There are places in the South Pacific that feel a world away, even when they’re surprisingly close to home. Santo, Vanuatu, is one of them. Just a short flight from Brisbane, Espiritu Santo — or simply Santo — is an island of turquoise swimming holes, lush landscapes, traditional villages and unhurried days.
It’s also quietly attracting a growing expat community, thanks to its proximity to Australia and its authentic, laid-back way of life.Take a direct flight from Brisbane to Santo, taking less than three hours. Arriving at the island’s modest airport, travel along dusty roads to the marina, where friendly locals take you by boat to the outer islands.
Compared with Vanuatu’s bustling capital, Port Vila, Santo feels wonderfully pristine and peaceful. While it’s often used as a jumping-off point for exploring the surrounding islands, we’d recommend slowing down and staying on Santo for a few days before venturing further.
The island is best experienced in the water. Swim in one of Santo’s spectacular blue holes, explore the coastline or head beneath the surface for a deep-sea dive. Afterwards, settle in for a long, fresh seafood lunch at Turtle Bay Lodge.
For divers, the island is particularly special, with World War II wrecks, coral reefs and crystal-clear tropical waters offering plenty to explore. After exploring Santo take the short boat journey to Ratua Private Island, around 30 minutes away.
We first visited Ratua as a family 15 years ago — and it was one of those places we always vowed to return to. Ratua is unlike any resort we’ve experienced. Spread across 146 secluded acres, the island combines barefoot luxury with a strong commitment to sustainability.
One of its most distinctive features is its collection of traditional Javanese buildings, creating an almost Ubud-like atmosphere in the middle of the South Pacific. The village was brought to the island by a French adventurer around two decades ago and has become part of Ratua’s unique character.
As you arrive on the resort pier, you’ll be welcomed by a chorus of locals greeting in song. Shoes are quickly kicked off as you make your way to the Yacht Club, a relaxed seaside gathering place serving a sumptuous daily menu, with a lounge and games area for lazy afternoons. As the sun begins to drop, cocktails appear at the Sunset Bar while traditional dancers perform on the beach beside an enormous fire pit.
Ratua is the sort of place where you stop checking the time and start noticing the colour of the ocean. Many activities are included in the island experience, from paddle boards and glass-bottom canoes to snorkelling. For something a little more memorable, add ocean horse riding, a sunset cruise or a treatment at the spectacular overwater spa.
The island has weathered some extraordinary challenges, including the global pandemic and a devastating cyclone that caused significant damage to the island and surrounding region.
Today, French technology entrepreneur Jean-Yves Sireau — known as JY — is determined to restore Ratua to its former glory while taking the experience even further. JY has also acquired nearby Kwakea Island, with plans focused on creating a more adventurous experience for visitors.
There are ambitious plans for additional accommodation, including bures on the other side of the island, personalised service and private chefs. For now, accommodation ranges from romantic beachside villas and rustic glamping tents to the family-friendly Fish Village.
Ratua is small enough to explore on foot. It takes around 30 minutes to walk around the island, and along the way we stop to visit the resort’s horses and other animals. The nearby local village is surrounded by an organic garden, chicken pens and roaming goats, cows and sheep. The emphasis is firmly on producing locally and sustainably.
Much of Ratua’s menu is based on produce grown, caught or sourced within roughly 50 kilometres of the island. Fresh yellowfin tuna, reef snapper and slipper lobster are transformed with fragrant island spices and paired with tropical fruits that grow abundantly across the region-it’s fresh, simple and distinctly Vanuatu.
At Ratua, long sunny days melt into dreamy tropical evenings. There’s no need for shoes, schedules or over-planned itineraries. The locals even tell us we’ve been “Ratua’d” as we wander barefoot to breakfast — a feeling that perfectly captures the magic of this little corner of the South Pacific.
For Australians looking for an island escape that feels genuinely remote without being impossibly far away, Santo and Ratua offer a beautiful combination: adventure, culture, nature and understated luxury.
Sometimes paradise isn’t as far away as you think.
Plan Your Santo Escape
✈️ GET THERE
Direct flights from Brisbane to Santo are available with Solomon Airlines, with services operating on selected days. Flight schedules and fares can change, so check current availability before booking.
🛏️ STAY
Turtle Bay Lodge — Santo
A relaxed base for exploring Santo’s blue holes, coastline and diving opportunities.
Ratua Private Island Resort
A secluded private-island escape combining sustainable living, barefoot luxury, adventure and spectacular beaches.
🍴 EAT
Turtle Bay Lodge — Fresh seafood and tropical island dining.
The Yacht Club at Ratua — A relaxed seaside restaurant and gathering place overlooking the water.
🌊 PLAY
Santo Blue Holes — Swim in the island’s extraordinary freshwater swimming holes, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation.
PADI Diving at Turtle Bay — Explore Santo’s renowned underwater world and World War II wreck sites.
Ocean Horse Riding at Ratua — Experience one of the island’s signature adventures with horses on the beach and in the water.