Million Dollar Point - Espiritu Santo

Million Dollar Point is… well, it’s exactly what it sounds like. After World War II, the Americans decided it was cheaper to bulldoze millions of dollars of perfectly good equipment off a pier than to ship it back home. Think jeeps, bulldozers, crates of Coke bottles, even parts of landing craft, all stacked up underwater. We love it because it’s a time capsule, a real physical echo of history. Dropping in, you’re met with these incredible artificial canyons of rusting metal, now completely colonised by corals. Orbicular batfish drift by like wary sentinels, and we’ve spotted huge schools of scad darting through the wrecks. Look closely and you’ll find plenty of smaller life – parrotfish grazing, and we’ve even found Bennett’s pufferfish tucked into crevices. The depth ranges from just a few metres down to 30, so it’s easy diving for anyone, whether you’re newly certified or just want a long, relaxed bottom time. Our favourite part is weaving through the old machinery, imagining the sheer scale of the waste, all while spotting cowries and blennies. Head there in the morning, the light plays really nicely off the metal.

Location
Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates
-15.500000, 167.180000
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
3-30m
Difficulty
Beginner

Marine Protected Area: Bucaro Aore

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 Million Dollar Point

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 Million Dollar Point

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