Vanuatu

These rare and gentle marine mammals are occasionally spotted in the sheltered bays and seagrass beds of Vanuatu.

Dugong

Commonly seen patrolling the outer reef edges and the deep walls of the archipelago.

Grey Reef Shark

These gentle turtles are a common sight on many of Vanuatu's reefs and within its protected marine preserves.

Green Sea Turtle

Graceful rays are frequently seen gliding along the reef drop-offs and over the sandy flats.

Spotted Eagle Ray

Vanuatu offers one of the most spectacular and unique diving experiences in the world, characterized by world-famous shipwrecks, dramatic volcanic topography, and a remarkably healthy coral reef ecosystem. This archipelago of over 80 islands in the South Pacific is world-renowned for the SS President Coolidge, a massive WWII troopship that is considered one of the best wreck dives on the planet. Located off the island of Espiritu Santo, the Coolidge is easily accessible from the shore and offers multiple levels of exploration. Beyond the Coolidge, Vanuatu boasts extraordinary natural wonders like the underwater caves of the 'Twin Bommies' and the dramatic 'Million Dollar Point,' where the US military dumped tons of equipment after the war. The islands' volcanic origin has created a realm of deep-water arches, tunnels, and active underwater vents. Vanuatu's waters provide exceptional visibility frequently exceeding 30 meters and a wealth of marine life including reef sharks, eagle rays, and a high diversity of tropical fish. With professional dive operations and a deeply ingrained culture of hospitality, Vanuatu provides a premier underwater adventure that perfectly complements its stunning tropical beauty and unique Melanesian heritage.

While land-based diving is the norm, there are occasional liveaboard expeditions that focus on the remote northern islands and the spectacular volcanic topography of the archipelago.

The Havannah Vanuatu

Ratua Island Resort & Spa

Eratap Beach Resort

Aneityum is Vanuatu's southernmost island and one of its most pristine, with no dive infrastructure and sites reached only by liveaboard or private yacht. The A...

Aneityum (Far South – Pristine)

The Banks and Torres Islands are Vanuatu's far-north frontier, reachable only by liveaboard or expedition and offering some of the most dramatic diving in the c...

Banks & Torres Islands (Far North – Expedition)

Efate is the gateway to Vanuatu and the base for Port Vila, the capital, offering an easy mix of reefs, caverns and wrecks just minutes from town. The Hideaway...

Efate (Port Vila) – Reefs, Caverns & Wrecks

Epi Island sits in central Vanuatu and pairs easy, sheltered diving with a genuine chance of seeing dugong. Lamen Bay Reef is a calm garden great for training a...

Epi Island (Central Vanuatu)

Espiritu Santo is Vanuatu's wreck-diving capital and the home of the SS President Coolidge, the largest accessible shipwreck on the planet. The 200 m troopship...

Espiritu Santo – SS President Coolidge & Million Dollar Point

Malekula and the Maskelyne Islands sit in central Vanuatu and offer some of the country's most pristine, least-dived walls and reefs. The Maskelyne Islands Oute...

Malekula & Maskelyne Islands (Central Islands)

Pentecost and Ambrym are remote outer islands where Vanuatu's volcanic origins are on full display, both above and below the water. Pentecost Island Wall is a s...

Pentecost & Ambrym (Outer Islands – Remote)

Tanna is Vanuatu's adventure island, famous for the accessible Yasur volcano and a surprising variety of dives. The Blue Cave is a limestone cavern reached by a...

Tanna – Blue Cave, Outer Reefs & Volcano

Ambrym Outer Wall

Ambrym Volcano Reefs

Aneityum Outer Reef

Aore Island Reefs

Banks Islands Outer Reefs

Blue Cave (Tanna)

Buninga Passage

Coral Gardens (Santo)

Devil's Point

Epi Wall

Epi Wrecks

Hat Island (Lelepa Island) Wall

Lamen Bay Reef

Lembinwen Passage

Loltong Passage

Malekula Wall

Maskelyne Islands Outer Reefs

Mele Reef (Hideaway Island Marine Reserve)

Million Dollar Point

Moso Island Reefs

Mystery Island (Inyeug) Reefs

Paul's Rock

Pentecost Island Wall

Semle Federesen Wreck

Shark Alley (Tanna)

SS President Coolidge

SS Tucker Wreck

Star of Russia Wreck

Tanna Outer Reef Wall

The Aquarium (Malekula)

The Cathedral (Port Vila)

The Caves (Santo)

The Pinnacles (Efate)

The Pinnacles (Epi)

Torres Islands Walls

Tutuba Island Wall

Twin Bommies

Uripiv Island Reefs

White Grass Reef

Yasur Volcano Area

Internal transport consists of domestic flights (Air Vanuatu) between the larger islands and a network of boats to the smaller ones. On Efate and Santo, taxis and rental cars are common.

Liveaboard Diving in Vanuatu

Experience Overview

Featured Operators

Remote Reach

Booking Advice

Where to Stay in Vanuatu