SS President Coolidge - Espiritu Santo

70m Max

15-40m Vis

shore

Site Overview

SS President Coolidge is one of the signature dive sites of Espiritu Santo – SS President Coolidge & Million Dollar Point in Vanuatu. The world's largest accessible shipwreck, a 200 m luxury liner turned troopship sunk in 1942 by friendly mines, now a shore-accessible artificial reef lying on its side at 17 to 70 m. multiple dives explore the bow, holds, engine room, the famous porcelain 'lady', the swimming pool, medical supplies and the massive stern. The site reaches a maximum depth of about 70 m, with an average depth near 35 m, and its wreck, slope, wall topography is draped in metal, coral. Marine life is the headline attraction, with Moray eel, Lionfish, Glassfish, Batfish, Soft coral gardens, Napoleon wrasse, Grey reef shark regularly recorded here, drawn in by the mild currents and the rich coral-reef productivity of the region. Visibility typically ranges from 15 to 40 m, while water temperatures hold a consistent 24 to 29 C year-round, comfortable in a 3 to 5 mm wetsuit. Conditions suit advanced divers, and with the right guide the site delivers both the drama of its wreck, slope, wall and intimate encounters with the smaller residents. Local operators run regular trips from Luganville, Espiritu Santo, and the protected, low-tourism setting keeps coral cover dense and fish life abundant, making SS President Coolidge a genuine standout on any Vanuatu itinerary. Divers who time their visit to the dry season will find the most predictable conditions, though the site rewards repeat visits across the year.

Dive Briefing

"The dive at SS President Coolidge begins with a thorough operator briefing covering the site layout, expected marine life and emergency procedures, followed by a controlled entry and a short transfer from Luganville, Espiritu Santo. Descending toward the wreck, slope, wall profile, divers are immediately surrounded by Moray eel, Lionfish, Glassfish, Batfish, Soft coral gardens, with the reef and structure revealing more detail the closer you look. The maximum depth reaches about 70 m while the average sits near 35 m, so a dive computer and disciplined gas planning keep the profile safe and comfortable. Currents are described as mild, and the guide chooses the entry time to make the most of slack or mild flow, using a reef hook or surface marker when needed. Neutral buoyancy protects the fragile coral and the group stays close to manage depth and any surge. The safety stop is completed in open water on a surface marker, and the boat follows the bubbles to collect divers at the exit point for a relaxed return to base. SS President Coolidge is best dived from April to November, Vanuatu's dry season, when settled seas and the clearest water make for the most reliable conditions. The mild current is at its calmest around slack tide, so most operators plan the descent to coincide with the turn of the tide. Water holds 24 to 29 C, and a 3 to 5 mm wetsuit is ample. Plan a slow profile to enjoy the 17 to 70 m range and to protect the fragile reef with good buoyancy. A torch helps reveal the smaller residents, and a surface marker buoy is recommended for the safety stop so the boat can track divers in the often gentle swell."