There are many dive sites around Hideaway that are suitable for all levels of divers. Although many of these sites can be dived to 40 metres or deeper the majority can be limited to 18 metres.

For added safety, we request that all dives be made as non-decompression dives and that safety stops be made on every dive. Our Divemasters lead every dive to ensure you see the best of each site and to maintain safety standards

Hangover Reef

Discovered New Year’s Day 2004 (by the boys) on a revival exploration dive, as no one turned up for that morning's dive - wonder why?

In Beautiful pristine clear water (30m+ vis) it is a spectacularly colourful reef featuring an abundance of large intact table corals, clams, sponges, clusters of multi coloured Stag and Elkhorn corals and a variety of bright encrusting corals. Another exciting feature is the numerous swim throughs with white sandy bottoms and sunlight streaming through the cracks in the reef above. Truly a photographer’s dream
Max depth: 20m

Oasis

A selection of very interesting marine life scattered among an area of sand and silt, like a small Oasis in a desert. A great photography dive. Everything from shrimps to octopus, crocodile fish to lionfish and the unusual leaf fish to a large moray eel. Includes bommies right in front of the jetty.
Max depth: 24m

The Wall (Hideaway 1)

A vertical wall that drops off to around 90m. Features lots of fans at different depths and an unusual coral formation. Pelagics are occasionally spotted here. The top of the reef is home to a multitude of friendly fish, all waiting for that great photo shot. This dive profile can be as a deep dive over the wall or a relaxing 18m and less dive on the top side of the wall and reef.
Max depth (Hideaway1): 18m
Max depth (The Wall): 30m

Kathleen Reef

The final resting place of the coastal Trader Kathleen, which sat on top of the reef until Cyclone Uma rolled her over the edge of the reef in 1987. Some traces of the wreck can still be seen today however the wreck herself lies well beyond the limits of recreational diving.

This reef starts at 12 meters. A line will lead you down to a large gorgonian fan at 40 meters and from there a slow ascent up the side of the reef will reveal a multitude of marine life including scorpion leaf fish, butterfly cod. nudibranchs, tube worms and stonefish. Sharks, schools of batfish and Moorish idols are also to be seen at times on this dive.

The dive profile can be as a deep dive for experienced divers. Less experienced divers can elect to stay above 18m. The dive has some current.
Max Depth: 40m

The Abyss (Mele l)

Drop down from the dive boat into 6 meters of coral and reef fish, then swim past the mooring and you are on the edge of the Abyss. A vertical drop down to 60m plus. Usually minimum 20m visibility. A deep dive to the gorgonian fans at 40m or a leisurely dive at 25 m around the wall. An occasional shark or moray eel may be seen. The top of this reef is excellent with many gutters running at all angles, teeming with coral reef fish.
Max Depth: 25m

Anchor Reef

An old ship's anchor embedded in the reef gives this dive site its name. The top of the reef comes to within 6m of the surface. Numerous plate and stag horn coral as well as schools of multi coloured reef fish can be seen as you descend down the mooring line.

Visit the old anchor at 14m then cruise slowly at 20m around the reef and see triggerfish and many anemones with their resident clownfish. A feature of this dive is the white tip shark nursery. Usually 2 - 4 baby white tip sharks can be seen under a large plate coral.
Max Depth: 20m

Mele ll (West side story)

This reef comes to within 6m of the surface. On the east side of the reef, coral rubble bottoms out at about 12m, however, on the west side, long fingers stretch out covered in stag horn coral in hues of blue, yellow and green to a depth of 30m. There are numerous anemones, occasional crays, morays and sharks – a very relaxing dive.
Max Depth: 25m

Pink panther (Mele lll)

Named for its extremely unusual fluorescent pink anemone. This anemone has been the subject of much attention during the annual Hideaway Dive Festival, and has featured in many highly acclaimed awards by outstanding overseas photographers.

The mooring is in 8m, with a drop off to 90m +. Cruise around the wall at 25m where large schools of fish abound. The pink anemone is at 12m. There is also a very large area of anemones nearby. Yellow and blue anemones are also to be found on this reef. This dive has excellent coral formations. The occasional sailfish have even been spotted here.
Max Depth: 25m

Gotham City (Ollie's lolly)

Named for its batfish which accompany you on your dive, a very colourful and popular reef area which rises to within 6m of the surface. A large variety of marine life abounds from sharks, barracuda, and dog tooth tuna to the occasional turtle and manta ray.

On the southern side of the reef, colourful soft coral grow. Many feather stars and coral formations decorate the top of the reef. Numerous small coral fish add to the enjoyment of this dive. The wall bottoms out at 25m, then drops slowly away to deeper depths. Good visibility at 20m + is normal for this dive. There are some currents during certain tides.
Max Depth: 25m

Acropora

This dive has a series of reefs running off at different angles and a sandy bottom with the occasional shark to be seen resting there. Good hard coral areas intermingle with some colourful soft coral. A nice easy dive
Max Depth: 20m

Malo Tuki

An interesting shallow dive with lots of coral formation, usually rocks and bommies. Swim around these formations and find anemones, shrimp, nudibranchs and various other small critters. Close to a channel for those who wish to dive deeper.
Max Depth: 20m

Boy's Corner

Discovered by our resident Divemasters ("the boys") exploring not far from the coral Cay in the bay. Coral encrusted fingers extend out between white sandy patches. Very colourful at 15m and less with plenty of coral and fish. There’s also a channel nearby for those who wish to dive deeper. This dive has some current at certain tides
Max Depth: 20m

Emperor's gardens

A very colourful coral area like a well cultivated garden fit for royalty. Plate, stag horn and lace coral cascade along the side of this reef amongst others in a plethora of colour and shapes. A great photography dive. A hot spring bubbling up from the ocean floor provides something different.
Max Depth: 18m

Teura cave

A cave that runs 25m from the edge of the reef to a rock pool on the land. Beautiful shafts of light penetrate through cracks in the roof lighting the way. See the brilliant flashlight fish glowing like stars in the dark. Crayfish (Teura) are sometimes seen here. Surface in the Rock Pool before heading back through the cave. There are many other small canyons and caves to explore on the edge of the reef. A great dive for experienced divers.
Max Depth: 15m

Rock Pools Reef

Excellent shallow coral dive. Many swim-throughs with healthy colourful walls and white sandy gutters. Plentiful coral fish abound. A nice swim through from the mooring leads you out to the edge of the reef at 15m were you can cruise either way and zig zag your way back to the mooring where a beautiful giant clam rests. Excellent dive for photographers. Good visibility - up to 40m.
Max Depth: 15m

Wreck Dives

Aloara (Rising Sun)

An island trader purchased by the people of Tongariki in 1990 to work for the island. After carrying cargo from Vila to all the islands, Aloara was laid up in 1999. In November 2001, after being prepared for sinking by the Hideaway staff, Aloara was sunk as a diving wreck off Hideaway Island. She now lies on her starboard side in 26m of water. In calm conditions Aloara is an excellent penetration dive for experienced divers. Excellent pre-Coolidge diving.

This dive is usually combined with an extra 15 mins on top of the nearby reef.
Max depth: 26m

Bonzer (Clown Colony)

A small tug boat which had been left abandoned at Havana Harbour for 6 years. Towed to Port Vila in 2001, cleaned and sunk 2001 at Hideaway Island near a dive site called Clown Colony, named so for its large bommie covered in anemones and their resident clownfish. Bonzer sits upright in 24m of water and is a good wreck for experienced and novice wreck divers alike, featuring easy swim-throughs. A large number of banded shrimp have made the Bonzer their home. A shallow swim back to the mooring completes this interesting dive.
Max depth: 24m

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