Ultimate Solomon Islands Liveaboard Trip 2026

Trip Overview

The Solomon Islands are hailed by some underwater water photographers as one of the best diving spots in the world for underwater photography, with lots of big, wide-angle subjects (good shipwrecks, WWII artifacts), great macro critters (ghost pipefish, pigmy seahorse), and interesting terrain such as caves and crevices. With the diving being limited to a few dive boats, you're not likely to see other divers during the trip. Plus, you get the chance of having friendly encounters with locals who come out to greet the boat.

Dive Overview

For incredible reefs, lots of fish, and very few other divers, the Solomons is the place to be. You have wrecks, caverns, wide-angle reefs, large sea fans, soft corals, lots of macro life. There is an incredible diversity of hard corals. In fact, the diversity of the Solomon's is hard to beat. The Solomon Islands rivals any other Indo-pacific destination for coral reefs, marine life, and diversity.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - 3: Russell Islands 

• Dive into the pristine waters surrounding the Russell Islands, exploring mesmerizing dive sites such as Leru Cut, White Beach, Mirror Pond, and Karumolun Point.
• Immerse yourself in the rich history of the area while discovering remnants of an American WWII base submerged beneath the surface.
• Interact with local villagers and witness their traditional way of life, including the renowned wood carvings of the region.

Day 4 - 6: Mary Island

• Journey to the uninhabited shores of Mary Island, renowned for its abundance of hard corals and vibrant marine life.
• Spend a day exploring the underwater wonders surrounding Mary Island, encountering sharks, turtles, and bumphead parrotfish.
• Delight in the opportunity to dive alongside majestic manta rays at Devils' Highway, a thrilling dive site known for its strong currents and adrenaline-filled encounters.

Day 7 - 8: Florida Islands

• Venture to the Florida Islands, where you'll discover dive sites such as Twin Tunnels and Maravagi Bay, offering a diverse array of marine species and macro photography opportunities.
• Explore the wreckage of the Japanese Mavis Seaplane from WW2, surrounded by fascinating marine life and historical artifacts.

Day 9-10: Marovo Lagoon Area

• Conclude your journey in the picturesque Marovo Lagoon area, where you'll dive into the vibrant underwater landscapes of Kicha, Mbulo Caves, and Wickham Island.
• Experience the breathtaking beauty of hard corals, sea fans, and diverse fish life while being serenaded by the distant sounds of the underwater volcano Kavachi.
• Engage with local communities, discover traditional handicrafts, and immerse yourself in the cultural richness of the Solomon Islands.
• Note: Village visits are scheduled during surface intervals to maximize dive opportunities per day. Dive sites may vary based on weather conditions and guest preferences, ensuring a dynamic and unforgettable expedition.

Solomon Islands Typical Dive

On a liveaboard, 4 dives a day is typical and that usually includes a night dive. You can dive solo or go with friends and/or a guide. Although some dives are from the mothership, tender boats are also used. The tender is usually waiting for you - in the eventt hat you surface early, they're available to bring you back to the boat. Diving is fairly easy with not much current, good visibility, and plentiful marine life.

Most divers use nitrox due to the repetitive diving. Depths are standard for Info-Pacific reefs, with the best marine life between 20-80 feet deep. Motoring between sites is usually done during meals or at night, allowing you to maximize your time spent in the water.

Diving Conditions

Water and air temperature are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying only 2 - 3 degrees all year long. Water temperatures should range between 82-85 F (28-30 C). Average visibility is around 15 meters/50 feet, though at times youll enjoy 21-30 meters/60-90 feet or more.

To learn more about what you can expect from this Solomon Islands trip check out this trip report. You can also read the great reviews of the Bilikiki Liveaboard & the reviews on diving Solomon Islands here.

Fancy the trip, but not the dates? Check out other Solomon Islands liveaboards.