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Coral ReefWallBoat DiveUnverified

NBM Dive Site Resource

West Side Story

Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu

A Mele Bay reef of extensive colored staghorn coral fingers descending from a shallow reef top toward deeper water.

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Historic Picture Placeholder

Old-fashioned maritime line drawing reserved for a future historic photograph
Historic Picture PlaceholderHistoric photograph pending research and rights review
WaterMarine
AccessGuided boat dive arranged through a Port Vila operator
ExperienceOpen Water on the shallow reef; intermediate or Advanced for deeper wall sections
Maximum depthReef top near 6 m, with coral fingers extending beyond 30 m
Best seasonDived year-round when operator, sea and weather conditions permit; December–March is wetter and cyclone disruption is possible.
VisibilityVariable with swell, rain, tide and plankton.

Aquatic life at this dive site

What divers may encounter

Three reviewed connections are featured here. Sightings vary by season, conditions, and chance, so they are never guaranteed.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Site media

Photographs

Three views rotate from the published gallery on each visit.
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending

Contributor media

Dive videos

Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending

Published reference location

Location map

The marker shows the public coordinates associated with this profile. Confirm current access, moorings, and departure details before the dive.
Published reference coordinates-17.69100, 168.24900
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Recent field observations

Diver-reported temperatures

Automatically checked observations from dives during the past 14 days. Three reports are visible at a time; scroll for more.
Automatically checked
No recent diver reports from the past 14 days

A report that passes the automatic checks will appear here with the dive date, diver’s display name, and temperatures at each depth.

Reports are automatically checked for plausible dates, depths, and temperatures. They are observations, not forecasts; confirm conditions before diving.

Diver field observation

Report temperatures

Reports publish automatically when the date, depths, and temperatures pass the checks. You must be signed in to submit.

Depth readings

Why divers know this place

Highlights

Large fields of yellow, blue and green staghorn coral, damselfish, anemones, morays and occasional reef sharks.

Before you arrive

Access notes

Big Blue lists the site and official tourism guidance describes it as a boat-access reef near Hideaway Island. Route and maximum depth are set on the day.

Plan within your training

Conditions and hazards

Fragile branching coral, current, depth and boat traffic. Avoid contact and keep close control of buoyancy.

At the site

Facilities and support

Operator-based facilities; confirm rental gear, oxygen, communications, current recompression-chamber availability and evacuation plans before diving.

Independent resource notice

This record is a starting point for independent verification. Access, closures, moorings, weather, currents, depth, visibility, operator availability, and site conditions can change without notice. Confirm current information with the responsible operator, property owner, managing authority, or another qualified local source before planning or attempting a dive.