Dive the Incredible Solomon Islands & Coral Sea

This trip is based on departure with Singapore Airlines from Copenhagen to Brisbane, or from Oslo with SAS via Copenhagen and then Singapore Airlines via Singapore. This is a long journey, so an upgrade to either Premium Economy or Business Class is possible (see “NOT INCLUDED” below for estimated surcharges).

You can also join the group in Brisbane if you are NOT travelling from Scandinavia. If you need any assistance with getting fligths to Brisbane, please give us a call om check our online portal at https://reisebazaar.travel

Arrival at Changi Airport in the morning, with onward travel to Brisbane. Upon arrival in Brisbane, transfer to the airport hotel will be provided.

An early start to the day for the final leg of the journey to the Solomon Islands and the capital, Honiara.

On arrival, transfer into Honiara will be provided, and we can finally relax and take a short walk around this typical Pacific town, with its interesting mix of Chinese shops and small local cafés. If the Yacht Club is still operating, we will likely stop by this old local watering hole.

The rest of the evening is at your leisure.

Free day in Honiara, with opportunities to get into the water and take a closer look at some of the wrecks in what is often called the “world’s graveyard of shipwrecks.” Guadalcanal was the scene of some of the fiercest fighting of World War II, and large parts of the Japanese merchant fleet, along with several warships, were sunk and now lie (in some cases at great depth) in the area known as Iron Bottom Sound.

For those who prefer to stay on land, there are plenty of interesting excursions available, many of them linked to the Solomon Islands’ history during World War II.

Diving in Guadalcanal’s Iron Bottom Sound
Iron Bottom Sound, just offshore from Honiara, is one of the most historically significant dive areas in the world. During the brutal naval battles of 1942–43, dozens of Japanese and Allied ships and aircraft were lost here. Today, the area offers wreck diving that combines powerful history with rich marine life and generally calm conditions, making it accessible to recreational divers.

Several well-known wrecks can be dived without exceeding 30 metres, making them suitable for advanced open water divers and experienced recreational divers:

• Hirokawa Maru (Japanese transport ship)
  One of the most popular dives near Honiara. The wreck sits with the deck around 18–22 metres and the seabed at approximately 27 metres. Divers can explore cargo holds, deck structures, and large schools of fish that now inhabit the wreck.
• Kinugawa Maru (Japanese transport ship)
  Partly above water near the shore, with submerged sections easily accessible for divers. Depths range from very shallow down to around 25–28 metres. A good option for both divers and snorkellers, with strong historical atmosphere.
• B-17 Bomber wrecks
  Several American B-17 bombers lie in diveable depths around Guadalcanal. Some of the best-preserved examples rest between 10 and 25 metres, offering fascinating dives where engines, wings, and fuselage sections are still clearly recognisable.
• Japanese landing craft and smaller vessels
  A number of smaller military craft are scattered in shallow to mid-range depths, often between 12 and 25 metres. These sites are excellent for relaxed exploration and photography.

Visibility is typically moderate, marine life is abundant, and many dives combine coral growth, schooling fish, and intact wreck features in the same site. Diving here is as much about atmosphere and history as it is about underwater scenery.

Two Days of Land-Based Sightseeing in Honiara

If you have two days in Honiara without diving, there are several rewarding excursions that provide insight into both the country’s history and everyday life.

Guadalcanal War Sites Tour
A guided WWII history tour is highly recommended. Highlights usually include:

• Vilu War Museum, with aircraft wreckage, vehicles, weapons, and detailed explanations from local guides

• American War Memorial on Skyline Ridge, offering panoramic views over Honiara and Iron Bottom Sound

• Former battlefields, bunkers, and defensive positions around Henderson Field
  This gives strong historical context to everything you see both on land and at sea.

Honiara Markets and Local Life
A visit to the Central Market provides a vivid introduction to daily life. Stalls are filled with tropical fruit, vegetables, fresh fish, and handmade crafts. Nearby Chinatown reflects the city’s cultural mix and is worth a short walk.

Mataniko Falls and Inland Villages
A half-day excursion to Mataniko Falls, just outside the city, offers an easy nature experience combined with visits to traditional villages. Local guides often share stories about customs, culture, and community life.

Optional second-day extensions
If logistics allow, consider:

• A boat trip to nearby islands for beaches and snorkelling

• A visit to traditional cultural villages for dance performances and storytelling

• Bonegi Beach, where visible wreck remains lie directly offshore and can be seen from land

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Breakfast and free time until you are transferred to the Solomon Masters. Optional tours of Guadalcanal is possible.

General itinerary outline
Over the course of 9 days, you can expect to spend a total of 5 days diving at various locations around the Florida and Russell Islands, 2 days in Marovo Lagoon, 1 day at Mary Island, and 1 diving around Guadalcanal.

The order in which each area is visited, and how many dives are offered at each location are determined by a variety of factors and may vary from one trip to the next.

Your cruise director will schedule up to 4 dives a day: 3 day dives followed by either an afternoon land visit, a sunset dive or a night dive (if cruising schedules allow), typically scheduled as follows:

• Light Breakfast followed by a briefing and dive 1
• Full Breakfast and relaxation
• Briefing and dive 2
• Lunch and relaxation
• Briefing and dive 3*
• Snacks and relaxation
• Briefing for Sunset or Night dive**
• Dinner

*On days where island visits are arranged, dives 3 and / or 4 may not be possible
**A night dive may be offered on selected days, but is not guaranteed

Embarkation

• Embarkation is at the main port in Honiara at 18:00
• Pick up and transfer from hotels in Honiara is between 17:00 and 17:30
• Embarkation is followed by introductions, boat and safety briefings and dinner.
• There is no diving on embarkation day.

Solomons Master will cruise overnight to the location of the following day's first dive.

Description; Solomon Masters
The steel-hulled Solomons Master (formerly Truk Master) boasts eight double occupancy cabins providing comfortable accommodation for up to 16 guests with a choice of classic, premium or superior cabins, each benefiting from private, en-suite bathroom facilities and individually controlled air-conditioning.

Solomons Master is fully equipped to cater for recreational, technical and rebreather divers and has a large, spacious dive deck with individual set-up stations, under-bench storage and a platform with ladders at the rear.

• Type: Motor yacht

• Built / Renovated: 1974 / 2025

• Material: Steel

• Length / Width / Draft: 39 / 7 / 3 m

The Florida Islands, also known as the Nggela Islands, lie just a short boat ride from Honiara and offer some of the most varied and historically rich diving in the Solomon Islands. Here you can combine healthy reefs, dramatic walls, WWII wrecks and lively fish action, often with very few other divers in the water.

What you can expect to see
Diving around the Florida Islands delivers a broad mix of marine life and underwater landscapes. Coral reefs are dense and colourful, with large barrel sponges, sea fans and hard coral formations creating plenty of structure. Reef fish are abundant, including schools of barracuda, trevally and snapper, while turtles are common on many sites. Sharks are frequently seen, especially grey reef and whitetip reef sharks. Macro enthusiasts will also find nudibranchs, shrimp and other small critters tucked into the reef.

A major highlight is the concentration of WWII wrecks around Tulagi, Gavutu and Tanambogo. These include aircraft, landing craft and cargo ships, many of which are now heavily encrusted with coral and home to thriving marine life.

Types of diving
The Florida Islands are well suited for divers who enjoy variety. Expect a mix of:

• Reef and wall dives with sloping reefs dropping into deeper water
• Wreck diving on accessible WWII sites, some shallow enough for recreational divers
• Channel dives where tidal flow attracts schooling fish and predators

Most dives are done from boats, and sites are typically reached within 20–60 minutes from shore.

Currents and conditions
Currents are a key feature in parts of the Florida Islands and can range from mild to strong, especially in channels between islands. Many of the best fish encounters happen on these current-affected sites, making experience with drift diving an advantage. Dive operators usually plan dives around tides to keep conditions manageable. Visibility is generally good, often between 20–30 metres, and water temperatures are warm year-round.

Best dive sites
The Florida Islands stand out for their combination of vibrant reefs, historical wrecks and low diver traffic. Add warm water, consistent visibility and the feeling of exploring sites that remain largely untouched, and it’s easy to see why this area is a strong choice for divers looking beyond the more crowded destinations in the Pacific.

• Mangalonga Island - Maravagi: This quaint village is home to approximately 100 local islanders. The bay in front of the village is the Solomons’ answer to muck diving with coral bommies, patches of rubble and white-sand muck, boat wreckage, and a large bed of seagrass, all of which are inhabited by tiny creatures. This heavy-hitting macro dive delivers anemones, nudibranchs, sapsucker sea slugs, cuttlefish, seahorses, tiny crabs and shrimp and even such rarities as pugnose pipefish. If the weather and tidal conditions are right, nearby Devil's Highway offers the chance for manta ray sightings, while just around the corner, Baby Cakes is another good spot for cuttlefish and cruising reef sharks.
• Nggela Sule Island - Tanavula Point: This beautiful, steeply sloping reef and wall are covered with an innumerable variety of soft and hard corals and sea fans, where the attentive diver can spot hundreds of nudibranchs and countless other critters. Bumphead parrotfish and various ray species are commonly spotted amid the diversity of corals and other marine life.
• Tulagi Island - Catalina Airplane: The PBY-5A 'Black Cat' is a US seaplane or ‘flying boat’ which went down in 1943, apparently after hitting a small boat on the surface in the bay. She now rests East of Tulagi Island, sitting upright on the seabed at 34 metres, as if someone has just (badly) parked her on the ocean f loor. The Catalina was fitted with radar, and the antenna can still be seen under the wing, along with the wing tip floats that are in the dropped position as the plane was in the process of landing. Both engines have detached and sit alongside the fuselage with their propellers penetrating the sand; the waist gunner's machine gun also rests on the seabed beside the wreck, although its ammunition remains next to the gun mount inside the wreckage.
• Soghonangola Island: Twin Tunnels Southeast of Tulagi Island, off the southern tip of Soghonangola Island, Twin Tunnels is a unique dive on a seamount measuring approximately 120 metres in diameter. The spectacular reef top at 12-16 metres hosts at least 8 varieties of anemonefish in hundreds of anemone Inspirational Diving Experiences homes. A pair of massive lava tubes, covered in sea fans and whip corals, descend from the top of the plateau into a wide-mouthed cavern which opens onto a dramatic, current-facing wall at around 36 metres where you will find schools of pelagic fish preying on shimmering baitfish.
• Ghavutu Island: Ghavutu Island was a seaplane base built by the Australian Air Force and occupied by the Japanese Navy at the start of the Guadalcanal Campaign. Off the northern tip of the island, Ghavutu was connected to Tanambogho Island by a concrete causeway, effectively extending the size of the base so the two islands are often referred to as one, i.e. Ghavutu–Tanambogho. The main wharf area was a dumping ground for WWII detritus and has become a muck diver's dream where blue ribbon eels, pipefish, a variety of nudibranchs and flatworms, and weirdly beautiful mantis shrimps can be found among the rubble. There are also landing barges, aircraft wings and landing gear, engines, and ammunition scattered around Ghavatu Harbour.
• Tanambogho Island: Mavis Seaplanes The two best Japanese Mavis plane wrecks in the area around Ghavutu–Tanambogho sit in 30-34 metres of water and are known as M5 and M6. Each is big enough to keep divers occupied for an entire no-decompression dive and more, although we will usually only dive one of them. Care needs to be taken to watch bottom times to avoid deco and to maintain good buoyancy as the sandy seabed is soft and easily stirred up. M5 rests upright on her hull on the silt-covered seafloor, so divers need to be careful not to stir things up too much. She is largely intact, with her nose bent upwards, which suggests she hit the seabed nose first when she went down. The mooring cable is still attached to the nose ring, and the cockpit is well-preserved. The port side wing is also in good condition with the engine still attached, but part of the starboard wing, including the outer float, is missing. M6 appears to have jack-knifed when it sank, as it is bent almost completely in half from the mid-section, with the front section angled upwards, the tail section facing forward, and the wings upside-down on either side of the fuselage, opposite to how they would originally have been positioned. Sometimes referred to as the "Phallic Mavis" because of her nose standing erect off the seabed, the damage she suffered has left the rear section of the cockpit open, allowing divers to venture inside and see what remains of the pilot's seats and controls.

Diving in the Florida Islands is defined by contrast and diversity. Within a relatively small area, you move from calm coral gardens to exposed points, from shallow wrecks to deep walls, and from quiet lagoon dives to current-fed channels full of movement. This variety makes the area appealing both for extended dive stays and as a complement to diving elsewhere in the Solomon Islands.

Reefs are generally in excellent condition, with a high percentage of hard coral and large sponge growth. Fish biomass is impressive, especially around points and drop-offs where currents deliver nutrients. Expect regular encounters with reef sharks, schools of jacks and barracuda, as well as bumphead parrotfish and large groupers on deeper sections of the reef. Pelagic sightings are not guaranteed on every dive, but when conditions line up, the action can be intense.

Macro life adds another layer to the experience. On slower dives or protected sites, divers can focus on nudibranchs, flatworms, ghost pipefish and a wide range of crustaceans, making the Florida Islands a destination that works equally well for wide-angle and macro photography.

Wreck diving and WWII history
The Florida Islands played a central role during World War II, particularly around Tulagi, Gavutu and Tanambogo. As a result, the area offers some of the most accessible wreck diving in the Solomons. Many wrecks lie in recreational depths and are suitable for divers with limited wreck experience.

Aircraft remains, landing craft and cargo vessels are scattered across the seabed, often partially broken up and heavily colonised by coral and sponges. These wrecks now function as artificial reefs, attracting schools of fish and providing shelter for moray eels, lionfish and reef sharks. For divers interested in history, few places combine such clear historical context with lively marine ecosystems.

Currents, conditions and experience level
Currents are a defining factor in the Florida Islands. Channel dives and exposed points can experience strong flow, particularly around changing tides. These sites are often where fish life is most concentrated, but they require good buoyancy control and situational awareness. Drift diving is common, and dives are planned carefully around tidal movements.

Sheltered sites and lagoon areas offer calmer conditions, making it possible to balance more demanding dives with relaxed reef exploration. Water temperatures typically range from 27–29°C, and visibility is often good, especially outside periods of heavy rain.

The islands above the surface
Above water, the Florida Islands offer a glimpse into everyday life in the Solomon Islands. The islands are largely rural, with small villages, coconut plantations and forested interiors. Tourism infrastructure is limited, which adds to the sense of visiting a place that remains largely unchanged by mass tourism.

Tulagi, once the British colonial capital, still carries visible traces of its past, with remnants of colonial buildings and wartime installations. Between dives, time is often spent exploring quiet beaches, visiting local communities or simply enjoying the slow pace of island life.

Why spend more time in the Florida Islands?
The Florida Islands reward divers who take their time. With a balance of energetic dives, historical wrecks and calmer reef sites, the area offers depth and variety rather than a single headline attraction. Combined with welcoming local communities and minimal diver traffic, this is a destination well suited to those who value exploration, history and diverse underwater environments in one compact region.

The Florida Islands, locally known as the Nggela Islands, form a compact island group just north of Guadalcanal. The group consists of more than 40 islands and islets, dominated by the two large main islands, Nggela Sule and Nggela Pile, with numerous smaller limestone islands scattered around them. Narrow channels and sheltered lagoons separate the islands, creating a varied seascape that strongly influences local diving conditions.

Topographically, the islands are largely raised limestone formations with irregular coastlines, steep shorelines in places and extensive fringing reefs. Inland, the terrain is gently hilly rather than mountainous, covered with forest, coconut groves and small-scale agriculture. The absence of major rivers means less sediment runoff than in some other parts of the Solomon Islands, helping to maintain clear water and healthy reef systems.

How island topography shapes the diving
The physical layout of the Florida Islands is a key reason for the diversity of diving in the area. The many channels between islands act as natural funnels for tidal movement, producing nutrient-rich currents that attract schooling fish and predators. These same channels often feature steep walls, drop-offs and coral-covered slopes, making them prime dive sites.

Along the outer edges of the island group, reefs are more exposed to open ocean conditions. Here you’ll find dramatic walls, points and ridges with stronger currents and higher fish density. Inside the lagoons and protected bays, the seabed slopes more gently, with coral gardens, bommies and sandy patches that support macro life and relaxed diving.

Reef structure and underwater landscapes
Underwater topography around the Florida Islands includes:

• Vertical walls dropping quickly into deeper water, often decorated with sponges and soft corals
• Sloping reefs with dense hard coral growth and large coral heads
• Swim-throughs and overhangs formed by eroded limestone
• Sandy channels and rubble zones around wreck sites and lagoon areas

This variety allows dive operators to select sites based on conditions, diver experience and interests on any given day.

Wrecks and seabed features
The sheltered waters around Tulagi, Gavutu and Tanambogo provided natural anchorages during World War II, which is why many wrecks are found in these areas. The relatively calm conditions and shallow depths have preserved these sites well, and over time they have blended into the reef environment. Wrecks often sit on sandy bottoms near reef edges, adding another dimension to the local topography and expanding the range of dive profiles available.

A destination built for exploration
From a diving perspective, the Florida Islands feel purpose-built for exploration. The combination of dozens of islands, complex reef systems and current-fed channels creates constant variation. One dive might focus on a sheltered coral slope with fine detail, while the next is a faster-paced drift along a point with schools of fish moving through blue water.

This interplay between island geography and underwater terrain is what gives the Florida Islands their depth as a dive destination, offering consistent interest over multiple days without repetition.

The Russell Islands lie west of Guadalcanal and are regarded as one of the most consistent dive areas in the Solomon Islands. The region combines striking underwater terrain, clear water and a wide spread of dive sites within short boat rides. Compared to areas closer to Honiara, the Russell Islands feel more remote and focused on diving, with limited development and very little boat traffic.

The islands and their topography
The Russell Islands consist of around 20 islands, with Mbanika and Pavuvu being the two largest. The islands are of raised limestone origin, giving them rugged coastlines, steep cliffs, caves and narrow inlets. Inland terrain is low and forested, while the shoreline alternates between rocky edges, small beaches and mangrove-lined bays.

This limestone structure continues underwater and is a defining feature of the local diving. Expect sharp drop-offs, caverns, tunnels and swim-throughs, as well as walls that descend rapidly into deep water. The lack of large rivers keeps sediment levels low, contributing to reliable visibility throughout much of the year.

What you can expect to see
Marine life in the Russell Islands is diverse and well distributed across reef types. Hard coral coverage is strong, with large coral heads, plate corals and branching formations. Soft corals, sponges and sea fans are especially prominent on walls and shaded areas.

Fish life includes schools of snapper, fusiliers and jacks, along with barracuda and batfish. Reef sharks—mainly grey reef and whitetip—are common, and eagle rays are regular sightings on deeper sections of the reef. Turtles are frequently encountered, particularly on calmer reef slopes.

Macro life is another highlight. Nudibranchs, leaf scorpionfish, shrimp and crabs are easy to find on slower dives, making the area attractive for underwater photographers who enjoy detail-focused diving as much as wide-angle scenes.

Types of diving
The Russell Islands offer a broad mix of dive styles:

• Wall diving along steep limestone drop-offs
• Cave and cavern dives with overhead environments and light-filled swim-throughs
• Reef and slope dives suitable for longer bottom times
• Drift dives on exposed points when currents are running

Most dives are done from small boats, with many sites reachable within 10–30 minutes.

Currents and conditions
Currents in the Russell Islands are generally moderate, though they can become stronger around headlands and channel entrances, especially during tidal changes. These current-affected sites often deliver the most fish activity. Dive planning is tide-dependent, and operators choose sites carefully based on conditions and diver experience.

Visibility commonly ranges from 20–30 metres, and water temperatures are warm year-round, typically between 27–29°C. Conditions are suitable for both intermediate and advanced divers, with calmer sites available for less experienced guests.

Best dive sites

• Leru Cut & Leru Island: One of the most iconic sites in the Solomon Islands, this 100 metre chasm cuts deep into Leru Island and offers amazing photography opportunities as the light bounces off the walls above and below the surface. Imagine yourself surfacing in the jungle, listening to the frogs call, before you descend into this one-of-a-kind cavern. Outside of the cut is a fabulous wall teeming with fish life.
• Mane Island - Mirror Pond: Not far from Leru Cut, Mane Island is best known for the famous Mirror Pond with its many swim-throughs and Bat Cave with its resident bat colony. Descend into this cavern and surface in the mangrove forest. Or if you prefer, spend your time cruising along a beautiful wall covered in fans and coral, hunting for pygmy seahorses.
• Custom Cave: A cave system with swim-throughs, overhangs and schooling fish at the entrances. Lighting and structure make this a favourite for photographers.
• Sunset Point: An exposed point dive with stronger currents, known for schooling fish, sharks and open-water encounters.
• Mbanika Island: White Beach Home to a major American supply base during WWII, before the U.S. Military departed at the end of the war, they dumped everything into the sea creating an artificial reef with plenty to explore; trucks, jeeps, tractors, bulldozers, large amounts of ammunition and Coca Cola bottles are among the many war relics located between 5 and 30 metres. These artefacts of years gone by, and the surrounding mangroves, host an array of small and juvenile reef fish as well as an abundance of macro critters including pygmy seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, a variety of nudibranchs, shrimps, eels, crocodile fish and archerfish.
• Folau Island: Rainbow Reef This large saddle-shaped seamount, covered with sea fans, soft corals and sponges, is an open-ocean site just south of Mbanika Island offering a gorgeous vantage from which to spot sharks, mobula rays, and schooling barracuda. The water clarity is normally excellent, and there is so much going on, it’s hard to know where to look. With a minimum depth of 17 metres (55 ft), your dive is sure to be over long before you’re ready to ascend.
• Karumolun Point: A sheer wall down to a depth of around 20 metres leads to a deep, tiered peninsula extending downwards to 40+ metres. This is a great location to hang out and observe the pelagic action as white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, trevallies and barracuda patrol the point searching for food. Occasionally, eagle rays are also seen making a fly-by. In the shallows, divers should be wary of nesting titan triggerfish while searching the coral for nudibranchs and other critters.

Why dive the Russell Islands?
The Russell Islands stand out for their combination of limestone-driven underwater landscapes, reliable conditions and compact geography. With many high-quality sites close together, divers can experience a wide range of environments without long travel times. Add low diver numbers and a strong sense of exploration, and the Russell Islands remain one of the most rewarding dive regions in the Solomon Islands for those looking for depth, variation and atmosphere both above and below the surface.

Marovo Lagoon is one of the largest saltwater lagoons in the world and a standout dive region in the Solomon Islands. Located in Western Province, the lagoon stretches over a vast area enclosed by a long barrier reef, creating an exceptional range of dive environments. The scale of Marovo Lagoon alone sets it apart, offering everything from calm inner reefs to exposed outer walls with open-ocean influence.

The lagoon, islands and topography
Marovo Lagoon is bordered by two long barrier reef systems and dotted with hundreds of small islands and islets, most of them low-lying and forested. Many islands are built on coral and limestone foundations, while others are sand cays formed over time by reef growth and wave action. Inland terrain is generally flat, with mangroves, coconut groves and dense vegetation along the shorelines.

Underwater topography is equally varied. Inside the lagoon, reefs are mostly gentle slopes, coral gardens and patch reefs, ideal for extended bottom times. Toward the outer barrier reef, the seabed drops sharply into deep water, forming walls, channels and pinnacles. Passes through the barrier reef connect the lagoon to the open ocean and play a major role in shaping currents and marine life distribution.

What you can expect to see
Marovo Lagoon supports a rich mix of reef and pelagic species. Hard corals dominate many inner lagoon sites, with large table corals, branching corals and bommies creating complex reef structure. Soft corals, sea fans and sponges become more prominent on outer reef walls and shaded areas.

Fish life includes schools of fusiliers, snapper and batfish, along with bumphead parrotfish, sweetlips and large groupers. Sharks—mainly grey reef and whitetip—are common around passes and outer reefs, while eagle rays and occasional manta rays are seen where currents bring plankton-rich water. Turtles are widespread throughout the lagoon.

Macro life is plentiful on protected reefs, with nudibranchs, pipefish, shrimp and crabs providing plenty to look for on slower dives.

Types of diving
Marovo Lagoon offers one of the broadest mixes of dive styles in the Solomon Islands:

• Lagoon reef dives with calm conditions and rich coral growth
• Wall dives along the outer barrier reef
• Channel and pass dives influenced by tidal flow
• Drift dives when currents are running
• Occasional manta cleaning station dives, depending on season and conditions

Boat travel times vary due to the size of the lagoon, but many high-quality sites are clustered near dive lodges.

Currents and conditions
Currents in Marovo Lagoon are most noticeable at passes and channels through the barrier reef. These can range from mild to strong, depending on tide and moon phase. Current-driven dives often deliver the best fish action, but dive planning is essential.

Inside the lagoon, conditions are typically calm, making it suitable for a wide range of experience levels. Visibility varies from 15–30 metres, with clearer water on outer reefs. Water temperatures remain warm year-round, usually around 27–29°C.

Best dive sites
This World Heritage Site nominee is a double barrier reef and, at more than 100 kilometres in length, is the largest saltwater lagoon in the world. Located at the eastern end of the Solomons' Western Province, the lagoon encompasses Vangunu Island and Nggatokae Island with hundreds of small islets and reefs scattered throughout.

• Kavachi Corner: Off the southern tip of Kicha Island, a sheer deep wall, with plateaus that push out into the blue, offers the opportunity for awesome marine life sightings. Grey reef sharks, rainbow runners, barracuda, midnight snappers and a large school of bumphead parrotfish are regular visitors. As you round the corner, you may hear a loud BOOM resounding from Kavachi Volcano, which is 15km away. Kavachi is one of the most active underwater volcanoes on the planet and is striving to become an island with eruptions visible above the surface every few years. Kavachi Corner catches the sound of the volcanic rumblings and provides a percussive background while you dive amongst the abundant marine life.
• Wickham Island: Situated off the southeastern corner of Vangunu Island, Wickham Island was occupied by the Japanese during WWII and offers a unique blend of historical significance and natural beauty. Wickham Island also has a long and rich history as home to one of the original families of missionaries in the Solomon Islands, whose descendants still reside there. Around the island, its gently sloping shoreline transitions to a wall and hosts blue-spotted rays, chocolate chip sea stars, anemones and a variety of soft and hard corals and seafans. There are also wrecks of several Japanese freighters sunk by Allied Forces during the Battle of Wickham Anchorage in July 1943, which are relatively intact, covered with coral growth and home to a diverse array of marine life.
• Kicha Island: Kicha Island Just east of Mbulo Island, Kicha Island is renowned for its beautiful, vibrantly coloured coral gardens, abundant marine life and amazing visibility. Large numbers of reef sharks, schools of batfish and jacks are common sightings, along with giant bumphead parrot fish and predatory barracuda patrolling the blue. As you drift along the stunning wall decorated with sea fans and whip corals, you will find butterfly fish, snappers, groupers, wrasse and a plethora of smaller fish darting amongst the coral fronds.
• Njapuanu Island: With sheer walls facing New Georgia Sound (also called The Slot during WWII), tuna pace back and forth hunting schools of rainbow runners and trevally along the reef edge while titan triggerfish protect their nests among the coral on the wall
• Cathedral: One of the most ethereal dive sites of Mbulo Island, this meandering series of cracks, crevices, and caverns may not look like much at first glance, but add bright sunlight, and you will find yourself bathed in dancing, darting rays. The site has four unique caverns, some larger than others, and the intensity and direction of the light rays will alter notably during the time you are in the water, so be sure to keep moving so you can explore each one. 
• Mbulo Island:Located near the southeastern aspect of Marovo Lagoon, Mbulo Island is surrounded by spectacular diving on all sides and offers six unique dive sites. A gently sloping wall covered in f ields of hard and soft corals invites you for a lazy drift along the bottom, while long swim-throughs in volcanic lava tubes allow for amazing photographic opportunities. We usually offer an afternoon of 'Open-Deck' diving here, enabling guests to explore with their buddies and enjoy the flexibility to dive the caverns again or spend time exploring the reef at their own pace.
• Kokoana Passage: Sandy slopes give way to steep drop-offs, and nearly every inch is inhabited by hard and soft corals, huge sea fans, and anemones. The water can be a little green, but the nutrients it carries support the abundance of life in this wide channel. There’s no need to go very deep as the reef starts just below the surface. Sharks and mobulas are typically spotted in the channel, Inspirational Diving Experiences while crocodile fish, small crustaceans, nudibranchs, and pipefish can be found amongst the masses of coral.

Why dive Marovo Lagoon?
Marovo Lagoon offers scale, variety and flexibility. Few places allow divers to move so easily between calm lagoon reefs and energetic outer reef dives within the same region. Combined with low diver numbers, strong coral health and a sense of space that is hard to match elsewhere, Marovo Lagoon remains one of the most rewarding dive destinations in the Solomon Islands for those looking for depth, diversity and room to explore.

Diving in Marovo Lagoon is defined by scale and variation rather than a single signature feature. The lagoon is vast, and even after multiple days of diving, sites rarely feel repetitive. Distances between reefs, islands and passes create distinct micro-environments, each shaped by depth, exposure and water movement. This allows dive planning to be highly flexible, adapting to weather, tides and diver experience.

Inside the lagoon, dives are often slow and detail-rich. Coral gardens stretch over large areas, with layered hard corals, bommies and sandy channels forming natural swim paths. These sites are ideal for long bottom times and relaxed exploration, with constant activity from reef fish and plenty of opportunities to focus on behaviour rather than just species spotting.

Outer reef influence and open-water encounters
The outer barrier reef is where Marovo Lagoon shows a more energetic side. Here, reefs drop away sharply into deep water, and the influence of the open ocean becomes clear. Walls are decorated with large sponges, sea fans and soft corals that thrive in moving water. Fish density increases noticeably, especially near points and along current-washed sections of the reef.

Pelagic encounters are most likely on these outer sites. Grey reef sharks patrol the drop-offs, schools of jacks and barracuda move through blue water, and eagle rays are often seen cruising along the wall. On days with the right conditions, manta rays may appear near cleaning stations or passes where plankton concentrates.

Passes, channels and dynamic dives
Passes through the barrier reef are a central feature of Marovo Lagoon diving. These natural openings connect the lagoon to the ocean and act as funnels for tidal flow. Diving these areas is often dynamic and highly rewarding, with fish gathering to take advantage of the current.

Depending on tide and timing, dives in passes can be gentle or fast-paced drifts. Experienced divers are rewarded with strong visual action, while sheltered entry and exit points allow operators to manage conditions carefully. These sites often combine dramatic topography with high fish biomass, making them among the most memorable dives in the lagoon.

Macro life and photography
While Marovo Lagoon is well known for wide-angle scenes, it also delivers strongly for macro enthusiasts. Sheltered lagoon reefs and sandy slopes are home to nudibranchs, pipefish, leaf scorpionfish and a wide range of crustaceans. The calm conditions inside the lagoon make it easier to slow down and focus on smaller subjects, particularly for photographers.

Light conditions vary greatly depending on depth and reef structure. Shallow coral gardens offer bright, even lighting, while outer walls and overhangs create contrast and depth, adding another creative dimension to photography.

Diving pace and overall experience
One of the defining characteristics of Marovo Lagoon is the unhurried pace of diving. Long surface intervals, minimal boat traffic and short distances between many sites create a rhythm that suits extended dive stays. Rather than chasing highlights, divers tend to settle into the environment, gradually discovering how different areas of the lagoon behave under changing conditions.

This balance between calm inner reefs, energetic passes and exposed outer walls makes Marovo Lagoon a destination that rewards both curiosity and patience. It is a place where diving feels expansive and varied, offering enough depth and range to remain engaging over many days in the water.

Mary Island is one of the most iconic single dive locations in the Solomon Islands. Isolated and exposed to deep ocean water, this small, uninhabited island is visited primarily for diving rather than for its land-based features. Its position far from large landmasses makes it a magnet for pelagic life and a favourite among experienced divers seeking high-energy dives.

The island and its topography
Mary Island is a steep-sided volcanic seamount that rises abruptly from deep water. Above the surface, it appears as a compact, rocky island with minimal vegetation and no permanent settlement. Below the surface, the structure becomes far more dramatic.

Underwater topography is defined by near-vertical walls, sharp ridges and terraces that drop quickly into the blue. There are very few shallow reef flats; instead, the reef edge begins almost immediately and descends rapidly. This creates a true open-ocean diving environment where depth, exposure and current all play a role in shaping the experience.

What you can expect to see
Mary Island is best known for its large fish action and pelagic encounters. Schools of barracuda, jacks and trevally are common, often moving in tight formations along the walls. Grey reef sharks are frequently seen, and sightings of hammerhead sharks are a major draw, particularly at depth.

Other regular encounters include tuna, dogtooth tuna, rainbow runners and occasional eagle rays. Reef life is present but secondary to the pelagic focus. Hard corals and encrusting growth cling to the walls, with sponges and soft corals appearing where current and light allow.

Macro life exists but is not the main reason divers visit Mary Island. This is a site built for wide-angle diving and open-water awareness.

Types of diving
Diving at Mary Island is generally advanced and highly conditions-dependent. Typical dive styles include:

• Wall diving along steep drop-offs
• Blue-water diving with focus on mid-water sightings
• Drift diving when currents are running
• Negative entries may be required in strong current

Dives are usually conducted as single-site excursions due to the island’s isolation and exposure.

Best dive sites
This small, uninhabited island is notable for an underwater point that commonly hosts schools of barracuda and trevally. Explore the cuts and caverns behind Jack Point or the Coral Gardens right below the boat.

• Barracuda point: This site is extremely weather-dependent, and conditions must be appropriate to dive here. Just adjacent to the most common mooring area at Mborokua (a great dive site in its own right called Mary’s Bommies), Barracuda Point is a submerged, current-swept peninsula that juts into the ocean. Enormous schools of jacks and chevron barracuda are commonly seen here, and a variety of sharks often patrol nearby, but be prepared to see almost anything - mobula rays, sperm whales, or even orcas.

Currents and conditions
Currents are a defining feature of Mary Island. The island sits directly in oceanic flow, and currents can be strong, unpredictable and multi-directional. Downcurrents and upwellings are possible, especially along steep walls and points.

Because of this, Mary Island is best suited to confident divers with good buoyancy control, situational awareness and experience in current. Dive operators assess conditions carefully, and dives are only conducted when currents are within safe limits. Visibility is often excellent, frequently exceeding 30 metres, adding to the sense of space and scale.

Best dive areas around Mary Island
Mary Island is typically dived as a single circuit or selected section rather than named individual sites. Key features include:

• Current-exposed points where schooling fish and sharks gather
• Mid-water zones off the wall for pelagic scanning
• Terraced sections of the wall where sharks patrol along depth contours

The exact dive profile often changes depending on current direction and strength.

Why dive Mary Island?
Mary Island is not about variety or relaxed exploration. It is about intensity, scale and anticipation. The combination of deep-water exposure, strong currents and open-ocean influence creates a dive that feels raw and powerful. For divers seeking memorable pelagic encounters and a true blue-water experience in the Solomon Islands, Mary Island stands out as a destination that delivers when conditions align.

A second look at the Russell Islands often reveals why many divers consider this area one of the most complete dive regions in the Solomon Islands. Beyond the headline sites and well-known caverns, the real strength of the Russells lies in how consistently good the diving is across a wide range of locations, with subtle changes in structure and conditions keeping each dive distinct.

Limestone formations and light-driven dives
The limestone origin of the islands continues to shape dives in ways that become more apparent over time. Many sites feature layered walls and terraces, where depth changes in steps rather than a single drop-off. These formations create natural ledges for fish and produce shifting light patterns throughout the day, particularly on late-morning and afternoon dives.

Caves and caverns are not isolated features but part of interconnected reef systems. On calmer days, it’s possible to explore multiple swim-throughs on a single dive, moving between shadowed spaces and open reef. This interplay between light, structure and open water adds a strong visual element that rewards repeat dives.

Reef health and fish behaviour
One detail that stands out on return visits is fish behaviour rather than sheer numbers. Schools of snapper and fusiliers often hold position along reef edges, while larger predators patrol predictable routes along walls and points. Grey reef sharks are frequently seen cruising just off the reef, especially where currents brush the limestone edges.

In sheltered areas, coral growth is particularly dense, with mature hard corals forming complex shapes that support a wide variety of smaller species. These sites are ideal for slower dives focused on observation rather than distance covered.

Less-visited sites and exploration potential
While sites like Leru Cut attract most of the attention, the Russell Islands offer many lesser-known dives that are dived infrequently. These include unnamed walls, small offshore rocks and isolated reef sections that receive minimal pressure. Such sites often feel exploratory, with intact coral, relaxed fish life and no obvious entry or exit points beyond the reef itself.

This abundance of quality secondary sites makes the Russells especially suitable for longer stays, as dive operators can rotate locations and avoid repeating the same profiles.

Conditions over multiple days
Over several days of diving, the Russell Islands show how adaptable the area is to changing conditions. When currents increase, exposed points and outer walls come into focus. On calmer days, sheltered bays, slopes and cavern systems provide excellent alternatives. This flexibility reduces the likelihood of cancelled dives and helps maintain a balanced dive schedule.

Why the Russell Islands reward repeat visits
What becomes clear with additional time in the Russell Islands is that the destination is not defined by a single standout dive, but by depth and consistency. The combination of limestone-driven topography, reliable conditions and low diver numbers creates an environment where even familiar sites reveal something new on return visits. For divers who value immersion and variety over ticking off highlights, the Russell Islands continue to deliver well beyond the first impression.

Ending a 10-day dive cruise with recreational dives around Guadalcanal provides a fitting conclusion to the Solomon Islands. While the area is best known for its WWII history, the diving itself is varied and accessible, with several high-quality sites suitable for non-technical divers. These final dives tend to be well balanced, combining structure, fish life and historical context without demanding advanced profiles.

What you can expect to see
Diving around Guadalcanal offers a mix of reef life and wrecks, often on the same dive. Reefs support healthy coral growth, particularly hard corals, with schools of snapper, fusiliers and surgeonfish present on most sites. Turtles are common, and reef sharks—mainly whitetip and grey reef—are regularly encountered along drop-offs and near wreck structures.

The standout feature is the concentration of WWII wrecks, many of which sit in recreational depths. These wrecks are now covered in coral and sponges and attract batfish, lionfish, moray eels and schooling reef fish. Rather than feeling like bare metal structures, they function as established artificial reefs with plenty of life.

Types of recreational diving
Guadalcanal is well suited to straightforward recreational profiles, making it ideal toward the end of a long trip:

• Wreck dives on large but accessible WWII ships
• Reef and slope dives with gradual depth changes
• Combination dives where reefs transition into wreck sites

Most dives are conducted from boats close to shore, with short travel times and simple logistics.

Currents and conditions
Currents around Guadalcanal are generally mild to moderate, especially compared to more exposed regions like Mary Island or outer reef passes elsewhere in the Solomons. Some sites may experience light current, but this rarely defines the dive.

Visibility typically ranges from 15–25 metres. It can be slightly reduced after heavy rain due to runoff, but conditions are usually stable enough for relaxed diving. Water temperatures are warm year-round, averaging 27–29°C, allowing for comfortable multi-day diving without thick exposure protection.

Key dive sites
Guadalcanal - Around Honiara Along the northern shore of Guadalcanal Island, between Henderson Field and Cape Esperance, combine exploring wrecks of WWII Japanese transport ships with a land-based tour of an outdoor museum full of machinery and remnants from the war to discover some of the history of the Guadalcanal Campaign.

• Bonegi I and II: were deliberately beached on 15th November 1942 after being bombed while carrying out transportation missions during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. Bonegi III ran aground following an aerial attack one month earlier.
  Bonegi I (Hirokawa Maru) The shallow parts of the 156 metre long wreck have disappeared over the years, but the deep sections remain more or less intact. Because of its location, the wreck offers plenty of options for all divers, starting just 3 metres beneath the surface and stretching to nearly 60 metres. Much of the ship’s central machine areas were heavily salvaged in the decades following her sinking, but the Hirokawa Maru’s engine is still easily visible, along with the crankshaft and gearbox at bilge level. At depth, the rear holds lie intact with some easy penetrations.
  Bonegi II (Kinugawa Maru) Only 100 metres or so up the beach from Bonegi I, the Kinugawa was beached higher than the Hirokawa; most of her superstructure is gone as a result of both salvage and 70 years of storm erosion and earthquake damage although some features are still clearly visible, including the engine block which protrudes above the water's surface. The aft section of the engine room is in only 8 metres of water, and her stern lies in 30 metres
• Bonegi III (Kyūsyū Maru): Due to her location near the mouth of Ruinin Creek, Kyushu Maru is also known as the Ruinin Wreck. She was heavily salvaged during the 1960s and 1970s, then Mother Nature did the rest of the damage. Although the ship's structure is largely destroyed, it is a great dive, with penetration possibilities in the rear hold areas. Resting on her port side at an angle of 45°, the ship is broken open near the engine area but more or less intact at the rear, which extends to a depth of over 40 metres. There is excellent coral and fish life on what remains of her front section at a depth of 3 to 10 metres, where you can easily spend 30 to 40 minutes exploring at the end of a dive.

A calm and reflective finish
Diving on Guadalcanal tends to feel unhurried and reflective, especially after days spent in more remote or current-affected regions. The combination of manageable conditions, solid marine life and visible history makes these dives engaging without being demanding.

As a final chapter of a Solomon Islands dive cruise, Guadalcanal delivers accessible diving with substance—allowing divers to finish the journey underwater with confidence, comfort and a strong sense of place.

Breakfast on board followed by disembarkation no later than 09:00 and transfer to Honiara Airport, or your hotel.

Fly back to Brisbane on Solomon Airlines and overnigth (You might be able to connect with an international flight the same evening from Brisbane, but as the departure is too clsoe to the date of the creation of the program most airlines have yet to publish their scheddule so more options might becoime available in the future.

We, however strongly suggest that you book your flights with the options we have provided for safety reasons.

Trabnsfer to your Brisbane hotel and we can enjoy a very big steak in ine of the many excellent restaurants near the Brisbane Bridge.

Overnight Brisbane.

Transfer to the airport and departure on the long way home on Singapore Airlines via Singapore. Arrive Singapore and board your fligth to Copenhagen just after midnight.

Arrive Copenhagen in gthe noirning and after a short connection to your final destination in Scandinavia.

Your Pacvific Adventure has conme to and end and we SEE YOU NEXT TME!