KATHLEEN - Port Vila & Efate

The Kathleen is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to in Vanuatu. Yeah, it was scuttled, not sunk in some dramatic wartime fashion, but that just means it’s sitting pretty at 20 metres, totally intact and easy to explore. We love sliding down the mooring line and seeing its entire outline appear through the blue – a proper small ship, not just a pile of rubble. What really sells the Kathleen for us is the way it’s been taken over. Fusiliers school so thick over the deck sometimes you can barely see the bow. Inside the holds, you’ll find lionfish lurking, their fins fanned out like some kind of underwater drama queen. Look for nudibranchs on the superstructure and keep an eye out for a grumpy stonefish or two camouflaged on the deck. It’s perfect for newer wreck divers wanting to poke around, but even experienced folks will enjoy just cruising the length of her, watching the light play through the mast and feeling that gentle Pacific current pull you along. Our pick is an afternoon dive, when the sun angles just right through the water.

Location: Port Vila & Efate, Vanuatu, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates: -17.700500, 168.264000
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 20m

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 KATHLEEN

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 KATHLEEN

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