Vanuatu Diving – Wrecks, Coral Reefs & Scuba Diving in Santo
Why dive Vanuatu and where to go for expert advice and adventure-packed scuba diving experiences in Vanuatu. Find out more about Aore Adventures and the incredible wrecks and reefs waiting for you in Santo.
Vanuatu Diving- Welcome to Scuba Diving Heaven
Vanuatu is a wonderland for divers, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro. Blessed with an abundance of marine life, fascinating wrecks and vivid, multicoloured reefs, few places rival the waters of Espiritu Santo and Aore Island.
To make the most of this underwater treasure chest, it pays to have access to a fantastic dive base. Aore Adventures is a long-established, PADI five-star dive facility ideally located for exploring the depths of Vanuatu’s most precious, intriguing and unique sites. Whether you’re a novice preparing for your first dive or you’re an experienced diver with qualifications under your belt, the experienced team is on hand to help you discover this slice of paradise.
It’s no surprise that Vanuatu appears on many people’s travel bucket lists, especially those with a passion for diving. With over 80 islands, Vanuatu’s tropical waters are packed with beautiful coral reefs, dramatic geographical features, mysterious wrecks, and vibrant marine species. Choosing to explore with Aore Adventures guarantees access to once-in-a-lifetime experiences with support from a local dive base that goes above and beyond to make Vanuatu diving dreams come true.
Why Dive Vanuatu?
Vanuatu dive sites offer something spectacular for divers, but what’s special about them and why should you choose Aore Island and Santo over other globally acclaimed locations? We believe there are several great reasons to scuba dive in Vanuatu. These include:
Wreck Diving in Vanuatu
Vanuatu is widely regarded as a leading wreck diving destination. If you’re looking for wrecks that not only provide fascinating dive experiences, but also tell a story, you can’t go wrong choosing this location. Here are some of the most impressive sites we recommend for wreck diving in Vanuatu:
SS President Coolidge
SS President Coolidge was an ocean liner built in the US. Famed for its opulence and grandeur, it was a trailblazing vessel that had people talking worldwide. Though slightly smaller than the Titanic, it offered the same level of luxury. Sadly, the ship’s destiny was ill-fated. Its purpose changed after the operator went into administration, and it later became a military transport vessel. After playing a pivotal role during the war, it sank in 1942 after entering mine-filled waters around Vanuatu. Fortunately, all but two of the passengers made it to shore safely.
Today, SS President Coolidge is a dive site that attracts enthusiasts from around the globe. It is one of the most accessible shipwrecks in the world and, at 200 metres long and 25 metres wide, it is a vast structure. Lying on its side, it affords awesome diving, from the bow to the iconic Lady Statue.
Million Dollar Point
Nestled in the waters of Espiritu Santo, Million Dollar Point is a treasure chest filled with relics from the Second World War. This site is laden with military supplies and equipment discarded by US forces. The site itself provides an experience reminiscent of a history trip to a museum with a twist. Here, you can see rustic military vehicles illuminated by colourful coral and schools of fish darting in and out of bulldozers and cases of unopened drink bottles. A truly unique wreck dive, it gives you access to one of the weirdest and most wonderful seascapes in the world.
Plane Wrecks
- Aore Plane: A muck dive offering an exploration of a 2-seater spy plane nestled among military equipment in 26 metres of water. Look out for the huge resident moray eel, which you can see on most dives in this area.
- F4F Wildcat, Palekula Bay: A rare gem seldom visited by underwater explorers, the F4F Wildcat is fully intact and rests upside down in around 18 metres of water.
WWII Wrecks
The waters around Vanuatu boast several WWII wrecks of note, offering exceptional, memorable wreck driving experiences. Examples of ships and plane wrecks include:
- USS Tucker: A US Navy destroyer famous for being one of the first ships made predominantly from stainless steel.
- TUI Tawate: A New Zealand tug renowned for its role in the rescue operation of the Wahine Ferry in Wellington. It sits fully upright on the sand and boasts coral sea pens awash with fish of all colours.
Coral Reef Diving
Coral reef diving in Vanuatu is a must. Its tropical waters are packed with iridescent coral reefs bursting with life. At Aore Adventures, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to dive sites blessed with vibrant reefs. We’re the only operator to dive certain sites, so you can really make the most of your time. Here, you can discover unique locations and a veritable smorgasbord of marine life.
Our prized reef dive sites include:
Beginners to Advanced Divers
Vanuatu is a wonderful place to dive because it offers something special for everyone. From beginners to advanced divers, you can discover the magic and witness the breathtaking sea scenery of this unique diving destination.
At Aore Island, we offer experiences for all skill levels. We are a PADI 5-star facility with over 24 years of experience in operating dive bases in Vanuatu and Queensland. We provide PADI training in one of the most awe-inspiring destinations on the planet.
Options include:
- Discover Scuba Dive: Open to everyone, an opportunity to try scuba diving on a shallow reef under the supervision of one of our PADI professionals. No experience is necessary for this dive.
- PADI Open Water Course
- PADI Advanced Course
- PADI Deep Diver
- PADI Wreck Diver
- PADI Self-Reliant Diver
Experiences we recommend for beginners include:
- Discover Scuba Dive
- PADI Open Water Course
Top spots for new divers include:
- Cindy’s Reef
- Aore Wall
- Bokissa Reef
These sites boast shallow, warm waters and calm conditions. They are also easily accessible from our base and offer a fabulous snapshot of the varied marine life and coral formations that make this region so popular.
Best Time to Dive Vanuatu
Every season has something to offer when scuba diving in Vanuatu, but you may find that certain conditions suit your preferences better than others. If you have a specific site in mind, for example, it’s best to plan your trip according to the optimum conditions to do that dive.
Plan Your Vanuatu Diving Holiday
Aore Island is an idyllic waterfront base for a diving holiday in Vanuatu. Offering easy access to some of the most iconic dive sites in the world, you can combine underwater adventures with sun-drenched days on the beach, land activities and stunning views.
We offer a range of Vanuatu dive packages to suit all guests. We cater to everyone, from those keen to spend most of their time on terra firma to advanced divers seeking the ultimate inclusive package. Flexibility is key. We design itineraries based on your skill level, diving preferences and party size.
Our dive packages make planning a diving holiday in Vanuatu a breeze. If you’re looking for a simple, stress-free way to organise the diving break of dreams, we’ll be happy to help. Our customised packages may include private accommodation, guided dives, equipment hire, PADI training, transfers and non-diving activities and excursions.
Sample options and itineraries cover 3-, 5- or 7-day diving trips.
Why Dive With Aore Adventures?
Aore Adventures is an experienced provider of tailored diving packages and experiences, offering unrivalled access to some of Vanuatu’s most precious dive sites. Nestled on tropical waters, it’s a tranquil spot, a hop, skip and a jump from underwater wonderlands that will blow you away.
Reasons to choose us for your diving holiday in Vanuatu include:
- Passionate local guides who know the top places to go and the best ways to maximise your time
- Expert guidance from highly trained PADI Dive Masters
- Tailored dive packages to suit your needs and preferences
- Training and equipment support for all divers
- An excellent safety record
- An excellent safety record
- Easy access to the best dive sites, including many that are only dived by us
- 5-star PADI dive facility
- Beautiful accommodation in a stunning location
- Access to land activities and excursions
