Vanuatu July 2007
Vanuatu is a chain of 83 islands lying in the Pacific about 2000km
Northeast of Brisbane, Australia. Vanuatu is serviced by Air Vanuatu. The main international gateway to this area
is Australia. Direct air services are available from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Connections are also available
from New Zealand and Fiji. The islands range from towering volcanic cones to coral atolls with white sandy beaches
and aquamarine lagoons. Until 1980, the country was administered by the British and
the French and known as the New Hebrides. Today there is a unique blend of cultures with small communities of these
nationalities together with the Chinese, Vietnamese, and the indigenous Melanesians. The two main areas of interest
for divers are the islands of Efate and Espiritu Santo. The country's capitol is Port Vila, which is located on the
island of Efate. Development is low key with a variety of low-rise hotels and resorts. About an hour's flight from
Port Vila is the more remote destination of Espiritu Santo. Luganville is the capitol and the port for Santo and
is the gateway to spectacular diving.
Port Vila
Port Vila is a delightful, waterfront town situated on the main island
of Efate. For a long time regarded as a French town, Vila has a cosmopolitan image, offering great duty free shopping,
sidewalk cafes as well as an excellent selection of fine cuisine restaurants. Diving in Vila offers a variety of dive
sites, from easy protected waters with no current, to shallow reefs and deeper drop-offs, with running currents
bringing in the pelagic species. Dive vessels depart from within easy walking distance of the town centre, with
many dive sites close by.
Dive Tours Santo
Allan Power has over 30 years of experience and more than 100,000
dives on the SS President Coolidge, and are considered to be experts on the world's largest accessible shipwreck.
Their knowledge of the Coolidge is extensive and the dedicated team of professional, experienced dive guides lead
you around the Coolidge, through areas such as the decks, cargo holds, supply areas, shops and offices.Allan Powers
knowledge of other local dive sites is excellent and they offer both shore and boat dives to many destinations. Dives
are done every morning and afternoon and spectacular night dives on the Coolidge are also available.
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Hideaway Island
Beach Side Resorts
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