Solomons 2005

Solomons Islands 2005

Take me back - I am ready to go again. That was the general feeling at the end of an amazing dive trip out of Honiara in the Solomon Islands. Luke Endacott and Brad Gordon from ADA have just returned from escorting a group of 22 local divers on the perfect diving holiday in one of the diving worlds best kept diving secrets. This was my second trip there and I am ready to go again!

ADA had booked out the whole of the luxury liveaboard vessel 'Bilikiki'. This converted fishing vessel offers the best in food, accomodation and diving in the Solomon Islands. On this expedition they took us through the Russell Islands and out to Mary Island so we could enjoy some of the worlds best diving and it did not dissapoint. If it's first class service and diving you want, then this is the one for you.

The water was a beautifully warm 29 deg so wetsuits were 'optional' and the viz was generally about 30-40m. The diving was mainly conducted from 2 dive tender vessells.

A great deal of the diving was done on vertical walls where the great pelagics were always lurking. Not a dive went by without seeing massive Dog Tooth Tuna, Spanish Mackeral, Giant Trevally as well as giant swirling schools of Barracuda.

We managed to dive as an underwater volcano was erupting about 200 km away. I know 200km sounds like a long way but when your underwater and the volcano is erupting it sounds like you are on top of it. It was amazing to watch the eratic behaviour of all the sharks on the reef each time an eruption took place. They would be darting all over the place obviously quite disturbed by it all.

The amount of small life on the reef is outstanding. Lots of Blenny's, Goby's, Shrimps and Crabs provided the keen macro photographer with great photo opportunities. If you have no idea what little critters you have found during your dive (as I generally was!), the onboard library or the dive staff will be sure to help you out

If it's clear, warm water with some great pelagic action you want, then the Solomon Islands are the place for you.

We have a trip planned for 2007 to go back to the Solomon Islands, but this time focusing on the top end around Gizo. This will be a land based tour so the price will be inexpensive.

Download the brochure on this trip from our main travel page.