Updated October 4, 2022
This is the seventeenth in a series that introduces and describes the various dive services and sites for worldwide liveaboard dive safaris. The focus in this one is on Solomon Islands liveaboards.
In addition to this liveaboard series, the best worldwide dive resort locations and services are reviewed in their own series. To check them out, or other liveaboards, click on Liveaboards / Resorts on the menu at the top and choose a title.
Have you ever been diving in the Solomon Islands before? If so, I’d love to know about your experience. What dive shop or liveaboard did you use? Which dive spots are the best and what are the conditions there regarding the visibility, current, water temperature, sealife attractions, etc.? Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.
Scuba Diving in the Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands consist of more than 900 tropical islands and are part of Melanesia, just southeast of Papua New Guinea. They are in what is known as the “Coral Triangle” with the greatest biodiversity in the world. Only a few of the islands are populated and resorts are few and far between. Three major liveaboards schedule regular service to the area, so dive sites are not frequented by a lot of divers and you will be unlikely to see any others outside of those on your cruise.
Having been formed by volcanoes and the tectonic movement of the earth’s crust, the seascape is characterized by tunnels, canyons, pinnacles, drop-offs, and lava tubes. The Solomons were also the setting of a number of major WWII battles resulting in numerous wrecks including ships, submarines, and airplanes. Check out the movie “The Thin Red Line” for a fictionalized reenactment of conditions on Guadalcanal when the allied forces arrived to push back the Japanese. Many of these wrecks are quite accessible and with the rich biodiversity, it makes for spectacular diving. In addition, local life on the islands does not have a lot of contact with the outside world so shore trips to visit the friendly people there can be as fascinating as diving.
Some of the wrecks are pretty deep and conditions can be challenging, but the diving professionals on board are quite accommodating in molding the safari to the level of the divers.
The seascape is to a great extent covered in a rich coral reef with great macro life for the photographer like nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, lobsters, eels, and clownfish in their anemones. Schooling reef fish to be enjoyed are unicornfish, rainbow runners, fusiliers, and blue tangs along with other inhabitants like cuttlefish and octopus. Some of the bigger attractions are silky, blacktip, and hammerhead sharks, schooling jacks and barracuda, manta and eagle rays, and dolphins.
The weather is hot and humid all year with the best time for diving between May and December. The water is also warm ranging from 82-86°F (28-30°C). Visibility runs from 45-90ft (14-27m).
Unfortunately, of the three, only the Solomons Master is equipped with wi-fi.
Solomon Islands Liveaboard Dive Boats
The three boats servicing the Solomons are quite comfortable and accommodating. There are hundreds of outstanding dive sites available and the crews have arranged a number of flexible itineraries based on weather and sea conditions and the divers involved.
- Comfortable cabins have private en-suite
- Excellent comfort and privacy with spacious relaxation areas
- Fishing, stand-up paddleboards
- Offers 8-15 day trips from March to December
- No set itinerary: dives the main 3 island groups of Florida Islands, Russell Islands, and Marovo Lagoon
- Spacious dive deck with carpeted camera table
- Nitrox and rental equipment are available
- Two large skiffs for pickups and tours
- Unfortunately no schedule for 2023
- Comfortable cabins, all upper deck cabins have private en-suites
- Large sundeck with optional shade cover
- Excellent comfort and privacy with spacious relaxation areas
- Western and local cuisine
- The crew speaks English, German, Spanish, Russian, and Italian
- Year-round diving with 8-11 day trips, 6-7 different itineraries that can vary based on conditions, explores the many WWII wrecks in the Iron Bottom Sound
- Photography station & camera room with table and charging point
- Open dive deck with hot water showers
- Two large skiffs for pickups and tours
- Life rafts
- Nitrox and rental equipment available, rebreather support
- 8 and 11-day itineraries departing from and returning to Honiara
- Laundry service, daily housekeeping
- Aircon cabins, air-conditioned saloon, en-suite bathrooms
- Wi-fi
- TV in cabins
- Library
- Leisure deck and sun deck
- Indoor saloon
- Audio and video entertainment
- Photography station, camera room with table and charging point
- Separate rinse for u/w camera
- Charging stations
- English speaking crew
- Western and local food
- Outdoor dining
- Warm water showers
- Shaded diving deck
- Nitrox available, rebreather support, tech diving
- 2 tenders for diving
- Emergency rafts
Solomon Islands Liveaboard Dive Boat Comparison Table
| MV Bilikiki | Solomons PNG Master | Solomons Master | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
|
| Length | 38 m | 30 m | 37 m |
| Guests | 20 | 20 | 16 |
| Crew | 11 | 12 | NA |
| Equipment | $27/day | Pricing To Be Arranged | $25/day dive computer $10/day |
| Nitrox | $20/day | Available - Pricing To Be Arranged | $25/day |
| Price/Day | $550 | $316 | $301 |
Solomon Islands Photos
With the pristine coral reefs, historic wrecks, and extreme biodiversity including manta and eagle rays, turtles, a variety of sharks, dolphins, macro critters, and reef tropicals, there are many excellent photo opportunities. For information and reviews of dive cameras, click here:
Scuba Diving Trip Insurance
A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation. I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and provide scuba divers quality insurance and medical assistance service.
Feedback and Comments
I hope you found this post on the Solomon Islands scuba diving interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section. I’d love to know of any experience you have. If there is no comments section directly below, click here: >>comments<<
Those pictures are so beautiful. I’ve started to search for new diving spots, I’m fairly new to diving. And I just love it. I’m located in California and some of the dives are beautiful. The Solomon Islands seems like the water is warm, clear, blue, and the sea life is amazing. Great video!
Hi JB,
Thanks for your kind comments. I’m glad you enjoyed the video.
From California, of course, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean are a little more convenient than the Solomon Islands. I have posts on the diving in all those areas. I suggest for you to check out the one on Guadalupe and Socorro Island liveaboards. There is really exciting diving described in that region fairly close to California.
Good luck in you diving!
Best regards,
Joe
Hi Joe,
Those areas of the world look incredibly scenic and beautiful! I really enjoyed reading you site and the diving pictures make you feel like you are actually on a dive! I am not at all familiar with scuba diving, so, I would like to know if they have any beginners tours? i would need to start from scratch, i know nothing! But, after seeing these gorgeous places, and how beautiful it is underwater, I am ready to go! I am impressed with the cost, it seems very reasonable as well.
You mention different types of food, are the meals onboard or at local restaraunts? Do you have to bring your own personal supplies, like snacks, drinks, meals? Great pictures as well. I bet your camera is quite an investment as well. I will be booking a trip if you know of some beginners trips!
Thanks for the awesome site, Joe!
Chas
Hi Chas,
Thanks a lot for your enthusiastic comments. Diving is really a great hobby, not to mention avocation.
The liveaboards include all the food and drink. In some cases there can be some meals on shore as well as on board. There are some relatively cheap and very expensive cameras. Check out the post on underwater photography on my site.
Most liveaboards are not equipped to do beginner courses. The reason is that the training involves 5 sessions in the pool or very shallow water and then 4 open water dives to complete the certification. The best way to go is to get the training close to home or at a resort based scuba operation. I can suggest you look at the resort diving posts on the menu at the top for great locations like Fiji, Bali and Malaysia that also can get you your open water diver certification.
Good luck. If you have further questions or comments, please let me know. If you are thinking to get some training close to home or anywhere, maybe I can give you advice or ideas.
Best regards,
Joe
Sounds wonderful! Thank you for the detailed summary. It makes choosing the right one for me so much easier. I would love to go diving in the Solomon Islands. Do you recommend these for kids? I need to think of kid friendly activities these days. Is the country tourist friendly?
Hi Jenny,
Thanks a lot for your interest and kind comments.
The Solomons are really a great location for diving and for tourism by boat. Many activities on shore are included in these liveaboards. Most of the island stops are pretty remote, but the people are friendly and welcome visitors to participate in local activities. Kids are welcome. If they are not divers, though, the basic charges not associated with diving would still apply. I can imagine when I was much younger how excited I would be to go cruising in such a beautiful setting relatively unscathed by the outer world.
If you have any further questions about this or anything diving related, please get in touch.
Best regards,
Joe
I have never been diving before but the information here made it sound like it would be a really cool adventure! I read where you said that this is not recommended for beginning diving. But this seems like something to work up to. Pictures are stunning thank you!
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks a lot for your comments. You’re right. Diving can be a pretty cool adventure.
The diving at the Solomons can be a bit challenging. I would suggest to get your open water certification at a place near your home or at a resort. Diving from a boat would not be suitable for introductory training in most circumstances. 3 of the resort areas I review, Fiji, Bali and Lankayan Island, would all be great places to do the course and be able to dive in fabulous dive sites in world class tropical settings. Check those out through the menu at the top.
If you have any other questions or would like further advice about where to do some diver training, let me know. I’d love to help.
Best regards,
Joe
Thanks for the information.
You’re very welcome.
Best regards,
Joe