A information to Vanuatu’s finest snorkeling and scuba diving

Due for a diving vacation? Clear tropical waters, colourful coral reefs and a plethora of wrecks mix to make Vanuatu probably the greatest scuba diving locations within the South Pacific. However there are additionally loads of alternatives for snorkeling throughout the 80-plus island archipelago, additionally identified for its wild landscapes and wealthy kastom (conventional) tradition. From prime dive websites to the most effective locations to get licensed, right here’s a fast information to exploring Vanuatu’s underwater world.

The place are the most effective locations to dive in Vanuatu?

Diving in Vanuatu is predominantly resort-based, with the trade targeting three major islands: Efate, residence to the capital Port Vila and Vanuatu’s major worldwide airport; Espiritu Santo (simply Santo to locals), which welcomed direct flights from Brisbane, Australia, in 2024; and the extra distant and fewer developed island of Tanna, a 40-minute flight from Port Vila.

Most divers may have heard of the immense wreck of the SS President Coolidge in Santo, however there are many different wrecks, reefs and caverns to discover throughout Vanuatu’s diving hubs.

What’s so particular in regards to the SS President Coolidge?

Initially a luxurious ocean liner launched in 1931 that went into service as a troop service throughout WWII, ‘The Coolidge’ was by accident sunk in 1942 by US mines simply off Luganville, the most important city on Santo. Nearly 200m (656ft) lengthy and 25m (82ft) large, the coral-encrusted ship is now a preferred shore dive with round 50 websites to discover, relying in your certification stage.

Resting on its port aspect at a depth of between 21m (69ft) and 70m (230ft), The Coolidge is finest suited to superior divers, although open water divers can nonetheless take pleasure in a enjoyable dive alongside the starboard hull in the direction of the bow, the place some artifacts from deeper within the ship have been saved for leisure divers to see. Superior divers can ogle jeeps within the cavernous Cargo Maintain 2, whereas licensed technical divers can dive into the ship’s sunken swimming pool at 57m (187ft).

The place else can I dive in Santo?

One other well-liked dive close to Luganville is Million Greenback Level, a dumping floor for 1000’s of tons of US development gear throughout WWII. There are additionally a trio of aircraft wrecks off Santo that features a uncommon birdcage Corsair fighter, whereas Tutuba Level off the north coast is understood for its wealthy corals and swim-throughs. Simply south of Luganville, Aore Wall is adorned with sea followers, whereas Cindy’s Reef gives a relaxed drift dive teeming with anemone fish. 

What’s the diving like in Efate?

Divers can discover greater than 20 dive websites off the coast of Efate. Extra well-liked dives near the capital metropolis of Port Vila embody the Twin Bommies, which magnetize an array of fish and critters; the Cathedral, a spectacular limestone chimney; and Ollie’s Lolly, a shallow reef close to Hideaway Island with a uncommon crimson anemone. Newbie-friendly wreck dives embody the Bonzer, a small tugboat with an enormous anemone backyard, whereas extra skilled divers can discover wrecks just like the Star of Russia, a 90m (255ft) three-masted ship inbuilt the identical Belfast shipyard because the Titanic.

Simply off Efate’s northwest coast, Tranquility Island is one other well-liked diving location. The highest draw right here is Owen’s Reef with its colourful delicate corals and followers, big mind corals and fields of staghorn corals.

What are the most effective dive websites in Tanna?  

With only one dive heart on the island (Volcano Island Divers at White Grass Ocean Resort and Spa) Tanna’s 10 dive websites are blissfully uncrowded. The resort is just some minutes’ stroll from Tanna’s showpiece dive websites: Blue Gap One and Blue Gap Two. These websites aren’t traditional limestone sinkholes like Belize’s iconic Nice Blue Gap, however slightly azure openings within the shallow fringing reef which have created pure aquariums. Accessible from the shore, each websites function a community of interconnected grottos, caves, caverns and swim-throughs that hook up with the outer reef wall.

One other well-liked web site is the Blue Cave Aquarium, a powerful amphitheater that may solely be accessed underwater. Extra skilled divers can spot pelagics together with barracuda, yellowfin tuna and reef sharks at Kamitua Reef.

What kinds of marine life will I see on a typical dive?

Vanuatu’s reefs showcase quite a lot of exhausting and delicate corals that appeal to an array of tropical fish (batfish, damselfish, angelfish, triggerfish, parrotfish and anemonefish are simply a few of the locals) and critters together with nudibranchs, flatworms, big moray eels and crustaceans like anemone shrimps and lobsters. Turtles, rays and reef sharks are frequent guests, and fortunate divers might even encounter a dugong. Anemone gardens abound on shallow reefs.

Whereas most of Vanuatu’s reefs are in first rate situation, ongoing threats of climate-related coral bleaching, storm injury, crown-of-thorns starfish and overfishing can impression the standard of coral and variety of marine life you might even see.

The place is the most effective place to study to dive in Vanuatu?

Dive programs can be found on all three islands, however the calm and shallow bays of Efate are significantly ideal for learning. With its personal dive heart and a variety of dive websites on its doorstep, Hideaway Island Resort (only a four-minute ferry journey from mainland Efate) is a well-liked selection. In downtown Port Vila, Big Blue Vanuatu is a handy possibility for vacationers staying domestically. 

On Santo, Pacific Dive additionally gives technical programs for divers all for studying learn how to dive deeper than the leisure restrict of 40m (131ft) – excellent for exploring the depths of The Coolidge.

What’s the finest season to dive in Vanuatu?

Diving is a year-round exercise in Vanuatu, although many divers decide to keep away from the height of the wet season from December to March. Whereas gentle rain doesn’t are likely to have an effect on underwater visibility in Vanuatu, greater storms could make diving unsafe.

The place are the most effective spots for snorkeling in Vanuatu? 

A lot of Vanuatu’s dive websites will also be loved by snorkelers. A few of the finest snorkeling on Efate is on Tranquility Island’s home reef, identified for its turtles; and in Hideaway Bay’s marine park, the place you’ll be able to “ship” a water-resistant postcard from an underwater put up workplace situated in a shallow coral backyard. On Tanna, assured snorkelers can take a brief freedive into the Blue Cave Aquarium at low tide, whereas the principle swimming pools of Blue Gap 1 and Blue Gap 2 could be accessed by snorkelers from the shore.

Whereas the Coolidge is simply too deep for snorkeling, it’s doable to snorkel at Cindy’s Reef in addition to shallow areas of Million Greenback Level. For an opportunity to snorkel with a dugong (or 5), ebook a snorkeling tour to neighboring Aese Island with Santo-based snorkeling operator Best Snorkeling in Santo Vanuatu. Vanuatu’s distant Maskelyne Islands are one other well-liked spot to snorkel with dugongs.

Do I must convey my very own dive gear?

Most dive facilities provide rental gear, however as high quality can differ, some divers want to convey their very own masks and dive laptop (which aren’t at all times obtainable to lease). Rental snorkel gear supplied by lodges and snorkel tour operators could be low high quality, making it a good suggestion to convey your personal.

What are the diving security requirements like in Vanuatu?

Vanuatu dive operators are required to be licensed, however security requirements can differ between dive facilities and dive guides. With the one hyperbaric chamber in Vanuatu situated in Port Vila, and extra severe accidents and medical circumstances requiring medical evacuation to Australia, New Zealand or New Caledonia, diving insurance coverage with enough evacuation cowl is strongly really helpful.