We travelled to Espiritu Santo with our 2-year-old Kidsetter in tow. Espiritu Santo is a Vanuatu Island forming part of the Y-shaped archipelago consisting of about 82 small islands. The beautiful nation stretches across 1,300km of the South Pacific Ocean. Known for its phenomenal diving and snorkelling, turquoise freshwater blue holes, famous white beaches and caves; we couldn’t wait to explore the island with our Kidsetter (minus the diving !)
Espiritu Santo, known as ‘Santo’ by the locals is the largest island in Vanuatu, covered with high mountains and lush rainforest. Santo is rich in culture, amazing scenery and is an ideal playground for Kidsetters alike. It is also an island untouched by development which make it uniquely special.
The people of Vanuatu, a name which means ‘Land Eternal’, are largely Melanesian and the people are called Ni-Vanuatu (meaning ‘of Vanuatu’). Ni-Vanuatu have lived in these islands for centuries and more than 110 distinctly different cultures and languages still thrive here.
Arriving at Santo we were instantly greeted with a big smile from a friendly local named ‘Charles’ whom became our private tour guide. Charles had a few places he was adamant we needed to visit. First stop, Champagne Beach.
We swam at the infamous Champagne Beach. Voted as one of the world’s top ten beaches with it’s white soft sand and crystal clear blue water it took our breath away. Our Kidsetter loved splashing in the pristine water and building sand castles.
We meandered through the nearby markets meeting the friendly locals admiring their colourful sarongs and souvenir craftmanship. Santo locals are one of the most happiest people in the Pacific and love sharing their island paradise with visitors.
Next stop Charles was insistent for us to experience ‘The Nanda Blue Hole.’ We drove 30 minutes and arrived amidst an exquisite rainforest. We made our way down the nearby boardwalk and found ourselves at the stunning ‘The Nanda Blue Hole’, a magical crystal blue water hole surrounded by jungle and teeming with tropical fish.
The blue holes are an important source of fresh water for local villages along the east coast of Santo. They also provide a habitat for many special of plants and animals, some being unique to blue hole.
We ventured in for a swim. Wow it was freezing ! I felt like I should’ve worn a wetsuit to keep warm. I must admit this experience stretched me. Having our 2-year-old Kidsetter swim in an 18 metre deep water hole was nerve wrecking. Definitely pack the floaties if travelling with younger Kidsetters ! Surprisingly, we didn’t stay in the water for too long. We admired its pristine beauty from the embankment whilst drinking a complimentary coconut milk.
The majestic beauty of Santo will have you and your Kidsetters of all ages enthralled. Discover coconut palm tree fringed beaches with powdery white sand, freshwater Blue Holes surrounded by natural rain forest, underground caves that hide natural wonders, jewel-like Islands that lie within easy access and an underwater world full of wrecks, reefs and fish.
