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VANUATU
Guide to diving
DIVING VANUATU’S CORAL REEFS
Vanuatu is best known to divers around the world
for the wreck of the SS President Coolidge, but as a
diving destination, there is much more to Vanuatu’s
underwater world. Encircled by, and in common with,
its Pacific Ocean neighbours Fiji, New Caledonia and
the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu has rich coral reefs, a
wealth of wrecks and some great snorkelling too. It
is also home to the only underwater post office in the
world. (Seriously.)
Huge caverns and drop offs, abundant marine
life, beautiful bright corals, giant sea fans and
world-famous wrecks all contribute to Vanuatu’s
reputation as a diving destination. It is also one
of the best places for divers to see dugongs. The
landscape beneath the water mirrors that found
above: mountainous terrain with plunging cliffs,
grottoes and overhangs, huge caves and intricate
interconnecting underwater tunnels and chasms
formed by frozen lava.
Vanuatu is an island archipelago consisting of approximately
82 relatively small islands. The main islands from largest
to smallest are; Espiritu Santo, Malakula, Efate (home to
the capital Port Vila), Erromango, Ambrym and Tanna. The
islands are volcanic in origin and as a consequence, Vanuatu’s
shoreline is mostly rocky with fringing reefs and little continental
shelf, dropping rapidly into the ocean depths. This gives rise
to some exciting diving on reefs and walls, as well as some
excellent snorkelling opportunities, particularly on Tanna.
DIVING VANUATU’S WRECKS
Vanuatu became independent as recently as 1980, being
jointly administered by France and Britain, and named the New
Hebrides prior to that. Being an allied territory, it supported a
large American base during WWII and we have them to thank
for the wrecks of the SS President Coolidge, the USS Tucker
and Million Dollar Point.
Where to Dive…
There are three main regions for diving in Vanuatu; Efate,
Espiritu Santo and Tanna.
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