Solomon Islands Snorkeling by Liveaboard

Our itinerary offers two legs that can be done individually, or back to back (with a $500 discount).

Leg 1: April 15-25

Apr 15 or earlier: Arrival Arrive in Honiara, Solomon Islands on Guadalcanal Island. Apr 15: Embark At 3pm, we'll embark on the Bilikiki for the Russell Islands, about 30mi northwest of Guadalcanal Island.  Apr 16–17: The Russell Islands The Russell Islands are made up of two scenic volcanic islands, Pavuvu and Mbanika, with rugged terrain and amazing beaches. Their numerous deep, sheltered bays are perfect for coral reef growth and offer exceptional snorkeling. Explore a variety of fascinating seaward reef environments, including sloping coral gardens and barrier reefs. Various whales and dolphins inhabit these waters, including a resident pod of short-finned pilot whales. It is a perfect start to your exploration of the remote waters of the Solomon Islands. Between snorkels, you can help survey for whales as you travel to new snorkel sites. If you want to participate in the cetacean surveys you’ll learn to use our Rapid Ecological Assessment survey techniques. Apr 18: Mborokua Island Onward to one of the most remote and isolated islands in the Western Solomon Islands, Mborokua or Mary Island. Mborokua offers fantastic snorkeling and diving opportunities, including spectacular reef drop-offs and large schools of barracuda and trevally. Here, thousands of colorful damselfish, anthias, surgeonfish, and other species congregate in schools, creating breathtaking flashes of light as they move in unison. Apr 19–20: New Georgia Island Marovo Lagoon is the world’s largest enclosed reef lagoon and earns its World Heritage status from its mix of biologically and culturally significant wonders. Its turquoise-blue waters are dotted with hundreds of small islands fringed with sandy beaches and covered by coconut palms and rainforest, making it an idyllic and pristine tropical paradise. Spend an exhilarating two full days snorkeling and exploring in this extraordinary lagoon. Cetaceans are also frequently sighted in Marovo’s waters, and occasionally orca and dugong.  We will also arrange a visit with the local communities on the inhabited islands to see the exquisite woodcarvings made by local woodcarvers; Apr 21–22: Kolombangara Island (not visited on Leg 2 itinerary) Kolombangara, meaning “Water Lord” in the local language, is made from the remnants of an extinct stratovolcano reaching 5,810ft. Enchantingly cone-shaped and almost perfectly round, it is lushly forested and has approximately 80 rivers and streams running down its flanks. The island’s pristine forests are culturally significant to the indigenous inhabitants and are a biodiversity wonderland featuring several species of birds and frogs endemic to the island.  The vibrant forests create prime nutrient-rich conditions for underwater life around the island. Snorkeling and diving are spectacular along the many drop-offs surrounding the island. History buffs may see airplanes and ships from WWII in the waters, now covered in corals and teeming with life. Back on board the boat, look for Fraser’s and spotted dolphins, dwarf sperm whales, and other cetaceans that frequent the deep waters around the island. Apr 23–24: Ghizo Island We spend our final few days making our way to Ghizo,  the capital of the Western Provinces.  The Ghizo area has many excellent snorkeling and diving sites. In 2006, marine experts recorded the second highest reef fish biodiversity in the world in Ghizo (after Raja Ampat in West Papua, also part of the Coral Triangle).  Apr 25: Disembark After breakfast those flying home will disembark, or remain onboard if continuing on our Solomon Islands II tour.

Leg 2: April 26 – May 6

Apr 25 or earlier: Arrival Upon arrival in Honiara (Guadalcanal Island), Solomon Islands, our local agent will transfer you from the airport to your hotel.  Apr 26: Fly to Ghizo, embark Arrive from your flight to Ghizo and board the Bilikiki in the afternoon for a trip briefing. Travelers doing both legs will have some time after breakfast to explore Ghizo, reboarding the boat by 3pm. Apr 27: Ghizo Island The Ghizo area has many excellent snorkeling and diving sites, plus several sites of cultural and historic interest. In 2006, marine experts recorded the second highest reef fish biodiversity in the world in Ghizo (after Raja Ampat in West Papua, also part of the Coral Triangle). Large pods of resident spinner and spotted dolphins are often seen in the waters off Ghizo, frequently bow-riding and spinning alongside the vessel. Apr 28-29: Tetepare and Rendova Islands (not visited on Leg 1 itinerary) Navigating down the Blanche Channel and the west coast of New Georgia Island, you’ll sail to the jewel-like Tetepare and Rendova islands. Ultra-remote, even by Solomon Islands standards, these islands are best described as some of the “last Edens.” The lush, and uninhabited Tetepare is fringed with untouched coral reefs, where you can snorkel amongst a spectacular diversity of fish. Land on the black sand beaches and hike into the pristine forest to find an astonishing variety of butterflies and birds. Hop over to nearby Rendova, and explore calm lagoons amidst stunning mountain backdrops and swim with Hawksbill turtles, reef sharks, and dolphins. Information on whale and dolphin diversity and distribution in this region is very sparse, although the deep, open waters around the islands are suspected to host sperm, beaked, and blue whales, as well as many species of dolphins. Help scientists look for these cetaceans on the water between island visits and snorkels to deepen our understanding of marine mammals in the Coral Triangle. Apr 30–May 2: New Georgia Island Marovo Lagoon is the world’s largest enclosed reef lagoon and earns its World Heritage status from its mix of biologically and culturally significant wonders. Its turquoise-blue waters are dotted with hundreds of small islands fringed with sandy beaches and covered by coconut palms and rainforest, making it an idyllic and pristine tropical paradise. Spend an exhilarating two full days snorkeling and exploring in this extraordinary lagoon. Cetaceans are also frequently sighted in Marovo’s waters, and occasionally orca and dugong.  We will also arrange a visit with the local communities on the inhabited islands to see the exquisite wood carvings made by local woodcarvers; May 3: Mborokua Island Arriving at  one of the most remote and isolated islands in the Western Solomon Islands, Mborokua or Mary Island. Mborokua offers fantastic snorkeling and diving opportunities, including spectacular reef drop-offs and large schools of barracuda and trevally. Here, thousands of colorful damselfish, anthias, surgeonfish, and other species congregate in schools, creating breathtaking flashes of light as they move in unison. May 4-5: The Russell Islands The Russell Islands are made up of two scenic volcanic islands, Pavuvu and Mbanika, with rugged terrain and amazing beaches. Their numerous deep, sheltered bays are perfect for coral reef growth and offer exceptional snorkeling. Explore a variety of fascinating seaward reef environments, including sloping coral gardens and barrier reefs. Various whales and dolphins inhabit these waters, including a resident pod of short-finned pilot whales. It is a perfect start to your exploration of the remote waters of the Solomon Islands. On our next to last day as we head back to Honiara we’ll pass near to the historic WW II naval battleground of the Iron Bottom Sound, named in remembrance of the dozens of US and Japanese warships and planes that sank there during the Battle of Guadalcanal from 1942 to 1943. May 6: Disembark Disembark after breakfast to transfer to the Honiara Airport, or stay to join our 2-day cetacean identification and conservation workshop (additional fee).