Lying on its port side, the bow of the SS President Coolidge rises up from the sandy slope where the ship now rests, forming a dramatic overhang that invites exploration.

For divers who are willing to squeeze right up against the sand, it is sometimes possible to make out remnants of the original “COOLIDGE” lettering. Due to her positioning, only the “C” and “O” are still discernible, and even these are heavily encrusted with coral growth, making them easy to miss unless you know exactly where to look.

Swimming beneath this 21,000-ton wreck, the scale of the ship becomes immediately apparent. The structure towers above you, creating a humbling sense of just how vast the SS President Coolidge truly is.

Continuing along into the sand on the top deck, a scattered collection of artefacts can be found where items have fallen away from the wreck over time. These include jeep steering wheels, a typewriter, fire extinguishers, and a spare anchor, among other remnants of its wartime past. Divers should be aware that this area gradually deepens, reaching around 40 metres by the time you approach the masts.