HIP CHOW - Espiritu Santo

Okay, let's talk about Hip Chow. This isn't your usual deep wreck dive; in fact, it barely qualifies as a dive. We're talking about a rusty old motor vessel, high and dry on the reef flats at Pinalum. It ran aground back in 1970, and the sea has been slowly reclaiming it ever since. What you get here is a fantastic snorkelling and photography spot. The wreck itself is a skeleton, stripped bare by decades of sun and salt. But that's its charm. We love watching the waves surge through the exposed ribs of the hull, creating a rhythmic, almost metallic clanging sound. It's a great spot for beginners or anyone who just wants to potter around with a mask and snorkel. Look closely in the shallow pools that form inside the wreck at low tide; we've seen everything from tiny crabs scuttling amongst the barnacles to juvenile parrotfish darting through the rusted metal. It’s an interesting contrast to the deeper wrecks Espiritu Santo is famous for, a quiet testament to the ocean’s power.

Location
Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates
-16.012333, 167.398830
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Marine Protected Area: Naomebaravu-Malo

Best Time to Dive in Espiritu Santo

The warmest water temperatures in Espiritu Santo occur in January, averaging 29.2°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 29.2°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 29.2°C (air: 25.9°C)
  • February: 29.2°C (air: 26.0°C)
  • March: 29.2°C (air: 25.6°C)
  • April: 29.2°C (air: 25.5°C)
  • May: 29.2°C (air: 24.8°C)
  • June: 29.2°C (air: 24.3°C)
  • July: 29.2°C (air: 24.0°C)
  • August: 29.2°C (air: 23.7°C)
  • September: 29.2°C (air: 24.2°C)
  • October: 29.2°C (air: 24.8°C)
  • November: 29.2°C (air: 25.2°C)
  • December: 29.2°C (air: 25.7°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Espiritu Santo

Nearest Dive Centres to HIP CHOW

Marine Life in Espiritu Santo

Home to 296 recorded species including 247 reef fish, 15 sea snails & nudibranchs, 14 sea cucumbers, 4 clams & mussels, 4 crabs & lobsters, 3 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for HIP CHOW

Based on average water temperature of 29.2°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories