Million Dollar Point - Espiritu Santo

Million Dollar Point isn't your usual wreck dive, and that's why we love it. Imagine a mountain of military hardware just dumped into the sea – jeeps, bulldozers, cranes, miles of corrugated iron, even stacks of Coca-Cola bottles. All of it pushed off a pier by the US military post-WWII, rather than sell it cheap to the British and French colonial powers. It’s a fascinating, almost surreal landscape underwater. You descend into a kind of apocalyptic junkyard, the light filtering through the water picking out the angular shapes of machinery. Schools of charcoal damsels dart through the twisted metal, and we've spotted some impressively large argus grouper lurking in the shadows. Look closely, and you'll find ornate cowries clinging to the older sections, and often a bright orange-lined triggerfish patrolling its territory. It’s an easy dive, shallow enough for long bottom times, making it perfect for photographers who want to spend ages framing those unique shots of nature reclaiming industry. Our tip: go in the morning for the best light penetration onto the deeper stacks.

Location: Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates: -15.525512, 167.245220
Type: wreck

Marine Protected Area: President Coolidge and Million Dollar Point

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to Million Dollar Point

Allan Power Dive Center
Allan Power Dive Tours - ["PADI"]
Aore Adventure Sports & Lodge - ["PADI"]
Dive @ Turtle Bay Lodge - ["PADI"]

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

Dugong (Dugong dugon) - Whales & Dolphins
Greenfish (Stichopus chloronotus) - Sea Cucumbers
Small giant clam (Tridacna maxima) - Clams & Mussels
Burrowing urchin (Echinometra mathaei) - Sea Urchins
Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus striatus) - Reef Fish
Orange-lined Triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) - Reef Fish
Citron Butterfly (Chaetodon citrinellus) - Reef Fish
Butterfly fish (Chaetodon vagabundus) - Reef Fish
Banded Goatfish (Parupeneus multifasciatus) - Reef Fish
Redfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunulatus) - Reef Fish
Triangular Butterflyfish (Chaetodon baronessa) - Reef Fish
Blue-lined Surgeonfish (Acanthurus lineatus) - Reef Fish
Mimic Surgeonfish (Acanthurus pyroferus) - Reef Fish
Black sea cucumber (Holothuria atra) - Sea Cucumbers
Blue-lined Tang (Zebrasoma scopas) - Reef Fish
Bleeker's Parrotfish (Chlorurus bleekeri) - Reef Fish
Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus) - Reef Fish
Halosaur (Aldrovandia phalacra) - Reef Fish
Surf Redfish (Actinopyga mauritiana) - Sea Cucumbers
Blue-banded Pualu (Acanthurus blochii) - Reef Fish

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