Espiritu Santo Tourism reckons more Australians need to know about this under-the-radar South Pacific island with rich culture, untouched nature and adventure on tap. Now with two weekly direct flights from Brisbane, Espiritu Santo has never been more appealing or accessible with agent fares from AUD$199 return.
It’s Vanuatu’s biggest island, but Santo, as it’s commonly known, has not been easily accessible – until now.
And Espiritu Santo Tourism Association Vice Chair Lisa Dinh says access to Santo is changing and changing fast, so now’s the time to experience this untouched destination.
With activities from cocktails on the beach to hiking and climbing volcanoes and diving, Dinh says one of the things that makes Santo unique is the blue holes.
“People know the cenotes in Mexico, but that’s slightly further to travel – here you have them right around the corner,” she says.
“Santo’s blue holes are within driving distance – and I don’t mean Australian driving distances – it’s a 20-minute drive.
“We’ve also got pristine beaches, diving and hiking that are absolutely incredible,” she told attendees at a recent Brisbane Airport event.
Direct to paradise
Solomon Airlines added a second weekly direct flight from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Espiritu Santo (SON) on 4 April 2026, using its Airbus A320 aircraft and cutting out a stop in Honiara for a total flying time of just 2.5 hours.
From 4 April to 27 June 2026, Solomon Airlines will operate the twice-weekly service on Thursdays, departing BNE at 9am and touching down in SON at 12:50pm, and Saturdays, leaving BNE at 8:55am and arriving in SON at 12:45pm.
From 7 July 2026, the twice-weekly BNE-SON service will operate on Tuesday and Thursday, departing Brisbane at 9am and arriving in Santo at 12:45pm/12:50pm.
As Solomon Airlines GSA in Australia, Airline Rep Services Queensland Sales Manager Miriam Musgrave also shared that agent fares to Santo are just $199 return with a companion fare also available, allowing advisors to experience the service firsthand.
Dinh highlighted the untouched nature of Santo and its central location within Vanuatu, making it an ideal destination for a long weekend for Aussies, and shared that her entire door-to-door journey took under 4.5 hours.
“Just 2.5 hours and you’re out there. Stay from Thursday to Tuesday and combine stays in different parts of the island,” she says.
The island’s boutique accommodation, where the biggest properties have just 30 rooms, adds to its hidden-gem appeal. Santo offers options from high-end luxury resorts to backpacker motels to suit all price points.
Dinh says Santo is more than a screensaver. “The turtles are real, kayaking with the dugongs is real, the horse riding in the water is real, and right now, you can have it all just 2.5 hours from where you’re sitting right now.”
