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Historic Million Dollar Point In Luganville – Vanuatu
As a WWII history buff, one of the most memorable stops on our incredible South Pacific Cruise a few seasons ago, was a visit to …
Million Dollar Point In Luganville
Situated on one of the Pristine Nation Islands of Vanuatu.
Getting To Luganville – Vanuatu
The distance from Sydney {Australia} to Luganville {Vanuatu}, is about 2600 kilometers to the north east.
It was the third Port of Call, while on our fabulous
Royal Caribbean South Pacific Cruise
which departed from beautiful Sydney harbor.
Vanuatu is a {South Pacific Ocean Nation} and consists of approximately 80 scattered islands, stretching a distance of about 1,300 kilometers.
Luganville is located on the island of {Espiritu Santo}, which is located in the northern section of its islands.
Today and because of its ideal harbor location, Luganville is one of the nation’s crucial ports. Cruise ships arrive routinely and the port is an important center for the shipping of; Copra and Cacao.
We absolutely loved our day spent on this quaint island. It is definitely a beach lovers paradise and home to one of the most beautiful beaches we have ever seen – Champagne Beach!
You can also enjoy a fresh water swim in some of the island’s spectacular blue holes!
Luganville – Brief History
The City of Luganville is the 2nd largest in Vanuatu, with a population of over 16,000 inhabitants. Vanuatu gained its independence from Great Britain and France in 1980.
During the period of the Second World War, it is estimated that approximately 40,000 United States military personnel were stationed at the strategically important Naval Base in Luganville.
It is also estimated during this period, up to 500,000 military personnel enjoyed their R & R on this island.
This Military Base was known to have three large bomber airfields, with a wharf and a drydock locations. Making this a vital military supply and support base location, for allied troops during the conflict with Japan.
It was also one of the main headquarters, for both Navy and Army personnel stationed in the Pacific.
Million Dollar Point – The Name
Appropriately named for the millions of dollars of valuable military equipment belonging to the United States. All this surplus was literally dumped into this part of the island at the end of WWII.
Why was all this equipment dumped and discarded you ask?
At the end of the war, the Americans had a big problem on what to do with all this equipment. It was simply too costly to start shipping it all the way back to the U.S.
At first, they offered to sell a great part of it to the French and British. These two countries both held control over the islands of Vanuatu at that time.
Thinking the Americans were in a bind, they refused to purchase the bulk of the equipment. They were convinced they would have no choice, but to simply abandon it all.
The Americans had a feeling this was what their Allies were thinking, so they simply decided to just dump it all in the ocean.
The locals couldn’t believe what they were seeing, watching vehicles and leftover military equipment being dumped off large barges into what is now known as Million Dollar Point.
Today, Million Dollar Point is one of this island’s biggest tourist attractions. Visitors can come as we did, and 🤿 snorkel or scuba dive among all the wreckage.
It was amazing to see!
🤿 Scuba divers can also enjoy viewing nearby shipwrecks on this island as well, victims of WWII.
We enjoyed a wonderful day visiting stunning Champagne Beach, one of the magnificent Blue Holes for a swim and then snorkeling among the wreckage at Million Dollar Point!
A great day spent on just another beautiful island in the South Pacific!
I’ve listed the {Official Vanuatu Tourism Board} link below to their website page.
It’s filled with excellent information on everything these beautiful islands have to offer!
Be sure to check out the {Google Map} box at the bottom of this post for exact location.
Vanuatu Tourism
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Did You Know …
“One Of The Most Popular Shipwreck Sites Of Vanuatu Is The SS President Coolidge. An American Luxury Ocean Liner Used As A Troopship During WWII.”
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