Matevulu Blue Hole
The biggest of Santo's blue holes: a freshwater spring with clear, bright blue water, a giant rope swing hanging from a banyan tree, and a cafe. It's on the east coast road on the way up from Luganville.
Plenty to do, or nothing at all
Things to do around Port Olry
Most days start with the sunrise over the bay. After that, here's what's close by.
Swimming and snorkelling
The bungalows look straight out onto soft white sand and calm, clear blue water. Walk in for a swim whenever you like.
There's a coral reef right in front of the bungalows, about 75 metres across. It's right on the beachfront, so bring a mask and snorkel.
Food, drink and supplies
Three beach restaurants
There are three places to eat right on the beach, so lunch and dinner are nearby. They're all a short walk south along the sand: Harbour View Restaurant right next door, then Chez Louis, then Serenity Restaurant. The restaurants take cards for meals, but you can't get cash out.
- Harbour View Restaurant: right next door to the bungalows.
- Chez Louis: known for its seafood platter.
- Serenity Restaurant: seafood, barbecue and local dishes, for lunch and dinner.
The local shop
The blue building, 200 metres up the beach from the bungalows. Snacks, drinks, cold beer and wine, and the fish shop is on the right-hand side of the same building.
Not a bad spot for lunch.
Horse riding on the beach
The horses are just a short walk up the beach from the bungalows, and you ride along the sand with the lagoon beside you. Tarcisius can organise it, so just ask when you book or once you're here.
Early risers
Village life
Port Olry is a working fishing village. Dugout and outrigger canoes line the beach, and at sunrise the fishermen get their boats ready and head out for the day. Grab a coffee and watch from your verandah.
The islands in the bay
From the beach you look straight across to Dolphin Island and little Malet Island beside it, with white sandbars and reef in the clear water around them.
You can walk out to Malet Island through the water. It's never more than about waist deep, and at low tide it's only up to your ankles.
To get out to Dolphin Island, a local guide will take you across in an outrigger canoe for 5,000 vatu per person.
Day trips
Champagne Beach and the blue holes
Nanda Blue Hole
A freshwater spring on Santo's east coast with famously blue, clear water, a boardwalk through the forest and a picnic area. It's on the coast road between Luganville and Port Olry, so you can stop for a swim on the way up too.
Champagne Beach
One of Vanuatu's best-known beaches, about 20 to 25 minutes' drive south of Port Olry. White sand, clear water and shade under the trees.
Entry to each of these is usually 500 to 1,000 vatu per person, depending on the day. Bring cash. Tarcisius can arrange transport to all three, or anywhere else you want to go on Santo.
On cruise ship days the tour vans bring in crowds for a few hours, and prices can go up. Staying at Port Olry, you can go early, late, or on a day with no ship in, when it's much quieter. That makes Port Olry handy accommodation for Champagne Beach and the blue holes.
Or do nothing at all
You don't have to do any of it. Swim, read on the verandah, eat fruit and watch the sun come up over the bay. That's a perfectly good holiday too.
