Cathedral Cave - Port Vila & Efate

Cathedral Cave, just outside Port Vila, is one of our favourite easy cave dives in Vanuatu. It's not a deep dive, usually staying between 5 and 15 metres, but what it lacks in depth it makes up for with sheer atmosphere. As you swim in, the opening is wide and inviting, then narrows a bit before opening into this massive chamber. The real magic happens when the sunlight shafts down through the opening, cutting through the slightly silty water like spotlights in a smoky theatre. It’s absolutely captivating. We love hovering in the middle of the main chamber, just watching those light beams dance. There’s an air pocket at the top, too, where you can surface and have a quick peek around. We’ve found the best time to catch the light show is mid-morning, when the sun is higher in the sky. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff clinging to the walls, like blennies and colourful wrasse. It’s an intermediate dive, really, because while it’s not technically demanding, you do need to be comfortable in an overhead environment. It’s perfect for divers looking for something a bit different, a proper cavern experience without the need for advanced cave certs. If you’re a photographer, bring your wide-angle lens.

Location: Port Vila & Efate, Vanuatu, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates: -17.710000, 168.300000
Type: cave
Maximum Depth: 5-15m
Difficulty: Intermediate

Marine Protected Area: Hideaway Island

Best Time to Dive in Port Vila & Efate

The warmest water temperatures in Port Vila & Efate occur in January, averaging 29.0°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 29.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 29.0°C (air: 26.0°C)
February: 29.0°C (air: 26.3°C)
March: 29.0°C (air: 25.8°C)
April: 29.0°C (air: 25.7°C)
May: 29.0°C (air: 24.3°C)
June: 29.0°C (air: 23.8°C)
July: 29.0°C (air: 23.3°C)
August: 29.0°C (air: 22.9°C)
September: 29.0°C (air: 23.5°C)
October: 29.0°C (air: 24.2°C)
November: 29.0°C (air: 25.0°C)
December: 29.0°C (air: 26.1°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to Cathedral Cave

Marine Life in Port Vila & Efate

Home to 329 recorded species including 272 reef fish, 16 sea cucumbers, 12 sea snails & nudibranchs, 6 seagrass & algae, 6 hard corals, 4 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Dugong (Dugong dugon) - Whales & Dolphins
Black sea cucumber (Holothuria atra) - Sea Cucumbers
Boring Clam (Tridacna crocea) - Clams & Mussels
Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus striatus) - Reef Fish
Banded sea krait (Laticauda colubrina)
Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus) - Reef Fish
Banded Goatfish (Parupeneus multifasciatus) - Reef Fish
Orange-lined Triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) - Reef Fish
Small giant clam (Tridacna maxima) - Clams & Mussels
Redfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunulatus) - Reef Fish
Citron Butterfly (Chaetodon citrinellus) - Reef Fish
Butterfly fish (Chaetodon vagabundus) - Reef Fish
Blackedge thicklip wrasse (Hemigymnus melapterus) - Reef Fish
Kihikihi (Zanclus cornutus) - Reef Fish
Latticed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon rafflesii) - Reef Fish
Saddleback Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ephippium) - Reef Fish
Batavian Parrotfish (Scarus psittacus) - Reef Fish
Blue-lined Tang (Zebrasoma scopas) - Reef Fish
Bleeker's Parrotfish (Chlorurus bleekeri) - Reef Fish
Threadfin (Chaetodon auriga) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Cathedral Cave

Based on average water temperature of 29.0°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories