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Why Join This Trip? - Trip Overview - Inclusions & Exclusions
Solomon Islands On The Bilikiki 2026
Join Bluewater Travel and embark on a thrilling adventure to the mesmerizing Solomon Islands aboard the renowned Bilikiki Liveaboard. Led by experienced Bluewater Trip Leader, Tim Yeo, this 10-night expedition promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of the South Pacific.
Why Join This Trip?
- Explore historic WWII wrecks.
- Choose from guided dives with an experienced guide or dive unguided if you prefer.
- Unlimited Diving (up to 5 dives a day)
- Free WiFi onboard
- Fully refundable deposit until 18 months from departure.
Want to know more about the Solomon Islands? Read the exciting articles from our trip leader Mark Stricklands' Dive Adventure in the Solomon Islands.
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.
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 event that 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 you’ll 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.
Inclusions
- Hotel or airport transfers
- 10 nights onboard accommodation in a Deluxe Cabin, shared occupancy
- All meals and snacks
- Unlimited Diving (up to 5 dives a day)
- Weights and belt
- Tanks and air-fills
Exclusions
- Tax ($250 per person - invoiced in advance)
- Bar drinks
- Nitrox ($180 per person)
- Personal purchases
- Medical evacuation insurance - MANDATORY
Trip Type
This trip is a group trip, not a photography workshop. It will be led by an experienced Bluewater trip leader who will manage the trip logistics and ensure your needs are met throughout. While this trip is designed to optimize your photography opportunities, it is not led by one of our photo instructors and so meaningful photography advice from your trip leader should not be expected.
What to expect from our Group Trips
- Meet like-minded travelers - Our Group Trips are perfect for solo travelers who enjoy meeting other divers or photographers and enjoy the support of a pre-arranged itinerary. Your trip leader will arrange group activities such as meals or game nights to ensure everyone feels part of the Bluewater family.
- Problems solved - Your trip leader will be on hand to assist with any issues you may have. From delayed or canceled flights, to lost room keys and dietary requirements. We have dealt with it all before and will ensure that your trip runs smoothly.
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.
About The Bilikiki
The MV Bilikiki has been operating in the Solomon Islands for 27 years and was the first full-service luxury dive liveaboard to dive the Solomon Islands. Featuring 10 air-conditioned cabins with en-suite bathrooms for up to 20 divers, 3 hearty meals served buffet-style daily and ample, MV Bilikiki is just what you need to have a great dive liveaboard vacation in the Solomon Islands!
MV Bilikiki Accommodation Details
- Number of cabins: 10 cabins for up to 20 divers
- Cabin Types: 10 deluxe cabins (8 with a double bed below and a single above, 2 with twin beds - no bunk)
- Air Conditioning: Yes.
- En-Suite Bathroom: Yes, with shower, toilet and hand basin.
Check out this page to see more details and customer reviews on the Bilikiki Liveaboard
About The Trip Leader
Tim grew up in tiny Singapore, where driving for more than an hour meant you would need a passport. Traveling was always his passion, but Tim became addicted to dive travel soon after he got scuba certified in Malaysia. As his diving addiction grew, Tim eventually became a Staff Instructor with PADI and an Instructor Trainer with SDI. After getting his instructor certification, Tim spent time teaching scuba in Malaysia and Vietnam.
Tim serves as General Manager and COO at Bluewater Travel and is the company's most seasoned trip leader. With a portfolio of leading over 30 group trips, his extensive expertise encompasses a variety of popular dive destinations such as the Galapagos, Raja Ampat, French Polynesia, Fiji, the Red Sea, Palau, Maldives, among others. His travels have taken him across all seven continents and allowed him to dive in all five oceans—the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Antarctic. Read more about Tim here.
Contact Tim at tim@bluewaterdivetravel.com for more info about his trips.
Flight Information
You should book flights into and out of Honiara International Airport (code: HIR). We recommend guests arrive a day before embarkation and spend the night in Honiara. This helps ensure you start adjusting to the time difference, and gives you a buffer in case there are any flight delays or baggage issues. The following is a list of recommended hotels in Honiara.
Coral Sea Resort & Casino
The Heritage Park Hotel
The King Solomon Hotel
Please contact us if you'd like hotel rates and booking assistance.
Airport or local hotel transfers are provided on embarkation and disembarkation days.
Flight Package
Our group trips attract guests from all over the globe and many of our customers prefer to book their own flights to take advantage of mileage points or credit card discounts. For these reasons, flights are not included in our group trip packages.
However, we are more than happy to work with you to find the best travel itinerary for your trip and will gladly give suggestions and advice, even if you make the final booking. We will check through your travel reservations at any time to ensure they fit with the trip schedule and can give recommendations on transit hotels and day tours where needed.
If you would like us to book flights, hotels, and transfers for your domestic and/or international travel on your behalf, we are also happy to arrange this. Please be advised that there is a 10% fee for this service to cover our booking and administration costs.
Contact Us for more information.
Payment Schedule
Deposit: $1,200
Payment 2: $2,000, due February 1, 2025
Payment 3: $2,000, due November 1, 2025
Balance: $2,000 due April 1, 2026
GOT QUESTIONS? READY TO BOOK?
Call us today at +1-310-915-6677 or email us trips@bluewaterdivetravel.com
And let us book your dream vacation!
Photo Gallery
Solomon Islands Underwater Photos from Previous Trips
