Devil's Point - Efate
Site Overview
Devil's Point is one of the signature dive sites of Efate (Port Vila) – Reefs, Caverns & Wrecks in Vanuatu. A strong-current drift with pelagics, dogtooth tuna, wahoo, sailfish possible, and seasonal manta rays. The site reaches a maximum depth of about 35 m, with an average depth near 20 m, and its point, drop-off topography is draped in coral, rock. Marine life is the headline attraction, with Grey reef shark, Great barracuda, Dogtooth tuna, Giant trevally, Silvertip shark, Spotted eagle ray, Dogtooth tuna, Wahoo, Sailfish, Reef manta ray regularly recorded here, drawn in by the strong currents and the rich coral-reef productivity of the region. Visibility typically ranges from 20 to 40 m, while water temperatures hold a consistent 24 to 29 C year-round, comfortable in a 3 to 5 mm wetsuit. Conditions suit advanced divers, and with the right guide the site delivers both the drama of its point, drop-off and intimate encounters with the smaller residents. Local operators run regular trips from Port Vila, Efate, and the protected, low-tourism setting keeps coral cover dense and fish life abundant, making Devil's Point a genuine standout on any Vanuatu itinerary. Divers who time their visit to the dry season will find the most predictable conditions, though the site rewards repeat visits across the year.
Dive Briefing
"The dive at Devil's Point begins with a thorough operator briefing covering the site layout, expected marine life and emergency procedures, followed by a controlled entry and a short transfer from Port Vila, Efate. Descending toward the point, drop-off profile, divers are immediately surrounded by Grey reef shark, Great barracuda, Dogtooth tuna, Giant trevally, Silvertip shark, with the reef and structure revealing more detail the closer you look. The maximum depth reaches about 35 m while the average sits near 20 m, so a dive computer and disciplined gas planning keep the profile safe and comfortable. Currents are described as strong, and the guide chooses the entry time to make the most of slack or mild flow, using a reef hook or surface marker when needed. Neutral buoyancy protects the fragile coral and the group stays close to manage depth and any surge. The safety stop is completed in open water on a surface marker, and the boat follows the bubbles to collect divers at the exit point for a relaxed return to base. Devil's Point is best dived from April to November, Vanuatu's dry season, when settled seas and the clearest water make for the most reliable conditions. The strong current is at its calmest around slack tide, so most operators plan the descent to coincide with the turn of the tide. Water holds 24 to 29 C, and a 3 to 5 mm wetsuit is ample. Plan a slow profile to enjoy the 12 to 35 m range and to protect the fragile reef with good buoyancy. A torch helps reveal the smaller residents, and a surface marker buoy is recommended for the safety stop so the boat can track divers in the often gentle swell."
Signature Marine Life
Grey reef shark
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
Best: January, February, March
Great barracuda
Sphyraena barracuda
Best: January, February, March
Dogtooth tuna
Gymnosarda unicolor
Best: January, February, March
Giant trevally
Caranx ignobilis
Best: January, February, March
Silvertip shark
Carcharhinus albimarginatus
Best: January, February, March
Spotted eagle ray
Aetobatus narinari
Best: January, February, March
Dogtooth tuna
Gymnosarda unicolor
Best: January, February, March
Wahoo
Acanthocybium solandri
Best: January, February, March
Sailfish
Istiophorus platypterus
Best: January, February, March
Reef manta ray
Mobula alfredi
Best: January, February, March
Safety & Hazards
- Strong currents requiring drift protocol
- Risk of separation from the group
- Boat recall on a moving drift
- Entanglement on the reef in current
- Decompression risk if pushed deep
- Sun exposure on the surface interval
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Devil's Point is best suited to advanced divers who want a memorable Efate (Port Vila) – Reefs, Caverns & Wrecks experience shaped by its point, drop-off. It rewards divers who enjoy the site's character without needing a crowded setting, and the depth makes it ideal for a relaxed, well-planned dive. The key considerations are Strong currents requiring drift protocol, Risk of separation from the group, Boat recall on a moving drift, Entanglement on the reef in current, so good buoyancy and planning are important. Wide-angle photographers will enjoy the reef scale and passing pelagics, while macro enthusiasts find plenty of small life among the coral and structure. It is a rewarding choice for travellers who appreciate healthy, protected reefs and a mix of calm and exhilarating conditions, and with the right guidance the site delivers a genuine sense of the remote Pacific that keeps divers returning to Vanuatu.
For Non-Divers
Exploring Port Vila, Efate and local villages, Vanuatu cultural tours and markets, hiking and island scenery
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Big Blue Dive Port Vila
- Nautilus Eco Divers
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Port Vila Dive Resort
Port Vila, Efate • 8km away
Vanuatu Beach Lodge
Port Vila, Efate • 8km away