Scuba Diving in Vanuatu

<body> <h1><img height="200" width="136" src="photos/vanuatu_05.jpg" align="left" border="1" hspace="5" vspace="1" alt="Scuba Diving in Vanuatu"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="81" align="right"> <tr> <td style="margin-left: 20; padding-left: 10; padding-bottom: 10;><img height=" 115" width="200" src="graphics/vanuatu_map.jpg"> <center> <a href="*" csclick="BC5E4FC86" onclick="CSAction(new Array(/*CMP*/'BC5E4FC86'));return CSClickReturn();"><img height="86" width="150" src="graphics/vanuatu_worldmap.jpg" border="0"></a> <p><img height="113" width="150" src="photos/vanuatu_04.jpg" border="1" alt="Scuba Diving in Vanuatu"></p> <p><img height="113" width="150" src="photos/vanuatu_09.jpg" border="1" alt="Scuba Diving in Vanuatu"></p> <p><img height="113" width="150" src="photos/vanuatu_08.jpg" border="1" alt="Scuba Diving in Vanuatu"></center> </td> </tr> </table> <a href="vanuatu_main.shtml"><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" color="#4169e1"><i>Vanuatu</i></font></a></h1> <p><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2">Vanuatu is a "Y"-shaped chain of 83 islands lying 2500km northeast of Sydney (Australia), 2000km north of Auckland (New Zealand), and 800km west of Nadi (Fiji). The total land mass is around 13,000 sq. km. The islands range in topography from towering volcanic cones to others covered in dense rainforest to yet others which are raised coral islands with wide beaches and deep natural harbors.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2">The people of Vanuatu, a name that means 'Land Eternal', are predominantly Melanesian. The Ni Vanuatu have populated these islands for centuries and with more than 115 distinctly different cultures and languages still thriving here, Vanuatu is recognized as one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. There are small communities of French, British, Australian, New Zealand, Vietnamese, Chinese and other Pacific Islands people living in harmony with the Ni Vanuatu. Until 1980 Vanuatu, then known as the New Hebrides, was jointly administered by France and Great Britain as a 'Condominium'.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" color="#191970"><b>Your Gateway... Port Vila</b></font><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><br> Port Vila is sandwiched between a magnificent natural harbour offering stunning views of Iririki and Ifira islands on one side and two turquoise lagoons on the other. Efate has a rugged coastline and rolling verdant countryside, fast flowing rivers, waterfalls, isolated sandy bays and lagoons. Much of the interior is impenetrable rainforest.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2">Numerous activities are available in and around Port Vila, from scuba diving, windsurfing, snorkeling and catamaran sailing to sea kayak adventure tours, horse riding and helicopter flights. The town has an attractive marketplace and the French cafes and restaurants give it a slightly continental flavour.</font></p> <ul> <p><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><b>HIDEAWAY ISLAND</b><br> A charming island resort set in beautiful Mele Bay offering oceanfront bungalows. Lodge units and shared accommodations. Just 15 minutes from Port Vila and 10 minutes from the airport. The resort is built from local materials and blends well with its tropical garden setting.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><b>LE MERIDIEN</b><br> Le Meridien Port Vila is a deluxe international resort set on 50 acres of tropical landscaped gardens, overlooking the tranquil waters of Erakor Lagoon. Only 5 minutes from Vila and 10 km from the airport, it has 150 air conditioned rooms with balconies overlooking either a garden or lagoon view and ten deluxe over water bungalows on the resorts own exclusive island.<br clear="all"> </font></p> </ul> <p><a href="*" csclick="BC5E4FC87" onclick="CSAction(new Array(/*CMP*/'BC5E4FC87'));return CSClickReturn();"><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" color="#191970"><b><img height="160" width="85" src="graphics/vanuatu_isl_sm.jpg" border="1" hspace="5" vspace="1" align="right" alt="Scuba Diving in Vanuatu"></b></font></a><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" color="#191970"><b>Espiritu Santo</b></font><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular"><b><br> </b></font><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2">Vanair flies to Santo from Port Vila three times daily. Santo is Vanuatus largest island in size and is fascinating in its diversity. Here Vanuatus highest mountain, Mt Tabwemasana rises out of the dense vegetation covering the entire chain, which runs along the full length of the western side of the island.</font></p> <ul> <p><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><b>HOTEL SANTO</b><br> Just 5 minutes from the airport, the hotel is located in the heart of Luganville close to the shops, the banks and the market. An ideal base for scuba divers, as the dive operators are all located nearby and you will be picked up and dropped off after each dive. The Coolidge is a mere 5 minutes from the town center. Hotel Santo is a handy base for all Santo sights. All rooms have private facilities and direct dial telephones.<br clear="all"> </font></p> </ul> <p><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular"><b><img src="photos/vanuatu_06.jpg" width="150" height="113" border="1" align="right" alt="Scuba Diving in Vanuatu">Scuba divers are drawn by the famous wrecks and spectacular marine life.</b></font></p> <ul> <p><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><b>SS TUCKER</b> ~ This US destroyer was the first ship to fire against the Japanese during the Pearl Harbour attack. On the 3rd of August 1942 she was delivered a fatal blow by a friendly mine on her approach to Santo. Torn in two she now lies in 23 metres of water on a sandy bottom. Her location makes her a fantastic dive for any level of diver.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><b>SS PRESIDENT COOLIDGE</b> ~ The largest most accessible wreck dive in the world and considered by many to be the best wreck dive! The SS President Coolidge was a luxury liner launched in February 1931 and was converted to a troop carrier during WW2. While entering the Santo Harbor she hit two friendly mines on 26th October 1942. Structurally intact, you can swim through the many holds and decks viewing the numerous remainders of both her luxury liner days as well as her war history.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><b>AND BORIS</b> ~ The 200kg friendly grouper is a regular at the deco stop of the Coolidge and waits to be fed by dive guides. Boris is a virtual guarantee from January to August.</font></p> </ul> <center> <p><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" color="teal"><i><b>Ask about our low, discounted airfares from Los Angeles!</b></i></font></p> <p> <hr noshade size="1" color="#191970"> <br> <font color="#0099cc" size="4" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>South Pacific Island Travel</strong></font><br> <font color="black" size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular">537 North 137th Street, Seattle, WA 98133<br> Toll Free: <strong>1-877-773-4846</strong> / WA: 206-367-0956 / Fax: 206-306-9288</font><br> <br> <a href="index.html" target="_top" title="travel to the south pacific"><font size="1" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Home</font></a><font size="1" face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> / <a href="aboutus.shtml" target="_top" title="dive travel to Fiji, Palau, Tahiti, Indonesia, south pacific">About Us</a> / <a href="destinations.shtml" target="_top" title="dive travel to Fiji, Palau, Tahiti, Indonesia, south pacific">Destinations</a> / <a href="liveaboards.shtml" target="_top" title="liveaboards in the south pacific palau fiji thailand">Liveaboards</a> / <a href="whats_new.shtml" target="_top" title="travel to the south pacific">What's New</a> / <a href="specials.shtml" target="_top" title="south pacific island travel">Specials</a> / <a href="contactus.html" target="_top" title="south pacific island travel">Contact Us</a><br> <a href="australia.html" target="_top" title="dive travel to australia - liveaboards in australia">Australia</a> / <a href="costa_rica.html" target="_top" title="costa rica dive travel cocos live aboards">Costa Rica</a> / <a href="fiji.html" target="_top" title="fiji resorts and live aboards fiji dive travel">Fiji</a> / <a href="vanuatu.html" target="_top" title="honeymoon in vanuatu">Vanuatu</a> / <a href="galapagos.html" target="_top" title="galapagos dive travel and liveaboards">Galapagos</a> / <a href="hawaii.html" target="_top" title="vacation travel to hawaii">Hawaii</a> / <a href="maldives.html" target="_top" title="maldives dive travel">Maldives</a> / <a href="micronesia.html" target="_top" title="dive travel to micronesia">Micronesia</a> / <a href="palau.html" target="_top" title="palau dive travel micronesia palau liveaboards">Palau</a> / <a href="yap.html" target="_top" title="yap diving with mantas">Yap</a> / <a href="truk.html" target="_top" title="truk lagoon chuuk liveaboard diving">Truk Lagoon</a> / <a href="kosrae.html" target="_top" title="dive travel to kosrae">Kosrae</a> / <a href="PNG.html" target="_top" title="dive travel to papua new guinea PNG liveaboards">Papua New Guinea</a> / <a href="red_sea.html" target="_top" title="liveaboards in the red sea">Red Sea</a> / <a href="solomon_islands.html" target="_top" title="solomon islands diving liveaboards">Solomon Islands</a> / <a href="indonesia.html" target="_top" title="indonesia diving travel and liveaboards">Indonesia</a> / <a href="tahiti.html" target="_top" title="south pacific travel to tahiti, bora bora, moorea">Tahiti</a> / <a href="thailand.html" target="_top" title="dive travel to thailand">Thailand</a> / <a href="caribbean.html" target="_top" title="caribbean diving">Caribbean</a> </font><br> <br> <a href="*"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman,Georgia,Times">©2004 South Pacific Island Travel & Under Watercolours</font></a><font size="1" face="Times New Roman,Georgia,Times">. Website design by <a href="http://www.underwatercolours.com" target="_blank" title="website design and underwater photography">Under Watercolours</a>.</font></center> </body>