The west coast of Santo is characterized by high mountains and thick bushland, home to Vanuatu's highest mountain, Mt. Tabwemasana. There are no roads on this side of the island and the people who live there still maintain a predominately traditional way of life.
With strong traditional ties, Espiritu Santo also has a history with both first and second world wars.
Santo was also largely an ally military base during world war 2 and signs of its historical connections to second world war is very much alive today through dive wrecks, old airstrips, and a world-class world war two museum.
Before the US established their military base in Santo, Luganville was just a coastal village with a few homes interspersed amongst jungle and coconut plantations.
During WWII, the war in the Pacific spanned a vast area and strategically chosen military bases were essential during the conflict. In response to the Japanese military’s presence in the Solomon Islands and construction of airfields in Guadalcanal, the US military decided to establish a military presence in Espiritu Santo, just 630 miles to the south-east.
When you visit capital Luganville, you may notice the Quonset Huts around town or how wide our main road is - wide enough to accommodate two-way tank traffic!
Today, you can explore Santo via the sealed East Coast Road that runs from Luganville, on the islands south east corner, to Port Orly village on the island's northern tip. The east coast is home to fresh water swimming holes, white sand beaches, coral reefs, easily accessible wreck dive sites, luxurious resorts, traditional Ni-Vanuatu bungalows, coconut plantations and grazing land for our famous Santo beef.