Santo, Port Vila and Tanna diving: Coolidge and beyond
The best-known Vanuatu dive names do not all belong to one trip. The examples below explain what visitors may have heard about the country and prevent a Moso booking being mistaken for a multi-island itinerary.
| Region | Notable sites | Compared with current Abyss trips |
|---|---|---|
| Efate / Port Vila | The Cathedral, Star of Russia and Hideaway Island. | Same island as Port Vila but not named dive inclusions in Abyss’s Moso trips. |
| Espiritu Santo | SS President Coolidge and Million Dollar Point. | Separate island and dive booking; deeper wreck routes need suitable training. |
| Tanna | Blue Hole One and Two and volcanic reef and cavern terrain. | Separate island and itinerary; not the Long Weekend’s Monday Blue Hole activity. |
Is the SS President Coolidge included?
No. The Coolidge lies off Espiritu Santo, far from the Moso itinerary on Efate. Its bow begins around 21 metres and deeper sections extend toward 70 metres; some interiors and technical-depth routes require specialist training. Do not book an Abyss Moso holiday expecting to dive the Coolidge.
What is Million Dollar Point?
After World War II, American military equipment was discarded offshore near Santo. Vehicles and other material now form an unusual historic site with parts at different depths, extending far beyond basic recreational limits. It is a separate Santo dive, not part of either current Moso group package.
Can I dive The Cathedral or Star of Russia on the Moso trip?
They are Port Vila area sites, not fixed Moso trip inclusions. The Cathedral is a cavern with an entrance around 22 metres; the Star of Russia is an 1874 iron sailing ship around 36 metres according to Vanuatu Tourism. Specific routes and depths require the right certification and local operator. Ask separately if a Port Vila extension interests you.
Is the Monday Blue Hole experience a dive in Tanna?
No. The Long Weekend’s published final day is a no-dive day with a planned Blue Hole or equivalent local activity before flying home. It does not include a domestic flight, Tanna’s Blue Hole One or Two, or an extra scuba dive.
Can Abyss add Santo or Tanna to my booking?
Abyss Vanuatu says it can arrange a tailored Santo extension to dive the SS President Coolidge. A flight from Port Vila takes about an hour; tell the team how long you want to stay so it can propose domestic flights, accommodation, guiding and costs. The advertised Moso packages do not include Santo, and a Tanna extension would need its own arrangement. Ask before buying your international return flight, especially on the flight-inclusive New Year trip.
How many days should I allow for the SS President Coolidge?
Allow several full dive days on Santo if the wreck is the main purpose of the extension. One Santo operator recommends at least three days for a range of highlights, with longer if you need training; Vanuatu Tourism publishes a four-day Santo example and says extensive exploration can take many more dives. Add travel days and a safe interval before flights. A rushed day trip from Efate is a poor basis for promising a particular Coolidge dive.
Can an Open Water diver see the Coolidge?
The bow starts around 21 metres, deeper than the usual 18-metre adult PADI Open Water limit. A Santo operator says an Open Water diver can view the top of the bow on an approved shallow approach, while exploration starts at higher qualifications. Ask the operator to show the actual depth profile and prerequisites for your certification and recent experience. Do not plan to enter the wreck or exceed your training to reach a landmark.
Are Coolidge dives from shore or a boat?
That depends on the Santo operator and chosen wreck route. At least one local operator advertises shore entry and another describes boat moorings. Ask how the specific dives start, the swim or boat procedures, and whether that suits your comfort and mobility. Neither entry method is included in Abyss’s Efate-based Moso trips.
Can I snorkel Million Dollar Point or the Coolidge?
Vanuatu Tourism describes WWII equipment visible in shallow water at Million Dollar Point, so snorkelling there can be possible when access and conditions suit. Deeper artefacts need scuba, and the Coolidge begins much deeper around 21 metres; snorkelling it is not a substitute for a guided wreck dive. Both places are on Santo, outside the advertised Moso holidays.
What if I want Santo reefs but do not want deep wrecks?
Santo offers reef dives as well as wartime sites. Vanuatu Tourism names Tutuba-area reefs and Cindy’s Reef among options for coral and fish life. Choose an operator and site plan for your certification, weather and interests rather than assuming every Santo dive is on the Coolidge. A Santo extension requires its own booking and transport.
Where is the underwater post office?
It is by Hideaway Island near Port Vila on Efate, where shallower introductory diving and snorkelling are available through local arrangements. It is a separate attraction from Moso Island, the Coolidge and Abyss’s published guided dive program. Ask a local operator about current access if it matters to your holiday.
For a separate island plan: Ask Abyss about a different Vanuatu itinerary