If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring a sunken underwater world without needing years of diving experience, Discover Scuba Diving at Million Dollar Point is the perfect place to start.
Just off the coast of Espiritu Santo lies one of the most unique dive sites in the South Pacific — an underwater graveyard of WWII-era equipment deliberately dumped into the ocean. Today, it has transformed into a thriving artificial reef, covered in coral, teeming with tropical fish, and rich with haunting history.
What is Million Dollar Point?
Million Dollar Point is a world-famous dive site located off Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu. It begins close to the shoreline and drops down to depths of 40+ meters, making it suitable for snorkellers, beginner divers, and experienced divers.
For a full idea of the extent of the site see Reef Smart Guides 3D Map of Million Dollar Point.
After World War II, the area was used by the US military. When the war ended, vast amounts of equipment — including trucks, bulldozers, jeeps, machinery, and supplies — were deliberately dumped into the ocean rather than being sold locally.
Over time, nature reclaimed the site. Today, these remnants form an incredible artificial reef system, now covered in coral and surrounded by diverse tropical marine life. It is widely regarded as one of the most iconic dive sites in the South Pacific.
Read more about the story behind this astonishing dive site right here.
Snorkelling vs Scuba Diving at Million Dollar Point
Although Million Dollar Point snorkelling in Vanuatu offers an amazing experience thanks to calm conditions and the ability to view both a WWII underwater museum and abundant marine life, it is also one of the best places in Vanuatu to try scuba diving for the first time.
👉 You can read more in our Million Dollar Point snorkelling guide here.
While snorkelling allows you to explore the site from the surface and see coral reefs, fish, and shallow wreck structures, Discover Scuba Diving at Million Dollar Point takes you beneath the surface for a far more immersive experience.
Through scuba diving, you are more likely to encounter marine life such as turtles, eagle rays, schooling fish, and electric clams, all while breathing comfortably underwater with your instructor. Instead of viewing the reef from above, you become part of the underwater environment.
Where else in the world can you experience WWII shipwrecks in Vanuatu and vibrant coral reefs blended into one unforgettable dive site?
What is a Discovery Dive?
A Discovery Dive or Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) experience is a beginner-friendly introduction to scuba diving designed for people with no previous experience and no certification.
It allows you to experience scuba diving in a safe, controlled environment with a professional instructor guiding you every step of the way.
No prior experience is required. This is a “try dive” experience, typically conducted in calm, shallow water so you can feel comfortable, confident, and enjoy the underwater world for the first time.
How to Do a Discover Scuba Dive at Million Dollar Point
At Triton Explorers, we follow a structured, safety-first approach to ensure every beginner has a confident and unforgettable first dive experience, with the full Discover Scuba Diving experience at Million Dollar Point taking approximately half a day, including:
1. Online eLearning (Before You Arrive)
We send you a simple eLearning module to complete before your dive. This introduces basic scuba theory so you arrive prepared and confident.
2. Classroom Briefing (Approx. 1 Hour)
On arrival, we spend around 1 hour reviewing your eLearning and providing a full dive briefing. You’ll learn how the equipment works, what to expect underwater, and all essential safety procedures.
3. Shallow Water Skills Practice
Before the dive, we enter shallow water to practice essential scuba skills. This ensures you are comfortable and safe underwater.
Note: If these basic skills are not completed successfully, we cannot proceed to deeper water.
4. The Dive Experience (Up to 9m Depth)
Once ready, we head out for your dive at Million Dollar Point. You’ll explore the famous underwater “museum” filled with WWII wreckage, coral, and marine life — all at a maximum depth of 9 meters.
Cost, Additional Dives & Certification Pathway
The Discover Scuba Diving experience at Million Dollar Point costs 16,000 Vatu per person and includes full instruction, scuba equipment, training, and your guided dive.
If you enjoy your first dive, you can also do additional dives without repeating the full training process, depending on conditions, time, and dive planning availability. This is a great way to build confidence and spend more time exploring the underwater world.
For many people, Discover Scuba Diving is just the beginning — the natural next step is progressing to your Open Water Diver certification, which allows you to dive independently with a buddy, explore dive sites around the world, and continue developing your scuba skills and confidence.
