🏝️ Espiritu Santo – Nature’s Playground in Vanuatu

White sand beaches, world-class diving, and island adventure await

 

Ideal for divers, beach lovers, hikers, and off-the-beaten-path explorers

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🧭 Why Visit Espiritu Santo?

Espiritu Santo, affectionately known as Santo, is the largest island in Vanuatu and offers the perfect balance of relaxation and rugged adventure. From pristine beaches and blue holes, to one of the world’s most famous shipwreck dive sites, Santo is a tropical paradise still untouched by mass tourism.

You’ll find both luxurious island resorts and local village life, making it one of Vanuatu’s most rewarding destinations for every kind of traveler.

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🌟 Top Things to Do in Espiritu Santo

🏖 1. Champagne Beach

• Arguably the most beautiful beach in the South Pacific

• Powdery white sand, crystal-clear water, and soft waves

• Great for swimming, picnics, and drone photography

🥂 Named after the bubbling effect at low tide — it’s postcard perfection!

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🐠 2. Dive the SS President Coolidge

• A massive sunken WWII troopship, now a top-rated wreck dive

• Explore military equipment, statues, and entire corridors underwater

• Accessible to beginner and experienced divers alike

🪖 A must for any scuba enthusiast

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💦 3. Swim in Santo’s Blue Holes

• Natural freshwater springs with deep, electric-blue water

• Surrounded by jungle and perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and swinging from rope vines

• Best spots:

  • Nanda Blue Hole

  • Matevulu Blue Hole

  • Riri Blue Hole

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🏝 4. Visit Lonnoc Beach & Port Olry

• Lonnoc Beach: Calm and stunning, with great beachfront bungalows

• Port Olry: Authentic fishing village with turquoise bays and island views

• Great for kayaking, seafood lunches, and relaxing far from crowds

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🌴 5. Millennium Cave Adventure

• A full-day jungle trek, cave exploration, and river canyoning tour

• Cross bamboo bridges, walk through a 50-meter-high cave, and float down the river

• One of Vanuatu’s most exciting eco-tours

🦎 Adventurous, challenging, and breathtakingly raw

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🏨 Where to Stay in Espiritu Santo

• The Barrier Beach Resort – Oceanfront luxury with a private beach

• Hidden Cove Eco Retreat – Adults-only villas among the trees

• Deco Stop Lodge – Perfect for divers, with pool and panoramic views

• Lonnoc Beach Bungalows – Rustic charm right on the sand

• Village Homestays – Great for authentic local immersion

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🍴 Where to Eat

• The Tu Restaurant & Bar – Upscale dining with tropical flavors

• Natangora Café – Casual spot in Luganville with fresh seafood and fruit juices

• Port Olry Fish Huts – Beachfront lobster and coconut crab, caught same day

• Aore Island Resort Restaurant – Worth the boat ride for romantic meals

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🚘 How to Get There

• ✈️ Daily flights from Port Vila (VLI) to Santo-Pekoa International Airport (SON) – ~50 minutes

• 🛥️ Boat transfers to Aore Island for day trips or luxury stays

• 🚙 Rent a 4x4 or hire a local driver for island exploring

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🕰 Best Time to Visit

☀️ Santo is visitable year-round but shines brightest in the dry months

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📸 Best Instagram Spots

• 🩵 Nanda Blue Hole’s glowing waters

• 🏖 Champagne Beach’s white curve from above

• 🌊 Underwater shots at SS President Coolidge

• 🌿 Bamboo bridges on the Millennium Cave trek

• 🦞 Lobster lunch by the beach in Port Olry