About This Trip
Trip Highlights
- Snorkel pristine shallow reefs of hard and soft corals, including a location with the second highest reef fish biodiversity in the world (after Raja Ampat, Indonesia).
- This liveaboard expedition supports whale and dolphin survey efforts, and we may see the little-known Omura's whale, first discovered in 2004.
- Visit ultra-remote parts of the Solomon Islands including Tetepare – the largest uninhabited island in the South Pacific – and Marovo Lagoon, the world’s largest enclosed reef lagoon.
- Register for both legs back-to-back to have 20 full days exploring the coral reefs of the Solomon Islands.
This itinerary was created in collaboration with Planet Deep and Cheeseman’s Ecological Safaris. Our liveaboard expedition brings us to the vibrant waters of the Solomon Islands, where we'll explore colorful coral reefs peppered with brilliantly-hued fish, dazzling tropical lagoons, and volcanic jungle-clad islands. Populated by people who maintain a subsistence lifestyle, the region has been unchanged for hundreds of years. We will venture to some of the ultra-remote islands, even by Solomon Islands’ standards, best described as some of the Earth's “last Edens.”
We will explore this unique jewel of the South Pacific, guided by cetacean experts and marine biologists with years of experience in the region. High fish and invertebrate variation allow for diverse wildlife sightings including nudibranchs, pipefish, pygmy seahorses, mantis shrimp, rays, sea turtles, and sharks. You’ll get to enjoy two to three snorkeling excursions a day, complemented by intriguing cultural experiences with village visits and jungle hikes on uninhabited islands.
During transits between snorkeling sites, you will look for cetaceans. Many tropical cetacean species are present here including spinner dolphins, pantropical spotted dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins, rough-toothed dolphins, shortfin pilot whales, pygmy killer whales, dwarf sperm whales, and sperm whales. There are also reports of unidentified beaked whales. But a particular target of our expedition will be blue whales, which may use these waters as a mating or/and breeding ground, as well as Omura’s whales, tropical baleen whales that were unknown to science before 2004 and were first described from the Solomon Islands. If deemed appropriate, you may also have the opportunity to snorkel with some of the whales — an unforgettable experience.
There will be some time devoted to visiting the islands and local villages. There will also be plenty of time for snorkeling on the stupendous coral reefs—some of the most under-appreciated and unique in the entire Pacific. The middle of our trip itinerary will bring us near Gizo. In 2006, marine experts recorded the second-highest reef fish biodiversity in the world in Gizo.
Read our trip leaders' reports from our last Solomon Islands by Liveaboard trip:
- An Unexplored Corner of the Coral Triangle: The Solomon Islands by Wayne Sentman
- Solomon Islands by Liveaboard: Whale Survey Report by Benjamin Kahn
Notes on Trip Costs
Post trip extension option to be announced in 2022. There is a $500/person discount upon registering for both legs back-to-back.
Trip prices do not include airfare. One hotel night on arrival or departure is included, extra hotel nights pre and post trip are not. Special deposit amounts and payment dates are in effect for this expedition ($2,000/person deposit on registration; $2,000/person second deposit by Jan 1, 2022; balance due by Oct 15, 2022). No single accommodations are available, but we are happy to pair solo travelers with a roommate. This expedition has special terms and conditions, please call for details.
Conservation Impact
Founded in 1969, Oceanic Society is America’s oldest 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ocean conservation. As pioneers of “eco travel,” our expeditions have been designed to directly support our mission. They not only positively impact our travelers, but also the people, places, and wildlife we go to see. Your expedition costs include fees that support conservation and promote sustainable livelihoods in the communities we visit, and Oceanic Society's earnings are invested back into our global research and conservation programs. In 2019, we also established our Expedition Impact Fund (EIF) as a way to grow our impact. The fund is seeded annually with money earned from our expeditions, and supplemented by donations from Oceanic Society travelers. Through the EIF, we award grants to our partners for their on-the-ground efforts to protect ocean habitats and the wildlife and human communities that depend on them.
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
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 25 – May 5
Apr 24 or earlier: Arrival
Upon arrival in Honiara (Guadalcanal Island), Solomon Islands, our local agent will transfer you from the airport to your hotel.
Apr 25: 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 26: 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 27–28: 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 29–May 1: 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 2: 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 3-4: 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 5: Disembark
Disembark after breakfast to transfer to the Honiara Airport, or stay to join our 2-day cetacean identification and conservation workshop (additional fee).
Ship
MV Bilikiki
In 1989 MV Bilikiki sailed as the first full service liveaboard dive vessel in the Solomon Islands. She is a large, stable, comfortable vessel and consistently rated one of the best liveaboard ships in the world. MV Bilikiki has 10 deluxe cabins, eight…
Naturalist(s)
Your expedition will be led by one or more of the following expert naturalist guides:
