This distinctive sombrero shaped island is and ancient volcanic plug. Uninhabited but for the ghosts of King Roymata and those who were buried alive with him, the underwater terrain is a mix of drop-offs, sheer cuttings, fantasy caverns and swim-throughs.

Five sites dived #1:TAJ MAHAL, #2:KING'S GRAVE, #3:GROTTO OF CLAMS, #4:FISH CITY, #5:THE WALL.

This ancient lava plug offers a rich diversity of sites. Famous for its clear water and extraordinary visibility, Hat Island is surrounded by old lava flows, lava tunnels and underwater cuttings. The gorgonia in the image featured in the backdrop of this web site is at 30m, (100ft) and clearly visible are the triple hulls of "Golden Wing".

Each site is quite different in terms of terrain, but similar in that life and colour seems to have gone a little crazy here. Not all sites are accessible in all weather but no site is a 'dud' so you can expect to enjoy all dives, no matter which area is offered. Big pelagic fish patrol the walls much of the time, Fish City being their most popular haunt.

The King's Grave (so named because of its proximity to Roymata's grave site) is probably the prettiest in terms of colourful reefs and fantastic gorgonia while the Taj Mahal boasts an extraordinary cavern of, well, Taj Mahal proportions.

The Grotto of Clams (pictured) begins with a shallow swimthrough - look out for painted crayfish waving their spindly feelers - then a drop off and finally ending at an in overhang filled with the marble lipped giant oyster scallops, bright red sea whips and small fans.

Overnight Sailaway Safaris offer at least two dives here.

Hat Island Cruise

Hat Island is, of course, shaped like a hat, a large sombrero in fact, this because it is an old volcanic plug. Essentially it's the heart of an ancient submarine volcano where the outside has eroded away and the inside core of basalt has been covered in coral. Despite global warming, because of plate tectonics, Vanuatu is emerging out of the sea. The landscape beneath the water reflects that above. Old lava tunnels and dykes covered in coral, and sheer underwater walls.

No one lives on the island full time. It's supposedly deserted, and was, until recently, also called the island of the dead, or the ghost island (see Roymata's grave). In fact the local Natapao villagers from nearby Lelepa Island are known to spend a few days here, fishing and collecting turtle eggs. (They are careful never to take more than a few eggs from each nest). The island's wildlife consists of goats, and a few more goats, placed there for possible shipwrecked travellers - a common practice a few hundred years ago.

The climb to the top of the island, where there's an automatic lighthouse, is not really worth the trouble, although the views of the surrounding reef from this perspective are excellent.

Lelepa/Hat Island Cruise: includes a stop at Feles Cave on Lelepa, then snorkel or SCUBA dive at Hat Island. Lunch on board, then a second SCUBA dive for divers, or a trip ashore to see Roymata's grave, before the sail back to Naguswai. Hat Island/Paul's Rock Cruise: Sail directly to Hat Island for a snorkel or dive, then sail to Paul's Rock/Survivor Beach (where the Lopevi Tribe from 'Survivor Vanuatu' were based) for time ashore and lunch, then afternoon snorkel or dive on Paul's Rock.
Tukutuku/Hat Island cruise: Port Vila to Tukutuku for snorkelling, then lunch as we sail to Hat Island for a second snorkel/dive or trip ashore to Roymata's grave.
Hat Island Full Day Cruise: Generally only offered to dive groups, or on demand. Direct sail to Hat island. Snorkel or dive, lunch, then trip ashore, followed by a second snorkel or dive in a different location.