Things to Know Before you Go
Turtle Bay Beach House and Turtle Bay Tree House specialises in self-contained AirBnB style accommodation (although atm we don’t offer breakfast as an option). Your cottages, villas and beach house are located in one of the most beautiful spots on the island – Turtle Bay, also known as the Bay of Islands.
We’ve designed your AirBnB Espiritu Santo style accommodation to be an oasis of peace and tranquility – lush tropical gardens leading directly to a private beach area, an overwater deck complete with BBQ & giant hammock, traditional sculptures and artworks, grassy areas for kids to play on, a sandpit/sun lounge area, a giant overwater hammock, large shade trees and even an outdoor bamboo rain shower. Check out all of our amenities HERE
Below is a list of all the things to know before you go that will ensure your AirBnB Espiritu Santo holiday at our holiday houses goes smoothly. For more Vanuatu travel hacks and travel tips see HERE or check out our Facebook page HERE .
Tips and Advice
Electricity
Electricity is included in the price of your accommodation but keep in mind it is very expensive on Santo. We please ask that you turn off fans and lights when you go out so we can keep our prices reasonable. If there’s a power failure, switchboards are located in each building and the main switchboard is in the laundry. The main fuse for the power company is on the wall behind the laundry (closest to road) We are currently in the process of installing solar on our property. All our outdoor lights are already on solar.
Drinking Water
The water at our property is safe to drink – it’s either filtered rainwater or underground bore water filtered through limestone – some of the houses and apartments also have additional filters on the cold water tap. If the water runs out for some reason check the tanks and if they sound empty open up the back up tank valve or get Willie the house manager to do it for you.
Taxis/Transports/Car Hire/Airport Transfers
We do not organise airport pickups. However, there are always plenty of taxis available at the airport to transfer you to your AirBnB Espiritu Santo accommodation at Turtle Bay. We suggest you call ahead and organise Jubly to pick you up – he’s our No. 1 taxi Driver. Second best is Tusty. Jubly 7106846 or Tusty 7755280. Generally the cost should be around 3- 4000vt. We suggest you take the opportunity to do all your food/drinks shopping in Luganville along the way as there are no shops in Turtle Bay. Catching daily local transport from Turtle Bay into town is easy, Just walk outside the property onto the main road and wave down a local bus or transport (you’ll see them going by every morning) or heading north (usually every afternoon). Cost is around 500vt one way pp. Taxis are around 2000vt one way into town. We recommend Luke at Santo Paradise Tours for car rental/day tours, The Espiritu Hotel or Bountiful Car Rental. Turtle Bay Lodge also hires quad bikes, buggies and cars.
Supermarket/Vege Market/Fish Market
The main Luganville fruit and vege markets are open 7 days a week and are located at the south end of town. Stalls adjacent to the market sell cheap takeaway and sit down meals. The fish market is at the back of the market near the river. You can also try an Aussie lady Hayley who lives at Natanara (10 min drive south) who has a commercial fishing boat and can supply you with fresh fish. Her contact is 5433373. The main supermarket is LCM in the middle of town but you can also try the Daming Stores (one around the corner from Luganville fruit and vege markets and the other at the north end of town) and the Sunshine Stores (one next to markets). There’s a scattering of other smaller markets around Luganville – ask your driver to show you them if you can’t find what you need in the first one. Every Sunday morning there is a local fruit and vegetable stall that sets up south of Riri River Bridge here at Turtle Bay (7 min drive south from house). There’s also plenty of roadside stalls north on the way up to Champagne Beach (about 30 min drive). Finally our nearest small shop (which has basics like rice, bread, chicken etc is found around 5km north of Turtle Bay. its on the left just before Jackies Blue Hole.
On-Site Managers
Willie and Marie live at Turtle Bay Tree House (30m south) and are here to help you with any issues and problems as well as welcome you and get you settled into your AirBnB Espiritu Santo accommodation. They are not here to be your personal tour or transport organisers (if you want that please choose to stay at Turtle Bay Lodge). Willie’s contact is 7788590 Marie’s contact is 7310154 – their day off is Saturday their church day.
Kava Bars
Our nearest local kava bar is about a 5km drive north (look for the coloured light), or about the same distance south. There is also a small shop at the northern kava bar with basic foods and supplies. Kava time is 5pm onwards. On a Wednesday its worth driving to Seahorse Kava Bar for the weekly get together of expats. (head south for 20 min until you see The Ranch horse riding centre).
Tea/Coffee/Toilet Paper/Soap/Garbage Bags
We generally try to provide you with the basics when you first arrive but after that you are on your own. Nearest shop is 5 km north. We are not a resort, we are self-contained AirBnB style accommodation so we don’t provide refills, concierge services or 24 hr check in.
Breakages and Other Domestic Issues
If something doesn’t work, is missing or needs fixing please let Willie know. Same goes for any breakages. We try to provide you with everything you need for your stay. Please leave it as you found it. This applies to dirty dishes, pots, rubbish etc. Clean up your mess before you leave. Our staff should not have to do this. Thank you.
Additional Cleans/Linen Changes
We do not do daily cleans or linen changes unless requested. If you are staying longer than a week Marie will supply new towels, sheets etc at the end of the week. If you would like a basic daily clean from Marie (floors swept/dishes done/beds made) we can organise this for an extra 2000vt for the cottage and 4000vt for the Beach House. Any additional linen changes are 2000vt per room. Please speak to Willie if you wish to organise this.
Noise
Please be respectful to other guests sharing the property with you and give them their privacy. And if for any reason there is a problem with noise from our neighbours or other guests please inform Willie and he will deal with it.
Diving/Fishing/Boat Tours
Our AirBnB Espiritu Santo style accommodation is located within walking distance of Turtle Bay Lodge which offers diving courses and diving excursions – there are a range of great dive sites near us. We do not recommend Dany Island for snorkelling (too expensive and too many issues with on site staff) but instead recommend Mavea Island. Call Johnny Riri 7358478 for cheap local boat tours. For fishing try Fabrice at Island Fishing Santo 7740536, Bob at Bob’s Gamefishing and Boat Charters 5601645 or Ru at Pacific Reef Sports Fishing 7376211.
Medical
If there are any medical emergencies while staying in our AirBnB Espiritu Santo call Medico Santo on 36400 or after hours 7736400 – office is in Luganville. Or for an ambulance call Pro Medical 26996.
There’s lots more useful information on our FAQ page and Blogs (see link at top of page) or visit the Vanuatu Tourism office in town (it’s located on a side road off Club Sanma – phone 36616).
Kayaks/SUPs/Snorkel Gear
We supply free single and double kayaks and stand up paddle boards as well as some snorkel gear for you to use when you stay at our accommodation – please take good care of them and treat them with respect. At TBBH the kayaks are located next to Turtle Cottage and the snorkel gear is stored in the laundry. Do not leave any of the equipment in the sun and clean and put them away after use.
Money Exchange/Payments
Payment for accommodation on arrival at our house is in cash only atm (we have no CC facilities). Best to change your money when in Santo, you’ll get a better rate. Cash is king on the island and Luganville (the main town) is the only place you can get cash out. Credit cards are only accepted at major resorts so make sure to get enough $$ out for food and tours! There is a money exchange booth at the airport but you will get better rates at Western Union office in town or Goodies office (and black market exchanges at Chinese stores – just ask around). ATMs in Luganville can also give you cash.
Laundry
The holiday house features an on-site shared laundry that is free to use however it is BYO laundry powder. If you would like our staff to wash, dry and fold your clothes for you we can supply this service for you however it’s an additional 2000vt charge. At TBBH the laundry also contains picnic mats you can use, large washing bowls, eskys (cooler boxes) and a selection of games. The washing line is located next to the water tanks (right).
Overwater Deck/BBQ/Giant Hammock
The overwater deck at the house is a shared use area. There is a BBQ on the deck (in the cupboard). Please clean and return it to the cupboard after use. The switch for the fan/light is on the left (you must turn on the power switch directly below this as well). The other light switches are located on the right as you walk in. The giant hammock is not a trampoline. Please don’t use it this way or you will either break it or get injured.
Satellite Internet/Phone Service
Vodaphone is the only service that works at the house. Local sims and credit available from Vodaphone office in town. Most of the local phone providers are notoriously unreliable but the best deal is a 500vt weekly unlimited calls deal with 2 GB data from Vodaphone. We have a dedicated satellite internet dish at the house which is included in the price of your accommodation. Ask Willie for our internet password when you arrive.
Blue Holes
We are the closest accommodation on Santo to the famous blue holes. You can either kayak or drive to the nearby blue holes. Cost is 1000vt per person and 500 vt for kids. There are two just south of us (Matevulu and Riri) and one just north of us (Jackie’s Blue Hole). The easiest one to kayak to is Matevulu – allow 3 hrs return.
Eating Out/Takeaway
Turtle Bay Lodge is a short walk away (just north of us). Apart from good food and a bar, they also have wifi and a pool you can use if you buy food/drinks (a pool pass is 2500vt for access to the pool from 10am-3pm of which 2000vt can be redeemed for food/drink at th restaurant). The next nearest restaurant is Black Pearl 15 minutes south and then Barrier Beach Resort (another 5 minutes S). You can also order takeaway homestyle meals from Natanara Kitchen but you will have to order a day in advance and pick it up from their place (about 10 min south). Look them up on Facebook or email them on natanarakitchen@gmail.com .
Rubbish
Please use red bags (available from LCM Supermarket) when putting your rubbish into the green bins at the back of the house. These are pre-paid rubbish bags for the Council tip (we discard them ourselves as there is no rubbish service outside of town). The other smaller bin is for the recycling – Tusker Beer bottles, Cascade Spring Water/plastic water bottles. If you want to recycle your aluminium cans you can drop them off to the Daming Store in Luganville near the fruit and vege markets. Do not put them into our recycling bin!
