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We've booked out our venue, Black Pearl Resort in Espiritu Santo, which can accommodate up to 20 guests. ALL ACCOMODATION IS NOW FULL.

Black Pearl Resort & Spa
East Coast, Santo,
Vanuatu

Guest Information: Travel, Stay, and Activities

Where is Espiritu Santo?

Santo is one of Vanuatu’s 83 islands and is located outside of Port Vila. Please refer to the map below to ensure you don’t end up on the wrong island!


How far away is the venue from Santo town?

Black Pearl is around 20 minutes out of town.

How can I get to Espiritu Santo?

  • For International Guests: Solomon Airlines offers weekly flights to Espiritu Santo from Brisbane and Auckland. You can explore flight options and book your tickets here. If you encounter any issues with their booking system, we recommend using Expedia to make your reservations. In some cases it may be more affordable to travel to Santo via Port Vila - if this is the case, please reach out to us and we will assist in making your domestic bookings.

  • International guests may also be interested in flights & accommodation packages from “My Vanuatu”. Click the link to view some of their options Espiritu Santo - My Vanuatu

  • For Domestic Guests: Please reach out to us in Port Vila, and we can assist with arranging charter flight options to Espiritu Santo.

What are the accommodation options?

As mentioned earlier, we have arranged accommodations at our venue to help reduce travel expenses. Priority for these accommodations will be given to international guests on a first-come, first-served basis. Accommodation at the venue is provided free of charge.

If you prefer to stay elsewhere or if our resort accommodations are fully booked, we recommend the following options, which vary in cost:

Our families and we have personally stayed at most of these accommodations and had wonderful experiences. Please note that Aore Island Resort is located off the island, so additional travel time should be considered if you choose to stay there. Hibiscus Motel is the most affordable choice for those looking for a budget-friendly option—simple but comfortable.

However there are plenty of other options available that would be worth trying!

What’s the climate like?

The average temperature in Santo during May is around 24-28°C, so we suggest packing lightweight, breathable clothing, as well as a light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings.

What do we need to pack?

When packing for your trip to Santo, be sure to bring all your essentials, as some items may not be readily available. Here are a few recommendations:

  • SPF 50 sunscreen

  • Reef Shoes (Essential for kids)

  • Betadine

  • Personal medications

  • First-aid essentials, such as bandages

  • Insect repellent (Essential when going to Blue Holes)

  • Specialty foods that may be difficult to find (e.g., gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.)

  • Summer clothing and swimwear

  • Snorkels if you prefer not to rent or use the resort's shared ones (Highly recommend bringing your own)

This will help ensure you're fully prepared for your stay.

Do we need to arrange transportation?

As close friends and family, you might prefer to coordinate transportation within your groups. However, we will arrange for a few hire cars and taxi drivers to assist you during your stay. Taxis are easy to find in central Santo and are fairly affordable as well. We recommend car hire if you plan on travelling as far as Port Orly.

If you wish to hire a car of your own we recommend these operators:

What can we do on Santo?

For our international guests who may be staying for just under or over a week, there are plenty of activities to enjoy on Santo. Some of the island's highlights include:

  • Visiting the famous Blue Holes, including Nanda, Riri, and Matevulu

  • Relaxing on the white sandy beaches of Port Olry or Champagne Beach

  • Horseback riding through the mangroves or swimming with them!

  • Diving and snorkeling at some of the best spots in the country (or world)

You can explore more options and plan your activities here.

For detailed tour options and more information, consider joining or following these Facebook groups & pages:

The “Weekender” by 7News Australia recently visited Santo and highlighted some of our favourites! Click the link here to watch!

Where can we shop/eat?

Shopping in Santo is limited, but there is a main strip with a few stores to cover your basic needs. Key spots include:

  • LCM Supermarket

  • ABM Supermarket

  • Island Duty-Free (Vanuatu is one of the cheapest duty-free locations in the world)

  • Banks such as BRED, NBV & BSP

  • A Drug Store

There is also a vibrant market selling fresh produce, offering local fruits and vegetables.

For dining, you can enjoy a range of cafes and restaurants, including:

  1. Natangora Cafe

  2. Santo Chinese Restaurant

  3. RK Indian Restaurant

  4. Smugglers

  5. Attar Bakery & Cafe

Most hotels and accommodation providers also have restaurants that are open to day visitors (most of the hotels listed above have restaurants)

HOWEVER, not all restaurants and shops are open seven days a week (May 1st is a Public Holiday, and I'm certain opening times will be affected by this), so please check ahead of time if they are open and plan accordingly/ in advance.

What currency do we need?

The currency in Vanuatu is Vatu, and cash is king here. Since ATMs & EFTPOS are scarce in Santo, we recommend bringing cash with you and exchanging it locally at a currency exchange or bank in Santo town. Keep in mind that cash withdrawals come with fees, so it's best to use ATMs only as a backup option. Goodies (Best Rates) and No1 Currency have branches on the main strip in Santo.

On average $10AUD = 800 Vatu or $10NZD = 700 Vatu

Is there Wi-Fi & internet?

Our venue does provide free Wi-Fi to guests however, if you want to stay connected while travelling in Santo, we recommend that you buy a Digicel SIM card upon arrival and set it up with a package. This should cost you less than 3,000 Vatu (40 AUD).

Aside from this, we will also be bringing a Starlink Mini, which you are welcome to use at our accommodation.

Do we need insurance?

We strongly recommend that our international guests purchase travel insurance with medical coverage. While Santo has private doctors and a hospital, their services are limited. In the event of a medical emergency, having coverage is essential.

If you need medical attention for any reason, we recommend:

  • Medical Santo PH: 36400 or 553 6400 for after-hours emergencies

  • Northern Provincial Hospital (Public Hospital)

  • ProMedical (Ambulance) PH: 115

What are the immigration requirements?

To enter Vanuatu on a tourist visa from Australia or New Zealand, guests must show proof of a return ticket at the check-in desk. This visa allows you to stay for up to 30 days.

There are currently no COVID-19 or vaccination requirements. Customs and biosecurity regulations are fairly standard, but if you’d like to review specific rules or prohibited items, you can visit the "Travellers" section on the Vanuatu Customs website here: https://customsinlandrevenue.gov.vu/travellers.html.