The Blue Hole Dilemma

The Blue Waters of Matevulu

There are three Blue Holes on the island of Espirtu Santo and they are just unreal.

These tranquil, mystical, turquoise lagoons have something magical and mysterious about them that you have to see to believe.

The crystal clear blue waters are irresistible and we dove right in!

Matevulu Blue Hole aka The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Hole that we went to on Santo is called the Matevulu Blue Hole. It’s not far from the Towoc Restaurant and Bungalows (Lonnoc Bungalows) at Champagne Beach.

Champagne Beach is where the shots of the lagoon in the 1980 movie The Blue Lagoon was filmed.

Not surprisingly the locals call this Blue Hole ‘The Blue Lagoon’.

The Problem Is This

Much of the land in Vanuatu is being bought up by overseas investors, and for amazingly cheap.

Sadly, most of which are Australian.

No More Blue Hole for Locals

Snorkeling Matevulu.

After arriving back to Port Vila and discussing with a local our journeys to Santo we were told that the local villagers can not enjoy their own Blue Hole freely anymore.

“The Blue Holes are for the Tourists.”

That is what we were told.

The young lady then continued on to tell us about how children would go to the Matevulu Blue Hole (where we snorkeled) and cool off for an afternoon swim.

Now, these children as well as everybody else on the island have been told that they cannot enjoy their Blue Holes freely and whenever they want.

The Blue Holes are for the tourists.

The reason why this is happening is because the Blue Hole is now on Private Property.

White Man owns it.

When I found this out, not only was I saddened but I was also angry.

Sad for the Ni-Vanuatu.

How can somebody tell them, let alone have the audacity to tell these poor people that they can’t even go to a favorite part of their own land and enjoy it?

In this instance one of their own Blue Holes!

A Blue Hole Entrance Fee

While is (at the time of this writing) currently free to enter. The Riri River Blue Hole has an entrance fee, per vehicle of 1,000 Vatu (about 10 USD).

However, if you rent a kayak, entrance is free.

Kayaks are owned by the White Man, from the Resort.

Just Bought The Grand Canyon!

Could you imagine if somebody from an overseas country came to the United States (or maybe Australia’s Twelve Apostles, your country) and bought the land, that is and surrounds The Grand Canyon (The Twelve Apostles, or your countries landmark)?

I know this isn’t possible, I’m just using it as an example.

You then head to your car and take a road trip to The Grand Canyon and are told that you cannot visit it right now because it’s for the tourists right now.

BUT OTHER OVERSEAS TOURISTS CAN!

You watch sadly from the sidelines as tourists from overseas are happily enjoying an incredible piece of land which is rightfully yours!

You would be outraged. I know I would.

This is what is happening in Vanuatu, right now.

It’s so sad, it disgusts me and makes me ashamed and embarrassed.