Destination Overview:
Vanuatu is an archipelago of 83 islands in the South Pacific. It is located east of Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and south of the Solomon Islands. The country is divided into six provinces, with the capital city of Port Vila located on the island of Efate. Most of the diving occurs around the islands of Efate and Espiritu Santo.

Diving Details:
Warm water and excellent visibility make the world-class dive sites of Vanuatu all the more enjoyable. You’ll experience a diverse underwater topography made up of plunging cliffs, overhangs, tunnel systems, grottos, and huge caves…all beautifully enhanced by plate corals, soft corals, sea fans, sponges, and an abundance of tropical fish. Vanuatu also lays claim to one of the largest wreck dives in the world…the SS President Coolidge off of Espiritu Santo.

Insider Information:
Vanuatu also provides many opportunities for the eco-explorer. Round out your diving vacation by kayaking, rappelling down a waterfall, trekking to an active volcano, or visiting a pristine conservation area. The different islands of Vanuatu offer their own unique adventures.

Dive Operators

Dive Sites

Hotels

image Coral Quays Fish & Dive Resort

Restaurants

Non-Diving Activities

  • Go snorkeling…many dive sites also set the stage for world-class snorkeling
  • Explore the clear, turquoise waters via kayak
  • Go trekking
  • Rappel down a waterfall (Efate)
  • Go sailing
  • Enjoy a cultural tour
  • Take a walking/swimming tour of Millenium Cave (Espiritu Santo)
  • Embark on a sportfishing charter
  • Visit Yasur Volcano (Tanna)
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Frequently Asked Questions

Vanuatu is part of Melanesia. It is located in the South Pacific, east of Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and south of the Solomon Islands.

A non-stop flight from Los Angeles to Nadi, Fiji on Air Pacific takes approximately 10 hours and 15 minutes. From Nadi you’ll board a flight to Port Vila, Vanuatu, which takes about an hour and a half. Vanair offers domestic airline flights within Vanuatu. The Coral Quays Fish and Dive Resort is located on the island of Espiritu Santo. From Port Vila, you will take an hour long flight to Espiritu Santo where your diving will take place.

The local currency is called the Vatu. As of June 2009, the exchange rate is $1.00 USD = 104.5 VUV.

The 3 official languages of Vanuatu are French, English, and Bislama.

You will need a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay. US citizens do not need visas for stays not exceeding 30 days. You must have a valid ongoing or return airline ticket. If you are going to be transiting in Australia, you will need an Australian visa and, if eligible, an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). The ETA replaces the visa and is valid for 3 months. There is no US embassy in Vanuatu, however the US embassy in Papua New Guinea provides assistance and services to US citizens visiting Vanuatu.

U.S. Embassy:
Douglas St, adjacent to Bank of Papua New Guinea
Port Moresby, PNG
Tel: (675) 321-1455
After hours: (675) 683-7943
Fax: (675) 321-1593
For courier and mailing: PO Box 1492, Port Moresby, NCD 121, Papua New Guinea

For legal reasons, we cannot make official recommendations regarding shots or immunizations. Please consult with your physician or visit www.cdc.gov for more information.

Electricity is 220-230 volts AC. Three-point plugs are mainly used. We always recommend carrying your own universal adaptor

Please check with your airline(s) for luggage requirements and restrictions.

Air Vanuatu is the country’s flag carrier which flies to Port Vila from Sydney and Brisbane, Australia, Noumea, New Caledonia, Nadi, Fiji, and Honiara, Solomon Islands. Other airlines that fly in are Air Calin of New Caledonia, Pacific Blue from Australia, and Solomon Airlines. For visitors coming from North America, the most recommended airline and route would be Air Pacific’s non-stop flight from Los Angeles to Nadi, Fiji, and a connecting flight to Vanuatu. Domestic flights are operated by Vanair.

For their Los Angeles-Nadi flights, Air Pacific uses 747’s, and from Nadi to Vanuatu, they use ATR42-500’s. For domestic flights, Vanair uses ATR42-320’s (46 seater plane), Twin Otters (20 seater plane), and Islanders (9 seater plane

Yes, unless otherwise specified, we will arrange for your transfers to and from the airport. Aquamarine offers roundtrip dive center transfers for guests staying at Coral Quays Resort.

One of the best wreck dives in the world, drift dives, soft and hard corals, a variety of reef fishes, caves, swim-throughs, turtles, sharks.

We recommend wearing a 3mm wetsuit for protection.

All dive sites are within 15-20 minutes of the Aquamarine dive center.

Aquamarine offers 2-3 dives a day, as well as a night dive.

Airport departure taxes (2,500 VUV for international flights, 400 VUV for domestic flights, children under 12 years are free), marine park fees, dive equipment rental, meals

E-tickets and vouchers are sent approximately 3 weeks prior to your departure.