Solomon Islands I

Embark on the Bilikiki

Apr 15

Spend the day exploring Honiara on your own and board the ship in the afternoon. Relax on board before joining a trip briefing and meeting your new shipmates at the festive welcome dinner. Depart that evening for the Russell Islands about 30mi northwest of Guadalcanal Island. During transits, you will search for whales, dolphins, and seabirds, and if you want to participate in surveys, you’ll learn to use our Rapid Ecological Assessment survey techniques. Overnight, you’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.

The Russell Islands

Apr 16-17

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. Various whales and dolphins inhabit these waters, including a resident pod of short-finned pilot whales as well as spinner, spotted, Fraser’s, and Risso’s dolphins. It is a perfect start to your exploration of the remote waters of the Solomon Islands.

Explore a variety of fascinating seaward reef environments, including sloping coral gardens and barrier reefs. Observe how the abundant fish communities take advantage of food brought to the reef by strong ocean currents and waves. Look for adult reef fish like sweetlips and blue tang hiding in the corals while the larger predators circle above. Swim through the beam of light illuminating the narrow crevice of the Leru Cut and pop your head out of the water to see the vine-clad vertical rock walls and listen to the soft hum of the jungles above.

Between snorkels, you can help survey for whales as you travel to a new site. The Solomon Islands have an unusually large number of marine mammals, almost half of which are endemic to the region.

Mborokua Island

Apr 18

Sail overnight to one of the most remote and isolated islands in the Western Solomon Islands, Mborokua or Mary Island. Mborokua is the halfway point between the Russell Islands and Marovo Lagoon. At sunrise, approach this volcanic island while looking for sperm whales and other oceanic cetaceans that frequent these deep waters. 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.

With hundreds of coral species on the shallow reef floor, you will see firsthand how corals provide food and shelter for various fish species, and how the interactions between different organisms create an interdependent ecosystem. After snorkeling, you may have the opportunity to go ashore and explore the uninhabited island's jungles.

New Georgia Island

Apr 19-20

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 frequently sighted in Marovo’s waters including resident spinner, spotted, and bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales (in the deeper passages of the lagoon), and occasionally orca and dugong. The abundant and generally docile reef sharks of Marovo carry a special place in local culture, considered to be a key species in the ecosystem, and sometimes as guardian spirits.

Visit local communities on the inhabited islands to see the exquisite woodcarvings made by local woodcarvers; if you are lucky, watch one of the expert carvers at work honing his craft. See day-to-day village life for the subsistence fishermen who inhabit these islands; a special experience not to be missed.

Kolombangara Island

Apr 21-22

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.

Above 400m, Kolombangara features one of the best examples of a mountain cloud forest in the Pacific region. 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. Along the shores, several black sand beaches are treasure troves of weird and wonderful marine critters beloved by macro photographers.

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.

Ghizo Island

Apr 23-24

Located on Ghizo Island, Gizo is the capital of the Western Provinces. With approximately 6,000 inhabitants, it is also the second largest town in the Solomon Islands. During WW II Gizo was an important base for the Japanese and later for the US; for wreck divers, the waters surrounding the island present a wealth of sunken airplanes and ships brought down in battle.

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.

Disembark and join our Solomon Islands II trip or fly home

Apr 25

Disembark after breakfast to transfer to your hotel (not included) or to the Gizo Airport. Continue on our Solomon Islands II trip or fly to Honiara to catch flights home.