Allan Power Dive Tours

Allan Power Dive Tours is one of the oldest specialist diving operations in the Pacific, having been established in 1981. Located in Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu, the centre has successfully completed over 150,000 dives, building a reputation for expertise in a region defined by its incredible maritime history.

The centre is uniquely positioned within the Coolidge Resort, providing a seamless transition from land to sea. This location is particularly significant because it offers exclusive access to the SS President Coolidge, one of the most substantial and accessible wrecks in the world, via a private sea wall that protects divers from local currents.

The team is comprised of highly experienced instructors and guides, many of whom have been diving these waters for over 25 years. This depth of local knowledge is a cornerstone of their operation, ensuring that every dive is briefed with precision and conducted with a high level of situational awareness.

Safety is managed through rigorous standards, including the availability of emergency oxygen and established evacuation plans. The centre is the only local operator to have undergone an independent Australian audit in conjunction with the Vanuatu Department of Tourism to ensure compliance with strict safety protocols. For training, the centre maintains a ratio of two divers per guide for courses, and a maximum of four divers per guide for recreational trips.

The centre provides a comprehensive curriculum for all levels of experience, accredited by PADI, SDI, and TDI. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or the Open Water Diver course, while more experienced divers can progress through Advanced Open Water Diver and various specialty training.

For those looking to move into the professional or technical realms, the centre offers Professional Diving Courses as well as Technical Diving Courses. This range of instruction ensures that whether you are looking to explore a shallow reef or a deep wreck, you have the appropriate certification to do so safely.

The centre is equipped with a full range of high-quality rental kit, allowing you to travel light if you prefer. An on-site service technician is available to maintain and repair equipment, ensuring everything from regulators to BCDs is in top working order.

On-shore facilities at the Coolidge Resort include hot showers and dedicated areas for rinsing and storing your gear. For those staying on-site, the resort offers varied accommodation options ranging from luxury glamping to standard motel-style rooms.

The marine life around Espiritu Santo is incredibly diverse. On the wrecks and reefs, you will encounter a variety of reef fish, including angelfish, butterflyfish, damselfish, and groupers. Larger pelagics and predators such as Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), sharks, and moray eel (Muraenidae) are also present.

Macro life is abundant, particularly around the coral structures. Keep an eye out for ghost pipefish, trumpetfish, gobies, and various species of shrimp, including mantis shrimp and dozer shrimp. Leaf fish and various species of anemonefish add colour to the smaller crevices of the reef.

The reef habitats are beautifully decorated with anemones, various corals, and sponges, providing a home for lionfish and many smaller inhabitants like cardinals and wrasse. In the freshwater environments of the blue holes, you may encounter freshwater hermit crabs.

The best time to visit is between April and October, when the waters are generally warmer and offer better clarity. The water temperature typically ranges between 26°C and 31°C.

While many sites like the Blue Hole offer no current, the proximity to the SS President Coolidge is aided by a sea wall that helps mitigate local conditions, making entry and exit more manageable.