
Hidden Garden
Efate · Vanuatu
Hidden Garden is a sheltered fringing reef on Efate's northwest coast that lives up to its name — a complex labyrinth of coral bommies, archways, and swim-throughs packed with soft corals in shades of orange, purple, and pink that thrive in the site's naturally calm, protected conditions. The reef's gentle depth profile between 8 and 22 meters makes it suitable for all experience levels while delivering a density of marine life that rivals far more famous Pacific dive sites. Nudibranchs, ghostpipefish, and pygmy seahorses reward the slow, deliberate approach that this intricate reef demands.
Conditions
Depth
8 to 22 m
Open water and up
Current
Usually still
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
18 to 30 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
22 to 29°C
5mm wetsuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| Vis (m) | 8 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 8 |
| Current | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Blackback Anemonefish
Last confirmed Jun 18, 2026 · 28 records
Very likely
Most dives
Blue Linckia
Last confirmed Jun 16, 2026 · 16 records
Very likely
Most dives
Chocolate Chip Sea Star
Last confirmed Jul 6, 2026 · 13 records
Very likely
Most dives
Loch'S Chromodoris
Last confirmed Jun 18, 2026 · 28 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Denise's Pygmy Seahorse
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Flamboyant Cuttlefish
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Bargibant's Pygmy Seahorse
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Ornate Ghostpipefish
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Gear