Vibrant reef diving on our doorstep — and the world-famous wrecks a short trip away.
Espiritu Santo is one of the great dive destinations on earth, and Turtle Bay Lodge puts you right in the middle of it. We’re a PADI registered dive centre with reef diving on our doorstep and courses for every level — and when the SS President Coolidge or Million Dollar Point call, we’ll arrange your wreck dives with Luganville’s specialist operators.
Not ready to commit? Discover Scuba Diving is a half-day experience in the pool, with an optional open water dive — a quick, easy way to find out if you love it. No certification needed.
PADI Open Water Diver is the first certification level and your passport to dive anywhere in the world, to 18 metres. Advanced Open Water Diver sharpens your navigation and buoyancy and takes you to 30 metres, with three specialty dives of your choosing.
The Rescue Diver course changes the way you dive — in the best possible way. Specialty courses and Divemaster training are also available, and you can complete the theory online at home before you arrive, leaving more holiday for the water.
Little ones can join in too: PADI Bubblemaker is a fun, closely supervised pool session that lets kids from age 8 blow their very first bubbles underwater. Discover Scuba can even be done in the amazing RiRi Blue Hole.
| Course | In-house | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Discover Scuba Diving — half day, min age 10 | 16,200 VT | 18,000 VT |
| Bubblemaker (kids) — pool, from age 8 | 8,550 VT | 9,500 VT |
| Open Water Diver — 3–4 days, to 18 m | from 42,750 VT | from 47,500 VT |
| Advanced Open Water — 2–3 days, to 30 m | from 42,750 VT | from 47,500 VT |
| Rescue Diver — 2–3 days, age 12+ | 40,500 VT | 45,000 VT |
Course prices include custom land fees and equipment. PADI online learning and manuals aren’t included — purchase these directly at padi.com. In-house rates apply to lodge guests.
We keep groups small and the mood fun. Each morning we choose the day’s site with our divers, based on wind, weather and tides — guided dives for the qualified, courses for the budding.
Two boats carry us. Big Fella John, our dive boat, runs twin 150 outboards with VHF radio, oxygen, first aid and a ladder for easy entry. Wee John, our spacious 7-metre barge, is perfect for snorkelling trips and leisurely dives.
More than 15 sites sit within easy reach: Saddle, Canyons and Outside Island a short ride away; a WW2 Corsair plane wreck at 31 metres just ten minutes out; Rainbow Reef, North Unicorn and White Rock around 25 minutes by boat. Expect visibility of 20–40 metres and water of 24–30°C.
Trips include tanks, weights, qualified dive guides, refreshments and towels. For dive insurance, we recommend Divers Alert Network (DAN) — more affordable than you might think.
We dive Monday to Saturday, and pre-booking is essential. Morning dives: ropes off 8:30am, departing around 9am and back between 1pm and 2pm depending on the site. Afternoon dives: ropes off between 2:00pm and 2:30pm.
Launched in 2023, Dive@Turtle Bay Lodge is the first PADI Dive Resort on Santo’s east coast (PADI centre #28789). Our team is led by two PADI IDC Staff Instructors, each with more than 20 years’ guiding and teaching worldwide, backed by a great local team of Divemasters and guides.
Call reception and ask for the dive team, or email dive@turtlebaylodge.vu.
In-house guests staying at the lodge save 10% on dive packages and PADI courses — single dives are the same price for everyone.
| Per dive | In-house | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Single Dive | 15,000 VT | 15,000 VT |
| Single Dive — with equipment | 16,500 VT | 16,500 VT |
| Double Dive | 22,000 VT | 24,500 VT |
| Double Dive — with equipment | 25,000 VT | 27,500 VT |
| 4 Dive Pack | 42,000 VT | 47,000 VT |
| 4 Dive Pack — with equipment | 48,000 VT | 53,000 VT |
| 6 Dive Pack | 63,000 VT | 70,500 VT |
| 6 Dive Pack — with equipment | 69,000 VT | 76,500 VT |
| 8 Dive Pack | 82,000 VT | 92,000 VT |
| 8 Dive Pack — with equipment | 93,000 VT | 102,000 VT |
Prices don’t include custom land fees (where applicable) or fuel surcharges to the outer islands.
No certification is needed to try a discover dive, and non-divers are always welcome to come along and snorkel.
Pre-book your dives and courses in the Guest Experience App, or just have a chat with reception — we’ll point you to the right site for the day’s conditions.
Best rate, no booking fees, breakfast included — and real people who’ll help when the booking portals say sold out.
