Dive sites in Million Dollar Point

Top Dive Sites

Million Dollar Point

Description: Million Dollar Point in Vanuatu is a unique dive site brimming with history. It is an underwater graveyard of World War II vehicles, equipment, and supplies. This site got its name due to the immense value of the discarded items, now covered in marine life. Divers explore a sunken treasure trove of trucks, bulldozers, forklifts, and crates, all forming a fascinating underwater landscape.

Marine Species: Million Dollar Point is home to a plethora of marine species. Divers often encounter large schools of reef fish, including butterflyfish, angelfish, and damselfish. Turtles and moray eels can be spotted weaving through the wreckage, while nudibranchs and shrimps cling to the coral-encrusted machinery.

Unique Encounters: One of the unique aspects of diving at Million Dollar Point is the possibility of exploring the historical artifacts firsthand. Divers can swim through the skeletal remains of military vehicles, getting a truly immersive experience. Schools of barracudas and lionfish frequent the area, providing an intriguing underwater scene. Watch out for the occasional reef shark passing by.

Photography: Million Dollar Point offers excellent opportunities for underwater photography. The juxtaposition of rusting historical equipment with vibrant marine life presents unique photographic angles. Macro photographers will delight in the abundance of small, colorful critters. The clear waters around the site enhance visibility, making it easier to capture sharp, vivid shots.

Suitability: This dive site is suitable for all levels of divers, from beginners to advanced. The depth varies from shallow sections at around 5 meters to deeper areas at 25 meters. However, advanced divers may appreciate the deeper, more challenging sections of the wreckage. The site is relatively protected, ensuring calmer diving conditions most of the time.

The Coolidge

Description: The SS President Coolidge is one of the most famous wreck dives globally. This luxury liner turned WWII troopship lies off Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu and is a diver’s paradise. Stretching over 200 meters, the Coolidge rests on its side, offering numerous entry points and fascinating interiors to explore, including cargo holds, medical supplies, and even the ship’s bathrooms.

Marine Species: The Coolidge supports a diverse range of marine life. Divers can expect to see large groupers, barracudas, and trevally. The colder months might bring the appearance of giant groupers, known to patrol the wreckage. Small species such as pipefish, ghost pipefish, and various shrimps add to the vibrant underwater scape.

Unique Encounters: Special encounters include the ship’s famous porcelain statue, “The Lady,” and the remains of military tanks, Jeeps, and weapons. The intricate interiors of the Coolidge, coupled with large schooling jacks and passing pelagics such as giant trevally, make every dive unique. The occasional reef shark or eagle ray might swoop in for a visit.

Photography: The wreck’s grandeur offers endless possibilities for photographers. Wide-angle shots are ideal for capturing the scale of the Coolidge, while macro photographers can find nudibranchs, shrimps, and other minute marine life. The large open areas and ambient lighting create dramatic photographic scenes.

Suitability: The Coolidge is more suitable for advanced and technical divers due to its depth, which ranges from 18 meters to well over 60 meters. Penetration dives require experience, but guided dives help ensure safety and maximize the wreck’s exploration potential.

Million Dollar Beach

Description: Adjacent to Million Dollar Point, Million Dollar Beach offers a more serene yet equally interesting diving experience. The site is known for its easy shore entry and a gentle slope descending towards the historic debris field from Million Dollar Point. The calm waters and sandy bottoms make it an excellent spot for a relaxed dive.

Marine Species: The marine life here is abundant and diverse. Common sightings include parrotfish, wrasses, and pufferfish. The sandy patches often hide stingrays and garden eels. The coral structures harbor an array of smaller fish such as gobies and blennies.

Unique Encounters: While the historical artifacts might not be as concentrated as at Million Dollar Point, divers can still find relics scattered along the seabed. The gradual slope of the beach reveals an interesting mix of sand-dwelling creatures and coral inhabitants. Occasional sightings of octopuses and cuttlefish add to the thrill.

Photography: The clear, shallow waters lend themselves to excellent natural lighting, making this an ideal spot for both macro and wide-angle photography. The diversity of marine life combined with historical remnants provides endless photo opportunities.

Suitability: Million Dollar Beach is highly suitable for beginners and intermediate divers due to its gentle conditions and shallower depths. It’s also a great training ground for new divers to gain confidence before tackling the more challenging sites. Snorkelers can also enjoy the abundant marine life near the shore.

Considerations for Each Dive Site

Water Temperature: Dive sites at Million Dollar Point typically boast year-round water temperatures ranging from 27°C to 30°C (about 81°F to 86°F). This tropical paradise ensures diving in comfortable conditions, allowing you to dive in a 3mm to 5mm wetsuit, depending on personal preference and tolerance to cold.

Visibility: Visibility can vary but generally ranges from 15 to 30 meters (50 to 100 feet). During the rainy season or after heavy rainfall, visibility might drop slightly due to increased sediment and runoff. However, the vibrant marine life and fascinating underwater wreckages compensate for occasional drops in visibility.

Currents and Tides: Million Dollar Point is generally an easy dive site when it comes to currents, with mild to moderate currents being the norm. It’s essential to check tide charts, as high tides can amplify currents slightly, but for the most part, the dives are conducted in conditions suitable for all levels of divers. Tide changes can also affect dive planning, especially when exploring deeper sections of the site.

Safety Tips:

• Dive Certification: Ensure you hold at least an Open Water Diver certification. Advanced certification is recommended for deeper explorations.
• Guided Dives: Consider diving with a local guide who knows the entry and exit points and can navigate the wreck sites safely.
• Buoyancy Control: Practice good buoyancy control to avoid disturbing sediment and to navigate the wreckage safely.
• Check Equipment: Regularly check your diving equipment, especially torches and gauges, as exploring wrecks might require precise control and visibility.
• Buddy System: Always dive with a buddy, given the complexities and potential entanglements that might occur around wreck sites.

Regulations:

• Respect Protected Areas: Certain parts of the site may be designated as marine protected areas. Adhere to local regulations to protect marine life and habitats.
• No Take Zone: Million Dollar Point is considered a historical site. Divers must refrain from collecting or disturbing artifacts.
• Environmental Awareness: Avoid touching or disturbing marine life. Follow ‘leave no trace’ principles to keep the site pristine.
• Permits and Fees: Check with local operators regarding any required permits or fees for diving at Million Dollar Point.