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Click Here for a detailed
history of the Coolidge |
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DIVE NAME: |
Promenade Deck |
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RATING: |
Non-decompression |
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LEVEL:
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Novice |
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MAX DEPTH: |
35 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
Normally your first dive on the
Coolidge. A light penetration dive where you
follow the rope down to the bow, pass the anchor
winch and one of the huge 3” guns stacked with
live ammunition. You then enter the starboard
side promenade deck which is littered with
rifles, helmets, gas mask and war relics to your
maximum dept of 35m. You then sweep over the
side of the ship, past a cooking pot with US1940
engraved on the lid. Then swim over the keel
where you get to fully appreciate how big this
wreck really is. Air and time permitting, you
then drop into one of the salvage cuts into the
number 2 hold and back up to the bow. A great
orientation dive. |
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DIVE NAME: |
Cargo Holds 1 & 2 |
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RATING: |
Non-decompression |
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LEVEL:
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Novice |
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MAX DEPTH: |
35 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
You enter into cargo hold number 2 first
which is a full penetration dive. The
first thing you come across is the barrel
of Long Tom cannon, a 155mm Howitzer. To
your right is the crews barber’s chair and
doctors office. Continue swimming towards
the back on number 2 hold over the tracks
of an armored troop
carrier. Now to your right, you will see four
155mm Howitzers wedged in the deck, including
wheel carriages. At the back on the number 2
hold are the GMC trucks. From the number 2 hold,
you make you way up one of the decks into hold
number 1 where you see a number of Willys Jeeps.
Exit from hold number 1 back to the bow. A good
first penetration dive with plenty of room to
move around. |
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DIVE NAME: |
20mm Cannons |
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RATING: |
Decompression |
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LEVEL:
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Novice to Intermediate |
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MAX DEPTH: |
45 - 50 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
You drop down to the lower 3” gun and
below cargo holds 1 & 2 where you can
rummage amongst packs of rifles, fire
extinguishers, fans and other military
supplies. You swim over the 9 ton anchor,
around the crow’s nest, until you come to
two sets of 20mm cannons (anti-aircraft).
This dive has an option of a light
penetration or remaining outside the
wreck. A great dive for getting used to
diving at depth and as a first
decompression dive. |
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DIVE NAME: |
Medical Supplies |
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RATING: |
Non-decompression |
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LEVEL:
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Novice to Intermediate |
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MAX DEPTH: |
30 - 35 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
A dive of many stashes of medical supplies
as most of them has air pockets and would
simply float away. Weave your way through
decks B, C and D to see medicines, catgut,
bottled tablets, insulin kits, coloured
powders and other medical supplies. You
also drop into cargo hold number 4 where
you see the drop fuel tanks from
airplanes. Exit from hold number 2 or one
of the salvage cuts. A full penetration
dive which requires good buoyancy skills. |
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DIVE NAME: |
The Lady |
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RATING: |
Decompression |
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LEVEL:
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Intermediate to Experienced |
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MAX DEPTH: |
40 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
 The world famous “The Lady” and the
Unicorn – probably the most photographed
underwater icon. Formally positioned in
the first class smoking room, now resides
in the first class dining room. Approach
from entering a sea-door from deck C where
you swim along deck C and “The Lady” is
mounted in front of you at 38 metres.
Turning around, you head back towards the
sea-door where you can exit the wreck or
drop down and swim towards the top of the
ship through the first class lobby, past
the Italian mosaic fountain into the
continental lounge and past a series of
mushroom shaped light fittings. Then you
exit through the front of the promenade. A
full penetration dive. A must to do, don’t
forget your camera! |
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DIVE NAME: |
ABC Deck |
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RATING: |
Decompression |
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LEVEL:
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Intermediate to Experienced |
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MAX DEPTH: |
40 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
A dive that weaves its way through A, B
and C decks consisting of second class
accommodation. You swim over and below
bathroom suites with some confined spaces.
Not for the feint hearted and good
buoyancy skills a must. A full penetration
dive with very little natural light. |
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DIVE NAME: |
Engine Room |
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RATING: |
Decompression |
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LEVEL:
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Intermediate to Experienced |
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MAX DEPTH: |
45 - 50 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
To approach this dive either a shallow
swim down the wreck, surface swim to the
mid-ship buoy, or by our dive boat “The
Lady”. You enter the wreck dropping down
into a large salvage cut on the starboard
side. You drop down onto the main
condenser and then facing the stern you
will see one of the huge propulsion
motors. You then enter through a small
hole into the control room. Here there is
a series of gauges, control levers and
four brass telegraphs. You exit the wreck
out of the number 2 funnel and swim back
up along the outside of the wreck, past
the number 1 funnel to the bow. A unique
penetration dive to swim out of the funnel.eritage
with you, and it is their simplistic
lifestyle and inherent happiness which
makes this tour so rewarding. |
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DIVE NAME: |
First Class Swimming Pool |
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RATING: |
Decompression |
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LEVEL:
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Experienced |
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MAX DEPTH: |
52 - 55 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
To approach this
dive either a shallow swim down the wreck,
surface swim to the mid-ship buoy, or by
our dive boat “The Lady”. Probably the
deepest swimming pool in the world which
is accessible on scuba. You drop straight
into the pool with remains of stainless
steel ladders and the colourful mosaic
tiles can be seen. You can either swim
back along the outside of the wreck or
along the starboard side of the promenade
deck. This dive provides the option of
non-penetration. |
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DIVE NAME: |
Galley |
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RATING: |
Decompression |
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LEVEL:
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Experienced |
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MAX DEPTH: |
52 - 55 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
To approach this
dive either a shallow swim down the wreck,
surface swim to the mid-ship buoy, or by
our dive boat “The Lady”. You enter the
wreck through another sea-door on C deck
into the tourist class lobby through one
of the water tight doors into the tourist
dining saloon. As you are swimming back up
the ship, the colourful lino floor coverings are to your
right. This then changes to square tiles
indicating the start of the galley. In the
galley there is stainless steel plate warmer,
electric hot plate, copious amounts of china and
crystal glass. You swim over the top of a potato
peeler machine and big steam cookers which
resemble witches caldrons. You then enter the
first class dining room where you can see the
ornate light fittings on the ceiling and exit
through the sea-door which is the usual approach
to “The Lady”. Alternatively, you can continue
along C deck and exit from the number 2 hold. A
full penetration dive with no immediate exit
from the wreck for the majority of the dive. |
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DIVE NAME: |
Ghost Train |
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RATING: |
Decompression |
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LEVEL:
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Experienced |
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MAX DEPTH: |
55 - 60 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
A dive that takes
you all the way down A deck which can be
done from shore, entering A deck by way of
the number 2 hold, or from our dive boat
“The Lady” and do it reverse and enter
below the pool. The dive takes you through
second class accommodation on A deck,
through the lobby and the first class
accommodation. Named the “Ghost Train”
because you weave up and down through
bathroom suites and bulkheads as you get
deeper and deeper. The dive is strewn with
personal effects, including shaving mugs,
combs, soldier’s boots and personal
belongings. Look out for the gentlemen and
ladies toilet signs. As you duck under the
last bulkhead, you will see the A deck
sign on your right hand side, past the
barber’s chair, barber sign and beauty
shop. Exit the wreck below the pool. A
full penetration dive and requires very
little fining action and use of your hands
to reduce the risk of silt out. |
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DIVE NAME: |
Frog Haul |
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RATING: |
Decompression |
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LEVEL:
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Experienced |
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MAX DEPTH: |
60 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
To approach this
dive either a shallow swim down the wreck,
surface swim to the mid-ship buoy, or by
our dive boat “The Lady”. Named as such by
Frog Dive, Willoughby, Sydney, NSW – as
they were the first dive group to be taken
and to connect this part of the wreck. You
enter the wreck through the number 7 hold,
passing under the Japanese bath, weaving
your way through to the number 6 hold.
Just before entering the number 6 hold,
you will see a storage cupboard piled with
china. From the number 6 hold, you pass
into the tourist class lobby, tourist
class dining saloon, galley, first class
dining room, swimming all the way up C
deck into cargo hold number 2, not cargo
hold number 1 and exiting from the wreck
from the chain locker near the bow. On
completion of this, you have done a full
penetration dive practically the entire
length of the wreck. |
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DIVE NAME: |
Big Fish |
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RATING: |
Decompression |
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LEVEL:
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All levels |
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MAX DEPTH: |
35 - 60 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
A dive where you
really appreciate the sheer size of the
wreck and the variety of big fish that
live and around her. To appreciate this
dive to the fullest, it is best done on a
day with good visibility. Starting off
cruising down to the right hand side of
the wreck, look out for white tip and
black tip reef sharks lying on the sand.
Looking above and to your right you will
see large schools of yellow-tailed and
scissor-tailed fusiliers, giant trevally
and dog-toothed tuna buzz by you. As you
circumnavigate the wreck, you pass back
over the engine cut swimming shallower
where you can encounter the large resident
school of chevron barracuda. This is a
non-penetration dive which is great for
big fish action and all level of divers. |
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DIVE NAME: |
Cargo Holds 6 & 7 |
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RATING: |
Decompression |
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LEVEL:
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Experienced |
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MAX DEPTH: |
60 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
To approach this
dive either a shallow swim down the wreck,
surface swim to the mid-ship buoy, or by
our dive boat “The Lady”. Entering into
the number 7 hold first where you swim
over the top of two GMC trucks scattered
around the hold, a series of two wheeled
58mm anti-tank guns. In the back right
hand corner, boxes and boxes of ammunition
still stacked there, with some split open.
Heading back towards the exit, looking at
the next deck towards the stern you can
see the solid bronze spare blades for the
propeller. After there, you can swim over
the top of the blades into a small room
which contains the rudder steerage motor.
Returning back to where you came from in
the number 7 hold and pass through
underneath the Japanese bath into cargo
hold number 6. Hold number 6 contains
numerous vehicles, mainly ambulances.
There are many choices of route back to
the bow from this point. A great
preparation dive if you want to dive the
Frog Haul. |
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DIVE NAME: |
Stern |
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RATING: |
Decompression |
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LEVEL:
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Experienced |
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MAX DEPTH: |
60 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
To approach this
dive either a shallow swim down the wreck,
surface swim to the mid-ship buoy, or by
our dive boat “The Lady”. Swimming down
past the swimming pool, cargo holds number
6 and 7, and then swim passed the docking
bridge and the telegraph that controlled
the stern when the ship was being berthed.
You then swim over the top of the huge 5”
gun mounted on the stern, which then leads
you around to the back end of the wreck.
You can now view the brass 30cm lettering
spelling the name of the ship, as well as
lettering of the port of registration (San
Francisco). Then swim up over the limp
rudder with the starboard side propeller
shaft above you and the port side
propeller shaft below. Air and time
permitting, you then cruise deeply up the
keel of the wreck to view the mine
explosion hole at 52 metres. Continue up
the keel side which resembles a huge wall
dive with some marine species not found
anywhere else on the wreck. A
non-penetration dive and be prepared for
the long swim back. |
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DIVE NAME: |
Garry’s Tour |
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RATING: |
Decompression |
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LEVEL:
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Experienced |
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MAX DEPTH: |
40 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
Garry is the most
experienced ni-Vanuatu
dive guide in Vanuatu. Join him at the end of
your dive trip for his special tour… A full
penetration dive, with lots of tight holes and
spaces. You will have to come in person for the
dive brief… |
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DIVE NAME: |
Alfred’s Tour |
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RATING: |
Decompression |
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LEVEL:
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Experienced |
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MAX DEPTH: |
40 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
Joint Alfred
(number one) at the end of your dive trip
for his special tour… A full penetration
dive, with lots of tight holes and spaces,
and interesting artefacts you will not
necessarily see on other dives. You will
have to come in person for the dive brief… |
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DIVE NAME: |
Off the beaten track |
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RATING: |
Decompression |
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LEVEL:
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Experienced |
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MAX DEPTH: |
40 - 60 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
Join your favorite dive guide on a
dive tour with a difference… You will be taken
to areas within the wreck not often exposed to
other divers. These dives can involve digging in
the silt and uncovering artifacts not seen for
over 60 years. This dive is often requested by
numerous divers who have been coming to dive
with us in Santo, year after year. Certainly not
for the faint-hearted or inexperienced diver…
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DIVE NAME: |
Night Dive |
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RATING: |
Non-decompression |
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LEVEL:
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Intermediate to
Experienced |
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MAX DEPTH: |
35 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
A night dive like
no other in the world! Timing is critical
for this dive as you enter the water just
on dusk and approach the wreck without
torches on. This unique dive is to
experience the wonder of flashlight fish (Anomalops
katoptron). The fish have a gland under each eye
full of bacteria where they lift a little flap
sending out a fluorescent light. These fish live
in all the dark spots of the wreck during the
day because they are sensitive to light. At
night, they make their way up the decks, through
the continental lounge and into the two forward
cargo holds. Customer’s comments vary from
feeling like being in the movie “The Abyss” to
“Peter Pan”. A real TRIP - more of an experience
than a dive… |
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DIVE NAME: |
Million Dollar Point |
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RATING: |
Non-decompression |
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LEVEL:
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All levels |
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MAX DEPTH: |
35 - 40 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
After the World War
2, the American’s forces based in Santo
were ordered not to leave any military
equipment and supplies on the island (to
avoid such not getting into the wrong
hands). The solution was the establishment
of an underwater dump site, now known as
Million Dollar Point. An easy dive from
the shore where you can see two ship
wrecks, and numerous amounts of military
hardware and supplies - including
bulldozers, cranes, trucks etc. A great
diversity of marine life has made this
their home with some unusual coral growth
amongst the wreckage. |
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DIVE NAME: |
Cindy’s Reef |
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RATING: |
Non-decompression |
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LEVEL:
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All levels |
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MAX DEPTH: |
5 - 15 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
Located off the
northern point of Aore Island in protected waters. This dive
offers a large variety of soft and hard corals
with all types of marine life present. An easy
and colourful dive experience. |
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DIVE NAME: |
Chails
Reef |
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RATING: |
Non-decompression |
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LEVEL:
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All levels |
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MAX DEPTH: |
5 - 15 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
Another easy and
protected reef dive site which ensures
calm waters and no current. A mini wall
dive which you can swim along and view the
healthy and colourful large plate coral.
Keep an eye out in deeper water for
pelagic fish, reef sharks and turtles. |
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DIVE NAME: |
Tutuba
Point |
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RATING: |
Non-decompression |
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LEVEL:
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All levels |
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MAX DEPTH: |
5 - 25 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
Northern point of Tutuba Island.
This drift dive gives you a variety of swim
thrus and caves formed by volcanic activity many
years ago. Colourful plate coral and large
diversity of marine life with regular sightings
of turtles. |
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DIVE NAME: |
Bokissa
North Reef |
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RATING: |
Non-decompression |
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LEVEL:
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All levels |
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MAX DEPTH: |
5 – 15 metres |
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DESCRIPTION: |
The fringing reef
on the north side of Bokissa Island. This reef system is well
sheltered and protected from the open ocean.
This contributes to one of the healthiest and
most colourful reef dives that you will
experience in Vanuatu. This is a great drift
dive to follow as a double after doing the MV
Henry Bonneaud. The dive takes you over large
patches of yellow and blue staghorn coral, huge
abundance of marine life with regular sightings
of reef sharks. |
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DIVE NAME: |
MV
Henry Bonneaud |
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MAX DEPTH: |
45 meters |
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DESCRIPTION: |
This local trader
was scuttled in 1989 and is awash with
marine life and colourful coral.
This is an easy penetration wreck dive
where the visibility is 30 - 40 meters
(120 -160 feet). Here the artificial reef
provides a haven for flashlight fish which
are abundant during night dives and there
are plenty of soft corals and sharks
around. |
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DIVE NAME: |
Tutuba Point |
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MAX DEPTH: |
25 meters |
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DESCRIPTION: |
A spectacular reef
with both hard and soft corals, caves,
swim-throughs and the most beautiful
marine life. This is a drift dive with
amazing visibility of 40 - 50 meters (132
- 165 feet). Turtles, reef sharks and
Napolean wrasse are often visible. The
site is located on the northern tip of
Tutuba Island and is a short boat ride
away from Luganville. |
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DIVE NAME: |
USS Tucker |
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MAX DEPTH: |
20 meters |
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DESCRIPTION: |
There are a number
of interesting swim-throughs on the Tucker
and the ship is easily explored in one
dive. An abundance of portholes and
open bulkheads provide plenty of light.
There are some spectacular finds in
colourful corals and sponges growing on
gun turrets and mounts. Fish
regularly seen include coral trout, cod,
sweetlip, anglefish and batfish.
Visibility is normally 40 - 50 meters (132
- 165 feet).
History: a US
destroyer sunk by friendly mine in the
Segond Channel, the Tucker now lies in
about 20 meters (66 feet) of water. In the
ship's construction, stainless steel was
used extensively. The Tucker was at Pearl
Harbour at the time of the Japanese
attack.
In 1942, she was split in two by the
American mine she hit and stretched out
from 104 meters (343 feet) to over 150
meters (495 feet) with boilers, condensers
and gearboxes bridging the two sections. |
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DIVE NAME: |
Coral Garden |
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MAX DEPTH: |
3 meters |
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DESCRIPTION: |
 A colourful
range of hard and soft corals grace the 3
meter (10 feet) safety stop. As deco times
are often long, this makes those minutes
tick by quickly. It's also a great place
for an introductory dive.
Allan and his team have carefully nurtured
the diverse range of hard and soft corals
and a wide range of anemones and their
hosts.
In this great habitat, fish life
flourishes with lion fish, leaf fish,
butterfly fish, anemone fish, damsel fish,
angel fish, sweet lips, cardinals,
groupers, squirrel fish, ghost pipe fish,
trumpet fish, gobies living harmoniously
with dozer shrimps. Mantis shrimps and
moray eels are also found at the garden.
Every few years a cyclone tends to damage
parts of the garden but the team just
clean up the mess and start building all
over again. |
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