Dive the SS President Coolidge for the wreck dive of a lifetime. As one of the largest, most accessible wrecks in the world, the President Coolidge is a wreck diver’s dream. To see the whole ship, you’ll want to do at least 10 dives but you can certainly get a feel for the majesty of the wreck on even a few dives.
Coolidge Bow and Reef Dive
Penetration: none | Max Depth: 25 metres (85 feet)
© Mike Gerken
Swim underneath and around the bow and port side of the ship looking at a variety of soft and hard corals as well as the marine life making their home on the wreck such as lion fish, trigger fish, nudibranch and the wreck’s resident green moray eel, Nessie.
Promenade Deck
Penetration: mild | Max Depth: 33 metres (110 feet)
© Phil Hawley
Swim along the promenade deck and see the ship’s massive 3" gun, rifles, gas masks, troops toilets, helmets, ammunition and a US Army 1940s field cooker.
Cargo Holds 1 & 2
Penetration: mild | Max Depth: 36 metres (120 feet)
© Jen Spry
Explore two of the cargo holds of the wreck. You’ll see heaps of military gear including howitzer cannons, a 10-wheel General Motors Corporation truck, jeeps, tracked vehicles, steering wheels and tires.
Cargo Holds Night Dive
Penetration: mild | Max Depth: 30 metres (100 feet)
Enter the Cargo Holds of the wreck and be surrounded by a spectacular show of flashlight fish. A night dive you’ll never forget.
Medical Supplies
Penetration: mild | Max Depth: 33 metres (110 feet)
Investigate the medical supplies area of the wreck where you’ll see syringes, bottles of medicines and powders, glass IV drip bottles, the doctor’s office, aircraft drop tanks and the barber shop with barber chair still intact.
Captain’s Bathroom
Penetration: moderate | Max Depth: 39 metres (130 feet)
© Mike Gerken
Explore the captain’s bathroom and see some of his personal affects including talcum powder bottles, water jugs, and hairbrush. You’ll also visit the lobby of the ship to see the beautiful mosaic fountain and swim through first-class accommodations.
ABC Decks
Penetration: moderate | Max Depth: 39 metres (130 feet)
© Jen Spry
Swim through the accommodation sections of 3 decks of the ship. You’ll see various personal affects of the soldiers as well as rows of bathrooms and still intact ceiling light bulbs.
The “Lady”
Penetration: moderate | Max Depth: 42 metres (140 feet)
© Mike Gerken
One of the most famous wreck dives in the world! Swim through the first class dining saloon and visit the ceramic figure of the lady and her unicorn. You’ll also swim through the first class lobby, library and continental lounge seeing the beautiful Italian mosaic fountain, porthole skylights and brass mushroom-shaped ceiling lights.
20mm Cannons
Penetration: none | Max Depth: 42 metres (140 feet)
© Mike Gerken
Stay outside the wreck and explore the ship’s 20mm cannons and the ship’s port side promenade deck. You’ll investigate the crows nest and spot the ship’s spare anchor, fire extinguishers, typewriters and Wellington boots resting in the sand.
Doctor’s Office
Penetration: full | Max Depth: 45 metres (150 feet)
© Jen Spry
Rummage around the doctor’s office looking at syringes, sutures, vials of medicine, tin boxes, and first aid kits. Swim through crew accommodations.
Engine Room
Penetration: moderate | Max Depth: 48 metres (160 feet)
© Dr. R. Harris
Explore the condenser, turbines, propeller shaft and gantry walkways before investigating the ship’s machine control room where you’ll get to see temperature and pressure gauges as well as read 4 of the ship’s telegraphs.
Soda Fountain
Penetration: full | Max Depth: 54 metres (180 feet)
© Dr. R. “Harry” Harris
Visit the soda fountain where you’ll see the bar, piles of glass coke bottles. You’ll also see some of the ship’s ammunition and anti-tank guns.
The Labyrinth
Penetration: full | Max Depth: 55 metres (175 feet)
Starting at 55 metres, you'll twist and weave through some rarely explored areas of the ship. You'll also get to see items just discovered on the Coolidge like microscopic slides, thermometers and a few other surprises.
Galley
Penetration: full | Max Depth: 57 metres (190 feet)
A fantastic dive exploring the galley of the ship. You’ll see food preparation tables, industrial size potato peelers and dough machines, the butcher shop as well as ovens, crockery and kettle drums.
Swimming Pool
Penetration: none | Max Depth: 57 metres (190 feet)
© Tony Hayes
Swim in the mosaic-tiled first-class swimming pool and investigate the outside of the ship where you’ll see anti-aircraft guns and turrets, the ship’s two funnels, and porthole skylights.
Cargo Holds 6 & 7
Penetration: moderate | Max Depth: 60 metres (200 feet)
© Dr. R. Harris
Investigate two deep cargo holds of the ship where you’ll see ambulances, the ship’s spare propeller blade, boxes of ammunition and other military gear.
Shooter’s Tour
Penetration: full | Max Depth: varies
Feeling daring enough to follow a mad Irishman? That’s what you’ll do on Shooter’s Tour. After nearly 3 years with Aquamarine, Brian (aka Shooter) has created his own personal tour for Coolidge junkies. Shooter likes his diving deep and dark so be prepared for some high numbers on your depth gauge and some serious penetration.
Stern
Penetration: none | Max Depth: 60 metres (200 feet)
© Dr. R. Harris
Explore the stern of the wreck, swimming along the starboard side prop shaft and taking a look at the rudder. You’ll also pass cargos 6 & 7 and the first-class swimming pool.
Gauntlet
Penetration: full | Max Depth: 60 metres (200 feet)
© Mike Gerken
Not for the faint of heart, this is a full tour of the wreck. You’ll enter the ship towards the stern and exit the chain locker at the bow.
Hash Tours
Penetration: varies | Max Depth: up to 42 metres (140 ft)
© Dr. R. “Harry” Harris
Once you’ve done a few dives with us, one of your guides can take you on your own personal hash tour. You’ll talk with your guide to arrange your own tour, going back to places you’d like to see again and exploring new areas including the ship’s workshop or the chain locker.
Tec Tours
Penetration: varies | Max Depth: varies
© Dr. R. “Harry” Harris
If you’re a tec diver, you’ll want to arrange your own personal tec dives with our tec-qualified guides. You can rummage around in various parts of the wreck and/or around the stern. We offer both Nitrox and Trimix for certified tec divers.
