Port Vila

Port Vila is the capital of Vanuatu. This sleepy town is set on the edge of a magnificent natural harbour. It’s a charming potpourri of cultures, blending elements of Melanesian, European, Chinese and French tastes. Along the main road are shops, banks and restaurants. The Duty Free shopping is great, the food is wonderful, and there’s a casino and nightclubs for those looking for nightlife.

Vila is a great place for families and non diving partners. It’s also great for fishing, but that’s another story….!

Dive Resorts in Port Vila & Surroundings

Hideaway island

Don’t just Get Away, Hideaway! (TM)

• Eco-friendly Resort
• Diving in a Marine Sanctuary
• The World’s only underwater Post Office!

12 kilometres, and a 2 minute ferry ride, from the centre of Port Vila is a small coral atoll called Hideaway Island and Marine Sanctuary Resort. Hideaway is an eco-friendly Resort: Power is generated around the clock on the island, water is fed from the top of the pristine Cascade waterfalls and outside of the office there are no phones or faxes to ruin your holiday.

The Diving at Hideaway Island.

The reef around Hideaway Island has been protected as a Marine Sanctuary for 18 years. The fish are very friendly and you can hand feed hundreds of the tame fish just metres from the shore.

The dives are full of vibrant and indescribable colour: steep walls dropping off to 97 meters, caves formed by lava flows, sea anemones and their variety of resident anemone clown fish, fully intact colourful corals, sponges, kaleidoscopic walls, a chain of coral bommies and numerous nooks, gullies and crannies in the reef which house resident lobsters, Maori Wrasse, Batfish and Barracuda. Throw in a few reef sharks and large schools of black snapper, 2 wreck dives and an ancient anchor, and there is something here to delight every diver.

The accommodation

Accommodation on the Island has been built with a traditional Melanesian skills and materials, scattered amongst the jungle and tropical plants that cover the island. There is a range of rooms to suit all budgets, from private oceanside bungalows overlooking the water, to beachfront lodge rooms with shared bathrooms, to quad share dormitories with shared facilities.

Add in a fresh water swimming pool, a games room with cable television and free DVD movies, free use of all non-motorized water sports equipment, restaurant/bar, beach volleyball, and the World’s only Underwater Post Office, and it’s a great place to be as busy, or as relaxed, as you like.

Tranquillity Resort

• Eco-lodge style accommodation
• Turtle sanctuary
• Dive with Dugong
  

Tranquillity is a Eco Tourism Dive Base and Resort located on the jungle clad Moso Island, a 25 minute boat ride from Port Vila. Here you can go swimming, snorkelling, Reef-walking, Scuba Diving, Kayaking, Hiking, Cave Exploring or just relax on the sunny beaches.

The diving:

The waters around Moso Island has been blessed with an abundance of marine life, and is one of the most wonderfully diverse marine sites out of Vila.

The dives are mainly all boat dives, and include deep drop-offs, reefs and bommies, colourful soft and hard coral gardens, wrecks, caves and thermal vents, and drift dives. The marine life is prolific, with reef fish and large pelagic, eagle rays and a range of marine mammals like dolphins and dugongs often sighted during dives. If you’ve never seen Dugong before, here’s your chance!

Visibility ranges from 25 – 30 meters and water temperature ranges from 25 to 30C.

There are two dive boats. The main dive boat, has a walk in platform with an easy access ladder at the rear, a toilet and a small galley.

The accommodation:

Do not expect to find the usual Western style beach resort at Tranquillity. It’s basic, but clean and comfortable and perfect for people wanting an Island style experience.

Accommodation is island style thatched bungalows (fares) on the water's edge, each with its own flush toilet and hot and cold shower.

Fares are suitable for singles, couples and families. There are also two dormitories which can accommodate up to eight people.

Tranquillity Island Dive Resort operates on generator power, available from 6:30pm to 8:00pm, after which, kerosene lamps are used for lighting.

More information on Tranquillity Dive Resort »

TURTLE SANCTUARY

The Resort also has a Turtle Sanctuary, dedicated to the conservation of Hawksbill Turtles.

COONGOOLA DAY CRUISE

This is a “Must do” excursion ideal for all ages, either for guests staying at Tranquillity or in Port Vila.

“Coongoola” is a spacious 23 mtr timber sailing ketch with twin diesel back up power, dinghies, snorkelling gear, and can carry up to 60 passengers.

Visit secluded coves and beaches of fine white coral sand. Snorkel or dive in crystal clear warm water. Feed tame fish, maybe see dolphin at play, and visit a baby turtle conservation rookery. Enjoy a dip in the clear crystal water, Snorkel the coral reef, savour a delicious BBQ lunch, soak up the sun with a cool drink or two, or curl up on the sand under a palm tree and relax.

Cruise includes transfers from Tranquillity and Port Vila, morning / afternoon tea, BBQ lunch and snorkelling gear.

SAILAWAY CRUISES. Highly recomended day dive trip.

SAILAWAY CRUISES operate a wonderful day cruise out of Port Havannah aboard the 42 ft. sailing trimaran *Golden Wing*.

Spend a relaxing day visiting the prime beachcombing, snorkelling and diving sites in the legendary Hat Island and Paul's Rock area on the Northern side of Efate Island. 2 dives are included for qualified divers.

Hat Island (Eretoka) is known for its incredible water clarity, healthy corals & colourful marine life, so is a favourite with keen snorkellers & divers alike. *Survivor* beaches, where the US, French & Aussi Survivor TV series were filmed offers some nice snorkelling, and a chance to see if you would have survived in this untouched tropical jungle environment! Paul's Rock seamount has a custom taboo on fishing, so the prolific marine life here is unafraid of man-the-predator. Snorkellers enjoy the fun fish interactions and divers are also treated to beautiful swim-throughs lined with soft corals and fans. A world-class dive site.
Scenic bus transfers from/to Port Vila hotels are included.

Santo
Home to the world's largest accessible WWII wreck- SS President Coolidge

• Wrecks, wrecks and more wrecks!
• The World famous wreck of the SS President Coolidge
• Million Dollar Point, USS Tucker and the Tui Tawate

A one hour flight from Port Vila is the island of Espiritu Santo, an island of lush beauty and golden beaches. This once sleepy island came to prominence during WWII when over 100,000 US and Allied troops were stationed here to repel Japanese invasion. 1 such American, Lt James Michener, was so inspired by Santo that it became the basis of his book "Tales of the South Pacific" . Today Santo is a mecca for divers from all over the world because of the diversity of the diving offered, ranging from live coral to spectacular wrecks.

It is the final resting place of the 22,000 ton liner turned troopship “SS President Coolidge" and the destroyer “USS Tucker", both victims of US placed mines. Fresh water cave diving is also becoming popular, with the recent discovery of connecting sinkholes and caverns.

Due to the close proximity of surrounding islands and the tropical climate, dive sites are well protected and the waters remain calm and warm year round. Water temperatures range from 25 to 30° C with visibility from 10m to 40m. All dive sites can be reached within 15 to 30 minutes of departure from the dive shop by either boat or shore access.

The diving

The main drawcard in Santo is the wreck of the SS President Coolidge. This luxury ocean liner was converted into a US troopship during WWII and sank off the coast of Santo after hitting a mine.

Lying with the bow at 18 metres and the stern in 73 metres, the 198 metre long wreck is awesome. Almost completely intact, you can swim through the numerous holds and decks viewing the reminders of her glory days as a cruise liner and her days as a troop ship. There are guns, cannons, jeeps, helmets, trucks and personal supplies left by some of the soldiers, as well as the beautiful porcelain statue of “The Lady,” chandeliers and a mosaic tile fountain. The wreck is covered in coral and is home to a plethora of sea life such including turtles, barracuda, lion fish, and a host of reef fish.

There are more dives available on the “Coolidge” than you’ll have time for, but when you want to take a break from it, there are several other wrecks to check out, Million Dollar Point where millions of dollars worth of military equipment were dumped after WWII, plus some lovely coral reefs to explore.

Gearing up to Dive SS President Coolidge

The dive operation:

There are several different dive operators all offering guided dives. We recommend and use Aquamarine, who’s guides are the most highly trained and qualified dive guides on the Coolidge. They have been guiding on the Coolidge for over 17 years and guides have logged over 30,000 combined dives on the Coolidge alone. They are fully qualified to cater to novice, advanced and technical divers.

Accommodation

AORE RESORT

Aore Island Resort is a magnificent beachfront resort set on a secluded private tropical island 3km across the bay from Luganville town. The resort is surrounded by working cattle and coconut plantations.

The accommodation at Aore Island Resort is in 16 comfortable well appointed bungalows built along the beach, surrounded by lush tropical gardens. All rooms have private bathrooms, fridges, electric fans and tea/coffee making facilities. The resort also features a quality open air restaurant and bar on the beach, which provides you with stunning views.

In the centre of the Resort is the Large Nakamal, which houses the Bar, Restaurant and Lounge Area.

Aore Island Resort is a magnificent beachfront resort set on a secluded private tropical island 3km across the bay from Luganville town. The resort is surrounded by working cattle and coconut plantations.

Aore Resort has their own small in house dive operation offering personal service to a small number of guests. They dive all the popular dive sites of Santo, plus some spectacular pristine reefs and exciting drift dives with vast areas of plate and brain corals with swim throughs, bommie heads and caves.

More information on Aore Resort »

Deco Stop Lodge

Deco Stop is nestled in tropical gardens on a hillside overlooking Luganville. The views are spectacular and there is no better place to be at the end of a great day's diving than sitting on the deck with a long cold drink in hand, watching the sun set over the Segond Channel.

The 12 units sleep from 2 - 4 persons, making it the perfect resort for dive groups or couples. All units have been recently refurbished and feature a small fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, ceiling fan, insect screening and private bathroom. All rooms are made up daily with crisp fresh linen, towels and flowers.

The bar, restaurant, pool and sundeck all overlook the ocean. There is an entertainment room with Sat TV, DVD hire and table tennis. Motor scooters and mountain bikes are available for hire, and there is WIFI Internet connection if you really need to keep in touch with the outside World. There is also a Scuba gear wash and storage facility at the resort. There is a fully stocked bar and restaurant for your dining pleasures and local tours can be organized from the tour desk.

At night you'll often find the entertainment in the bar, plus custom dancing and string band nights.

• We have limited last minute deals on offer. Take advantage of these special prices to dive Vanuatu and escape the winter blues by diving into tropical blue calm waters.
• If you are planning to go this year, it's never been a better time to book with the NZ Dollar so strong.

Our Recommendation

1. Best time to Dive Vanuatu is August to Oct
2. Consider the benefits of getting your reservations in place now:

• You’ll get the Early bird Specials
• You’ll get the cheapest flights
• You’ll avoid future fuel surcharges
• You’ll get the best domestic flight connections
• In a lot of cases you’ll get next year’s holiday at this year’s price
• You’ll be there at the best time to dive
• You’ll have time to budget and save for your holiday
• You get to book in your annual leave before everyone else does.
• Best of all, you’ll get to dive in an exotic location next Winter, and have time to look forward to it, and save for it.

Ph: 09-479 2210 Toll Free NZ: 0508 348 334 Toll Free US & Canada: 1-866-838-3604 Email: divetravel@divefishsnow.co.nz

Air Vanuatu has been flying the “Friendly Skies” for over 20 years. Since December 1987, the airline has served Vanuatu proudly, carrying visitors and residents to and from the beautiful Vanuatu islands.

Air Vanuatu operates a new Boeing 737-800 on its international services to and from Australia, New Zealand and Vanuatu. This aircraft captures the true essence of the Vanuatu islands - the sea, sand, mountains and volcano. Calm interior colours, leather seats and the welcoming smiles of Ni Vanuatu cabin crew make the inflight experience one you will enjoy.

Daily flights to Vila-Santo-Vila

Auckland-Vila-Auckland Flying every Tues, Wed, Sat & Sun

We can help you with your any overseas holiday plans too and ofcourse, you don't pay any more than you would have anywhere else, plus you get our friendly personal service.

Book your

• Cruise
• Rail journeys
• Beach holiday
• Coach tour
• Overland
• Trek
• Disneyland
• Honeymoons
• Romantic Getaways
• Europe, Asia, USA, Canada or even Africa.

anything from relaxing on a tropical beach in Vanuatu for a week to a month overland through Africa or even a family trip to Disneyland! Trade in your winter blues for some Tropical Blues

Contact us and we can get you the same deals as anywhere else. Just call us

Ph: +64-9-479 2210 or
Toll Free NZ: 0508 348 334

• 50th Birthday
• 60th Birthday
• Retirement
• Landmark Wedding Anniversary
• Graduation
• Honeymoon

Are any one of these coming up for you? Why not give a gift to remember for life. Give them a wonderful diving holiday. If you are reaching a landmark, you deserve to shout yourself. We can help you plan something to remember it by – whether it’s a special trip for just yourselves, shared with a group of friends, or for someone special in your life.

Booking Enquiry »

We hope you enjoyed reading our special feature on Diving the Vanuatu. Our Dive Travel Specialists are only to happy to answer any questions you may have. You can contact them either by replying to this newsletter or sending your queries or comments to divetravel@divefishsnow.co.nz or simply give us a call.

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Regards - "THE DIVE TEAM" - Dive Fish Snow Travel Auckland
PHONE: (09) 479 2210 -
TOLL FREE: 0508 348 334
EMAIL: divetravel@divefishsnow.co.nz

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