Santo Blue Holes

Espiritu Santo's blue holes are freshwater springs where water filtered through limestone emerges into pools of a blue so saturated it looks artificial - Nanda, Riri, Matevulu and others, each reached down a jungle track or by canoe up a creek. Rope swings hang from overhanging trees, the water is cold and clear enough to see every detail on the bottom, and the surrounding forest closes overhead. They are among the most photographed places in Vanuatu and, unlike much of the Pacific's scenery, are entirely freshwater, which makes them a different pleasure from the beaches nearby.

What you actually see

• Nanda Blue Hole - the most accessible and most photographed of the group.
• Riri Blue Hole - reached by canoe up a creek through jungle.
• Matevulu Blue Hole - large, deep and popular with a rope swing.
• The colour - the saturated blue that gives them their name.

When to go

The dry months from April to October give the clearest water; heavy rain in the wet season stirs sediment and dulls the colour. Midday sun makes the blue strongest for photographs. Mornings are quietest.

Honest expectations

Each hole sits on custom land with its own landowner and fee, so visiting several costs several times - carry small notes. The water is genuinely cold. Access tracks are rough and some need 4x4 after rain. Rope swings and platforms are informal with no safety oversight; check depth before jumping. Sandflies at some sites are aggressive.

Nearby

Champagne Beach, Million Dollar Point and Luganville.