Going to the Vanuatu Islands... any tips ?

[Amanda]

Hi there

My mom recently moved to the Vanuatu Islands (next to the Fidji) and I'm going to visit for Xmas. Apart from the President SS Coolidge, are there any other areas that are worth diving ?

I'll be staying in Port Vila, as this is where my mom lives, but I'm definitely going to be able to move around a bit. I already told her I was going to dive the President Coolidge, so I guess she'll take some time off work so we can travel a bit.

Are the distances far in that archipelago ? Is there a dive club you would recommend ?

Thanks for any tips or info

 

[almitywife]

enjoy vanuatu! we go there every 2 years and love it.

if staying at port villa, you need to fly to Santo for the Coolidge - when there we prefer staying at the Deco Stop - http://www.decostop.com.vu/ -and diving with Aquamarine - http://www.aquamarinesanto.com/ - or for a bit extra, check out Bokissa Island - http://www.bokissa.vu/ - also near santo that access the Coolidge. And its not just the coolidge you want to dive, check out the Henry Benau wrek (spelling) also.

when at port villa check out Hideaway Island - http://www.hideaway.com.vu/ - , about 15 mins by bus and a small lagoon boat ride from port villa. heaps of dive sites from 1 min to 15 mins by boat, good prices, excellent dive staff and great restaurant on the beach. easy diving, good dive boats, they have 2 smallish wrecks also - we go here every 2 years for a trip as we love it so much (like coming home we say). you dont need to book, just rock up in the morning and go to dive shop. if you planning on doing regualar dives over a few days/weeks - ask for a deal on pricing.

also check out Tranquility Island - http://www.southpacdivecruise.com.vu/dive.html - very very basic (eco) but worth it. its a turtle santuary also so you can adopt a turtle if you want. you can do this as a day trip inc lunch and transport. we thinking of staying here for a few days next time we visit. If you want to book for this, go to port villa main street, opposite Ma Barker restaurant is Tranquility Dive office - you can book all sorts of things here.

these are the few dive sites that we have repeated business with over the llast few years.

i hope you enjoy your time in vanuatu!

 

[Amanda]

Thanks a lot for all the information, that's very valuable... I hope my mom will follow me to all those places ! She doesn't dive, she's a snorkelling addict, but I guess there will be some nice stuff for her to enjoy too.

Cheers !

 

[almitywife]

Thanks a lot for all the information, that's very valuable... I hope my mom will follow me to all those places ! She doesn't dive, she's a snorkelling addict, but I guess there will be some nice stuff for her to enjoy too.

Cheers !

Amanda, in that case then, check out Bokissa - when your off doing the Coolidge, she can be snorkling, kayaking, tours ect - its all available on Bokissa plus they're organic (forgot about that-the food is fantastic).

plenty of snorkelling at Hideaway (reef right off the beach) and Tranquilty.

enjoy!

 

[Zeeman]

I was in Vanuatu in Feb this year, and can recommend nautilus Scuba for diving in Port Villa. If you choose to dive with them, say hi to Squid.

In terms of food, you will be spoilt for choice - there are many amazing places to eat, Erakor has a nice restaurant on the water, with great food, along with plenty of other great places. Make sure you try the beef. they have the best beef I have yet tasted. ALso, if you get the chance, go see the Yamin (?) volcano on Tanna. Don't bother staying on Tanna for more than 2 days, it's not that exciting, but the volcano is always active and really cool to check out.

Z..

 

[Amanda]

Thanks again to all of you for the helpful info, I'll let you know how it went