Matevulu Blue Hole

Matevulu Blue Hole The Matevulu Blue Hole is one of Santo's largest. It is also arguably the most beautiful. A massive Banyan tree grows on one of the Blue Hole's shores.

Santo has almost as many blue holes as it has rivers, but Matevulu is arguably the most splendid of them all. Spring-fed, the freshwater swimming hole is about 17m deep and the water is crystal-clear year-round. Owned by Chief Joseph Riri (who also owns the Riri Blue Hole), Matevulu is one of Vanuatu's most photographed places. It is also one of Santo's most popular attractions; especially when th

e cruise ships are in town. A ladder has been placed in front of the tree so that you can scramble out of the water and climb to a rope swing. From the Matava River mouth, it takes about 45 minutes to paddle by canoe to the blue hole from Oyster Island, or 45 by stand up paddle board. with Santo SUPs (tours commencing in early 2015). Along the way, the mangrove forests and plank roots of immense trees offer safe haven for small fish and opportunities to see endemic bird species. The further you paddle upriver, the clearer the water gets until it shimmers with an iridescent blue hue that is surreal. Happily, there are no sharks in the river or in the Blue Hole and the jungle shelters the river/ Blue Hole from the wind. If you prefer to access by car, then a bumpy dirt road leads to a car park where the entry fee of VT500 is collected by the kastom landowner's family. Please do not attempt to barter and ensure you pack in/pack out all of your trash. Shade is available under thatched roofs and a couple of canoes are usually available to rent at the Blue Hole. No other amenities are available and there is no drink machine/ eftpos/ cafe (which is what makes it so special). Access can also be gained by motor boat from Oyster Island but this really is a place that should be kept free from motorised craft; so pristine is the environment and the water. As such, please make the effort instead to paddle. Bring food, water, sunscreen and mozzie repellent with you. Also - be careful if you are not a strong swimmer as freshwater offers less buoyancy than saltwater and swimmers can easily tire. The water is refreshing year-round.

Kayaking up the crystal river leading to Matevulu Blue Hole from Turtle Bay Beach House, the closest accommodation to th...
06/01/2025

Kayaking up the crystal river leading to Matevulu Blue Hole from Turtle Bay Beach House, the closest accommodation to the blue hole (www.turtlebaybeachhouse.com)

Want a good book to read on your next holiday to Vanuatu? Kat Finnerty, a local Santo Island resident, has recently had ...
11/07/2024

Want a good book to read on your next holiday to Vanuatu? Kat Finnerty, a local Santo Island resident, has recently had her memoir selected as Book of the Month by one of the world's largest book clubs Onlinebookclub.org (5 million members and counting!). It was rated 5/5 stars by one of their professional reviewers. Wohoo!

So to celebrate she is giving away her ebook FREE on Amazon for 5 days only (July 20- 25) as part of a special promotion (all she asks is that you leave a review in return). The countdown is on .... let all your family and friends know and grab a free copy starting next Saturday.

Just near blue hole...
19/12/2019

Just near blue hole...

07/10/2019
31/08/2019
Local boys jumping off giant rope swing and tree at Matevulu Blue Hole - photos courtesy of Island Time Kayaking
18/05/2019

Local boys jumping off giant rope swing and tree at Matevulu Blue Hole - photos courtesy of Island Time Kayaking

There's something extra special about kayaking to a blue hole....rather than simply driving there. Fun and games with Is...
21/04/2019

There's something extra special about kayaking to a blue hole....rather than simply driving there. Fun and games with Island Time Kayaking crew today on their blue hole kayak tour!

Just near the blue hole!
17/04/2019

Just near the blue hole!

A Douglas C-47 Skytrain takes off from Turtle Bay Airfield on Espiritu Santo, November 9, 1943. When you consider how much white coral runway base was used to surface all the airfields and roads on Santo and indeed throughout the Pacific, it's not hard to appreciate why there were so many coral pits around the island.

In recent weeks Matevulu blue hole has gone crystal clear - havent seen it looking this good for a long time, make an ef...
18/03/2019

In recent weeks Matevulu blue hole has gone crystal clear - havent seen it looking this good for a long time, make an effort and check out with Island Time Kayaking blue hole kayak tour

Address

Sanma Province
Espiritu Santo

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00
Saturday 08:00 - 17:00
Sunday 08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+678 7749015

Website

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