Diving Vanuatu
There are reef and wreck dives for the novice and experienced divers as well as caves and swim-throughs. Vanuatu is home to one of the world’s most sought after dives, The President Coolidge. The ‘Coolidge’ is a wreck off the island of Espiritu Santo and is recommended only for experienced divers who have several days to explore and then wait a day before flying out. There are many dive sights within half an hour of Port Vila.
Best time to dive
Year-round diving is great in Vanuatu.
Visibility
Visibility averages 100 to 200+ feet.
Water temperatures
Water temperature averages 72 to 82 °F.
Weather and climate
Subtropical. Trade winds occur from May to October. Warm, humid and wet between November and April. Rain is moderate. Cyclones are possible between December and April. Summer is from November to March, the average temperature is 82 °F and it can be hot, wet and humid. Winter is from April to October with the temperature averaging 80 °F.
Language
English, French, and Bislama
Passport/Visa requirements
Nationals of Commonwealth countries, the EU, Fiji, Japan, Norway, the Philippines, South Korea, South Africa, Switzerland, the USA and some other countries do not require visas for stays of up to 30 days. A return/onward ticket and sufficient funds are required for entry.
Currency
Vatu – Get exchange rates at http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Electrical current
220-230 volts AC, 50 Hz, mainly three-point plugs in hotels.
Capital
Port-Villa
General information
Vanuatu is a group of 83 islands in the South West Pacific, North East of New Caledonia and North West of Fiji. The habitable islands of Vanuatu straddle the Pacific Ring of Fire, giving residents a roller coaster ride of volcanic activity and tremors as well as occasional tsunamis. On some islands the land erupts out of the seabed to rise nearly 6,560 feet above sea level, on others, coral atolls and rocky islets lie only a few feet above it. Vanuatu has rich lush tropical rainforests, volcanoes, sparkling blue lagoons, cascading waterfalls and beaches that range from silky white to volcanic black.
Map
Get a map of Vanuatu from WorldAtlas.com.