Adventure Magazine

v a n u a t u
DIVING IN VANUATU
Huge caverns and drop offs, abundant marine life, beautiful
bright corals, giant sea fans and world-famous wrecks all
contribute to Vanuatu’s reputation as a diving destination.
It is also one of the best places for divers to see dugongs.
The landscape beneath the water mirrors that found
above: mountainous terrain with plunging cliffs, grottoes
and overhangs, huge caves and intricate interconnecting
underwater tunnels and chasms formed by frozen lava.
Vanuatu's coral reefs offer spectacular diving options
Diving Vanuatu’s Coral Reefs
Vanuatu is an island archipelago consisting
of approximately 82 relatively small islands.
The main islands from largest to smallest
are; Espiritu Santo, Malakula, Efate (home
to the capital Port Vila), Erromango, Ambrym
and Tanna. The islands are volcanic in origin
and as a consequence, Vanuatu’s shoreline
is mostly rocky with fringing reefs and little
continental shelf, dropping rapidly into the
ocean depths. This gives rise to some
exciting diving on reefs and walls, as well
as some excellent snorkelling opportunities,
particularly on Tanna.
Diving Vanuatu’s Wrecks
Vanuatu became independent as recently
as 1980, being jointly administered by
France and Britain, and named the New
Hebrides prior to that. Being an allied
territory, it supported a large American
base during WWII and we have them to
thank for the wrecks of the SS President
Coolidge, the USS Tucker and Million
Dollar Point.
Where to Dive…
There are three main regions for diving in
Vanuatu; Efate, Espiritu Santo and Tanna.
Efate: Port Vila and Tranquillity Island
The island of Efate is surrounded by very
pretty fringing reef, a few wrecks and a
stunning cavern called the Cathedral,
with stand-out dive sites including Owen’s
Reef on Tranquillity Island and West Side
Story near Hideaway Island Resort.
Diving Port Vila is easy, with a range of
operators to choose from, each of which
pick up and return divers to their hotels.
Many of the best dive sites are only
minutes away. Diving is well supervised
and varied, with several wrecks,
bommies, drop-offs and caverns in the
protected waters of the bay.
Espiritu Santo
Diving Espiritu Santo is synonymous with
diving the SS President Coolidge, but it’s
not the only dive in town. Wreck diving
options also include the infamous Million
Dollar Beach and the USS Tucker, and
for coral lovers, there’s plenty of fringing
reefs, drop offs and coral gardens to
explore.
Tanna
Diving Tanna is very different from
diving Port Vila or Santo, as Tanna is a
more remote volcanic island – with an
active volcano. Diving Tanna, you will
experience crystal clear water, colourful
hard coral reefs and an amazing topology
of swim throughs and blue holes.
3.30pm “SS President Coolidge – Santo”
SS President Coolidge
82//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#237