Bilikiki Liveaboard
We were aboard the Bilikiki liveaboard for a 10 day trip May 12-24, 2013 in the Solomon Islands. It is by far the best liveaboard experience that we have ever had. The divemasters Daniela and Csaba were outstanding. They not only gave us great dive briefings, but underwater helped to show us many things that we would missed on our own. Underwater photography was outstanding with great visibility and lots of sealife and pristine corals. Daniela and Csaba also were great above water by being great hosts and tour guides as we were able to visit several islands to buy hand made goods and visit villages. You could tell that the villagers had an excellent relationship with the Bilikiki. The crew was also excellent and extended wonderful hospitality to us. The meals were are all good and included a variety of choices. Breakfast included scrambled eggs, fruit, and pastries. Lunch was simple with sandwich fixings. Dinner included a choice of several entrees from fresh fish, chicken, pork, or beef with fresh grilled vegetables. There was a bar with a limited choice of wines, beers, and mixed drinks. Alcoholic drinks were extra.
There were 10 cabins that accommodated 2 persons per cabin. The cabins did not have windows because they were below sea level. The cabins were simple with moderate space for storage. The ensuite bathroom was small, but functional. There was plenty of hot water for the shower. there was separate room for camera equipment and charging batteries,
Tinney's were used to transport the divers from the boat to the dive sites. All dives were drift dives with the tinney's dropping off and picking up the divers. The boat staff transported your equipment to and from the tinney's. Entrance into the water was by a backroll. About 10 divers were in each tinney. There was always one dive master in the water with many times both divemasters. There was an opportunity to do 5 dives each day with one being at night where the boat was moored for the evening. Nitrox was available and average dives were 60 minutes.
There were lots of nudibranches, anenomefish, clownfish, various angelfish, black tip sharks, giant clams, a few pigmy seahorses, a variety of starfish, triggerfish, one dive site with mandarin fish, eels, coral reef snakes, puffers, and lionfish. The most challenging divesite was Devil's Highway, but it was worth it to see manta rays at a feeding station.
Our favorite place in Indonesia is Wakatobi, but the Solomon Islands are a close second.
We would highly recommend a trip on the Bilikiki and look forward to returning someday soon.
