5 Days in Espiritu Santo

With its mix of WWII history, jungle carved blue holes, and some of the South Pacific’s most beautiful beaches, this itinerary is the perfect tropical escape for finding adventure and relaxation just a 1.5 hour flight from Port Vila

Why Espiritu Santo?

Espiritu Santo sits within Sanma Province, and is Vanuatu’s largest island, often called the “Island of the Holy Spirit”. Known for its brilliantly white sand beaches, crystal clear freshwater blue holes and world-class diving, Santo boasts a wealth of activities to fill a week, with this five-day itinerary allowing you to experience the highlights without feeling rushed.

Air Vanuatu’s domestic flights from Port Vila to Luganville make it simple to add Santo to your itinerary without long days of travel.

How to Use This 5 Day Espiritu Santo Itinerary

This itinerary is based on arriving in the morning on Day 1 and departing in the afternoon on Day 5, giving you four full days to explore. Basing yourself in Luganville, just minutes from Santo-Pekoa Airport provides easy access to tour operators, restaurants, and markets, or choose a coastal location on the eastern side of the island near Turtle Bay or Champagne Beach to be closer to the famous Blue Holes and dive spots.

Tour operators and guides add local insights into culture and traditions and are valuable in helping to navigate remote areas or destinations that require special access, so we have built in time for prebooking tours, hiring a car, or arranging transfers. 

Highlights of this Itinerary

Leweton Cultural Village

Located just outside Luganville, where you can experience traditional singing, dancing, water music and kava making

Matevulu Blue Hole

One of Santo’s largest and deepest blue holes, with water so clear you can often see the bottom

Itinerary Details

Day One: Luganville & Champagne Beach

Morning: Champagne Beach

After landing at Santo Airport, you will find a small friendly town with cafes, markets, and easy access to tours around the island and day trips to nearby attractions.

Once you have checked in and dropped off your bags, it is time to relax.

Spend the day at Champagne Beach, easing into island time on one of Vanuatu’s most photographed shorelines. 

Travel from Luganville to Champagne Beach takes about one hour by car, roughly 50 km along a coastal road.

Visit a cocoa plantation in Santo, Vanuatu

Afternoon: Half Day Guided Tour

Embark on a journey through the rich history and natural beauty of Espirutu Santo with a visit to the Vatthe Conservation Area, an UNESCO World Heritage site.

The ultimate destination for bird watching.

Or book a walking tour through a cocoa and coffee plantation featuring a visit to the unique Aore Island Bat Cave.

You can arrange a prebooked taxi or join a half day tour.

Visit the local markets in Santo, Vanuatu

Evening: Luganville town

Visit the market for affordable, authentic local meals.

Make sure to carry small notes as many stall holders do not carry much change, as well as carry bags to stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables.

Or better yet, buy a hand-made woven bag and stock up on snacks for tomorrow’s adventure to the Blue Holes.

Day Two: Blue Holes & Jungle Swimming

Morning: Matevulu Blue Hole

On Day 2, you will swap the ocean for cool, clear water under the trees. Matevulu Blue Hole is one of Santo’s largest and deepest blue holes, roughly 18 metres deep and 30 metres across, with water so clear you can often see the bottom. The pool is surrounded by dense jungle and vines, and a famous rope swing hangs from a tree over the water.

Travel from Luganville to the river mouth takes about 30 minutes by car, then a 15–20 minute canoe ride up the winding river to the blue hole.

It is easy to find a tour that visits Matevulu, plus Riri, or Jackie’s blue pool, especially if you are staying near Turtle Bay.

Kayaking on the Riri River, Santo, Vanuatu

Afternoon: Riri Blue Hole

Riri Blue Hole is described as the prettiest of Santo’s blue holes, with a short paddle up a mangrove lined river leading into a wide, luminous pool.

The water is unbelievably clear and a vivid blue, filtered through limestone beneath the surface.

From Luganville, it takes about 30 minutes by car to reach the access point, then a short 10–15-minute paddle in a local canoe up the Riri River to the pool itself.

The Riri Blue Hole can also be reached by a 45 minute kayak paddle south from the Matevulu Blue Hole; gliding across the turquoise entrance lagoon and glass-like river with the jungle arching overhead is a magical experience, and well worth the trip.

Evening: Dinner and a show

Enjoy dinner with live music at one of many beachfront spots on Santo’s eastern coastline.

Unwind with open air dining at a resort restaurant as the sunsets, and for those wanting to keep exploring and a livelier atmosphere, many bars and restaurants offer a local string band which can be enjoyed over cocktails after dinner.

Day Three: WWII History & Wreck Diving or Snorkelling 

Two divers exploring the SS President Coolidge, Million Dollar Point

Morning: SS President Coolidge, Million Dollar Point

Espiritu Santo played a major role in the Pacific War, and one of the best things to do in Santo is explore the underwater wreck of the SS President Coolidge - a luxury liner turned troopship that sank off Santo in 1942 after hitting mines.

Today, it lies as a giant artificial reef and is one of the world’s most iconic wreck dives.

Certified divers can join guided dives to explore around and inside the ship, there is even an epic night dive for experienced divers. Million Dollar Point is a great snorkelling spot, where non-divers can enjoy boat tours to nearby reefs or coastal coves. 

Afternoon: Visit the South Pacific WWII Museum

After your water adventure, visit the South Pacific WWII Museum in Luganville to learn about Santo’s wartime history as a base for the U.S military during the Second World War. Discover the stories of aviators, soldiers, and sailors who served in the South Pacific and view the world’s largest exhibition of items from the SS President Coolridge.

Evening: Meet the Coconut Crabs

A visit to the Cave Kava Bar and Coconut Crab Sanctuary is an experience like no other. Explore the grotto at night when the crabs are most active and look out for WWII relics inside the caves.

Day Four: Choose Your Adventure

Morning: Millennium Cave

For adventurous travellers, Millennium Cave is a full day guided trek through forest, canyon, and Vanuatu’s largest cave – a bucket list thing to do in Santo Vanuatu! Expect scrambling over rocks, swimming through pools, and a picnic lunch inside the cave system.

Tours usually depart from Luganville in the morning and return in the late afternoon. You will need sturdy footwear, a towel, and a change of clothes (expect to get wet and muddy, it is all part of the fun!).

Evening: Sunset Horse ride

Experience an unforgettable guided trail ride on horseback ride along the beach, through jungle, and passing through mangrove tunnels at sunset. Suitable for all levels of experience with transfers available.

Day Five: Leweton Cultural Village and Departure

Leweton Cultural Village, Santo, Vanuatu

Morning: Leweton Cultural Village

On your final day, slow the pace with a mix of gentle activity and local culture before travelling home with a visit to Leweton Cultural Village just outside Luganville.

Immerse yourself in the ancient customs of Gaua and Mere Lave and experience Magical Water Music, wood carvings, and the famous sand drawings - unique to Vanuatu, as you spend time with them.

Afternoon: Departure

Return to Luganville in the early afternoon, pack, and enjoy a final swim before heading to Santo Pekoa for your Air Vanuatu flight back to Port Vila or onward to your international destination.

Ready to explore and relax on Santo?

Book your Air Vanuatu flight to Luganville and start planning your 5 day Espiritu Santo adventure today!

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