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.
Matt and I 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
Jean Yves Sireau now owns Ratua Island. He took over the island from Brett and Leah in April 2025.
The previous 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 they 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.
New Beginnings
Jean Yves Sireau acquired the island and now has 12 rooms available including 11 villas and a site with two glamping marquees.
The Ratua Island Foundation is no longer involved in the ownership of the island or resort. However, they still strive to give back to the local community through education and environmental support.
The foundation has donated laptops and is working to minimize the single use of plastic at the resort.
Some of the profits from the resort help fund the foundation whose goal is to educate children across Vanuatu.
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 now have 15 beautifully cared for horses. They are so very gorgeous and well loved!
And the good news is the new owner anticipates bringing more horses to the island.
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.
Find Ratua Island on No Foreign Land.
More photos provided by Ratua Island Resort.
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. 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.
Ratua Island Resort contacted us after the new owners reopened and asked us to update this blog. We updated this post on 24 July 2026.
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….