Discover the untouched underwater wonders of the Solomon Islands, where pristine reefs, WWII wrecks, and vibrant marine life await. Liveaboard diving offers the ultimate way to explore this remote Pacific paradise, with access to sites few divers ever experience. From the legendary Iron Bottom Sound to the breathtaking Marovo Lagoon, prepare for an unforgettable diving adventure in one of the world’s last undiscovered diving frontiers.
Why Choose a Solomon Islands Liveaboard Adventure
The Solomon Islands archipelago consists of nearly 1,000 islands spread across 1,500 kilometers of the South Pacific. This remote location has preserved its underwater environments in pristine condition, making it a true diver’s paradise.
Unmatched Access to Remote Sites
Liveaboard vessels provide exclusive access to dive sites unreachable from land-based operations. You’ll explore pristine reefs and remote locations where few divers have ventured before. With multiple daily dives and minimal travel time between sites, you’ll maximize your underwater experiences.
Comprehensive Diving Experience
Liveaboard trips typically offer 3-5 dives daily, including night dives, allowing you to experience the full spectrum of Solomon Islands diving. Expert guides familiar with local conditions ensure you’ll discover the best sites at optimal times, with personalized attention in small groups.
Ready to Experience the Ultimate Diving Adventure?
Book your Solomon Islands liveaboard trip today and explore one of the world’s last pristine diving frontiers.
Top Solomon Islands Dive Sites & Regions
The Solomon Islands offer an incredible diversity of dive environments, from coral-encrusted WWII wrecks to pristine reefs teeming with marine life. Most liveaboard itineraries cover several key regions, each with its own unique underwater attractions.
Florida Islands & Iron Bottom Sound
Named for the estimated 200 ships and 690 aircraft that sank during WWII battles, Iron Bottom Sound offers world-class wreck diving. Explore Japanese seaplanes, submarines, and Allied vessels now transformed into thriving artificial reefs. The area also features sheer wall dives and lava tubes with exceptional marine biodiversity.
- Japanese Seaplane Wreck (18-30m)
- Ed’s Wall & Napoleon’s Wall
- “Garbage Bin” – USS New Orleans bow section
Mary Island
Famous for its impressive pelagic action, Mary Island offers thrilling drift dives along dramatic walls and pinnacles. The three primary sites – Barracuda Point, Anchor Point, and Mary Corner – are renowned for massive schools of barracuda, jacks, and tuna. The area’s nutrient-rich waters attract larger predators and support vibrant reef ecosystems.
- Barracuda Point – massive fish schools
- Anchor Point – swim-throughs and bommies
- Mary Corner – pelagic encounters
Russell Islands
The Russell Islands offer over a dozen exceptional dive sites, including fascinating cave systems. Photographers flock to Custom Caves, where divers can surface inside to view fresh water bubbling in from nearby streams. Bat Cave provides easy diving with baby reef sharks, harlequin ghost pipefish, and pygmy seahorses, plus the unique sight of bats roosting at the cave’s rear.
- Custom Caves – underwater caverns
- Bat Cave – macro life and roosting bats
- Northeastern reefs – pelagic encounters
Marovo Lagoon
The world’s largest saltwater lagoon, Marovo offers incredible diving diversity. The area includes numerous WWII wrecks, vibrant reefs, and excellent muck diving opportunities. Peava Jetty is renowned for macro photography, while Palette features massive colorful fan coral formations surrounded by schools of barracuda and rainbow runners. The lagoon’s protected waters create ideal diving conditions year-round.
- Peava Jetty – premier muck diving
- Palette – massive fan coral gardens
- WWII aircraft and vessel wrecks
Extraordinary Marine Life Encounters
The Solomon Islands’ remote location and nutrient-rich waters support extraordinary marine biodiversity. From tiny macro critters to impressive pelagics, divers encounter a remarkable variety of species in healthy, thriving ecosystems.
Reef Life & Macro Wonders
The pristine reefs host over 500 species of hard and soft corals supporting incredible biodiversity. Photographers delight in finding pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, and mandarin fish. The region’s famous “muck diving” sites reveal mantis shrimp, blue-ringed octopus, and countless other cryptic species.
Pelagic Encounters & Larger Species
The nutrient-rich waters attract impressive pelagic species including barracuda, trevally, and tuna in massive schools. Reef sharks, hammerheads, and the occasional whale shark patrol deeper waters. Manta rays, dolphins, and pilot whales make regular appearances, particularly around Mary Island and the outer reef systems.
“The Solomon Islands offered both large and small creatures, structures to swim through, deep and shallow diving, hard and soft coral, WWII wrecks and more! It was the best of everything in one liveaboard trip!”
Experience These Incredible Marine Encounters
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WWII Wreck Diving Heritage
The Solomon Islands were the site of fierce WWII battles, particularly during the six-month Guadalcanal Campaign. Today, the waters between Florida Islands and Guadalcanal, known as “Iron Bottom Sound,” contain approximately 200 ships, 690 aircraft, and countless landing barges – creating one of the world’s most significant underwater historical sites.
Wreck Diving Highlights
These historical wrecks have transformed into vibrant artificial reefs, creating the perfect blend of history and marine biology. Most wrecks are accessible to recreational divers, though some deeper sites are suitable for technical diving. Specialized wreck-focused itineraries are available for history enthusiasts.
- Japanese Seaplane – Nearly intact and fully accessible to recreational divers
- USS New Orleans bow section – Sunk by torpedo strike
- Numerous aircraft wrecks – Including Zero fighters and Allied bombers
- Submarine wrecks – For technical divers
“The wreck diving was incredible – these aren’t just metal hulks but living ecosystems completely covered in corals and marine life. The historical significance adds another dimension to the experience.”
Planning Your Solomon Islands Liveaboard Trip
Best Time to Visit
The Solomon Islands offer excellent diving year-round with water temperatures between 26-29°C (79-84°F). There is a minimal rainy season from November to April, but it rarely affects diving conditions. Visibility averages 15-30m (45-90ft), with nutrient-rich waters supporting abundant marine life.
Trip Duration & Itineraries
Most liveaboard trips range from 7-15 days, with 10-day itineraries offering the best balance of dive sites and value. Shorter 7-day trips typically focus on specific regions, while longer expeditions provide comprehensive coverage of multiple areas including remote sites.
Pricing & Value
Liveaboard trips range from $4,400-$7,900 depending on duration, vessel, and cabin type. While not inexpensive, the remote location, quality of diving, and all-inclusive nature of these trips provide excellent value compared to land-based alternatives requiring multiple transfers.
| Itinerary Type | Duration | Price Range (USD) | Focus Areas | Best For |
| WWII Wreck Week | 7 nights | $3,500-$4,500 | Florida Islands, Iron Bottom Sound | History enthusiasts, wreck specialists |
| Best of Solomons | 10 nights | $5,000-$6,500 | Florida Islands, Russell Islands, Mary Island | All-around divers seeking variety |
| Guadalcanal & Western Province | 10 nights | $5,500-$6,500 | Guadalcanal, Munda, Western reefs | Reef enthusiasts, photographers |
| Technical Special | 10 nights | $6,000-$7,000 | Deep wrecks, technical dive sites | Technical divers, advanced wreck divers |
Recommended Operators
Two primary operators dominate the Solomon Islands liveaboard market, each offering distinct experiences:
- Solomons Master – Modern vessel with 8 cabins accommodating up to 16 guests. Offers various itineraries including specialized wreck and technical diving trips.
- Emperor Bilikiki – Established operator with comfortable accommodations and experienced local guides. Known for comprehensive itineraries covering multiple regions.
Equipment Recommendations
While liveaboards provide tanks, weights, and basic rental equipment, we recommend bringing:
- 3-5mm wetsuit (water temperatures 26-29°C/79-84°F)
- Dive computer (mandatory on all vessels)
- Surface marker buoy and reef hook
- Underwater camera equipment (macro and wide-angle capabilities)
- Spare parts and o-rings for personal equipment
Need Help Planning Your Perfect Trip?
Our diving experts can help you select the ideal itinerary and vessel for your preferences.
Cultural Experiences & Conservation
Solomon Islands liveaboard trips offer more than just diving. Most itineraries include village visits, cultural exchanges, and opportunities to learn about local conservation efforts. These experiences provide valuable context to your underwater adventures and support local communities.
Village Visits & Cultural Exchange
Many liveaboards organize visits to remote villages where traditional lifestyles remain largely unchanged for centuries. Guests can purchase or trade for wood carvings and other crafts directly from artisans. These cultural exchanges provide mutual benefits – visitors gain insight into traditional Melanesian culture while villages receive economic support.
Conservation Initiatives
Several liveaboard operators partner with local communities on marine conservation projects. These initiatives include coral restoration, crown-of-thorns starfish removal, and establishing locally managed marine protected areas. Some trips include presentations on conservation efforts and opportunities for guests to participate in citizen science projects.
“The village tours were heartwarming and interesting. It was wonderful to see the relationship the staff had with the local children and villagers. I loved the dugout canoes that would bring us our produce.”
Solomon Islands vs. Other Pacific Destinations
How does the Solomon Islands compare to other popular Pacific diving destinations? This comparison helps put the unique aspects of Solomon Islands liveaboard diving into perspective.
- Extremely remote with very few divers
- Exceptional WWII wreck diving
- Pristine, undamaged reefs
- Excellent macro and wide-angle opportunities
- Moderate visibility (15-30m/45-90ft)
- Authentic cultural experiences
- More challenging to reach
Solomon Islands
- Remote with few divers
- World-class muck diving
- Some WWII wrecks
- Exceptional biodiversity
- Variable visibility
- Strong cultural component
- Challenging logistics
Papua New Guinea
- More developed tourism
- Famous soft coral reefs
- Shark diving opportunities
- Better visibility (20-40m/60-120ft)
- More crowded dive sites
- Easier to access
- More resort options
Fiji
“After diving extensively throughout the Pacific, the Solomon Islands stand out for their pristine condition and lack of other divers. It’s like stepping back in time to how diving used to be before mass tourism.”
Ready to Explore the Undiscovered?
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Experience the Solomon Islands Diving Adventure
The Solomon Islands represent one of the last true diving frontiers, offering an unparalleled combination of pristine reefs, historical wrecks, and extraordinary marine life. A liveaboard trip provides the ideal way to explore this remote archipelago, accessing sites beyond the reach of day boats while enjoying comfortable accommodations and expert guidance.
Whether you’re fascinated by WWII history, passionate about underwater photography, or simply seeking to dive in unspoiled environments, the Solomon Islands deliver exceptional experiences. The absence of crowds, combined with the diversity of dive sites and marine life, creates a diving paradise that rivals any destination worldwide.
Begin Your Solomon Islands Adventure
Contact our diving experts today to find your perfect Solomon Islands liveaboard experience.