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RUSSELL
ISLANDS
FLORIDA
ISLANDS
MARY
(MBOROKUA)
ISLAND
HONIARA
INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
SOLOMON
ISLANDS
Expect to see pelagic
creatures such as
jacks, barracuda and
bumphead parrotfish
33 The extremely
remote Mary Island
34 A ubiquitous
anemonefish on one of
the breathtaking coral
gardens
PRACTICALITIES
WHEN
Located close to the equator,
Solomon Islands water
temperatures typically range
from 28–30°C all year round.
HOW
Liveaboards depart from the
capital city Honiara on the island of
Guadalcanal. Honiara International
Airport (HIR) is served by Solomon
Airlines, Fiji Airways, Virgin Australia
and Air Niugini with multiple flights
per week from Brisbane, Australia
and Nadi, Fiji.
STAY/DIVE
• Solomon Islands Dive
Expeditions (SIDE) aboard Taka
www.solomonsdiving.com
• Bilikiki
www.bilikiki.com
TOPSIDE
The Solomon Islands played a
pivotal role between the Americans
and Japanese in WWII. The main
island of Guadalcanal endured a
particularly bloody battle. There are
many wrecks, most quite deep, that
are not visited by the liveaboards.
If you want to dive these, plan to
travel a few days earlier than the
liveaboard itinerary, or stay a few
days after you disembark. As well
as diving the wrecks, you can also
tour several historical WWII sites on
Guadalcanal. Both SIDE and Bilikiki
plan remote village visits while
at sea so you can experience the
cultural life in the Solomon Islands.
ENTRY
A passport valid for six months
after departure is required. Most
visitors, including those from
Australia, Japan, South Korea and
the EU, do not need to obtain a visa
before arrival. Check this link for
complete details: www.commerce.
gov.sb/Divisions/Immigration/
Immigration_Requirements.htm.
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