Wreck Diving in the Solomon Islands

Mixaddict · 20th November 2009, 17:18

I'm trying to gather some information on potential wreck diving in the Solomon Islands and wonder if anyone on RBW has any insight on locations, resorts, boats, CCR support, best time of year to go etc. that they might be able to share. All information would be much appreciated!

Regards,
Randy

Scuttle · 20th November 2009, 18:09

G'day Randy,
Tulagi Dive is about the only operator that has it all a CCR diver or group could ask & want for in the Solomons...WW2 wrecks, depths from shallow to very deep, long deco durations catered for, Sorb, 3L tanks, O2, He, booster. I have left a set of 2L faber tanks there for my future trips, if anyone requires them contact Neil Yates the owner or give me ahoy.
best time of year; season runs from March to November.
Vis is anywhere from 5m to 50m usually 30m.

Accommodation is very basic & food is island style

If you planning on sending any consumables over, allow at least 3-4 months for it to arrive by ship

Check out the website Tulagi Dive, Solomon Islands for list of the wrecks, you won't be disappointed

Jeff

Mixaddict · 20th November 2009, 18:23

Quote: (Originally Posted by Scuttle)

G'day Randy,
Tulagi Dive is about the only operator that has it all a CCR diver or group could ask & want for in the Solomons...WW2 wrecks, depths from shallow to very deep, long deco durations catered for, Sorb, 3L tanks, O2, He, booster. I have left a set of 2L faber tanks there for my future trips, if anyone requires them contact Neil Yates the owner or give me ahoy.
best time of year; season runs from March to November.
Vis is anywhere from 5m to 50m usually 30m.

Accommodation is very basic & food is island style

If you planning on sending any consumables over, allow at least 3-4 months for it to arrive by ship

Check out the website Tulagi Dive, Solomon Islands for list of the wrecks, you won't be disappointed

Jeff

Hey Jeff,

Good to hear from you! Hope all is well. Thank you very much for the info. I will check it out further!

Hope your diving is going well!

Regards,
Randy

heyydude · 20th November 2009, 19:15

Hey Randy,

I produced a film in 1995 entitled "Lost Warriors of the South Pacific" which was shot entirely in the Solomon Islands.

We were based in Munda, and dove tons of wrecks, including a Douglas Dauntless Dive Bomber piloted by Jim Doherty during WWII. We actually brought Jim with us, and after fitting him with an AGA mask with comms, had him dive down and actually sit in his airplane. It aired on PBS, so some may have seen it.

One particular great wreck was the Kasi Maru. It's full of ammo, mortars, etc, and is in shallow water right at the mouth of a river. We also dove a Japanese "Betty" bomber.

I'll dig a copy of the show up and see if I can send it to you.

We dove with Solomon Sea Divers - Dave and Mariana Cooke run the show right next to the Agnes Lodge. I ate $2 lobsters every night. After 2 weeks of that, I finally decided to teach the cooking staff how to actually make an "American Hamburger" - they were sufficiently grossed out about how we actually make our burgers, but were happy to see us gorging them down... Great trip...

Only 4 things to do there: 1) Dive. 2) Drink Beer. 3) Eat Lobsters. 4) Chew Betel Nut at the end of the pier, and talk to Giant Clams which walk ashore to visit...

If you talk to Dave, tell him I said hi. It's been too many years.

Kevin.

Mixaddict · 20th November 2009, 19:59

Quote: (Originally Posted by heyydude)

Hey Randy,

I produced a film in 1995 entitled "Lost Warriors of the South Pacific" which was shot entirely in the Solomon Islands.

We were based in Munda, and dove tons of wrecks, including a Douglas Dauntless Dive Bomber piloted by Jim Doherty during WWII. We actually brought Jim with us, and after fitting him with an AGA mask with comms, had him dive down and actually sit in his airplane. It aired on PBS, so some may have seen it.

One particular great wreck was the Kasi Maru. It's full of ammo, mortars, etc, and is in shallow water right at the mouth of a river. We also dove a Japanese "Betty" bomber.

I'll dig a copy of the show up and see if I can send it to you.

We dove with Solomon Sea Divers - Dave and Mariana Cooke run the show right next to the Agnes Lodge. I ate $2 lobsters every night. After 2 weeks of that, I finally decided to teach the cooking staff how to actually make an "American Hamburger" - they were sufficiently grossed out about how we actually make our burgers, but were happy to see us gorging them down... Great trip...

Only 4 things to do there: 1) Dive. 2) Drink Beer. 3) Eat Lobsters. 4) Chew Betel Nut at the end of the pier, and talk to Giant Clams which walk ashore to visit...

If you talk to Dave, tell him I said hi. It's been too many years.

Kevin.

Hey Kevin,

Come and go with us! You can show us the ropes! I always wondered what those stains on your gums were. Now I know it is just left over Betel Nut!

Sounds like a wonderful place!

Regards,
Randy

heyydude · 20th November 2009, 20:57

Randy,

Would love to go with you guys. One of the best diving sites I've ever been to.

And the water is warm!

Your people call my people and we'll do lunch.

Kevin.

Bazza · 21st November 2009, 00:56

Randy ... dive out of Honiaira with these guys

Invader Charters - Dive boats Honiara, Tulagi, and Maravagi

The guys at Tulagi are good but the place is like a prison camp ... a full stop dump. If you use the guys at Honiara then you can stay at a respectable hotel and eat good food etc.

The boat that Chris has is a great dive platform (Scubapro) and can access all the wrecks in comfort.

regards Baz

Mixaddict · 21st November 2009, 06:08

Thanks everyone for the information so far. Does anyone have any ideas on dive operations outside of Guadalcanal? We are thinking maybe one week in the Guadalcanal area and then another week on some of the outer islands.

PCDiver · 21st November 2009, 07:03

Quote: (Originally Posted by Bazza)

Randy ... dive out of Honiaira with these guys

Invader Charters - Dive boats Honiara, Tulagi, and Maravagi

The guys at Tulagi are good but the place is like a prison camp ... a full stop dump. If you use the guys at Honiara then you can stay at a respectable hotel and eat good food etc.

The boat that Chris has is a great dive platform (Scubapro) and can access all the wrecks in comfort.

regards Baz

Which airline is the best to use with plenty of dive/video equipment (as in overweight charges). I heard some horror stories about people flying into similar places like Truk and getting charged thousands of dollars extra?

Thanks,

Peter

Scuttle · 21st November 2009, 07:27

One week won't be nowhere near enough to see whats all on offer.. allow for two weeks at least, one on the outer island of Tulagi & one in Honiara.
Takes Neil about an hour to cross Iron Bottom Sound on a good day.

To get to the other outer islands, you will have to catch a domestic flight from Honiara, small planes & weight limits = sometimes your check in luggage is not on the flight!

The links menu on Tulagi Dive website provides info on Gizo & Upei Islands as well as other info you might find interesting.

Ps: Sentinel was working pretty well over there right up until I somehow punctured the C/lung & without the repair kit in my lost baggage I was high & dry for too long until I managed a band-aid fix. Finished up on a good note though with my last dive a beauty on the USS Aaron Ward.

20th November 2009, 17:18	#1 (permalink)
Mixaddict Randy Thornton Hammerhead Sentinel Evolution Optima Inspiration Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Draper, Utah / Ft. White, Florida Posts: 852	Wreck Diving in the Solomon Islands I'm trying to gather some information on potential wreck diving in the Solomon Islands and wonder if anyone on RBW has any insight on locations, resorts, boats, CCR support, best time of year to go etc. that they might be able to share. All information would be much appreciated! Regards, Randy __________________ Randy Thornton CCR Advanced Trimix Instructor - Hammerhead, Sentinel, Inspiration, Evolution, & Optima www.diveaddicts.com www.cavecountrylodging.com http://ccrexplorer.blogspot.com/
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20th November 2009, 18:09	#2 (permalink)
Scuttle 1 Grumpy ole skipper Classic KISS, Sentinel SCR - CCR Dolphin Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jan Juc, Vic, Australia Posts: 302	Re: Wreck Diving in the Solomon Islands G'day Randy, Tulagi Dive is about the only operator that has it all a CCR diver or group could ask & want for in the Solomons...WW2 wrecks, depths from shallow to very deep, long deco durations catered for, Sorb, 3L tanks, O2, He, booster. I have left a set of 2L faber tanks there for my future trips, if anyone requires them contact Neil Yates the owner or give me ahoy. best time of year; season runs from March to November. Vis is anywhere from 5m to 50m usually 30m. Accommodation is very basic & food is island style If you planning on sending any consumables over, allow at least 3-4 months for it to arrive by ship Check out the website Tulagi Dive, Solomon Islands for list of the wrecks, you won't be disappointed Jeff
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20th November 2009, 18:23	#3 (permalink)
Mixaddict Randy Thornton Hammerhead Sentinel Evolution Optima Inspiration Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Draper, Utah / Ft. White, Florida Posts: 852	Re: Wreck Diving in the Solomon Islands Quote: (Originally Posted by Scuttle) G'day Randy, Tulagi Dive is about the only operator that has it all a CCR diver or group could ask & want for in the Solomons...WW2 wrecks, depths from shallow to very deep, long deco durations catered for, Sorb, 3L tanks, O2, He, booster. I have left a set of 2L faber tanks there for my future trips, if anyone requires them contact Neil Yates the owner or give me ahoy. best time of year; season runs from March to November. Vis is anywhere from 5m to 50m usually 30m. Accommodation is very basic & food is island style If you planning on sending any consumables over, allow at least 3-4 months for it to arrive by ship Check out the website Tulagi Dive, Solomon Islands for list of the wrecks, you won't be disappointed Jeff Hey Jeff, Good to hear from you! Hope all is well. Thank you very much for the info. I will check it out further! Hope your diving is going well! Regards, Randy __________________ Randy Thornton CCR Advanced Trimix Instructor - Hammerhead, Sentinel, Inspiration, Evolution, & Optima www.diveaddicts.com www.cavecountrylodging.com http://ccrexplorer.blogspot.com/
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20th November 2009, 19:15	#4 (permalink)
heyydude King of the Geeks HAMMERHEAD! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Addison, Pennsylvania Posts: 761	Re: Wreck Diving in the Solomon Islands Hey Randy, I produced a film in 1995 entitled "Lost Warriors of the South Pacific" which was shot entirely in the Solomon Islands. We were based in Munda, and dove tons of wrecks, including a Douglas Dauntless Dive Bomber piloted by Jim Doherty during WWII. We actually brought Jim with us, and after fitting him with an AGA mask with comms, had him dive down and actually sit in his airplane. It aired on PBS, so some may have seen it. One particular great wreck was the Kasi Maru. It's full of ammo, mortars, etc, and is in shallow water right at the mouth of a river. We also dove a Japanese "Betty" bomber. I'll dig a copy of the show up and see if I can send it to you. We dove with Solomon Sea Divers - Dave and Mariana Cooke run the show right next to the Agnes Lodge. I ate $2 lobsters every night. After 2 weeks of that, I finally decided to teach the cooking staff how to actually make an "American Hamburger" - they were sufficiently grossed out about how we actually make our burgers, but were happy to see us gorging them down... Great trip... Only 4 things to do there: 1) Dive. 2) Drink Beer. 3) Eat Lobsters. 4) Chew Betel Nut at the end of the pier, and talk to Giant Clams which walk ashore to visit... If you talk to Dave, tell him I said hi. It's been too many years. Kevin. Last edited by heyydude : 20th November 2009 at 19:18.
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20th November 2009, 19:59	#5 (permalink)
Mixaddict Randy Thornton Hammerhead Sentinel Evolution Optima Inspiration Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Draper, Utah / Ft. White, Florida Posts: 852	Re: Wreck Diving in the Solomon Islands Quote: (Originally Posted by heyydude) Hey Randy, I produced a film in 1995 entitled "Lost Warriors of the South Pacific" which was shot entirely in the Solomon Islands. We were based in Munda, and dove tons of wrecks, including a Douglas Dauntless Dive Bomber piloted by Jim Doherty during WWII. We actually brought Jim with us, and after fitting him with an AGA mask with comms, had him dive down and actually sit in his airplane. It aired on PBS, so some may have seen it. One particular great wreck was the Kasi Maru. It's full of ammo, mortars, etc, and is in shallow water right at the mouth of a river. We also dove a Japanese "Betty" bomber. I'll dig a copy of the show up and see if I can send it to you. We dove with Solomon Sea Divers - Dave and Mariana Cooke run the show right next to the Agnes Lodge. I ate $2 lobsters every night. After 2 weeks of that, I finally decided to teach the cooking staff how to actually make an "American Hamburger" - they were sufficiently grossed out about how we actually make our burgers, but were happy to see us gorging them down... Great trip... Only 4 things to do there: 1) Dive. 2) Drink Beer. 3) Eat Lobsters. 4) Chew Betel Nut at the end of the pier, and talk to Giant Clams which walk ashore to visit... If you talk to Dave, tell him I said hi. It's been too many years. Kevin. Hey Kevin, Come and go with us! You can show us the ropes! I always wondered what those stains on your gums were. Now I know it is just left over Betel Nut! Sounds like a wonderful place! Regards, Randy __________________ Randy Thornton CCR Advanced Trimix Instructor - Hammerhead, Sentinel, Inspiration, Evolution, & Optima www.diveaddicts.com www.cavecountrylodging.com http://ccrexplorer.blogspot.com/
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20th November 2009, 20:57	#6 (permalink)
heyydude King of the Geeks HAMMERHEAD! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Addison, Pennsylvania Posts: 761	Re: Wreck Diving in the Solomon Islands Randy, Would love to go with you guys. One of the best diving sites I've ever been to. And the water is warm! Your people call my people and we'll do lunch. Kevin.
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21st November 2009, 00:56	#7 (permalink)
Bazza New Member Inspo Classic Mk15.5 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 218	Re: Wreck Diving in the Solomon Islands Randy ... dive out of Honiaira with these guys Invader Charters - Dive boats Honiara, Tulagi, and Maravagi The guys at Tulagi are good but the place is like a prison camp ... a full stop dump. If you use the guys at Honiara then you can stay at a respectable hotel and eat good food etc. The boat that Chris has is a great dive platform (Scubapro) and can access all the wrecks in comfort. regards Baz
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21st November 2009, 06:08	#8 (permalink)
Mixaddict Randy Thornton Hammerhead Sentinel Evolution Optima Inspiration Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Draper, Utah / Ft. White, Florida Posts: 852	Re: Wreck Diving in the Solomon Islands Thanks everyone for the information so far. Does anyone have any ideas on dive operations outside of Guadalcanal? We are thinking maybe one week in the Guadalcanal area and then another week on some of the outer islands. __________________ Randy Thornton CCR Advanced Trimix Instructor - Hammerhead, Sentinel, Inspiration, Evolution, & Optima www.diveaddicts.com www.cavecountrylodging.com http://ccrexplorer.blogspot.com/
(Offline)

21st November 2009, 07:03	#9 (permalink)
PCDiver Submerge Productions Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,098	Re: Wreck Diving in the Solomon Islands Quote: (Originally Posted by Bazza) Randy ... dive out of Honiaira with these guys Invader Charters - Dive boats Honiara, Tulagi, and Maravagi The guys at Tulagi are good but the place is like a prison camp ... a full stop dump. If you use the guys at Honiara then you can stay at a respectable hotel and eat good food etc. The boat that Chris has is a great dive platform (Scubapro) and can access all the wrecks in comfort. regards Baz Which airline is the best to use with plenty of dive/video equipment (as in overweight charges). I heard some horror stories about people flying into similar places like Truk and getting charged thousands of dollars extra? Thanks, Peter
(Online)

21st November 2009, 07:27	#10 (permalink)
Scuttle 1 Grumpy ole skipper Classic KISS, Sentinel SCR - CCR Dolphin Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jan Juc, Vic, Australia Posts: 302	Re: Wreck Diving in the Solomon Islands One week won't be nowhere near enough to see whats all on offer.. allow for two weeks at least, one on the outer island of Tulagi & one in Honiara. Takes Neil about an hour to cross Iron Bottom Sound on a good day. To get to the other outer islands, you will have to catch a domestic flight from Honiara, small planes & weight limits = sometimes your check in luggage is not on the flight! The links menu on Tulagi Dive website provides info on Gizo & Upei Islands as well as other info you might find interesting. Ps: Sentinel was working pretty well over there right up until I somehow punctured the C/lung & without the repair kit in my lost baggage I was high & dry for too long until I managed a band-aid fix. Finished up on a good note though with my last dive a beauty on the USS Aaron Ward.
(Offline)

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