Destination Overview:
If it weren’t for the remnants of war tankers, battleships, troop carriers, bombers and fighters, which can be found scattered amongst the shallow reefs and deep harbors throughout this island nation, it would be hard to believe that the Solomons were once the site of fierce fighting during WWII. While the reefs are as good as any in the world, most divers visit the Solomons to see the remnants of the Pacific campaign. Honiara on the island of Guadalcanal is the best place to start with some wrecks diveable from the shore.

Diving Details:
The New Georgia island group includes the dive areas of Gizo, Munda, and Uepi. All have wrecks such as Japanese freighters, transports, dive bombers and American fighter planes. The locations mentioned above also have walls, passages and pinnacles teeming with marine life…from tiny exotic nudibranchs with their bizarre colors and shapes to schools of hammerhead sharks or the occasional whale shark feeding its massive bulk with tiny fish and plankton. At night with dive torches off, a wave of the hand creates swirling flames of pale green bioluminescence. Caves and overhangs reveal delicate polyps out feeding on the night’s bounty.

Insider Information:
The Solomon Islands have traditionally been dived via live-aboard. The outer islands, though, offer rustic but very comfortable lodging. Land-based accommodations will also allow you greater contact with the friendly locals, but if quantity of dives is your main priority, live-aboards are the way to go. Ask our travel professionals about customizing a Solomon Islands plus Fiji dive package for you.

Dive Operators

Dive Sites

Hotels

image Agnes Lodge
image Gizo Hotel
image Fatboys Resort
image Uepi Island Resort

Restaurants

Non-Diving Activities

  • Go snorkeling…many dive sites also set the stage for world-class snorkeling
  • Visit Skull Island
  • Explore Kennedy Island, where JFK and the crew of the PT 109 were shipwrecked during WWII
  • Take a WWII Historic Tour
  • Trek through the rainforest toward the rim of Mt. Kolombangara
  • Visit a local village
  • See endemic bird species on a birdwatching tour
  • Join a sportfishing charter
  • Visit an exotic open-air market
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Frequently Asked Questions

They are located east of Papua New Guinea, northeast of Australia, and southwest of Hawaii.

From Los Angeles, it takes about 21 hours to get there including stopovers. From New York, it can take up to 28 hours.

The Solomons are 18 hours ahead of Los Angeles and 15 hours ahead of New York.

They use the Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD). The current exchange rate is as follows: $1.00(US) = 6.90(SBD)

English is the official language used. There are also 87 indigenous languages of which Melanesian Tok Pisin is predominantly used.

U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter the Solomon Islands. However, you will need a passport, an onward/return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds for your duration of stay. Visitor permits are granted upon arrival at the Henderson International Airport in Honiara.

There is no U.S. Embassy in the Solomons. However, there is a U.S. Consular agent located in Honiara. The U.S. Consular agent is available for general information and passport applications and can be contacted at:

The United States Consular Agency
Point Cruz, Commonwealth Ave., Honiara
Telephone: (677) 23426 or (677) 98367
Cell Phone: (677) 94731
Fax: (677) 27429
Email: keithieusa@solomon.com.sb

The U.S. Embassy in Papua New Guinea provides primary assistance to U.S. citizens. It is located on Douglas Street, adjacent to the Bank of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby. The contact information is:

Mailing Address: PO Box 1492, Port Moresby, N.C.D. 121, Papua New Guinea
Telephone: (675) 321-1455
After hours telephone (675) 683-7943
Fax: (675) 321-1593

For legal reasons, we cannot make official recommendations regarding shots or immunizations. Please consult with your physician or visit www.cdc.gov for more information.

They use 240 volts.

Please consult with your airlines regarding luggage requirements and restrictions.

From the United States, the usual route is through Nadi, Fiji via Air Pacific, Air New Zealand, or Qantas. Solomon Airlines services the domestic flights.

You will be instructed by your resort on how to proceed with your transfers to the resort.

Wrecks, fighter planes, big fish action, current dives, critter dives, some cave diving.

Maximum is 4 dives in a day. A dive day usually begins with one in the morning, followed by lunch on a secluded island beach, and a second dive in the afternoon.

We recommend wearing a 3mm wetsuit. While the water can get warm enough to not wear a wetsuit, we would recommend divers to wear one for protection.

From Dive Gizo, it takes about 20-30 minutes to get to the Gizo area dive sites.
From Uepi Island Resort, it takes minutes to get to the Uepi area dive sites. Uepi also offers excursion dive trips to sites that are 15-30 minutes from the resort.

Terminal fees, departure fees

E-tickets and vouchers are sent approximately 3 weeks prior to your departure.