Torba Province dive sites

Rah Island is in Vanuatu's remote Torba Province. The nearest airstrip is at Sola on Vanua Lava island, reached by small aircraft from Port Vila or Luganville. From Sola, a boat transfer of approximately two hours reaches Rah Island. There are no dive shops or commercial dive operators on Rah. Diving requires bringing all equipment and arranging local boat support through the island community or visiting with a liveaboard vessel that includes Torba Province in its itinerary. This is genuinely expedition-style diving requiring self-sufficiency.

The waters around Rah Island and the nearby Banks Islands are one of the last remaining habitats for dugongs in Melanesia. Local communities protect dugongs through traditional tabu customs and sightings are possible in the seagrass beds on the island's western side. Encounters are not guaranteed but are more likely here than almost anywhere else in the South Pacific. Dugongs are shy and best approached with snorkel gear rather than scuba to avoid bubble noise. Local guides know the animals' regular grazing areas and timing.

The tabu system is a traditional Melanesian practice of declaring certain reef areas off-limits to fishing and harvesting for periods of time, allowing marine resources to recover. On Rah and surrounding islands, community chiefs designate tabu areas which function as de facto marine reserves. Before diving, visitors must seek permission from the local chief and respect any tabu boundaries. This system has protected reef health far more effectively than many formal marine parks. A small contribution to the community for reef access is expected and appropriate.