gijo1977
Guest
Hey,
Just a quick thread about the Solomons......
Had a great dive trip over a 2 week period in August. Dived in Honiara (capital) Marvagi Resort, Uepi Resort, and Wilderness Lodge.
The water was a balmy 29-30 celcius for the entire trip (even at 35-40m) with Vis ranging from 10m-30m depending on the site
Maravigi was nice, but we were specifically there to try and catch some Mantas...... they were elusive and so we missed out
But for anyone who was aware of the Crown of thorne infestation of the local reef, they have been removed, cleaned up. or not there anymore, and the reef is starting to bounce back, with some really nice soft coral growth and marine life...
Honiara. Well there is not to much to say except that the 2 wrecks we dived (bonegi 1 & 2 were pretty good dives. Lots of marine life and soft corals, a few swim throughs and a good option for diving around the captal. We didnt get the chance to attempt any of the more infamous wrecks, but were informed of their excellence... the Aaron Ward (72m) sounds like a good dive once I get into some tech diving (some of the stories I heard sounded a bit cowboyish for my liking......... but it is the Solomons after all
Uepi was the best as far as accomodation and food went, but I was a little dissapointed by the personalities or culture of the place. the Diving was Good, but the best surprise was the chance to snorkle with a family of Mantas as they were feeding and cleening inside the lagoon on a shallow reef (4-5m) 2 mornings in a row .... Yay for Manata Rays.... Awesome experience (First timer). The Diving was good with a Hammer head sighting (I like the big stuff) and loads of other reef sharks. But the variety of diving we were offered in our 2 days was a little disapointing, with 3 of the dives being nearly the same as each other. Even when asked about other options we were guided (forced) back to the suggested dives. But it was good.
Wilderness Lodge and Solomon Dive Adventures were fantastic, by fare my favorite. SDA is run by Lisa Choquette of Hawaii fame and is a new Dive opperation that is developing and fostering the local community to run it themselves..... in the future.
The Dive masters were all locals, and were great at there jobs. Lisa was super enthusiastic, and the diving was spectacular. Not as many sharks as Uepi.. but thats OK, but the variety of diving in this area was outstanding! Wall diving leading into fantastic coral gardens, cave systems, swim throughs.... Rare and elusive marine life sightings.... I wanted to stay another few weeks and really get down and expore some of the sights......... But alas the trip ended and now I am keen to get back there in the future.
I hope this interests others and feel free to add your own Solomon experiences, as I am sure they are as dynamic and varied as the nation itself.
Just a quick thread about the Solomons......
Had a great dive trip over a 2 week period in August. Dived in Honiara (capital) Marvagi Resort, Uepi Resort, and Wilderness Lodge.
The water was a balmy 29-30 celcius for the entire trip (even at 35-40m) with Vis ranging from 10m-30m depending on the site
Maravigi was nice, but we were specifically there to try and catch some Mantas...... they were elusive and so we missed out
But for anyone who was aware of the Crown of thorne infestation of the local reef, they have been removed, cleaned up. or not there anymore, and the reef is starting to bounce back, with some really nice soft coral growth and marine life...Honiara. Well there is not to much to say except that the 2 wrecks we dived (bonegi 1 & 2 were pretty good dives. Lots of marine life and soft corals, a few swim throughs and a good option for diving around the captal. We didnt get the chance to attempt any of the more infamous wrecks, but were informed of their excellence... the Aaron Ward (72m) sounds like a good dive once I get into some tech diving (some of the stories I heard sounded a bit cowboyish for my liking......... but it is the Solomons after all
Uepi was the best as far as accomodation and food went, but I was a little dissapointed by the personalities or culture of the place.
the Diving was Good, but the best surprise was the chance to snorkle with a family of Mantas as they were feeding and cleening inside the lagoon on a shallow reef (4-5m) 2 mornings in a row .... Yay for Manata Rays.... Awesome experience (First timer). The Diving was good with a Hammer head sighting (I like the big stuff) and loads of other reef sharks. But the variety of diving we were offered in our 2 days was a little disapointing, with 3 of the dives being nearly the same as each other. Even when asked about other options we were guided (forced) back to the suggested dives. But it was good.Wilderness Lodge and Solomon Dive Adventures were fantastic, by fare my favorite. SDA is run by Lisa Choquette of Hawaii fame and is a new Dive opperation that is developing and fostering the local community to run it themselves..... in the future.
The Dive masters were all locals, and were great at there jobs. Lisa was super enthusiastic, and the diving was spectacular. Not as many sharks as Uepi.. but thats OK, but the variety of diving in this area was outstanding! Wall diving leading into fantastic coral gardens, cave systems, swim throughs.... Rare and elusive marine life sightings.... I wanted to stay another few weeks and really get down and expore some of the sights......... But alas the trip ended and now I am keen to get back there in the future.
I hope this interests others and feel free to add your own Solomon experiences, as I am sure they are as dynamic and varied as the nation itself.
