Introducing Million Dollar Point in Santo For Epic Snorkelling and Diving
Millions of dollars worth of old US army equipment and machinery are lying just below the surface of the water at Million Dollar Point in Santo. Combine this with some picnic tables and warm, calm water and you have a great little spot to visit.
Santo, short for Espiritu Santo, is the largest island in Vanuatu, although it’s not the most populated. In fact, it’s blissfully uncrowded making this epic snorkelling and diving site even more special.
First – A bit of Background on Million Dollar Point in Santo
Seven decades ago, the US army lined up millions of dollars worth of equipment; including jeeps, 6 wheel drive vehicles, tractors, earthmoving machinery and more.
It has been said that they placed bricks on the accelerators, released the handbrakes and watched them roll down a ramp to their watery grave less than 30m from the shoreline on the island of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu. Hence why this particular site in Santo is now called Million Dollar Point.
Were They Crazy? Why Would They Waste Such Valuable Equipment?
The answer seems to be purely financial, with a hint of spitefulness. In the Second World War, the US army used Santo as a military supply and support base. When the war was over, there wasn’t enough room to ship both the men and the equipment back home.
It was deemed too expensive to return the machinery to the USA, and there was also a chance that a flood of ex-army equipment on the second-hand market would damage the economy.
The equipment was offered to the joint English-French government in place at the time for a cheap price. The offer was rejected as the local government believed that if they held out, the US Army would leave it all behind anyway and they would get the goods for free.
However, the US Army decided they would rather send it to a watery grave than give it away for free. This included boxes of clothes, coke bottles and other assorted smaller supplies originally designated for the troops.
Million Dollar Point in Santo Today
Today, Million Dollar Point in Santo offers fantastic snorkelling and diving opportunities. In fact, if you visit at low tide, you don’t even need a snorkel to see some of this history.
Whilst there is more machinery than bright coral to view when snorkelling, the fish swimming around the equipment are plentiful. As usual, nature always finds a way and there are spatters of coral and other sea life growing on and inside the machinery itself.
Trying to work out what kind of machinery you are looking at is part of the fun. Watching the bright coloured fish swim in, out and around a completely submerged tractor only a few metres below the surface is one of the truly unique snorkelling experiences here at Million Dollar Point.
Million Dollar Point in Santo is only a ten-minute drive down a dusty road from the main town of Luganville. The entry fee is marked in both Australian and Vanuatu dollars, either AU$5 or 500VT.
Don’t complain about the price, the friendly caretaker keeps the beach clean and even offers to keep an eye on your valuables whilst snorkelling. He is also a useful source of information about the best spots for snorkelling and history of the area.
Psst. Check out the Blue Holes on Santo for another amazing swimming experience!
Visiting Million Dollar Point in Santo With Kids
If you have older kids that can snorkel, they will love this site. The water was calm and warm when we visited and I’m told that it’s like that most of the time.
You can still enjoy a visit with younger kids here. Mine were aged two years and four years and enjoyed ‘finding’ things in the sand as the tide went out. They will need to wear some kind of footwear when walking around or swimming here. Hubby and I just took turns going out for a snorkel whilst the other watched the kids.
Even if you’re not into snorkelling, there is green grass, toilets and picnic tables here so it’s just a nice spot to relax for an hour or two. We did not get charged an entry fee for the kids here, nor anywhere else in Santo.
Looking for more awesome family holiday destinations?
For more information on visiting Vanuatu, head on over to our Vanuatu page. Alternatively, jump back to the home page for inspiration on Australia and destinations worldwide.
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Resources for booking your holiday to Vanuatu
Flights
Try comparing airlines on Trip.com or check out Air Vanuatu’s specials.
Accommodation
Compare accommodation on the Island of Espiritu Santo here.
