To get to Ratua Island you have to traverse the tricky Segund Pass.  This is a long pass that runs between Aore island and Malo island.  The current can rip through here up to 5kts and if you don’t time it properly it can be very treacherous.  On top of the fast current there are several reefs that make the channel even more challenging to navigate.

We thought we timed it properly, but alas we were off.  Sugar Shack traveled from east to west during falling or low tide (which is when we were “supposed” to go).  We ended up seeing 4kts of current against us, but we had total control of the boat the entire time. We took it slow and easy and arrived safely.

Later we researched and discovered that the tide runs west to east on the falling or low tide (which is why it was against us).  It runs east to west on the rising tide or high tide.  The best time to go is 2 hours before high or low tide when the current drops down to 2-3kts.  Lesson learned which will help on our departure.

You forget all about the entrance, once inside the beautiful bay.  We drop the hook next to a bommie and were startled to see it move!  It was a large turtle.  This lagoon is filled with dozens of large turtles!

Ratua Island Resort

Ratua Island is owned by the Ratua Island Foundation which also runs the beautiful Ratua Island Resort.  Some of the profits from the resort help fund the foundation whose goal is to educate children across Vanuatu.  

The owners, Brett and Leah have had a rough time of it.  The Kiwis bought the island in 2016 and enjoyed the business for a few years.  Then covid hit and closed it all down.  Shortly after covid, cyclone Harold hit and destroyed all of the main buildings and many of the bungalows.  It took them 4 years to rebuild and they reopened in Dec. 2023.

But then the local airline that brings their guests to the remote island went bankrupt so they had to shut down again in April 2024 (about 4 months after the re-opened).  When we arrived, they had been closed to guests but still allowed us to come to shore, to enjoy the facilities, have many cocktails and a few very delicious dinners.  Hopefully, they will be able to reopen soon once the airline get’s up and running again.

Above, is the main house with the dining hall, bar, and casual seating area.  I am posing near the airport waiting area and a tam tam.

Ratua Island

They have 11 beautifully cared for horses.  They are so very gorgeous and well loved!  The resort offers horseback riding tours around the island and swimming with the horses.  They also have a spa, kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkel gear for rent and do tours to the Malo blue hole.

Blue Hole

We will be visiting several blue holes so I will do one blog on all three.  So stay tuned.  But just to give you a taste…In the top photo, the top body of water is the Segund channel, then the middle body of water (that goes off the left side) is Lake Malo, and the small body of water (can you see us in Sweetie) is the Malo blue hole.

I realized that I spelled Ratua incorrectly in the picture collages after the fact…please note that the island, the resort and the foundation are all spelled Ratua.

Our blogs run 10-12 weeks behind actual live events.  This blog occurred in early August 2024.  We hide from the world at Aore Island in our last blog post….