Solomon Islands-Uepi and Gizo

[Travelnsj]

Has anyone dove either Uepi or Tulagi? Having a hard time finding info....the info I can find sounds like it is great diving.

Any info is appreciated. Best time of the year to go....Warmest water temps...Calm waters....Best time for fish action etc.

[allison finch]

My sister went to Uepi and enjoyed it. However, there is no AC in the rooms and it was HOT!!! They had "wet dreams" about stnding naked in front of an air conditioner!! LOL!

[kroorda]

I've been to Uepi. Nothing to get excited about. And, I sure wouldn't travel all the way to the Soloman's just to stay at Uepi. (We stayed there a few days after being on the Bilikiki liveaboard for a week.) The resort is "okay". Like the previous writer said, there is no AC in the rooms and it can get very hot there. The dive service is nothing to get excited about either. The dive guides chew beetlenut, and it is up to you to get your dive gear on/off the boat, and even on/off yourself. Lunch is brought to your room. What you get is what you get! No choices, and, you don't have the opportunity to socialize with other guests at lunch time (sort of weird??)
We were pretty disappointed in the diving in the Soloman Islands in general. The people there have overfished and have not been considerate of the ocean that surrounds them.
Kent

[Travelnsj]

Kent the more research I do, I'm finding stories like yours. I have people who have loved it have never been to Palau or Raja Ampat. Last week at the Long Beach Scuba Show I met one person who had been to Raja and Palau....they said no comparison...I'll spend my money in doing the Great diving.....Thanks for your 2 psi.

[zer0]

I did some diving over at Tulagi in April this year.

The water temp is pretty much good all yea round, we had 30 C while we were there. Viz was down a little for us as there was a weeks solid rain before we arrived. In saying that we still had ~ 20m for most dives.

If you are interested in wrecks Tulagi is the premier wreck destination in this part of the world. The are just so many wreck options. The highlight being the USS Aaron Ward. In saying that the reefs are fantastic too, lots life and diversity.

I used Tulaghi Dive ( Tulagi Dive, Solomon Islands ) when I was over there I highly recommend them. They can cater for diving levels all the way up to trimix diving and have a great setup. (i think you might have to give them some notice to make sure they have the He if u are after trimix).

I plan to go back next year, the diving is that good!

[Travelnsj]

zer0....I dove Layang Layang in April I was surprised by the lack of Marine life due to commercial diving. Upon my return I did research on the Solomons and there is a thriving commercial fishing business going on. Thus I passed on the trip. But I am still doing research. Have you dove Raja Ampat or Palau? is so how would you compare the diving to the Solomons?

[zer0]

To be honest I was there for the wrecks and not the reef, only 2 of my 14 dives were on reefs. The site we did them on "Twin Tunnels" had great marine life, with large schools of pelagics, sharks, manta rays and gorgonian fans on the reef wall. On top of the reef great coral cover with both hard and soft corals and plenty of reef fish.

I can't comment on the other islands in the Solomans.