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Couple on a deserted airstrip, Guam, part of the Bunkers, Wrecks and Wonders blog.

Bunkers, Wrecks and Wonders

Rusty shipwreck in turquoise water, with lush green island and blue sky.

Local tour operator and long-time Luganville resident Mayumi Green is now offering fully customised World War II history tours across Espiritu Santo, designed especially for visitors who want a deeper, more personal connection to the island’s wartime past. With over three decades of experience living on Santo, Mayumi has developed an extraordinary understanding of the island’s rich World War II history, shaped by its role as a major Allied base during the Pacific campaign.

Her boutique tour company is widely regarded as one of the most respected and knowledgeable in the region. What sets Mayumi’s tours apart is not just her local expertise, but the personal care and attention she brings to each visitor’s experience. Whether you’re a history buff, a returning descendant of a WWII servicemember, or simply curious about the wartime remnants scattered across the island, Mayumi will tailor the journey to suit your interests.

Couple standing near "1942" carved in concrete in a tropical setting
Yoshiyuki Takahashi & Aiko Tomioka.
Wreckage of an aircraft in a dense jungle with three people standing nearby.
Visiting a crashed B-17 bomber.
Crystal clear turquoise water in a shallow inlet with concrete walls and lush green vegetation under a blue sky.
The old Aviation Supply Depot.
Three people pose in front of an olive green military jeep with "MC 45731" on the side.
The South Pacific WWII Museum.
Child peeks out from dark, abandoned bunker entrance to lush green landscape
Visiting a WWII ammunition bunker.

The images shown here are from her most recent bespoke tour for Japanese visitors Yoshiyuki Takahashi and Aiko Tomioka. They asked Mayumi to take them to surviving wartime locations—hidden airfields, overgrown military infrastructure, and lesser-known historical sites that still stand as powerful reminders of the past.

Sadly, many of these sites are under threat. As modern development expands and the harsh tropical climate continues to erode what remains, Santo’s wartime landmarks are slowly disappearing. Fortunately, Mayumi’s deep connection to these sites—and her ongoing involvement with the South Pacific World War II Museum—ensures that their stories are preserved and shared with those eager to learn more.

If you’re planning a trip to Espiritu Santo and are looking for an insightful, engaging, and entirely personalised WWII experience—either solo or with family—Mayumi would love to hear from you. You can contact her directly at mayumisanto@me.com to start planning your journey into one of the most fascinating chapters of Vanuatu’s history.