World Country Guide

Sport & Activities

Watersports
The good visibility and warm temperature of Vanuatu’s waters ensure excellent conditions for scuba-diving, which can be practised all year round. Most dive operators are located in Port-Vila, on the island of Efat, and on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu’s largest island. Dive cruises depart from within walking distance of the town centres and many dive sites are located close to the shore. Internationally recognised certification courses are available, with special provisions for beginners. Dive stores stock a wide range of equipment, which can also be hired easily. Numerous World War II shipwrecks, usually in fairly deep waters, lie scattered around the islands, one of the most famous being the SS President Coolidge. The Million Dollar Point, where military equipment was dumped at the end of the war, can also be visited by divers. The seabed around the offshore islands of North Efat is renowned for its deep canyons. There is a diving recompression chamber operated by ProMedical Vanuatu at the ProMedical Vanuatu facility, Port-Vila. For further information on diving, contact the Vanuatu Scuba Association (VSA), Tranquility Island Dive Base, PO Box 991, Port-Vila, Vanuatu (tel: 22209; fax: 23304). There are many beautiful beaches suitable for swimming and most hotels have pools. Kayaking, game fishing, sailing, windsurfing and water-skiing are also popular.

Ornithology
Birdlife is prolific and varied, particularly in the southern islands during the breeding season (September to January).

Other
There is a tennis club at Port-Vila and at the resorts. There are also several 9- to 18-hole golf courses; visitors can arrange rounds through hotels or the Vanuatu National Tourism Office (see Contact Addresses section). Horse riding is available, and it is possible to go hiking through the rainforest and in the mountains.