STAR OF RUSSIA/OERU(POSSIBLY) - Port Vila & Efate
The Star of Russia, or possibly the Oeru depending on who you ask, is a deep wreck sitting upright in Port Vila Harbour at 34m. This three-masted sailing ship is largely intact, with her masts collapsed across the deck and a small wheelhouse still visible. It’s a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into early 20th-century maritime history, with pelagics often cruising by. The low light at depth creates a suitably atmospheric dive, though it's classified as dangerous due to its age and depth.
- Location
- Port Vila & Efate, Vanuatu, Central & South Pacific
- Coordinates
- -17.755417, 168.296720
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 34m
Marine Protected Area: Erakor and Empten Lagoon
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)
Nearby Dive Sites in Port Vila & Efate
- Anchor Reef (reef)
- Cathedral Cave - 5-15m (cave)
- Gotham City - 15-30m (wall)
- Hideaway Island
- KATHLEEN - 20m (wreck)
- Konanda
- KONANDA - 19m (wreck)
- Mele Reef (reef)
- Moso Drift Dive - 10-25m (drift)
- Owens Reef (reef)
- Pango Wall (wall)
- Semele (reef)
- Semle Federsen
- Star Of Russia (wreck)
- Star of Russia Wreck - 10-20m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to STAR OF RUSSIA/OERU(POSSIBLY)
- Big Blue Dive Shop
- Gone Diving Vanuatu - ["PADI"]
- Hideaway Dive Shop
- Tranquility Island Resort - ["PADI"]
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 STAR OF RUSSIA/OERU(POSSIBLY)
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