Solomon Islands Scuba Diving: Explore the Pacific’s Hidden Gem

The Solomon Islands, a remote and unspoiled dive destination in the South Pacific, offers some of the most pristine and biodiverse waters on the planet. With a mix of thriving coral reefs, haunting WWII wrecks, and abundant marine life, Solomon Islands scuba diving is an adventure unlike any other.

But what makes this destination so unique, and what should you know before planning your dive trip? This guide explores everything you need to know, from the best dive locations and ideal seasons to ways to dive and essential travel tips.

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The Main Island Groups and Who They Are Best For

The Solomon Islands is an archipelago of nearly 1,000 islands, divided into several island groups, each offering a different kind of diving experience:

Guadalcanal

Best for: Wreck Diving

Guadalcanal, the capital region, is steeped in history and home to some of the best WWII wreck diving in the world. Iron Bottom Sound, just north of Guadalcanal, is named after the 1400 or so airplanes and over 100 shipwrecks found there.

Its waters contain sunken warships, aircraft, and submarines from fierce WWII battles. Divers here can explore wrecks like the USS Aaron Ward (an iconic technical dive) and the Hirokawa Maru, now teeming with marine life.

Florida Islands

Best for: Coral Gardens and Lava Tubes

Located close to Honiara, the Florida Islands offer easy access to spectacular reefs and two vertical lava tubes. The Twin Tunnels is a popular site where volcanic lava tubes lead divers down to a breathtaking coral wall. This region is ideal for those who love macro photography and colorful coral landscapes.

Russell Islands

Best for: Jaw-dropping caverns and big pelagics

The Russell Islands provide a mix of dramatic drop-offs, tunnels, and caverns. Mirror Pond is a dramatic cavern dive surrounded by jungle, while Leru Cut is one of the most famous Solomon Islands scuba diving spots, featuring a long passage cut deep into the land. The area is also home to big pelagics, including sharks and barracuda.

Western Province

Best for: Remote, Pristine Diving

Western Province is the heart of Solomon Islands scuba diving, with unspoiled reefs, manta ray cleaning stations, and vibrant marine biodiversity. Locations like Munda and Gizo are famous for incredible wall dives, coral reefs, and WWII wrecks such as the Toa Maru.

Marovo Lagoon

Best for: Soft Corals and Critters

Marovo Lagoon, one of the largest saltwater lagoons in the world, is known for crystal-clear, waters, healthy coral reefs, and abundant macro life. The diving here is diverse, with numerous tiny islands that boast coral drop-offs and awesome macro dives. It is a paradise for underwater photographers seeking nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, and vibrant reef fish.

Want a sun-soaked dive trip? Check out the 20 Best Diving Spots in the Coral Triangle

Top Dive Sites in the Solomon Islands

There are numerous exceptional places to go diving in the Solomon Islands. Here is our pick of some of the best Solomon Islands scuba diving spots:

1. Leru Cut

This stunning underwater passage cut deep into a small island allows divers to swim through a natural chasm lit by jungle light. It is one of the most unique and famous dive sites in the Pacific.

2. White Beach

This site features both a reef and WWII relics scattered on the seabed, including trucks, cranes, jeeps, tractors, 1940s Coca-Cola bottles, and ammunition. The wrecks have become thriving artificial reefs teeming with macro life.

3. Twin Tunnels

This volcanic reef site features two vertical lava tubes that drop divers down to 35 meters, where they emerge onto a wall covered in soft corals. The walls of the lava tubes are covered in fans and corals. At this remarkable dive site, you can see pygmy seahorses, squat lobsters, cuttlefish, and even occasional nurse sharks.

4. USS Aaron Ward

One of the best deep wreck dives, this WWII destroyer sits upright at 65 to 70 meters, making it an incredible site for technical divers. The bow is fully intact, with Gorgonian corals growing on the sides, the guns are still there, and the stern is in good condition.

RELATED: Diving The HMHS Britannic: The Everest of Technical Diving

5. Toa Maru

A massive Japanese transport ship, the Toa Maru is one of the best wreck dives in the Solomon Islands, resting at a depth of 12 to 37 meters. This WWII shipwreck is reasonably intact, lying on her starboard side, and is adorned with numerous artifacts, from medical supplies and office equipment to bombs, a motorbike, and a tank.

6. Kavachi Corner

Kavachi Corner is a sheer deep wall and plateau that hosts incredible marine life, including grey reef sharks, barracuda, snappers, and bumphead parrotfish. You may also hear the boom of an active volcano during your dives. The Kavachi volcano is one of the world’s most active underwater volcanoes, and Kavachi Corner catches the sounds of its eruptions.

7. Devil’s Highway

Famous for strong currents and manta ray encounters, Devil’s Highway is the best place in the Solomons to dive with manta rays. It offers thrilling drift dives where mantas glide through nutrient-rich waters to feed.

8. Mbike Island

The tiny island of Mbike has soft sandy slopes and a purposefully sunken wreck covered in table coral, gorgonian fans, and exceptional soft corals. This site is great for spotting diverse marine life among the stunning coral formations.

9. Wickham Island

Wickham Island is dotted with dive sites, offering something for every diver; from soft corals and sea fans to sharks and rays. It is also a great site for macro diving, making it a paradise for underwater photographers and reef lovers.

Love critters? Check out: The 8 Best Spots For Muck Diving

When Is The Best Time to Dive the Solomon Islands?

The Solomon Islands are a year-round dive destination, but different seasons offer unique experiences:

• May to November (Dry Season): Best overall conditions with excellent visibility (20-40m), calm seas, and comfortable air temperatures.
• December to April (Wet Season): There is a higher chance of rain, but still good diving. The water is warmer, and manta rays are more common.

The Solomon Islands boast warm waters year-round, with temperatures typically ranging from 27°C to 31°C (81°F to 88°F).

What Experience Level Do You Need?

Solomon Islands scuba diving is suitable for a range of certification levels, from Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver to experienced Technical Wreck Divers.

Ways to Dive the Solomon Islands

• Liveaboards: Solomon Islands liveaboards are the best way to explore multiple remote dive sites.
• Resort-Based Diving: Many Solomon Islands dive centers offer great house reefs and daily boat dives, particularly in Gizo, Munda, and Honiara.
• Day Trips: If staying in Honiara, day trips to the Florida Islands and Guadalcanal are possible.

First liveaboard trip? Check out these 6 essential tips for a smooth and unforgettable experience!

How to Get There

The main international gateway is Honiara International Airport. There are direct flights from Brisbane and Auckland. Fiji Airways and Air Niugini also offer flights to the Solomon Islands. Solomon Airlines offers domestic flights to Gizo, Munda, and other dive hubs.

Useful Travel Information

• Visa: Most nationalities can get a 30-day visa on arrival.
• Currency: Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD).
• Language: English is the official language, but Solomon Pijin is widely spoken.
• Health: Bring reef-safe sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Malaria is present, so consider taking antimalarial medication. Check with your local travel clinic which travel vaccinations are required.
• Electricity: Type G and type I plugs, 200V.
• Internet: Wi-Fi is limited; expect slower connections outside of Honiara.

Why Solomon Islands Scuba Diving is Worth It

Solomon Islands scuba diving is one of the best-kept secrets in the Pacific. The combination of untouched reefs, abundant WWII wrecks, and rich marine biodiversity makes it an unbeatable dive destination.

Whether you are an advanced diver looking for technical wrecks or a nature lover wanting to swim with mantas, the Solomon Islands offers something truly special.

Plan Your Dive Trip Today

If you are ready to experience some of the best diving in the Pacific, book your Solomon Islands scuba diving trip with an SSI dive center.

Whether it is a liveaboard adventure or a resort-based escape, this incredible destination is waiting to be explored!