Port Vila
Overview
The diving in Vila is full of hard corals, great reefs, tropical marine life, caves and swim throughs, plus some wrecks which are great for first time wreck divers or as a build up to the magnificent shipwrecks at Santo.
Dive Sites
The Star of Russia
Built by the same company that gave us the Titanic, this iron hulled three mast square rigger was renowned for her good looks, seaworthiness and speed. Now resting at the bottom of Port Vila harbour (at 34m) you can explore her fully intact hull, swim around her masts and get up close to the anchor machinery. A fascinating wreck dive with a unique story.
The Cathedral
One of the Pacific’s most amazing cavern dives and must when in Vanuatu. Enter at 20m and marvel at the amazing shafts of light created in this vast cavern. Swim to the back and up a chimney 200m inland where you can surface inside the reef! This site is home to shrimp, nudibranchs and leaf scorpionfish.
Tranquillity Bommies
Coral Bommies are scattered on white sand covered in both hard and soft coral. Fish in all shapes and sizes abound here and turtle sightings are common. Dugongs often visit this area and although timid, have stayed with divers for more than an hour or so. Adding to the interest are buoys and rings from a WWII anti-submarine net where lots of small fish make their home in the tangle of steel.
Turtles Galore
Port Vila’s best dive, Pauls Rock is a haven for turtles, dogtooth tuna and some amazing swim-throughs.
Great Wreck Diving
Dive two island traders sunk especially for wreck diving purposes. One lies at a depth of 26m and the other at 45m. Both are great dives with some spectacular marine life, including the biggest lionfish you will ever see!
Reefs to Rave About!
The reefs of Mele Bay, Havannah Harbour and Pango Peninsula consistently provide great diving, including some of the best hard coral you’ll see anywhere in the world, huge schools of fish and the chance to see manta rays, turtles and pelagics.
Best time to Dive
You can dive all year round in the idyllic dive destination of Vanuatu. Water temperatures range between 26ºC with the dry season (Winter) between April and October.
Getting there
Port Villa is Vanuatu’s capital and lies on the southwest coast of Efate, the second largest island in the chain.
Fly into Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila and we can arrange a taxi/shuttle/boat transfer to the resort.
Accommodation
Port Villa offers a range of accommodation options from budget motels and hotels, small mid-range resorts and hotels to upmarket and luxury beachfront and overwater bungalows.
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