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Dive Review of Bilikiki in
Solomon Islands/Several island groups

Bilikiki, Oct, 2008,

by Michael J. Millet, CA, USA (Top Contributor Top Contributor 96 reports with 59 Helpful votes). Report 4540.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 3 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments The crew, food and diving on this trip were all quite good. This was a 12 night trip that went by quickly. Sam and Kellie, our dive guides and trip managers, did an exceptional job. They took extra effort to accommodate diver needs and wishes. They are both very knowledgeable regarding the dive sites and the marine life. 2 days of unsettled weather caused an adjustment in the dive schedule so that the best sites were dived in better weather.

We had 3 awesome dives with many manta rays. In spite of the current, it was the highlight of the trip.
Barracuda Point also is a great dive site with large schools of bigeye trevally and barracuda, of course. Also, several gray and whitetip reef sharks cruising by.
Lots of macro opportunities especially with nudibranchs.


Essentially all of the diving is from tinnies with backroll entry. The dive crew handles all of the dive gear on and off the tinnies. So no strain & no pain. The tinnie rides to the dive sites are just a matter of minutes.

Except for Sam and Kellie, the crew is all Solomon Islanders. They were all very helpful and friendly. Much of the food is bought daily from local folks who paddle out to the Bilikiki. Lots of very fresh fruits and vegetables.

We enjoyed the village visits with the native dance and song. Also had chance to buy local woodworking. Very nice stuff.

The cabins are OK not great; biggest negative is no window or porthole. Can get a bit cave-like after a few days. But lots of space topside for kicking back between dives.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Micronesia, Palau, Galapagos, Socorros, GBR, Caribbean
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, rainy Seas calm, choppy, currents
Water Temp 80-84°F / 27-29°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 50-100 Ft/ 15-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions No deco diving
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas Squadrons
Dolphins 1 or 2 Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 5 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments The dive deck had dedicated camera rinse tanks and a camera table that got a bit crowded. The crew was careful with the camera gear. In the salon there is table supposedly for cameras that often was cluttered with other stuff -- books, clothes, food,
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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