Where to dive in the Solomons… Located at the eastern tip of the renowned Coral Triangle, the Solomon Islands consists of a long string of beautiful tropical islands.
Which are surrounded by the deep trenches and basins of the vast Pacific Ocean to the northeast. And those of the Solomon Sea to the south.
Diving the Solomon Islands comes in two distinct varieties – excellent reefs and numerous WWII wrecks that serve as poignant reminders of the country’s role in the WWII.
While the 1000+ islands of the Solomons are an integral part of the Coral Triangle.
Unlike the other countries that form it, those islands derive their intense biodiversity from the rich equatorial currents and counter currents that sweep through the twin archipelagos that form it. Whereas the other five countries that form the Coral Triangle (the Philippines, the eastern halves of Indonesia and Malaysia, PNG and Timor Leste) are nourished by the incredible force of nature known as the Indonesian Throughflow.
Where to Dive in the Solomons – WWII
Following their devastating surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. The Japanese moved quickly to establish control over the western Pacific.
PNG was their initial target, where they set up their regional headquarters after capturing Rabaul. And then fortified their position with air and naval bases throughout New Britain, New Ireland, and Bougainville.
Next came the strategically important Solomon Islands.
Which were to form the outer ring of a Pacific defensive network. From which they could defend Rabaul and attack the US supply lines to Australia.
Their first move in the Solomons came in March 1942, with airstrips established throughout the islands. Then in May, they seized Tulagi and built a seaplane base. Followed in June by Guadalcanal, where they constructed a large airfield near Honiara.
When the tide of war turned, following the decisive US victories in the battles of the Coral Sea and Midway, those bases became the main Allied targets. The fighting was intense, brutal, and prolonged – lasting until August 1943. The Allies lost over 7,100 men, along with 29 ships and 615 aircraft. While the Japanese lost around 31,000 men, plus 38 ships and 683 aircraft.
Many of those wrecks and the remains of the fallen have never been found. But numerous others have, making the Solomons one of the richest concentrations of WWII wrecks in the world. So many ships were lost during the Guadalcanal campaign that the area north of Honiara became known as “Iron Bottom Sound“.
Where to Dive in the Solomons – The Main Locations
The Solomon Islands consist of two main archipelagos and vast surrounding waters, covering nearly 650,000 km² – an area roughly the size of France. However, only about 4% of that area (28,000 km²) is dry land, leaving an immense marine environment to explore.
The remoteness of the region and its deep trenches and basins means that only a tiny fraction of those waters has been explored. And most of that exploration has focused on the waters north and northwest of Honiara, around Iron Bottom Sound. Together with the Russell and Ngella (Florida) Islands.
Beyond these well-known sites, divers can also explore the incredible Marovo Lagoon at the eastern end of New Georgia Island. And the Roviana Lagoon along the southern coast. The westernmost diving opportunities include the reefs and wrecks around Ghizo Island. Plus, it is now also possible to dive the remote reefs and wrecks off Papatura Island, located on the northwestern coast of Santa Isabel.
How to Dive Those Locations…
There are currently dive operations on Uepi Island in the north of the Marovo Lagoon. In the town of Gizo on Ghizo Island, and at Papatura Island Retreat. Plus, the dive operation at Munda, which closed during the C19 pandemic, reopened in early 2025.
Liveaboard diving operates from Honiara on Guadalcanal Island, with two boats based there. Bilikiki, which has been operating in the Solomons since the late 1980s, and the more recent arrival, Solomons Master. Both boats offer flexible itineraries and adjust their routes around the prevailing weather and currents to provide the best possible diving. The primary focus though is on the Ngella and Russell Islands, as well as the southern part of Marovo Lagoon.
Bilikiki has built a very loyal following, particularly among American divers, many of whom return for multiple trips. In contrast, Solomons Master attracts a more international clientele and is known for its dedicated “Wreck Week” itineraries, which are very popular. It also occasionally runs dedicated tech-diving trips for advanced divers.
Where to Dive in the Solomons – The Florida Islands
This small group of islands sits roughly halfway between Guadalcanal and Malaita, with Iron Bottom Sound to the south and Indispensable Strait to the north.
The group consists of two larger islands, Nggela Sule and Nggela Pile, separated by the narrow Mboli Passage and a number of smaller islands. The most significant of which being the former capital of Tulagi. Post-independence, the group became known as the Nggela Islands. But most people still refer to them as the Florida Islands and the area is home to numerous WWII wrecks, stunning wide-angle reefs, and a great macro site.
These days the only way to dive the Florida Islands is by liveaboard. As the dive shop in Tulagi relocated to Honiara prior to the C-19 pandemic and then shutdown during the 800+ days the Solomon Islands borders were closed.
HMNZS Moa
In WWII the New Zealand Navy deployed three “Bird Class” minesweepers to the Solomons – the Moa, Kiwi and Tui (NZ birds…) – all based from the recently liberated Tulagi and assigned to anti-submarine patrols.
In April 1943, the Moa was being refuelled near Tulagi harbour, when the area came under heavy attack from Japanese aircraft. The main target was the oil tanker USS Kanawha, but the Moa suffered two direct hits from 500lb bombs. Severely damaged, it sank within minutes with the loss of five lives.
The Moa is a fairly deep dive as the wreck sits on a silty bottom in about 40m, with the bow submerged in the mud. But, at an overall length of 51m it is easily covered on a single dive. The superstructure has long gone as it was made of timber, overlaid with brass. And was “liberated” during the salvage era in the late 1970’s. The key things to see on the wreck are the large 4” gun near the bow. The iron propeller (no salvage value…) and rudder at the stern together with the twin depth charge racks on the main deck.
Catalina
Almost 1300 aircraft were lost during the Solomons campaign. And the Florida Islands has some very good examples from both sides. Starting with the Catalina wreck located just off the southeast tip of Tulagi.
Believed to have struck a small boat while landing at night, the plane was flipped onto its back by the impact. But the crew were able to exit the aircraft before it sank – righting itself on descent and coming to rest on a slope with the tailplane in 34m of water.
As the wreck was found after the end of the salvage era it still has all three machine guns and there are several boxes of ammunition scattered around the wreck.
Maravagi Bay
This picturesque, sheltered bay offers a wealth of photographic opportunities beneath its tranquil surface. Highlights include a small wreck, home to a resident school of batfish. As well as giant clams and a diverse array of macro subjects.
It is a particularly pleasant dive in the late afternoon as the sun’s rays create a wonderful “golden hour” soft light!
Mavis Seaplanes
The Kawanishi H6K flying boat, known as “Mavis” to the Allies, was Japan’s answer to the iconic Catalina. Larger, with four engines instead of two, the Mavis had an impressive range and played a vital role during WWII.
Seven of these aircraft were destroyed in a surprise dawn air raid, with two remaining remarkably intact. Both are intriguing dives, with much to explore.
Where to Dive in the Solomons – The Russell Islands
Located about 100km northwest of Honiara, the Russell’s are a small archipelago of two main islands, Pavuvu and Mbanika, surrounded by over 50 smaller islands. Further northwest from the archipelago is the large island of New Georgia. The next Allied target after their victory in Guadalcanal. Which made the Russell’s a very strategic location for the Allies as they prepared for the next campaign.
In February 1943, the Allies occupied the islands. And then set about transforming them into a forward operating base. Complete with roads, radar station, PT boat base, housing, hospital facilities, and airfields. Prior to WWII, fewer than 350 Solomon Islanders lived on the Russell’s, working on two large coconut plantations. But under the Allies, the area became a boomtown with, at its peak, more than 16,000 service personnel stationed there.
White Beach
The first thing you need to know about the main “wreck” site at the Russell’s is that there isn’t a white beach… White Beach was the code name the Allies gave to their landing site when they occupied the islands.
When the Allies finally left in 1945, they took very little with them that could not fly. Dumping everything off the main jetty and then scuttling the barges that formed it!
This WWII scrapyard has now become an artificial reef. With everything from trucks, jeeps, tractors, and bulldozers to large amounts of ammunition and Coca-Cola bottles.
All located in 5 to 30 meters of water, just off the shore.
Karumolun Point
Visiting Karumolun Island is one of the highlights of visiting the Russell Islands. Where the island’s chief has managed to implement a remarkable conservation initiative to protect the surrounding reefs.
By banning all fishing and collecting around Karumolun, they effectively established a local marine protected area. Tacit recognition of the value of a thriving reef in attracting divers. The results speak for themselves… With vibrant soft corals, stunning sponge gardens, and abundant marine life that includes large schools of jacks, barracudas, and numerous sharks.
Where to Dive in the Solomons – The Marovo Lagoon
Covering an area of over 700 km² the Marovo Lagoon is formed around the three large volcanic islands of New Georgia, Vangunu and Nggatokae (Gatokae).
And is bordered by a unique double chain of raised outer barrier reefs.
The lagoon is renowned for its ecologically diverse environment.
Which is dominated by extensive, healthy coral reef systems on the seaward side of the barrier reefs.
There are two ways to dive the Marovo Lagoon, with the best sites in the northern area accessible from Uepi Island Resort.
And those in the south by either Bilikiki or the Solomon Master when they include the Marovo in their longer itineraries.
In the north the very best sites are on the outer side of the islands that face out into New Georgia Sound. The vast body of water running through the heart of the Solomons. During WWII, the Allies dubbed it the “Slot” when it became the route for the infamous “Tokyo Express”. Where blacked-out Japanese destroyers raced through the night to avoid Allied attacks while resupplying their base on Guadalcanal.
The “Slot”
Diving on the Slot side of Marovo Lagoon is an exhilarating experience. With sloping walls that plunge into the abyss, clear blue waters, and the chance to randomly encounter large pelagic species. And the “points” where geological fault lines have uplifted the islands and created passages into the lagoon, host rich coral garden ecosystems nourished by the nutrient-laden currents.
At these points – like Uepi Point at the tip of the island… You will witness the underwater world as Mother Nature intended. With beautiful soft corals, huge sea fans filtering nutrients, and a full spectrum of marine life.
While in the south of the Marovo there are a number of truly outstanding sites that have to be seen to be believed. Starting with Kicha, a truly extraordinary site known for its proliferation of hard corals. This vibrant reef teems with fish life and is a perfect representation of the biodiversity that defines the Marovo Lagoon.
Then there are the Mbulo Caves which, if timed right, has beautiful sunbeams streaming through the openings above. Creating a magical atmosphere in the interconnected caves and swim-throughs.
Wickham Island offers a diverse range of dive sites. Which range from colourful soft corals and massive sea fans to encounters with sharks and rays.
Plus, it’s a great place to look for pygmy seahorses, cuttlefish, crocodile fish, snake eels and many different species of anemone fish.
And finally, there is the Iwami Maru, a Japanese cargo vessel sunk by American bombers in WW2. Which is now covered in black corals and has a deck gun hanging over the side near the bow!
Where to Dive in the Solomons – Gizo
The main town and regional capital in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. Gizo is located near the western end of New Georgia. And while it’s the third largest town in the country, with a population of around 7,300. It’s hardly what you’d call a metropolis…
The nutrient-laden currents from the Slot to the north and those from the deep basins and trenches of the Solomon Sea to the south have created a number of excellent reefs. With the stand-out site being Grand Central Station on the tip of Njari Island, roughly 15km northwest of Gizo.
Gizo also has a number of wrecks, and the standouts are a Grumman Hellcat Fighter that is remarkably intact and sits upright in just 12m of water.
The shallow depth and abundant light make it highly photogenic.
With its cockpit open and the starboard wing partially buried in coral, it creates a really dramatic scene that is perfect for underwater photography.
The other standout wreck is the Toa Maru II. A 140m long transport vessel that was sunk by allied aircraft in January 1943.
The wreck now lays on its starboard side on a sandy bottom. With the bow in 7m and the stern down in about 37m. Overall, it’s an outstanding wreck dive. That is easy to penetrate and full of fascinating details that make it worth multiple dives.
Where to Dive in the Solomons – Papatura
Located on the north-west coast of Santa Isabel Island in the central Solomons, Papatura is part of a group of islands that are swept by the equatorial currents.
Rich with nutrients those currents have helped create extensive fringing reefs that form natural protective barriers around the islands and build diverse ecosystems.
The walls of the islands form dramatic drop-offs and most are richly coated in marine life, including black coral trees, sea whips and colourful sponges.
And they are often patrolled by reef sharks, eagle rays, schooling barracuda and trevally.
Papatura also has two known WWII aircraft wrecks. And the best of those is a Douglas SBD Dauntless that is located on the slope just off from a fringing reef about 25 minutes from Papatura. The plane sits upright and largely intact in 30m of water and is an excellent dive.
Where to Dive in the Solomons – In Summary…
The Solomon Islands offer an incredible selection of reef and wreck diving. Both the liveaboards that operate there know all the locations on their itineraries extremely well. And put together a wonderful assortment of diving.
While the land-based operators at Uepi Island, Gizo, Munda and Papatura know their key locations equally well. And go out of their way to make sure their guests have the best dives possible.
Hard to beat!!