Welcome TO
ESPIRITU
SANTO
JUST BRILLIANT GUIDES
Welcome TO
ESPIRITU SANTO Espiritu Santo is the perfect getaway for visitors seeking private interludes, adventure activities and pure relaxation. Espiritu Santo, known to locals as just Santo, is the largest island in Vanuatu with a land of mass of 4,010kms2. The island is a tropical oasis that boasts pristine beaches, brilliant blue holes, amazing cave systems and premiere dive sites. Santo was the first island in Vanuatu to be discovered by the Europeans. In 1606 a Portuguese explorer, Pedro Fernandez de Quiros, ventured into Santo’s waters and, mistaking it for the Great Southern Continent, named the region La Austrialia del Espíritu Santo. By the mid 19th century, European pioneers had settled in Santo and were exploiting the sandalwood in the region. Blackbirders followed later in the century and, by the 1900s, the locals had become wary of the foreigners and discord ensued.
The onset of World War II (WWII) changed everyone’s focus with Santo being primed as an American military base due to its harbour. Luganville, the capital of Santo, flourished during this period as the Americans built infrastructure to provide for as many as 50,000 people. Today, SS President Coolidge wreck dive and Million Dollar Point where the Americans disposed of equipment at the end of the war, are popular dive sites that stand as relics of a bygone era. Discord among locals who resented the European presence resumed in the decades that followed the war and a coup eventuated. It wasn’t until national independence was secured that peace reigned on Santo once again. Today, Santo is a tranquil island that boasts plenty of things to see and do.
SANTO has a range of exotic and interesting attractions. for more information, visit www.santo.travel.
We hope you enjoy your stay. Image by Andrew Read
Image by Andrew Read
Welkam
Bienvenue
Espiritu Santo emi aelan we I bigwan bitim ol narafala aelen lo Vanuatu mo saes blong hem I kasem 4,010km2. Santo emi tropikel aelen we I gat plante fulap naes waet sanbis, ol blu hol, ol kevs mo ol saets blong daev I ol top saets lo wol!
Espiritu Santo, plus communément appelée Santo, est la plus grande ile du Vanuatu ave 4,010 Km2. L’ile est une oasis tropicale qui héberge des plages immaculées, de stupéfiants trous bleus, un ensemble de grottes et de canyons, ainsi que des sites de plongée sous-marine de premier choix.
Espiritu Santo hemi wan gudfala ples blong ol turis oli faenem taem blo relax, mo sem taem ejoem ol advenja we i stap long aelan.
Santo emi bin fesfala aelan lo Vanuatu we ol man Europe oli bin faenem. Lo 1606, wan explora blo Portugal, Pedro Fernandez de Quiros I kam kasem Santo afta ting se emi bin Ostrelia (Great south land) mekem se I bin singaetem aelan “La Australia del Espiritu Santo”. Lo 19 senturi, sam mo eksplora blo Europe afta ol blakbedes oli kasem Santo mo I bin kosem plante raorao mo faet long aelen wetem ol man Santo. Beh kam kasem WW2, ol tingting oli bin jen mo Santo I bin kam militeri base blong ol soldia blong Amerika from gudfala lokesen blong harba. Luganville, capitol or taun blong Santo tedei, I bin kam antap bigwan lo taem blo WW2 taem ol soldias oli bin bildim wan bigfala beis we I save hausem ova 50,000 man. Lo bifo SS President Coolidge rek mo Million Dollar point hemi bin wan ples we ol solidas oli bin sakem ol machine blong wor lo end blong WW2, mekem tedei ol saets ya oli kam popula mo plante man blong daev oli kam daev lo hem. Afta long WW2 I bin kat wan ku I kirap beh taem kantri I kasem Independence, pis I kambak lo Santo mo tedei, Santo hemi pisful I stap wetem plante gudgudgfala samting we evri turis I save luk mo enjoem.
Espiritu Santo est la destination parfaite pour les visiteurs souhaitant se ressourcer, cherchant activités et aventures, en quête de bien-être.
Espiritu Santo fut la première ile de l’archipel à être découverte par les Européens. En 1606 l’explorateur portugais Pedro Fernández de Quirós y accosta et, croyant avoir trouvé le grand continent austral, il baptisa la région La Australia del Espiritu Santo. Avant la première moitié du XIXe siècle, les pionniers Européens s’étaient installes a Espiritu Santo ou ils exploitaient le bois de santal. Ils furent suivis de négriers et, avant les années 1900, les tensions entre indigènes et étrangers se révélèrent. L’irruption de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale diverti les ardeurs. Espiritu Santo devint une base militaire américaine de première importance grâce à son port en eau profonde. Luganville, l’actuelle capitale provinciale, se développa durant cette période grâce aux américains qui bâtirent toute l’infrastructure pour accueillir 50,000 hommes. Aujourd’hui l’épave du SS Président Coolidge et la Pointe au Million de Dollars, ou les américains jetèrent à la mer leur équipement militaire après la fin de la guerre, sont des sites de plongées sous-marines populaires illustrant cette époque. Dans les décades qui suivirent la fin de la guerre, la discorde et le ressentiment des indigènes a l’égard de la présence européenne refirent surface et menèrent à des conflits. Ce n’est qu’après l’accès à l’indépendance nationale que la paix revint à Espiritu Santo. De nos jours Espiritu Santo est une ile tranquille qui offre de multiples trésors à voir et à faire.
Exploring SANTO Explore this stunning tropical haven and discover the myriad of attractions on offer. Cool down in picturesque blue holes, dive famous war wrecks and trek the lush rainforest. Luganville, the capital of Santo, boasts a population of just over 13,000 people and is the perfect base from which to explore the island. From Luganville, you can catch the ferry across to Aore Island or take a taxi ride up to Oyster Island for around VT2,500. Snorkelling and diving are popular activities for visitors to Santo. SS President Coolidge, originally a luxury liner before being converted into a troop carrier, is a wreck that was sunk when it hit a “friendly” mine entering the harbour. It stands as a famous dive site today. Million Dollar Point, where the Americans dumped military equipment at the end of WWII, is also a popular site for diving.
Image by Vanuatu Tourism Office
South of Luganville CBD across the Sarakata River Bridge lies the gateway to the Adventure Coast of Santo. If you’re up for a genuine adventure then the Millennium Caves Tour will not disappoint. Meander through lush vegetation and clamber over boulders to explore Vanuatu’s largest cave system. For tour bookings, call Santo.Travel on 36 616 or 710 4029. Heading South onto Ru de Higginson, a tar sealed road, a foodie adventure awaits you at the awarding winning Restaurant 1606 at Village de Santo Resort. If you’re interested in a river cruise, then look no further than cruising the Sarakata River. The tour costs approximately VT3,500. For more information and bookings, call Santo.Travel on 36 616 or 710 4029.
For diving, snorkelling and fishing tours in the region, call Absolute Adventures on 36 257. Leaving the tar road you can travel on to experience local villages, Tafantari Waterfall, Tangoa Island and more. For a unique way to explore Santo’s lush tropics, embark on a horse riding tour at The Ranch at Lope Lope Adventure Lodge - a ten minute drive east of Luganville. For more information on tours, call 777 4700. Santo is famous for its East Coast. Discover idyllic blue holes such as Riri, Matevulu and Nanda as well as unspoilt tropical beaches along the way. Swim and snorkel to your heart’s content at Champagne Beach or Lonnoc Beach, or bring along a picnic and marvel at the views. Note that entry to public beaches in Santo costs between VT500 and VT2,000 depending on the beach. Travelling northward on a sealed road, you can explore the small villages along the way. About a two hour drive from Luganville, you’ll arrive at Port Olry, a beautiful little township with a great beach where you can enjoy more water activities. Santo is the largest island in Vanuatu and boasts the largest area of original rainforest in the region. Vatthe Conservation Area, located within Big Bay in the north, is a mecca for birdlife and a wonderful place to explore this tropical wonderland.
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LUGAN V ILLE
SANTO
EAST COAST
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To Port Olry, Champagne Beach, Blue Holes
Northern District Hospital
Santo Correctional Centre
SANMA Provincial Council Headquarters
Sarakata Primary School
Luganville Town Hall
DE GA ULLE
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Clinic
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Police School
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USP Santo Learning Centre
PASTEU
QUIROS ST
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COOK
VILLE BOUGAIN
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Northern District Police Headquarters
Santo Fire Station CANAL
Immigration Office
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Tourism Office
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Unity Park
LUGANVILLE
La Plaz Market
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250 m
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THINGS TO See & Do
◆ Dive the world renowned SS President Coolidge wreck site and Million Dollar Point. ◆ Explore Riri, Matevulu and Nanda blue holes along the East Coast of Santo. ◆ Explore the fascinating interior of the Millennium Cave which boasts stalactites, stalagmites and a bat colony. ◆ Visit Lonnoc Beach, Champagne Beach or Port Olry Beach along the east for swimming, snorkelling and picnicking. ◆ Learn about the local culture at Custom (Kastom) Village. ◆ Spot wildlife and fauna while you trek through the beautiful Vatthe Conservation Area. ◆ Visit Loru Park, which extends 220 hectares and boasts great walks and a bat cave.
Main road Other road Local road Track Park Hospital Place of Interest
To Airport
Image by Vanuatu Tourism Office
AIRPORT Customs Getting
AROUND
Santo offers the perfect setting to take a self-drive tour around the island. Perhaps you have a destination in mind or you’re just in the mood to explore the island at your own pace. The Espiritu Hotel, located in the heart of Luganville, provides a car rental service for visitors to Santo. The East Coast Road is a fully sealed road that runs up the East Coast where you can discover many great attractions. For more information on car hire, call The Espiritu on 37 539. Taxis are also available in Luganville to get around town in. It costs approximately VT200 to use this service.
It’s important to know some facts about customs in regards to taking artefacts back to Australia and New Zealand. It’s advised that all items made from plant material and wood are inspected and treated prior to leaving Vanuatu. Otherwise items will be inspected on arrival back home and, if insect damage is detected, may result in them being destroyed. In some cases, you may even be fined. For more information, call the Department of Environment on 25 302. On arrival to Australia, you need to declare certain items. For a full list of those items, visit agriculture.gov.au/travelling/arriving-in-australia. On arrival to New Zealand, you will be required to declare items as outlined on your Passenger Arrival Card. For a full list of items to declare, please visit www.biosecurity.govt.nz/enter/declare.
Beaches
AND ISLANDS Santo boasts white sandy beaches and heavenly turquoise waters. Swim, snorkel, picnic and relax! Situated on the east side of Santo, Lonnoc Beach is a stunning location where you can easily spend hours frollicking in the surf, snorkelling or enjoying a picnic you or your accomodation staff has prepared.
Port Olry, approximately half an hour drive from Champagne Beach, is a small village which also has a beautiful beach. The reef is situated not far from shore so snorkellers can delight in the marine life and coral on display here. While in Port Olry, stop in at the Little Paradise Restaurant, which is known for its delicious cuisine. Port Olry Beach overlooks Dolphin and Elephant Islands. You can take a canoe across to Dolphin Island where the snorkelling is spectacular. South of Luganville, Tutuba Point, the northern point of Tutuba Island, has a great dive site. Boasting a range of coral, caves and marine life, it’s well worth the trip. A quick ferry ride from Luganville, venture out to Aore Island and organise a dive tour to the outer corals surrounding the island.
SHOPPING
Vanuatu offers a downtown duty free system in Port Vila. If you are departing Vanuatu via the international airport in Port Vila, you can do all your duty free shopping along the main street where a number of duty free shops are available. To purchase duty free goods, you simply need to tell the shop assistant your departure date and time, and your goods will be delivered to the airport by the time of your departure. Ask instore about duty free shopping allowances if you’re unsure what they are. Shops often provide favourable rates to shoppers. The only tax in Vanuatu is the Value Added Tax (VAT), which is charged at 12.5% on goods and services. Since expatriate residents and tourists make more purchases than most locals they are indirectly supporting the Ni-Vanuatu. Luganville isn’t known for its shopping nor does it offer duty free shopping. Nonetheless, stores are usually open from 7:30am to 11:30am and then re-open from 1:30pm to 5pm during the week. On Saturday, most stores close in the afternoon, and some stores are open Sunday. The major banks in Luganville are National Bank of Vanautu (NBV), Westpac, ANZ and Bredbank, which all have ATM machines. Banks and ATMs are not available anywhere else on Santo, though Mastercard and Visa are accepted across the region. To work out what the Vatu is in Australian dollars, VT1500 is equal to around AUD$18.
Image by Andrew Read
The famed Champagne Beach, situated just up from Lonnoc, is another a stunning beach to while away the hours on. The scenery alone is enough to replenish the body.
Santo ADVENTURE If you’re up for an adventure in a majestic environment, then Santo is the place for you. DIVING SS President Coolidge and Million Dollar Point are the most renowned dives sites in Santo, but there’s an abundance of other great dive sites in the region. Chails Reef is a spectacular reef dive which will bring you up close to some of the region’s larger marine life such as turtles and sharks. With such clear visibility, you’ll also be awed by the stunning coral along the reef. Tutuba Point offers an adventurous dive through caves, chasms, and soft and hard corals, while Cindy’s Reef is an easy drift dive boasting rainbow coral and more amazing marine life. Tui Tawate, a New Zealand tug, lies on a sand flat and offers yet another beautiful marine landscape to explore. Aore Plane is the resting place of the McDonald Douglas Dauntless dive bomber. Among the picturesque reef, you’ll spy coke bottles, ammunition and other relics of WWII.
TREKKING There are many great treks on Santo. The Millennium Cave is an energetic trek through rainforest and rugged terrain on to a cave which is home to a colony of bats and sparrows.
Image by Vanuatu Tourism Office
Located on the East Coast, Loru Rainforest boasts 220 hectares of rainforest and is a popular area for bushwalking and birdwatching.
Loru Rainforest boasts 30 different species of birds and has a bat cave in its vicinity. Take a boat from Port Olry to Dolphin Island where you can climb to the pinnacle of the island called Dolphin Rock. It takes about an hour to trek there but the panoramic views are well worth it. Vatthe Conservation Area is another popular region for birdwatching. Trek this beautiful pristine environment to take in the amazing tropical flora and fauna. Blue Pool Adventure, a hike suitable for most ages, gives trekkers the opportunity to trek three different rivers. One of the rivers features ancient coral and shells that have endured many thousands of years. When trekking, make sure you always wear appropriate shoes as surfaces can be slippery. Also carry water with you, wear sun protection and pack insect repellent for a comfortable trek.
FISHING Santo offers great reef and game fishing in some of the most pristine waters in the world. Embark on a fishing charter to try your hand at catching a variety of species such as wahoo, Spanish mackeral, marlin and giant trevally, among others. Coral Quays Fish & Dive Resort and Lope Lope Lodge both offer fishing tours. For more information call Coral Quays Fish & Dive Resort on 36 257 and Lope Lope Lodge on 36 066.
RESTAURANTS AND Dining Out Santo dishes up a range of great restaurants and eateries. Deco Stop Lodge Restaurant & Bar International cuisine Hospital Road, Luganville • Ph: 36 175
Little Paradise Restaurant Market Meal Booths Local cuisine Main Street, Luganville
Natangora Cafe International cuisine Main Street, Luganville • Ph: 36 811
Oyster Island Resort Restaurant Seafood & international cuisine Alwepe, Oyster Island • Ph: 36 283
Restaurant 1606 Modern cuisine with a tropical twist Rue de Higginson, Luganville • Ph: 36 123
The Coolidge Bar & Grill Grill Restaurant Beachfront Resort, Luganville • Ph: 36 881
The Raintree Restaurant Tropical island cuisine Coral Quays Fish & Dive Resort, Santo • Ph: 36 257
The Tu Restaurant & Bar International cuisine Main Road, Luganville • Ph: 37 539
Image by Vanuatu Tourism Office
Seafood Port Olry, Santo
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SANTO Cape Nahoi (Cape Cumberland)
Hokua
PACIFIC OCEAN
Wunpuko
Petani Mt Matendi Lava 1444 m
Wora Pt
Pesena
Lovla Pt CU
Olpoi
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North West Santo (Olpoi) Airport
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Cape Queiros
Piamasina
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Nokuku
Cape Tuar
Lotoror
SAKAO
Malli
Penaoru Mt Lolohoe 1547 m
Petawata
Pionas Pialalup Pelvus
RAN
BIG BAY
Lathankar
Jereviu
GES
Wunavae
Yekar Billion Peok Freshwata THION Port Olry Loran
Malmas
Golden Beach
Elephant Island (Lathu)
Hog Harbour Blue Hole
Lavatga
HOG HARBOUR
Vatthe Hog Harbour Lonnoc Beach Tolomako Conservation Matantas Quantas Area Lathi Lelek Malao Lolath Sara 3 Lowérhé Sara 1 Big Bay Airport Bene Loru Rainforest Sara 2 Champagne Beach
a un ap H
Marakai
AESE
Riv
Nambel Northern District Hospital
Usa
Sarete
Narango
Parlsa
Talua Bible College
Tasmalum
Cape Lisburn
Ipayato Tsinoitariv Pt
Kerenavura
Avunavae
Cape Mata’Avéa (South Cape)
Main road Local road Track Village
Ratua
(divesite)
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TUTUBA Bokissa
BRUAT CHANNEL
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Ned Pt
Malotina Malokilkili
Sanasa
International airport Regional airport Hospital Place of Interest
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Coral reef Beach Blue Hole
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Port-Lautour
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Pekoa International Airport CHANNEL Million Dollar Point
Aore Adventist Academy
Urelapa
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Palekula Bay Palikoula
AORÉ
Tangoa
Kuavanuji Bay
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Bayolo
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Mataipevu
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Custom Village
Tovotovo
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Matevulu College
Sarakata
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Matevulu Blue Hole
Tanafo
Langkinikini
River
Balon
Kona
WW2 Ammunition Bunkers
Sele
Nanda Blue Hole
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Stone Hill
Sorowa
Vunakariakara
Saktui
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Butmas
Vavuro
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Soari
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ESPIRITU SANTO
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EAST
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Mt Tabwemasana 1879 m
Linduri
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Sara 4 Angkoru
Wusi Remarkable Point
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Pualapa
Kerepua
Kholeu 1 Lorethiakarkar Kholeu 2 Totkar ay S hark B Lorotal LATARO Velit Bay Manioc Plantation Natawa Oyster Island (Pilotin)
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Protected Area
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Winsao
Elia 2
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MALO STRAIT
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A Rich CULTURE While Vanuatu’s population is relatively small with around 265,000 people, its long migratory history makes it one of the richest cultures in the world today. Vanuatu has been the recipient of intermittent migration from other Pacific countries for over 3,000 years. As a result, Vanuatu has developed into a nation boasting over 120 languages. The three official languages of Vanuatu are English, French and Bislama - a pidgin style of English that evolved when the Europeans arrived. Nonetheless, Ni-Vanuatu people generally converse in a myriad of languages as the result of trading with other regions in Vanuatu over an extensive time period. Not only did the migratory waves produce a multilingual society, the customs and rituals of immigrants also inspired Vanuatu’s diverse culture. Story-telling, song and dance are all integral to village life with colourful masks, tattoos, body adornments and carvings used to further convey their messages and beliefs. Rituals are keenly practiced throughout the islands with one of the more famous ceremonies John Frum Day - being celebrated on Tanna Island in February each year. During the rituals, devotees pray for the mythological John Frum to appear offering
Image by Andrew Read
western possessions that signify wealth and prosperity. Today Malvatu Mauri, the National Council of Chiefs, advises Vanuatu’s republican government on matters concerning Ni-Vanuatu culture and language. Since 1994, Vanuatu has been divided into six provinces: Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea and Torba. Traditionally, every four years the first-born sons of tribal chiefs are elected as representatives by district council chiefs. In Santo, which resides in the Sanma Province, you need to travel to the villages outside of Luganville to experience the authentic culture and heritage of locals. There’s a number of day tours available on Santo which will take visitors on a guided tour of villages that are still entrenched in traditional customs. Alternatively, longer tours are available to remoter areas in the province. Ni-Vanuatu people are very polite and friendly. Everywhere you go in Vanuatu, you’ll be greeted with big smiles from the locals.
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VANUATU HIU LINUA
Torres Islands
TORBA PROVINCE MOTA LAVA
VANAU LAVA
Pacific
Sola
Banks Islands
Ocean
GAUA
ESPIRITU
Olpoi
SANMA PROVINCE
SANTO Malao
MAEWO
AMBAE Walaha
Luganville
MALO
Lonorore Norsup
MALEKOULA South West Bay
Craig Cove
MALAMPA PROVINCE
Ulei
Lamap
PAAMA
Lamen Bay
SHEFA PROVINCE
Sea
PENTECOST
AMBRYM
Valesdir
Coral
PENAMA PROVINCE
Longana Redcliffe Sara
EPI Votlo
EMAE
TONGOA
Shepherd Islands
ÉFATÉ PORT VILA
VANUATU
ERROMANGO
Port Narvin
Dillon’s Bay
N 100 km
0 Scale
TAFEA PROVINCE
Roads International airport Domestic airport Reef
Lowital Lenakel
Ipota
ANIWA FUTUNA TANNA
Anelghowhat
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ANATOM
An Island NATION Aside from Santo, the islands of Efate, Tanna, Pentecost, Malekula, Ambrym and the Torba Province are well worth a visit. EFATE ISLAND
PENTECOST ISLAND
Éfaté, also known as Île Vate, is the most populated island in Vanuatu. Its capital, Port Vila, is just a short 50 minute flight from Santo. Eton Beach and Crystal Blue Lagoon Beach are a must do. Havannah Harbour, a half hour drive west of Port Vila along Round Island Road, offers another aquatic oasis for visitors to explore. You can sail across to Lelepa Island to swim, dive and fish. Keep an eye out for dolphins as they are spotted here often on a daily basis.
Pentecost Island has become famous throughout the world for the land diving ritual known as Nagol. The ritual, which occurs every Saturday between April and June, influenced the invention of bungy jumping by New Zealander AJ Hackett. Nagol sees local men and boys jumping from a 20–30 metre high man-made tower with only a vine attached to their legs. The vines are carefully selected by the jumpers who know that just ten centimetres can be the difference between life and death. Pentecost offers a number of activities such as snorkelling, hiking, canoeing and sightseeing.
Approximately 15 minutes north west of Port Vila lies Mele Village where most of the attractions for Mele Bay are located near. For beautiful scenery, meander through lush tropical flora up to Mele Cascades. Kayak around the bay in a glass bottom sea kayak, snorkel through stunning coral reefs or just kick back and sail around the bay. The Summit Gardens, located on Devil’s Point Road, boasts 6 hectares of gardens which include an extensive array of flora species. Take in the stunning scenery as well as learn how the flora is incorporated into local village life. For refreshments, grab a bite at the Summit Café, and later peruse the Summit Shop for health and body products made from essential oils.
TANNA ISLAND Tanna is best known for being the home of Vanuatu’s most popular tourist attraction, Mount Yasur. As one of the world’s most active volcanoes, its regular eruptions make for some spectacular viewing. Be aware that visitors approaching the crater can be at risk from toxic gas, projectiles and avalanches. If you visit on a Friday you will be privy to the weekly ceremony dedicated to John Frum. Members conduct rituals in the belief that mimicking American acts will lead to the delivery of western goods owned by American visitors during WWII.
Image by Vanuatu Tourism Office
The Whitegrass Plains offers great hiking. Witness the glory of seeing hundreds of wild horses roam free in the tropical wilderness. Amazing views are on offer throughout this hike. Alternatively, embark on a horse riding tour and traverse the stunning landscapes of Tanna on horseback.
MALEKULA ISLAND Malekula remains virtually untouched so you can observe village life at its most authentic. Locals are very friendly and only too happy to share their customs with others. The rugged interior boasts some good birdwatching and trekking, and there are ancient cannibal sites you can visit in the northern part of the island. Additionally you can snorkel through the wondrous coral reefs and explore the local marine life. For more information, visit www.malekula.travel.
AMBRYM ISLAND At the centre of Vanuatu sits the island of Ambrym, a volcanic island which experiences constant eruptions making it an exciting tourist destination. Despite its activity, it emanates mostly smoke and ash so it’s usually safe to be in close proximity. The Yam and Magic Festival, which occurs in July, celebrates the locals’ unique traditions and customs. For more information, visit www.ambrym.travel.
BANKS & TORRES ISLANDS
The Torba Province marks the northernmost region of Vanuatu. Consisting of the Banks and Torres Islands, seven of the thirteen islands here are colonised. The Torba Province offers plenty to see and do with an active volcano, magnificent waterfalls and lakes, cultural activities such as the snake dance, custom dances and the water music which is unique to the region. To organise a stay, contact Santo.Travel on 36 616 or email reservations@santo.travel.
Calendar OF
EVENTS Telecom Volcano Run
Santo Rodeo & Agricultural Show
February Port Vila
July Kavu Park, Santo
John Frum Day
Round Island Relay
February Tanna Island – Celebrate the mythological coming of John Frum
July Port Vila, Éfaté
Santo Game Fishing Tournament March Santo – Annual fishing competition
Land Diving or Nagol April to June Every Thursday, Friday & Saturday Pentecost Island – Land diving ritual
Santo Swim Week June Santo – 5 days of swimming events in this tropical oasis
Fete de la Musique June Éfaté and Santo – World Music Day celebrated in over 40 countries
North Ambrym Magic Festival July Ambrym Island – Cultural event
Yam & Magic Festival
July Malekula Island – Canoe race and cultural festival
Port-Sandwich Festival August, Malekula Island – Celebration of traditions and culture
Back To My Roots Festival August Ambrym Island – Cultural performances.
Vanua Lava Festival September Vanua Lava Island
Masters In Paradise October Port Vila – Rowing competition
Triathlon Du Paradis October Port Vila seafront – Race competition
Numbawan Game Fish Classic November Around Port Vila – Game fishing event
Image by Andrew Read
July Ambrym Island 2 day festival celebrating yams and magic
Maskelyne Canoe Race & Festival
For more information on events in Vanuatu, visit www.santo.travel or www.vanuatu.travel.
Image by Vanuatu Tourism Office
Essential
SERVICES POLICE Main street of Luganville AMBULANCE
115
NORTHERN PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL A 10 minute walk from Luganville SANTO MEDICAL AFTER HOURS MEDICAL
36 400 553 6400 / 773 6400
DENTAL Northern Provincial Hospital INTERNET CAFÉS A number of internet cafes are situated down town SANTO.TOURISM
36 616
BANK ATM’S ATMs are found throughout Luganville DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT
25 302
For those travelling to Australia, remember that it is prohibited to take feathers on your return journey. If you are purchasing coral, shells or
Local
MARKETS
tree fern carvings to take home you may need an export permit. Check with the Department of Environment.
Luganville Main Market, Santo
CONSULATES
Main Street, near Sarakata Bridge, Luganville. People come from all over the island to both sell and buy locally-grown produce and handicrafts.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vanuatu
Vanuatu handicraft market, Port Vila Located near the main Wharf in Port Vila. Boasts 140 handicraft stands, 26 boutiques, a dutyfree shop and local food stands.
Vila’s Outdoor Market, Port Vila Located in Port Vila on the sea wall next to Downtown Bon Marche. Fresh local produce and stalls selling beaded necklaces, Vanuatu souvenirs and woodcarvings further along the waterfront.
W: www.governmentofvanuatu.gov.vu Australian High Commission (24 hours) New Zealand High Commission
22 933
W: www.mfat.govt.nz Honorary Consulate of Belgium
22 306
E: famcol@vanuatu.com.vu Chinese Embassy
23 598
W: vu.chineseembassy.org/eng/ Embassy of France
Located in the heart of Port Vila on the waterfront. The Nambawan Café situated in the market has wireless internet and Moonlight Movies.
Consulate of Philippines
Located in Port Vila’s town centre this market boasts an array of woven bags, hand-painted clothes, mats and more.
22 777
W: www.vanuatu.embassy.gov.au
Nambawan Arts and Craft Market, Port Vila
Hebrida Market, Port Vila
27 750
28 700
W: www.ambafrance-vu.org 23 144
E: philconsul@vanuatu.com.vu Honorary Consulate of Sweden E: swedcons@vanuatu.com.vu
22 944
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This guest services room publication is compiled and produced by John Batman Group – The Hospitality Supermarket, publishers of specialist room directories and magazines. John Batman Group – The Hospitality Supermarket, and Just Brilliant Guides are trademarks of Binders Compendiums Menu Covers Pty Ltd. © Copyright all rights reserved. JBG–Q John Batman Group – The Hospitality Supermarket. PO Box 726, Ringwood, Victoria, Australia 3134. Tel: (03) 9879 8588 Fax: (03) 9879 8688 Email: info@johnbatman.com.au Web: www.johnbatman.com.au
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