The Best Snorkelling in Vanuatu: Top 13 Places to Snorkel

A snorkel spot combined with lunch with a view? Yes, please! In Vanuatu, you can only rely on the more developed Efate Island LINK#D017 for experiences like Top Rock.

The location impresses from the start, with excellent signage, a welcoming entrance and hedged pathways guiding you to this stunning limestone cliff location.

Descend through the bush and a large canyon that provides easy sea access for snorkellers of all experience levels. The exceptional water clarity makes spotting small tropical fish effortless, while lucky visitors might encounter turtles gliding through the coral gardens. You'll find snorkelling opportunities on both the east and west sides (the west side is recommended for confident snorkellers, as the reef can get quite shallow), and snorkelling gear is available to hire.

After your underwater adventure, treat yourself to a proper meal at the clifftop restaurant, where you can admire breathtaking panoramas of the neighbouring Nguna and Pele islands. The menu features fresh local seafood, including grilled fish in lemon garlic butter, poached octopus, and daily specials like fresh snapper. For those preferring land-based options, there's beef steak in mushroom sauce, grilled chicken breast, and various stir-fry dishes, all served with your choice of chips, rice or salad. Round off your visit with tropical desserts like banana fritters with ice cream or fresh fruit salad, paired with refreshing mocktails.

Open daily with relaxed island-time operating hours, this locally-run destination offers an authentic and memorable experience combining excellent snorkelling with genuine Ni-Vanuatu hospitality.

Have you ever snorkelled over an army truck, a tank or even some old Coca-Cola memorabilia?! Well, you can at Million Dollar Point off the shores of Espiritu Santo LINK#D053.

In 1945, when French colonial authorities refused to buy surplus American military equipment at six cents on the dollar (thinking they'd get it for free), the Americans responded with remarkable pettiness. For two solid days, they dumped "millions" of dollars' worth of trucks, bulldozers, tractors, jeeps and even Coca-Cola bottles into the sea near Luganville.

Today, Million Dollar Point offers visitors the extraordinary sight of this underwater military graveyard just metres from shore. You can explore through snorkelling from the remains of the concrete wharf (which was blown up with dynamite after offloading the equipment), discovering everything from bulldozers to old wheels scattered across the ocean floor. Scuba diving with local operators reveals even more of the equipment pile beneath the surface.

Located just a five-minute drive from Luganville, the site also offers a pleasant sandy beach with typically calm and clear waters.

Dubbed "Nemo City" thanks to its carpet of anemone housing clown fish, the shores off the coast of Mangaliliu on the east coast of Efate are an amazing place to snorkel. What's more, the community-run snorkelling operation offers well-developed facilities to enhance your underwater adventure.

The site features a dedicated gear room where you can hire snorkelling equipment through Roawia Turtle & Snorkeling Tours, while there are also changing facilities and bathroom amenities for visitors' comfort.

An on-site restaurant operates from 8 am to 2:30 pm daily, providing the perfect spot for lunch before or after your snorkelling session.

As for what you'll see, the underwater world here is particularly rewarding, with regular sightings of colourful fish, sea turtles, giant clams and vibrant coral formations that make for an unforgettable aquatic experience.

For those seeking a more structured experience, fully guided snorkelling tours are available but must be booked in advance, while independent visitors can simply pay an entry fee of 1,500 VT to access the snorkelling area directly from the shore.

Snorkelling at Turtle Cove offers one of the most spectacular underwater experiences, with the reef consistently praised as "the best" in Efate.

The real magic happens during high tide, when hundreds of turtles descend to feast on algae off the rocks in crystal-clear waters just one metre deep.

This tide-dependent experience varies throughout the day, with high tide offering optimal swimming conditions right from the shore. During low tide, you'll need to wade through shallow water for about 20 m (65 ft) before reaching deeper swimming areas, but the reef remains easily accessible either way.

The pristine reef system provides incredible visibility and marine life encounters that consistently exceed expectations.

Complimentary snorkelling gear is provided for guests staying at Turtle Cove Villas, and whilst there's no formal entry fee, it's only fair to dine at the on-site restaurant before taking the plunge.

Banana Bay Beach Club offers the perfect combination of underwater exploration and beachside dining for day visitors seeking a relaxed snorkelling experience.

The club hires out snorkelling gear, making it convenient for those without their own equipment, and the location is particularly excellent for spotting tropical fish in clear waters, though it's not as good for coral.

Operating daily from 10 am to 3 pm, this public venue creates an ideal setup for combining your underwater adventure with hearty refreshments. After working up an appetite in the water, fuel up with crowd-pleasing options like Aussie-style fish and chips with mixed salad, popular beef burgers with all the fixings, seafood chowder (when available) and various wraps.

Beyond snorkelling, the club also hires out kayaks and surfboards, allowing visitors to extend their water-based activities or try something different if conditions aren't perfect for underwater viewing.

Penamun Clam Snorkeling Tour offers an affordable shore-side underwater adventure where you can snorkel amongst a variety of giant clams.

This unique conservation project showcases four different species of tridacna clams, including the impressive Tridacna Maxima and Tridacna Squamosa, in a shallow-water habitat that provides easy access for snorkellers remaining on the surface.

The 30-minute snorkelling experience (though you're welcome to stay longer) takes place just off the shores of Bonvilau Village beach. With that, this experience combines marine conservation with community tourism, as local guide John shares his knowledge about these remarkable creatures.

The entrance fee includes refreshing local fruit and drinks, making it excellent value for money. There are options to add transport, a salusalu (neck garland) and even a stringband to the package.

Operating Monday to Saturday, visitors need to bring their own snorkelling gear to explore this underwater garden.

Post a waterproof postcard from 3 m (10 ft) underwater at the world's first underwater post office. That's exactly what awaits you at Hideaway Island Resort, and we're absolutely delighted by this one-of-a-kind experience just off the coast of Mele.

This pristine marine sanctuary sits on a small coral atoll, where crystal-clear waters meet vibrant coral gardens teeming with tropical fish. Beyond the famous underwater postal service, you'll discover a peaceful island paradise perfect for lounging on white sandy beaches, swimming in the resort pool, and exploring the coral reef with snorkelling gear available for rent.

For water activities, you can rent kayaks for exploring the protected waters directly in front of the resort (kayaking around the island isn't permitted for safety reasons). When hunger strikes, the island's restaurant is famous for its signature chicken curry, which locals consistently rate as the best main dish on the menu.

Getting there couldn't be simpler. You can just show up without advance booking – day passes welcome both adults and children.

Catch a bus from Port Vila, then hop on a very affordable ferry to the island (the ferry runs regularly throughout the day). Alternatively, Hideaway is on the itinerary of tours with Yumi Tours, Vila Hope Tours and Nonda Extreme Tours.

Accessible with a day pass (or you could stay), Snorkel Cove offers some of the best and most accessible snorkelling within the Port Vila Harbour itself.

You'll fall in love with this tiny tropical gem housing Iririki Island Resort & Spa, perfectly visible from Port Vila's waterfront.

Simply grab your Day Guest Pass when you arrive (valid from 8 am to 5 pm) and dive straight into island paradise. The inviting waters are calling your name with complimentary kayaks, paddleboards and snorkelling masks waiting for you at Snorkeller's Cove. You'll discover incredible marine life in this designated snorkelling area where staff are always on watch for your safety. For the best underwater visibility, time your snorkelling for mid-tide when conditions are optimal.

In the meantime, you get full-day access to Hideaway Beach and the Sunset Pool area on the southern part of the island, and we love how easy the return ferry transfers make everything from the Port Vila jetty.

Discover some of Santo's underwater landscapes in the vivid underwater world between Malo Island and Ratua Island.

This untouched marine sanctuary boasts amazing reefs that remain blissfully free from tourist crowds, offering an authentic snorkelling experience in one of the region's most spectacular locations.

The house reef around Ratua Island provides excellent snorkelling opportunities, where you'll encounter an incredible diversity of marine life including green turtles, vibrant lionfish, playful clownfish, elusive octopus and graceful cuttlefish. The protected waters between the islands create perfect conditions for underwater exploration, with exceptional visibility and thriving coral formations.

Access is available through Ratua Island Resort or by boat when staying at the bungalows on Malo Island, with snorkelling gear readily available at the resort.

Escape from your Santo-island-escape for the day with magnificent snorkelling at Dany Island.

This untouched gem operates as a protected marine sanctuary, with a 200 m (656 ft) no-fishing zone surrounding the island that has created an extraordinary underwater paradise teeming with fish, lobsters, turtles and vibrant coral reefs.

With that, you won't need to venture far into the water - the best snorkelling spots are easily accessible just five meters from the beach, making it perfect for all experience levels.

The 250-m/165-ft-long island provides ample space for exploration throughout the day and relaxation on palm-fringed white sands.

Your day tour includes convenient transfers from any Santo accommodation or cruise ship pickup. Once there, you'll have access to snorkelling gear, kayaks and surfboards, with experienced local staff available to assist nervous snorkellers or provide guided support in the water. What's more, the northern tip boasts one of Santo's best surf breaks LINK#TTD115.

A delicious barbecue lunch is served on the island, featuring locally-sourced ingredients, plus full facilities including toilets and fresh water. Tours accommodate groups from solo travellers to up to 50 people, typically running 6-7 hours with morning pickup and afternoon return.

Unlike the blue holes that islands like Espiritu Santo are famous for, the "blue holes" on Tanna LINK#D071 are more like natural swimming pools in the reef, lined with colourful coral. Let's start with the simply named Blue Hole #1.

This natural wonder serves as a fish nursery, where vibrant marine life thrives among stunning coral wall formations that create an underwater gallery of colours and textures.

The crystal-clear waters offer excellent visibility for snorkellers of all skill levels, making it an ideal spot to observe tropical fish in their natural habitat. While the experience is best enjoyed at low tide for optimal water conditions, the site remains easily accessible during high tide, ensuring you can visit throughout the day.

For just VT$500 per person, your visit directly supports the local community. You can pay in cash on-site or conveniently settle your fee at White Grass Ocean Resort.

Another option to slide deep into the reefs of Tanna, Blue Hole #2 is only a few hundred metres north of Blue Hole #1, so it would almost be silly not to go!

This underwater sanctuary showcases vibrant marine life, but timing is absolutely crucial for the best experience.

Visit during low tide, ideally in the morning when visibility reaches its peak, and the water remains calm. The challenging limestone walk requires proper reef shoes or aqua socks, and be sure to avoid stepping on delicate coral formations.

While the trek to reach this secluded spot can be challenging, the reward of snorkelling in this untouched marine environment makes every careful step worthwhile.

The afternoon and high tide periods significantly reduce visibility due to waves, so planning around optimal conditions is essential.

Again, there may be locals taking small entry fees to access their kastom land.

Another spectacular option for snorkelling from Tanna, Port Resolution entices with its sheltered waters.

This magnificent bay, framed by towering cliffs, serves as your gateway to some of east Tanna's most spectacular beaches and snorkelling spots. The charming Ireupuow village provides essential amenities with its basic shop, local market and simple restaurant, making it an ideal base for yachties and visitors from land.

A short walk west of Ireupuow brings you to the cliff-top Port Resolution Nipikimanu Yacht Club where it's possible to grab a meal, and you'll reach the protected marine sanctuary at Yewao Point, where calm waters offer exceptional snorkelling opportunities right up to where the coral reef begins.

Another path north of the village unveils a glorious stretch of white sand leading to premium surf breaks, with deep swells rolling along 2.5 km (1.6 mi) of coastline to Yankaren Para.