Macro in Port Vila, Vanuatu

Nigel Marsh · Issue 145, Jul/Aug 2025 · pp. 52–57

Products mentioned: Nikon D500, Nikkor 60mm lens, Isotta Housing, Inon Z330 strobe, Tokina 10-17mm lens

Most divers are drawn to Vanuatu to explore one of the largest shipwrecks in the world, the colossal SS President Coolidge. However, there is much more to this lovely Melanesian nation than this amazing World War II shipwreck, with Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, blessed with reefs, wrecks and some wonderful macro subjects. Located between the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia, Vanuatu is made up of 83 islands spread over 1300km. Located on the ring of fire, these islands were created by volcanic activity, and the nation still has many active volcanoes above and below the water line. All of these islands are fringed by coral reefs and the blue waters of the South Pacific Ocean. I first visited Port Vila in 1989 and had always planned to go back, but with too many other dive destinations to explore I never got around to organising a return. However, over the last few years I have been …