Ratua Private Island

We visited as a group of six from Queen Anne and were simply blown away. From a welcoming group that greeted and serenaded us upon our arrival to the exquisite attention to our every need during our stay this was 5 stars all the way. Staff throughout were excellent. I simply can't recommend this resort highly enough. If you have a chance to book it do not hesitate.

We spent 10 unforgettable days at Ratua in February — myself, my wife, and our 10-month-old baby — and I can honestly say it's one of the most special places I've ever been. The Staff — the heart of Ratua Where do I begin? After 10 days, these people didn't feel like resort staff anymore — they felt like family. The warmth, attentiveness and genuine care they showed us (including our little one!) was something I've never experienced at any other property. I genuinely miss them. I'm pretty sure the baby does too. Rooms & Amenities Stunning. Truly stunning. We visited during the hot and wet season, which gave me some concern beforehand, but I was completely comfortable throughout — and I'm very much an air-conditioning-at-home kind of person. The rooms are beautifully appointed and the amenities are immaculate. The Food — a revelation The chef is seriously talented, but what elevates the dining experience here is the provenance of the ingredients. Farm-fresh eggs, avocados picked ripe straight off the tree, their own livestock. Living in a big city, you genuinely forget what a privilege it is to eat food like this. The pork belly deserves a special mention — and I say this as someone who doesn't even typically like pork belly as a cut. It was the best I've ever had. Full stop. Activities — perfect for families The balance of relaxation and adventure was spot on. We had plenty of gentle downtime with the baby, but also the opportunity to explore. We took a day trip to Santo Island — visiting the markets, blue holes, and the breathtaking Champagne Beach. I also headed out fishing with a local guide and, despite being no expert whatsoever, casually reeled in a tuna and a barracuda. Incredible. A note on Vanuatu — and why Ratua is different Vanuatu itself is a beautiful destination with genuinely wonderful people. However, travelling the wider country with a young family requires a level of alertness that comes with exploring a developing nation. Ratua's private island setting means you get the very best of Vanuatu — the culture, the warmth, the people, through the incredible staff — but in a clean, safe and wholly relaxing environment where you can simply switch off and let the team take care of you. It's the perfect balance. Final word This is a genuine 5-star experience in every sense. You need to experience it to truly understand the quality. Whatever your budget, whatever your travel style — if you're considering Ratua, just go. You won't regret it.

If you want to get away from it all you can’t choose a better place than this. The waters are crystal clear, the coral is thriving, the fish are plentiful and the turtles are huge. The staff are so friendly and welcoming, the food is 5*, seriously amazing, and the accommodation is unique. There isn’t any air con in the villas which is the only downside. Each villa has its own section of private beach, it’s very safe to swim and snorkel, so many purple starfish, sea cucumbers, clams and fish. We went out in a boat to watch the turtles just off the beach, they were huge, clearly thriving in the beautiful environment. Horse riding in the sea was the pinnacle of the holiday. We were welcomed onto the island at the jetty and the gave us a brilliant musical farewell. A truly fantastic piece of paradise made all the more special by the wonderful team of people there.

A stunning island nestled in pristine waters teeming with marine life just a few steps from the shore. We were a party of 9 with 5 small children and the staff made us feel like we were part of their family with their chilled, welcoming and warm manner. Our bungalow was perfect for our large group. Luxurious, beautiful and the amenities easily coped with our group size. Activities were excellent from horse riding, to diving, snorkeling, kayaking and much more, plenty to do with the kids and adults alike. The highlight was turtle spotting on metres from the island! Roxy our host was absolutely brilliant and Ollie organised everything! No request was too much trouble and the staff were so kind, patient and attentive to our every need. The food was excellent and the cocktails even better! A perfect resort for couples and families alike. We will definitely be going back again! Thank you Ratua for the wonderful memories.

We came here for a weekend away from Luganville Santo. The short boat trip over was fantastic. All the staff went way above to make sure we were really looked after. They were all happy to say hello and have a chat. The food was amazing and fresh. The rustic bungalows are enormous . We spent the days snorkeling and swimming with the big turtles on the reef. So many different colourful coral and fish. One of the best tropical holidays ever. 10/10