SOLOMON ISLANDS

Located 2,000 kilometres to the northeast of Australia, the Solomon Islands were shaped by earthquakes and volcanic activity thousands of years ago. Divers can explore underwater caves or hundreds of ships and aircraft on the ocean floor, which, over the years, have formed spectacular artificial reefs attracting masses of fish and an incredible variety of coral species. There are almost 1,000 islands, many of which have yet to be explored by divers.

The Solomon Islands were the setting for the most prolonged military campaign in the Pacific theatre of World War II. At the southern end of what the Allies called “The Slot” between Guadalcanal, Savo Island, and Florida Island, lie the wrecks of more than 200 ships, 690 aircraft and countless landing barges.

There are plane wrecks that you can “fly over” at just eight metres, submarine wrecks you can dive into, and wrecks of freighters so big that the hull looks just like a reef wall.

These rusting relics are scattered among some of the most diverse coral reefs systems on Earth, home to a spectacular diversity of marine life.

Getting There

There are direct flights to the capital, Honiara, from Brisbane (Australia), Nadi (Fiji), Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea) and Port Vila (Vanuatu). Solomon Airlines flies to 20 domestic destinations across the country. Many divers choose to explore these remote, pristine waters by liveaboard, which all depart from Honiara.

Marine Life

From seagrass beds and critter-rich muck to seamounts festooned with corals and wrecks covered in anemones and sea fans, the Solomon Islands’ dive sites are home to an amazing variety of life, from tiny nudibranchs and delicate shrimp to huge schools of jack, mobula rays, sperm whales, or even orcas.

Munda

Located on the island of New Georgia in the Western Province, Munda was a strategically important town for the Japanese airforce in World War II. As a result, its waters are strewn with plane wrecks among its dazzling corals. Whether the reefs are natural or artificial, this is a stunning area to dive.

Travelling to Solomon islands

As at August 2021, entry to the Solomon Islands is not allowed for non-citizens and non-residents of the country.

Diving in Solomon islands

Diving is permitted, but standard measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus are in place, including washing hands frequently, maintaining social distance and avoiding gatherings of people.

The Solomons’ remote reefs are some of the most impressive anywhere

The Airacobra wreck near Munda is largely intact and sits upright on a sandy bottom in 28 metres of water