Diving SS President Coolidge

^{Photo: Todd Thimios}

If you're into wreck diving, the SS President Coolidge in Vanuatu is about as epic as it gets. It was a swanky ocean liner back in the day before being turned into a WWII troopship.

In 1942, it hit friendly mines and sank right off the coast of Espiritu Santo. Now, it’s one of the most accessible deep wreck dives out there—you literally walk in from the shore.

Once you're down there, it's wild.

The ship’s massive, lying on its side between 20 and 72 meters deep, so there’s a dive for everyone, from open-water divers checking out the bow to tech divers exploring the engine room or deeper cargo holds.

You’ll see everything from jeeps and cannons to fancy chandeliers and “The Lady,” a famous porcelain statue.

And since it’s been down there for 80+ years, coral and marine life have made it home, so expect to see reef fish, eels, and maybe even a turtle cruising by.

Explore more:

• Diving SS President Coolidge (video)

• Wreck Diving on the Coolidge (blog)