Diving Banks & Torres Islands

About Banks & Torres Islands (Far North – Expedition)

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 country. The Banks Islands Outer Reefs are vertical drop-offs into abyssal depths, with huge schools of pelagics, silvertip and grey reef sharks, dogtooth tuna, sailfish and manta rays in crystal-clear water. The Torres Islands Walls are pristine black-coral forests with seasonal schooling hammerheads and whale sharks. These islands are extremely remote and rarely dived, delivering a true expedition experience for advanced divers who want big animals and untouched walls. With healthy coral, clear water and a genuine frontier feel, the region rewards divers who make the journey to this part of Vanuatu.

Highlights

• ✓Banks Islands Outer Reefs: abyssal walls with pelagic schools, sharks and sailfish
• ✓Torres Islands Walls: black-coral forests with seasonal hammerheads and whale sharks
• ✓Extreme remoteness: reached only by liveaboard or expedition
• ✓Exceptional visibility often exceeding 40 m
• ✓Big-animal encounters: mantas, tuna, sailfish and sharks

Getting There

The Banks and Torres Islands have minimal air access and no dive infrastructure, so they are reached by liveaboard or private expedition vessel from Port Vila or Santo. The Banks are anchored near Sola (SLH), and the Torres group lies further north, with tenders used to reach the walls.