Turtle Reef, Tranquility Island

Turtle Reef in Tranquility Island is the best site in Vanuatu to watch turtles - both in their natural habitat and at the dive resort's turtle sanctuary. Tranquility Island Eco Resort's house reef, also known as White Rock, is a gently sloping wall that slopes down to 90m (295ft), allowing divers to descend to whatever depth they are qualified for.

"Hawksbill and green turtles can be seen here," adds Michael Burbeary, the resort's Dive Operations Manager. "Dugongs prefer to graze in this region as well, so keep a lookout for the shy critters." "We also have many hard and soft corals and reef fishes, and eagle rays and large pelagics pass by on occasion," says Vicky Langford, Tranquility's Dive Operations Manager.

Staff at the resort also run the island's turtle sanctuary, which rehabilitates sick or damaged turtles and cares for young turtles until they are old enough to be released into the ocean. Guests and day-trippers can release turtles at Tranquility for a nominal donation for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Location: Tranquility Island, Vanuatu