JOHN PENN
Protected Area
Tulagi Island
Why dive here
With 391+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, humpback whales and orcas - JOHN PENN offers some of Iron Bottom Sound's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 29-31°C, warmest January, April, December.
The John Penn, a troop transport sunk in Iron Bottom Sound, is one of those wrecks that just… hits different. At 53 metres, it’s a deep dive, no doubt, but the rewards are considerable for those with the training. We love the sheer scale of the thing. Dropping down, the bow section seems to materialise from the blue, upright and proud, almost like it’s still on patrol. What you see here is a battlefield relic, slowly succumbing to the sea. The forward cargo holds are open, revealing the skeletal remains of vehicles, a haunting glimpse into its past life. Look for the massive propeller, often silhouetted against the surface light filtering down. Our favourite part has to be the bridge area; it’s collapsed but offers plenty of swim-throughs, now home to clouds of fusiliers and the occasional inquisitive snapper. It’s a site that suits experienced wreck divers keen to explore a significant piece of history, where the currents are usually mild, allowing for thorough investigation.
Typical JOHN PENN Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Maximum depth 53m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for JOHN PENN
JOHN PENN Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for JOHN PENN, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-9.03, 159.16) (58km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
30°C
85°F · Range: 28.7–30.5°C
Air Temperature
27°C
80°F
Wind Speed
3.74 m/s
7.3 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1010.5 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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