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THE SOLOMON ISLANDS
Year:2002
Spectacular reefs in the Southwest Pacific
Season: Year-round diving (optimum: April-November)
Visibility: 15-40 metres
Water temperature: 26-30°C
Southeast of Papua New Guinea and dividing the Pacific
Ocean from the Solomon Sea, the Solomon Islands comprise a
double chain of island which stretches 500 miles from Papua
New Guinea in the northwest to Vanuatu in the southeast. The
922 islands, which vary from tiny low-lying coral atolls to
large mountainous islands covered in lush jungle, lie scattered
over a million square kilometres of sea. There are six major
islands: Guadalcanal, Malaita, New Georgia, Santa Isabel, Makira
and Choiseul. The original people of the Solomons are
Melanesian and Polynesian and most, except for those living in or
near Honiara, still live in traditional palm-leaf houses in rural villages.
It was in the Solomon Islands, in 1942, that the American
offensive reversed the tide of war against the seemingly
invincible Japanese army. On 7th August 1942 eleven thousand
marines landed on Guadalcanal and proceeded with an
offensive that resulted in 24 Allied ships and 24 Japanese ships
being sunk in addition to more than 600 aeroplanes destroyed.
These once violent war machines now lie half hidden by marine
life in their final resting place. No longer used as weapons of
death and destruction, the warm South Pacific seas have
preserved and enrobed these wrecks with colourful shrouds of coral.
Many lie beyond the depths which make them available to sport
divers but it was, perhaps, this event that placed the Solomons on
the world map for divers. However, it is the fabulous quality
and richness of the reefs and their remarkable marine
creatures, along with the quality of the boats that explore the area,
that most often attracts divers to these far-away Pacific islands
today.
Diving in the Solomon Islands is truly spectacular. The
remarkable underwater treasures include spectacular shallow
water caves, dramatic walls, an abundance of fish and, of course,
some of the wrecked ships and aeroplanes that finally came to
rest during World War II. An array of brilliant hard and soft
corals, huge seafans and a diverse underwater terrain populated by
a variety of splendid and unusual reef fish and numerous
big pelagics is the remarkable mixture that places the Solomon
Islands firmly amongst the greatest diving destinations on earth.
THE RUSSELL ISLANDS, MARY
ISLAND & MAROVO LAGOON
The Russell Islands have a series of spectacular steep,
coral-covered walls and exceptional visibility. Vivid nudibranchs
hide within the coral or graze the walls and several varieties
of pipefish occur here. Sharks, Manta Rays and even the
occasional saltwater crocodile may be encountered! The
Russells are also the location of magical Custom
Cave. When the sun is directly overhead, beams of sunlight enter the cave
through a narrow opening, giving a spectacular and breath-taking
natural light show in an otherwise eerie and dark cave.
According to the locals, there is also a 'Custom Trevally Fish' with
special powers, which can be called upon by certain chiefs to
bring death to their enemies!
Seismic activity has left geological features that have given
rise to some favourite dive sites. Leru Cut is a split in a reef
extending 70 metres into an island. Swim to the inner end
and surface under a green jungle canopy where you might be
lucky enough to see parrots and cockatoos! Twin
Tunnels are parallel lava chutes (or chimneys) that can be penetrated for
exploration and which join together at about 30 metres. Exit
here and you may meet some patrolling sharks in the deep blue
water.
Diving at Mary Island, a rugged, uninhabited island
between the Russell Islands and Marovo Lagoon, is dependent on
local conditions because of its location, but its open-ocean
situation acts like a magnet to attract pelagics. Sightings here have
included Killer Whales (or Orca) and other whales and
dolphins, while jacks and barracudas are frequently seen in big
schools. A night dive here will reward the diver with the spectacle of
a large school of flashlightfish darting across the dark reef
outline. Beneath the boat mooring is a superb site for
Harlequin (or Ornate) Ghost Pipefish, blennies, shrimps, cuttlefish
and octopus.
The number of wreck dives offered will be dependent on
the local conditions and the interest of the participants on
any particular cruise. Many of the wrecks in the Solomons are
beyond the scope of the sport diver, but several wrecks are
regularly dived by our liveaboards. The wreck of the
Ann (not a World War II wreck, but a more recent one) and the
White Beach military dump are on the diving agenda. A regular
dive from Bilikiki and Spirit of
Solomons is the Mavis Flying Boat. Lying in 33 metres of water on the north-east side of
Tanambogo Island, she is one of only several Kawanishi H6K4 (Mavis)
Flying Boats ever made. One of the largest aircraft built up to
that time, Mavis #3 was sunk by the USS
Wasp's VF-72 Squadron in the early morning of 7th August 1942. Mavis #3 lies upright
on a sandy bottom. The left side is intact, missing a few
panels only. The bow is damaged (probably from the collision
with the sea bottom when it sank) and the right wing is missing
and the right side open. There is still much of Mavis left to explore!
Uepi Island has some wonderful soft coral gardens and an
exuberance of reef fish. Here divers have sighted schools of up
to 80 Pygmy Manta Rays. These superb fish, which only have
one-metre 'wingspans', can be seen feeding and playing. From
Uepi Island one can visit some wonderful nearby dive sites.
On Charopoana Island you can take a fabulous warm water
drift dive through waters teeming with fish and bedecked in an
abundance of coral or wonder at the coral gardens on the steep
submarine wall at Landoro Island. The underwater cavern
at Embolo Island is an exciting place to investigate. The
shallow and fascinating 2-18 metres-deep Muck
Dive is heaven for the underwater photographer. A truly outstanding variety of
unusual creatures make their home on the pier pilings
scattered amongst the WWII remnants. Several cuttlefish, a number
of unusual shrimps, Beaufort's Crocodilefish and the weird
sand-crawling Caledonian Stinger are waiting to have their
portraits taken!
On land, the human residents of the 'out islands' live
virtually untouched by modern civilization. Their ancient customs
and traditions have led to their homes being referred to as 'the
islands lost in time'. Shore visits to some of the islands
provide visitors with the opportunity to watch a traditional
dancing ceremony and see 'tabu' sites housing the remains of
paramount chiefs.
BILIKIKI & SPIRIT OF SOLOMONS
In recent years the name Bilikiki has become synonymous
with some of the best liveaboard diving available anywhere,
with rave reviews from both keen, well-travelled divers and
underwater photographers. The 125-foot
Bilikiki and her newer sister ship Spirit of Solomons
accommodate up to 20 and 26 passengers respectively.
MV Bilikiki has 10 Deluxe Cabins with double bed and single bed plus en-suite facilities.
MV Spirit of Solomons has 3 Deluxe Staterooms with large double bed
and en-suite facilities, 4 Deluxe Cabins with double bed and
single bed plus en-suite facilities, and 6 Twin Cabins with two
single beds and shared facilities. Both boats have a similar standard
of accommodation and facilities.
Although there can be stunning diving just beneath the
boat, diving usually takes place from one of two tenders that
shuttle divers back and forth to the mother ship. Don't worry
about trying to find the boat at the end of the dive - the boat will
find you! Both boats describe their regime as 'unlimited'
diving! Computer diving is encouraged to get the maximum profile
from each dive. Divers can expect up to 5 dives each day,
including night dives. Special consideration is given to underwater
photographers. There are padded underwater camera tables,
light tables, E-6 processing and slide projectors available on
both boats. Separate large rinse tanks are designated as
camera-exclusive and 110 volt charging stations have been built into
each boat.
The cuisine presented on board includes European,
American and local Solomon Islands dishes. Fresh fruits and
vegetables are purchased daily from local villagers who visit the boat.
Bilikiki and Spirit of Solomons operate out of Honiara, the
capital of the Solomon Islands, on a variety of days throughout
the year. Bilikiki cruises are usually of 10-11 nights duration,
but sometimes 7 or 13 nights. Spirit of
Solomons usually offers 7 or 10 nights cruises, but sometimes 11 or 13 nights. Please
contact our office for details of cruise dates.
A Bilikiki and Spirit of
Solomons brochure is available from our office on request.
7-13 nights cruises
£175 per night in a Twin Cabin (Spirit of
Solomons only)
£208 per night in a Deluxe Cabin or Deluxe Stateroom
Includes:
· Airport transfers if arriving/departing on the cruise
departure/completion dates.
· 7 nights, 10 nights, 11 nights or 13 nights cruise on
Bilikiki or Spirit of Solomons on a twin/share basis with full board
· 5, 8, 9 or 11 full days of diving (up to 4 or 5 dives
daily, including night dives) plus one or two dives on the last
day, cylinders and weights.
Please note: A tourism tax, currently US $2 per night, will
be collected locally.
Single Occupancy Supplement: If you are travelling alone
and are willing to share a twin cabin with a fellow passenger of
the same sex you can avoid paying any supplement. If you prefer
to have a cabin to yourself a 50% supplement applies for a
Deluxe Cabin or Deluxe Stateroom and a 20% supplement applies
for a Standard Cabin.
Deposit: £500
Cruises are designed to coincide with the
Honiara-Brisbane flights of Solomon Airlines, but if your personal flight
schedule requires you to overnight in Honiara, we can make
arrangements for you to stay at the comfortable Solomon
Kitano Mendana Hotel. The cost is £38 per night on a
twin/share, room-only basis (single occupancy supplement: £38 per night).
FLIGHTS
The airfares shown are the least expensive fare category
available at the time of going to press. We will quote you
the airfare applicable, based on current fare levels and
booking class availability, at the time of booking. The usual
airfare deposit is £100.
SINGAPORE AIRLINES or QANTAS
Depart on Sunday evening by Singapore Airlines or
Qantas flight from London (Heathrow) to Brisbane, arriving at
Brisbane on Tuesday morning and connecting with an onward
flight to Honiara by Solomon Airlines, arriving there in the
afternoon. Alternatively depart from London on
Wednesday evening, arriving at Brisbane on Friday morning and take
an evening flight onward to Honiara, arriving very early on
Saturday.
On the return journey you leave Honiara by Solomon
Airlines very early on Sunday morning and connect at Brisbane with
a Singapore Airlines or Qantas afternoon flight, arriving at
London (Heathrow) on Monday morning. Alternatively,
leave Honiara on Tuesday evening, overnight at an hotel near
Brisbane airport (cost £30 twin/share, room-only, or £60 single
occupancy) and then travel onwards the next afternoon,
arriving at London (Heathrow) on Thursday morning.
£1204 for departures 16 April-30 June.
£1357 for departures 16 January-15 April, 15 August-15
September, 1 November-9 December, 24-31 December.
£1510 for departures 1-15 January, 1 July-14 August, 16
September-31 October.
£1699 for departures 10-23 December.
Includes:
· Scheduled flights London
(Heathrow)/Singapore/Brisbane/Singapore/London (Heathrow) by Singapore Airlines
or Qantas.
· Scheduled flights Brisbane/Honiara/Brisbane by
Solomon Airlines.
SINGAPORE STOP-OVERS
Why not take the opportunity to explore Singapore as part
of your holiday? Singapore Airlines fly between London and
Singapore daily and stop-overs are available at no additional
airfare. We can arrange your hotel accommodation: for details
please see the Sipadan entry in this brochure.
Reports from previous trips to THE SOLOMON ISLANDS:
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