Scuba Diving and Snorkelling

Are you seeking spectacular scuba diving and adventure snorkelling near Port Vila where you can immerse yourself in understanding, photographing, and experiencing local marine life? Vaughani Shores Vanuatu is both a PADI Dive Resort and a PADI Project AWARE Go ECO operator. We offer an interpretive ecological experience that includes meals, accommodation, relaxation between dives, and the unique activity of tide pool ‘tubbing.’ The foreshore is dotted with numerous rocky tide pools that provide habitat for a diversity of intertidal life. Child supervision is available while you are on your dive or otherwise relaxing. A rustic park and playground area is on site. Services in addition to guided diving and snorkelling include PADI introductory and continuing courses, research diving specialties, photos and videos of your dives, gear rentals, and tank fills. Our swimming pool is a large natural tide pool at the edge of the sea. Ideal for jumping into, enjoying the sunset as the water and occasional fish trickle in at high tide, or for carrying out your PADI confined water training.

The house reef is a panorama of small caverns and crevices that connect via shallow channels and deeper bommies adorned with red, pink, and deep purple coralline algae. Stunningly beautiful critters complementing the intricate geography include yellow and blue lace corals, colourful gorgonians, and perched feather stars. The water is extremely clear and the reefs are pristine, with several sites yet to be fully explored.

Coral Reef Education and Enhancement

Vaughani Shores is owned and operated by Canadians who have a teaching background in marine science and resource management, specifically with respect to coral reef ecology and soft and stony coral aquaculture. Aquatic world awareness, responsibility, and education (AWARE) is central to our teaching philosophy. Visitors are given a preview of their dives via marine life slide shows that highlight the diversity of life on the reef. Some practical reef critter identification techniques are learned, including some insight on threats to reef health and possible solutions. Interpretive opportunities during the dives include photography as well as reef enhancement using stony coral fragmentation techniques.

Marine Assessments and Research

Marine Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Vanuatu needs to keep pace with the growing demand for shoreline development, especially on the islands of Efate and Santo. Vaughani Shores Vanuatu is one of a select group of local companies accredited with the National Environment Unit as EIA practitioners. We are the only company specializing in intertidal and subtidal assessments. Survey techniques are adapted from the methods used by the Australian Institute of Marine Science. In addition to marine consulting services, we offer training opportunities for students to learn EIA and underwater survey techniques.

Location and Origin

We are located 17 km or a 25 minute drive west of Port Vila. Just beyond Devils Point in Pangona we have 2 hectares of forested waterfront land.The land has some of the tallest trees on Efate and there is wilderness both under and above the water that is unique to this setting. The company name originates from the stony coral Acropora vaughani (pronounced vah-gah-ni), which is relatively common in Pangona, but uncommon elsewhere on Efate. Some of our programs are offered in French and the local language Bislama.