The SS President Coolidge is widely regarded as one of the best wreck dives in the world—for several unique reasons:
A rare mix of luxury and military history
Unlike standard military ships, the Coolidge was originally built as a luxury cruise liner before being transformed into a WWII troop carrier. This results in larger, more open spaces and a unique atmosphere underwater. Divers can experience a fascinating blend of Military equipment such as cannons, artillery, and vehicles alongside opulent features from its luxurious past. See the highlights section below for more info.
Read about the full history of the SS President Coolidge right here.
To explore a 3D map of the SS President Coolidge taken in 2025 click here.
Some of the most iconic features of the wreck include:
For a deeper dive into these features, read our guide: Top 10 Treasures on the SS President Coolidge.
With depths ranging from 15 to over 70 metres, the SS President Coolidge offers dive options for a wide range of experience levels.
Although the starboard side of the SS President Coolidge is within open water depth limits, if divers want to fully experience the SS Coolidge they need at least an Advanced certification—especially if they want to penetrate inside the wreck.
To explore the Coolidge more extensively, deep and technical diving certifications are required.
Although most parts of the Coolidge are accessible without wreck certification, the deeper and siltier sections require knowledge of how to safely lay a guideline.
The Coolidge makes an excellent training ground to level up your certification, especially for Advanced, Deep, Wreck, and Technical diving. Although we are unable to penetrate the wreck on most courses, if you plan your trip properly we can create a tailored training and guided diving package.
For more details on what areas of the Coolidge you can access with your certification level, check out the dive plans linked below.
With over 40 unique dive routes, the SS President Coolidge is far too large to explore in just one or two dives.
For divers with Advanced or Deep certification, we recommend at least 6 dives over 3 days to experience the key highlights of the wreck.
For those diving with Triton Explorers, we offer value dive packages, so for every 5 dives you buy, we will include an extra one for free (equipment not included).
For technical divers, the possibilities are even greater — you could easily spend two weeks diving the SS President Coolidge and still discover new areas on every dive.
Beyond the Coolidge, Espiritu Santo offers a wide range of additional dive sites, including the famous Million Dollar Point, along with vibrant reefs, caverns, and other WWII wrecks — making it well worth extending your stay.
Diving the SS President Coolidge is possible year-round, with Espiritu Santo offering consistently warm waters between 28–30°C and generally good visibility.
However, conditions can vary slightly depending on tides and weather. Because the wreck lies in the Segond Channel, it can be affected by longshore currents—particularly around full moon when tidal movements are strongest. Visibility may also be slightly reduced during these periods.
The wreck is equipped with multiple mooring lines at the bow, midship, and stern, allowing for safe and controlled descents even when currents are present.
For a more detailed breakdown of seasonal conditions above the water, visit our Espiritu Santo FAQ page.
Despite its accessibility, the SS President Coolidge should never be underestimated.
Its depth profile and size make it easy for divers to exceed their limits—both physically and in terms of certification.
To dive safely:
Choosing an experienced and responsible dive operator is critical. Some operators may encourage divers to go beyond their limits, which significantly increases risk.
At Triton Explorers, safety and proper dive planning are always our top priorities.
If you still have concerns, read our article: Is scuba diving in Espiritu Santo safe?
At Triton Explorers, we don’t just take you diving—we help you experience the Coolidge properly.
We offer:
Whether it’s your first wreck dive or your tenth time exploring the Coolidge, we ensure every dive is safe, structured, and unforgettable.
Everything you need to know before diving the SS President Coolidge — from location and dive access to certifications, marine life, and historic artifacts. Get clear answers to common questions so you can plan your dive safely and make the most of this iconic wreck.
The SS President Coolidge lies just off the southeast coast of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu, about a 10-minute drive from Luganville town. From Triton Explorers, it’s just a 2-minute boat ride to the wreck, so there’s very little chance of getting seasick. Its close proximity to shore makes it one of the most accessible large wreck dives in the world.
The SS President Coolidge is a very accessible wreck and can technically be dived from shore, with operators like Pacific Dive and Allan Power Dive Tours offering shore entry. However, as a 200-meter-long wreck, shore dives often require a lot of swimming, which can shorten your no-decompression time.
For this reason, we recommend diving the Coolidge by a short 2-minute boat ride from our site. This allows us to drop divers directly on the wreck, avoid fighting currents, and maximize bottom time, making your dive safer and more enjoyable.
Yes — divers with an Open Water certification (or equivalent) can experience the SS President Coolidge, but options are limited.
Beginner-level divers are typically able to complete one guided dive on the wreck, usually on the starboard side and Salvage Cut areas, where depths and conditions are more suitable.
However, most of the iconic dive plans on the SS President Coolidge require at least an Advanced Open Water certification, allowing access to deeper sections and more of the wreck’s highlights.
👉 For this reason, we highly recommend upgrading your certification to get the most out of your experience.
Triton Explorers offers Advanced Open Water courses in Vanuatu, which can typically be completed in 2 days, after which you can continue exploring more of the wreck over additional dives.
The SS President Coolidge is one of the most diverse wreck dives in the world, offering a unique mix of a luxury cruise liner and World War II history, combined with thriving marine life.
Divers can encounter an incredible range of artifacts and features, including:
Over time, the wreck has also become home to a variety of marine life, adding another layer to every dive.
👉 To discover exactly where these artifacts can be found on the wreck, explore our detailed dive plans.
The SS President Coolidge is home to a wide variety of marine life, with different species in different areas of the wreck:
Every dive reveals something new — check out our dive plans to see where to spot these amazing creatures.
No — divers are not allowed to remove artifacts from the SS President Coolidge, as it is a marine protected site of historical significance.
Many historical items remain intact on the wreck, and it’s important that divers leave them as they found them. Divers may gently touch items, but must handle them carefully and replace them exactly where they were to preserve the site for future generations.
In the past, when Allan Power dove the wreck, he recovered some items that might otherwise have been lost. These artifacts, including the steam whistle and bell, were donated to the Pacific WWII Museum in Luganville, which is well worth a visit when you’re on Espiritu Santo.