10 Best Dive Shops & Operators in Vanuatu

Big Blue stands as Port Vila's premier dive shop, welcoming everyone from complete beginners to seasoned divers with thousands of dives under their belts.

Operating twice-daily boat trips to the spectacular reefs and wrecks around Port Vila and Mele Bay, this PADI 5-star Instructor Development Centre offers an unparalleled underwater experience.

Their aim is to show you Vanuatu's incredible coral species alongside a kaleidoscope of reef fish, from majestic tuna, sharks and rays to delicate anthias and butterflyfish. The marine life extends to fascinating invertebrates, including colourful nudibranchs, shrimp, octopi and lobsters, with turtle encounters virtually guaranteed on every night dive.

With three boats, including the purpose-built 9 m vessel The Lady, Big Blue ensures flexibility to match dive sites with individual abilities. They are stocked up with top-tier Scubapro equipment and local dive masters who've been exploring these waters for over 20 years.

Although you only have one dive operator on Tanna LINK#D071, at least it's a good one! Volcano Ocean Divers opens up a whole new world of terrain that showcases there's more to this island than its spewing volcano.

The great thing about Tanna is that it's volcanic, which means no fresh water runoff clouding up the ocean. What you get is visibility so crystal clear it's almost unreal.

What's more, you'll find yourself swimming through dramatic caves, along towering reef walls and through spectacular swim-throughs that feel like nature's own underwater cathedral.

There's a dizzying array of marine life to admire, like green sea turtles, and if you're lucky, you'll spot the resident dugongs. For those who love getting up close with the smaller stuff, macro photography enthusiasts will be delighted by the abundance of tiny critters scattered across multiple dive sites.

What we love about this operation, based at White Grass Ocean Resort & Spa, is that it's fully PADI accredited, so whether you're a complete beginner trying the "Discover Scuba Dive" experience or an advanced diver looking to add Night Diver, Underwater Navigation Diver or Search and Recovery Diver to your qualifications, they've got you covered.

Tranquillity Island Resort offers an immersive diving experience, featuring a dramatic 114-metre drop-off directly from the resort's shores. What's more, you don't even have to be staying there to make the most of their incredible diving opportunities right on their doorstep.

If you're looking for an unforgettable marine adventure, this eco-resort on Moso Island should be at the top of your list. They have a dedicated turtle sanctuary, where baby hatchlings are lovingly cared for until they're ready to take on ocean life.

It's one of the best places to spot hawksbill and green turtles gracefully grazing on seagrass around the pristine house reef, which non-guests can experience by taking a full-day adventure that includes scenic transfers by road and boat, a delicious lunch, guided snorkelling sessions, access to bush walking trails and complimentary kayak use.

Scuba divers, don't miss the chance to add a dive package and explore the numerous sites around Moso Island. New to diving? We recommend trying their "Discover Scuba" session.

The resort's "Island Explorer" day cruise offers another fantastic way to experience these crystal-clear waters. Their dive shop in Port Vila makes booking a breeze with convenient hotel pickups.

If you're serious about diving in Vanuatu, you'll want to head straight to Aore Adventure Sports & Lodge on Espiritu Santo.

We're talking about the only PADI 5-Star dive centre in the area, and they've been perfecting their craft for over 22 years.

Their purpose-built 8-metre vessel "FullBoar" will take you to legendary WW2 dive sites. You'll explore the famous SS President Coolidge, Million Dollar Point and USS Tucker, all guided by dive masters who've logged thousands of wreck dives.

Morning departures kick off at 8 am and you'll be back by 1 pm, which gives you plenty of time to relax after your double dive adventure. The homemade morning tea and lunch are included, so you won't go hungry.

Beyond the iconic wrecks, you'll discover pristine reef sites around Bokissa Island, Tutuba Point and various South Santo locations. If that wasn't enough, you'll also have the opportunity to check out submerged WW2 aircraft, including F4U Corsair and F4F Wildcat fighters.

Safety is taken seriously here, with comprehensive emergency equipment including remote first aid kits, DAN oxygen and AED, all supervised daily by the expat owner-operator.

The smorgasbord of experiences in Santo, it's no surprise Turtle Bay Lodge proudly stands as the first PADI diving resort on the island's east coast.

Nestled between world-famous blue holes, coconut plantations and, of course, the South Pacific Ocean, this diving centre provides everything from beginner-friendly pool sessions to advanced PADI courses, including Open Water, Advanced, Rescue and Divemaster certifications.

Two highly experienced PADI staff instructors, each with over 20 years of global teaching experience, lead small groups to ensure personalised attention and safety. The convenient on-site location means no rushing between accommodation and diving activities, while diverse dive sites cater to all skill levels from budding divers to qualified enthusiasts.

Whether you're taking your first underwater breath in their swimming pool or exploring stunning coral reefs, the centre's comprehensive approach includes pre-arrival online study options. After your diving adventures, unwind at the Salty Dog Bar and Restaurant to share tales of your underwater discoveries.

Gone Diving Vanuatu is a PADI dive resort situated at the beach in a Marine Protected Area in Mele Bay, perfectly positioned between the renowned dive sites Twin Bommies and The Cathedral.

This unique dive centre offers comprehensive PADI courses from Discover Scuba diving and Open Water certification through to speciality courses and Dive Master professional level training.

The resort's house reef is home to an incredible variety of marine life, with three distinct sandy decks at different depths: the "Dugong Deck" at 8 m, the "Stingray Deck" at 10-12 m, and "Rock Star City" at 12-18 m. Divers can expect encounters with angelfish, surgeonfish, butterflyfish, damselfish, clownfish, jacks, groupers, moray eels, turtles, and occasionally dugongs, octopus, nautilus, sharks, stingrays and manta rays.

The dive centre operates daily fun dives, courses and night dives, with equipment rental available and secure storage for your own gear.

Hideaway Island lives up to its name as Vanuatu's ultimate marine sanctuary escape, accessible only by a short five-minute boat ride from the mainland.

This PADI 5-star resort paradise offers world-class diving and snorkelling just steps from the beach, with over 18 dive sites within 10 minutes of shore and three daily dive departures.

The island's crown jewel is the world's first underwater post office, located in less than 2 m (6.5 ft) of crystal-clear water where an actual postman awaits to stamp your waterproof postcards. With experienced dive teams boasting thousands of dives between them, you'll explore vibrant coral gardens teeming with sponges, anemones, gorgonian fans and countless marine species.

From shore diving to dramatic reef wall drop-offs plunging over 90 m (295 ft), plus lava-formed caves and night dives, there's something for every underwater enthusiast.

Dive into Vanuatu's underwater paradise with Nautilus Watersports, Port Vila's longest-running dive operation with over 35 years of experience and a team of highly skilled local and international dive staff.

Explore spectacular wreck dives, including the historic Star of Russia, an 80-m vessel built in the 1850s by Harlan & Wolff (famous for constructing the Titanic), and the Semle Federson, an island trader purposefully sunk after cyclone damage in 1987. If wrecks aren't your thing, discover stunning reef dives like Twin Bommies and the Cathedral, where you'll encounter vibrant coral gardens, curious fish, moray eels and occasional visits from resident dugongs.

Operating seven days a week (except Christmas and New Year's Day), Nautilus caters to all levels from beginners to dive masters with comprehensive training programmes and specialty courses. Daily double morning dives, afternoon singles and weekly night dives showcase Vanuatu's superb visibility and warm waters aboard their purpose-built dive boat Cowrie.

Pacific Dive on Espiritu Santo offers unparalleled access to the world's largest and most accessible shipwreck, the legendary SS President Coolidge.

This premier dive centre, established in 2017, has quickly become a technical diving powerhouse, combining recreational shore dives with technical diving expertise.

Choose from four daily dive slots exploring the famous wreck or the unique Million Dollar Point, where you'll discover WW2 military equipment dumped underwater. For reef enthusiasts, boat dives visit pristine coral sites with visibility often exceeding 50 m, showcasing vibrant fish life and stunning underwater landscapes.

The centre provides comprehensive equipment rental, professional guides and technical diving support, including custom gas mixes and rebreather equipment. With departure times from 8 am to 5 pm, there's flexibility to suit any itinerary in this tropical paradise.

Operating since 1981, Allan Power Dive Tours offers unparalleled access to the world-famous SS President Coolidge shipwreck and Million Dollar Point on Espiritu Santo.

This WW2-inspired dive resort sits directly on the doorstep of two of Vanuatu's most iconic underwater heritage sites, making it the perfect base for exploring these incredible relics.

The resort's exclusive full-length sea wall provides sanctuary from challenging currents, ensuring effortless entry to The Coolidge. As the only dive centre on Santo offering hot showers, toilets, drinks and beach games, surface intervals become something to look forward to rather than endure.

Beyond world-class diving, guests can snorkel captivating coral gardens, explore mesmerising blue holes, or simply relax along 400 m of secluded beachfront in Banban. The on-site bar and restaurant, The Lady, serves delectable cuisine whilst maintaining the WW2 theme throughout this unique accommodation experience.