Diving here in the Solomon Islands has been fantastic this year, even without tourism. As locals we have been spoilt for choice as to where we can go with no crowds. My best dive was of the wreck 'Tao Maru' in Gizo, Western Province here. A Japanese WW2 supply vessel that was sunk in about 40m of water. Crystal clear water, well preserved, cargo holds still full of gear. Very interesting and well worth the dive. The picture attached of an amazing anemone that has been on the side of this ship for over 35years according to our DM that day who says it has been there since he has been diving that wreck. He is very fond of it.
In the Solomon's, we have well over 900 different WW2 wrecks to explore. And the wall diving is some of the best you will get. When your 30m down, you can see the wall go another 30-50m before it just disappears. Fish life is in abundance and a dive called 'Grand Central Station' is a must as it has one of the top 5 fish counts in the world for reef dives.
Unfortunately for me, I am moving back to Australia in January so I will not be able to call the South Pacific home anymore as I have done for the past 11years. I guess the Great Barrier Reef will become our new dive hotspot.
Cheers
Tony