Going to Honiara... Trip Report Soon!

[SouthernSeas]

Hey Folks!

I have to go to the Solomons for a work trip, but am going a few days early to do some diving.. Nothing fancy.. just some day dives from Honiara, but I'll let you know how they go! Leaving tomorrow! Yea!

If anyone has any recommendations for dive sites to do from Honiara, I would appreciate your suggestions!

Thanks much!
SouthernSeas

[SouthernSeas]

Honiara trip report, August 2007

I managed to get in 5 dives in before attending a conference I was in town for. Here’s the report:

If you like wrecks and/or you’re a tech diver, the Solomon’s is the place to be! The island of Guadalcanal, which is where Honiara is located, was the site of some of the fiercest naval battles of World War II. The shores around Honiara are littered with wrecks of all kinds – planes, supply ships etc.

I dived with Invader Charters, which is located in the Honiara Hotel. They run day shore dives pretty much on the asking – when ever you have time to go, they can pretty much arrange to take you out.

Over the five dives we did three different sites, all Japanese supply ships. Of the three, the best site was called “Bonegi I” on the ship of the Hirokawa Maru. – I liked it so much I asked to go back a second time (I also did it as my 5th dive because they were going back that day). The site goes from 2m to 60m, and there is plenty to see at any depth.

We started at 40m and worked our way up. Between 30 and 15m the ship is cracked in half, with half its hull standing pretty much vertical, and the rest spilled over into the sand. The fish and coral absolutely love it, supporting a diversity of species. Octopus and eels amongst the wreckage in the sand, coral plastered over towers of broken hull that jut out 10 – 15m from the main wreck – clownfish, puffers, tobies, surgeonfish, spadefish, schools of snapper, oriental sweetlips, fusiliers, and small tuna cruising around. Really nice.

Each time I dived this site, there was absolutely no current – it was so still it was almost surreal. You could stop dead in your tracks and float effortless in the same spot to check something out more closely. Apparently this isn’t always the case on at Bonegi I, so I was glad I got to experience it. The vis wasn’t perfect, but at least 15 – 20m. (On the third dive the vis was only 5 to 10m – possibly because of an earthquake we had a couple of days before)

My second favourite site was the Kiushu Maru. The max dept on this site is about 55m. We started the dive penetrating the wreck at 40m. The hull is mostly empty, but there is still plenty of unexploded ordinance lying around. Since the wreck is lying at a very steep angle up the beach, the swim through the hull is quite steep, rising to about 25m. Its covered the whole way through, and the way out is a small slit compared to the way in. Makes for some very cool light effects. There’s not too many fish in the hull, mostly hatchet fish and lionfish, but a heck of a lot of fun. There is much less sea life at this site compared to the Hirokawa Maru, but there is a nice little coral garden between 8 and 3m where you can do your safety stop.

As for the town of Hoinara itself, its not exactly a “holiday spot” – The Solomon’s are one of the least developed countries in the world, not politically stable, and does not offer much in terms of land activities (the tourism industry is not very developed). The hotels are quite basic (even the “high end” hotels) although you can get some good food.

So, I wouldn’t recommend Honiara as a land-based trip (I was there because of work). However, I understand that the liveboards can be great in the Solomon’s and also accommodate technical divers – as there are a lot of very deep wrecks.

Gizo, which is on an island northwest of Hoinara, was a “hot spot” in the Solomon’s for diving – but it was affected recently by a tsunami. While some of the facilities are yet to be rebuilt, I understand that the diving there now is actually pretty good, because the damage to the corals has attracted a lot of fish.

[gbrdiver]

I just got back from Honiara and 8 diving days with Invader Charters and can add my 2 cents worth. Invader Charters are based at the Pacific Hotel/Casino. They offer shore and boat dives. Our group had no problem being land based and Invader was certainly setup for tech-diving - I doubt the liveaboards are.

We did the Bonegi Beach wrecks - Hirokawa Maru and Kinugawa Maru (both day and night dives); the shore dive Kyushu Maru (Ruanui) and the B17 wreck; boat dives around Guadalcanal including 3 dives on the USS John Penn, 2 on the Azumasan Maru. Getting out to the Floridas took about 90 min each way where we did the USS Kanawha one day, then went out the next and stayed on Maravagi Island for the night. The 4 reef dives were average (I am glad I went for the rust!) - the twin-tunnels and the mantas being the highlight. As you would expect the best dive there was the USS Aaron Ward.

Overall the diving operation with Invader Charters was superb. There was no lecture about what you cannot do, just an attitude that you could do whatever you were comfortable with. And that is how it panned out, one of the best diving holidays I have ever had.

[Travelnsj]

You said the reef dives were average....and the twin tunnels were great.....Were you able to get out to Mary's Island?

[gbrdiver]

Didn't get to St Mary (I don't think - our boat downed anchor in a variety of spots around the Floridas)...but factors such as crown of thorns starfish and the tsunami in some areas have had an effect on the general health of the reefs. Whilst I went for the wrecks (fantastic!), I should state that the reefs were good, but, as the operator mentioned nowhere near what they were 4 or 5 years ago. Did I mention that the coldest water we could find was 30 deg Celsius?

[Travelnsj]

Man I hate that 30c water....you sweat underwater....actually....I really love that stuff

I have looked at the Solomons a couple of times. I'm not into wrecks that much a lot more into Marine life and corals. I looked at Uepi and the Bilikiki LOB...I've heard mixed reviews that it has been commercially fished out and the corals have been devastated by cyanide and dynamite fishing....I have heard Mary's and the Twin tunnels are good but question if it stacks up to Palau or Raja Ampat.....thanks for the info.

[gbrdiver]

Well, I was in Palau last year and have spent years diving around Bali...I would say it compares with Bali but nowhere near as good as Palau. Nearly everyone I spoke too made the comment about the place being fished out. Enjoy, wherever you go.

[chinacat46]

I have some good friends going on the Bilikiki this fall. I've dove with them a number of times so I know what they like. If they say it's worth going then I'll go but I'm going to wait till they tell me how they liked it.