The construction of the swimming pool is now complete and is a cool place to chill out after a long day exploring.

Champagne Beach

This is one popular attraction and there are days you want to be here and days that you don’t. Imagine a beach where the sand is powder fine and white. A beach where you’re the only one there and your miles from civilisation. Where if you close your eyes all you can heard is nature…… This is champagne beach. Now fast forward a couple of day in the same location. Imagine a cruise ship full of a thousand tourists and an beach now covered in sun loungers and all the little thatched kiosks selling local fare, from sarongs that are hand dyed to fresh fish and other seafood delights cooked by locals for you. A beach now so saturated by people that the coral on shore is severely damaged. Like I say there are two totally different ways to look at champagne beach, I was lucky enough to share this beach with one other person, my wife.

Port Olry

Look if you have come up the newly sealed road (8 years old) and checked out Champagne Beach you need to do yourself a favour and travel to the end of the bitumen to Port Olry. Personally this is the best beach on the island and is largely unspoiled by the throngs of tourists that tramp all over Champagne Beach. If you’re lucky enough as we were, take a walk at low tide to Dolphin Island only 400m off shore. Take a little bread with you as one of the strangest things here is the battery of chickens that stroll the beach. They are quite used to human interaction and will eat out of your hand. Strange but true chickens on Dolphin Island don’t mind eating coconuts that fall from the many coconut trees covering the small Island. Unlike it’s more visited cousin, Port Orly boasts it’s own restaurant and bar right on the beach that’s open every day, unlike Champagne Beach which only has all the bells and whistles when the cruise ships dock. Although we did meet Sara and her kids at the only little thatched kiosk operating. I had to buy a memento A small tooth necklace and Elena a frangipani hair clip.

One of the great things about traveling around a small island is that in a matter of a few hours you’re going to run into the same tourists that you saw only a few hours earlier, you exchange the small talk about how wonderful the place island move onto the two most common questions, where are you from? How long are you staying? One thing though if you get past all this and get really chatting to find out more about the destination. Take John for example, he’s out with his wife showing another couple around their little piece of paradise. John lived in Port Villa for 30 years and moved to Santo a couple of years ago. He runs a glass boat tour business and works for the countries national airline. While talking, swimming and really relaxing he and his wife let us in on a new local bar and restaurant overlooking the water that they were stopping at on the way back to town, we thought why not go and check it out.

Lope Lope Beachside Resort

Newly opened in 2011 Colin, the owner designed and built the whole place himself. Boasting four private villas and one of the most picturesque restaurant and bars on the island of Santo this is a must do if you’re travelling back from a days outing. Try a Mojito Cocktail, a bar specialty and watch the day transform to night as the lights switch on and the fish come right up to the deck overlooking the bay.www.lopelopeadventurelodge.com

Espiritu Hotel and Car Rental

Centrally located in the main street of town and under reconstruction (may 2014) The team here are only too happy to help. Breakfast in included but don’t expect a full buffet service. A selection of cereals, toast and jam, tropical fruits and the famous Tana coffee are enough to get you going in the morning. If you’re wanting for more there is a full communal kitchen for you to cook up a banquet should you desire. Tip – If you’re searching out a place to eat in town the selection is a little slim as most of the “classy restaurants” are located within the boundaries of the resorts, however you can be surprised by a couple that are open. straight across the road from Espritu Hotel is a small Chinese place that serves huge portions and is good eating.

Blue Holes They are something out of the world, the one we visited was 18m deep and when we got there we pretty much had the place to ourselves as the other two couples left 10 minutes after we arrived. Matevulu Blue Hole is the largest Blue Hole on the Island and there are a couple of ways to get here. Either by car or my paddling up the river as we did.

Oyster Bay and Kayaks If you’re hungry and want a really good buffet lunch then grab a taxi and head to Oyster Bay resort. Lunch is served from 12.30 – 2pm and is a buffet fare of all the fine cuisine that is Vanuatu. You just have to try the glazed Beef Ribs they’re a local favorite with ex pats who frequent for Sunday lunch. The cost of 25$ includes the hire of a Kayak to visit the Matevulu Blue Hole. it’s a 45 minute paddle firstly across the bay and then up a small river. Our advice is to get the tides right so you don’t have to paddle hard and go before lunch to really spend the morning there insuring peace and tranquility.

Car Hire If you want to get around the Island car hire is one option (the other is hire a taxi). Go to Espirito Hotel and Car Rentals in the middle of Main St in town. We hired a small SUV that cost $80 for the day, car hire isn’t cheap but for one day to go to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches was worth every coin.