Instant Reader Report
on Bilikiki / [same] in
Solomon Islands / [N/A] on
2003/09
by
Gregg Gaylord , WI, USA
Report Number 031228151201227

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 Asia, Carib, Florida, Hawaii, Eastern Pacific 

Dive Conditions

Restrictions were based on experience of diver and "no
decompression" depths.  

[None]  

Overall Rating

Another great FATHOMS expedition.  14 days of diving with numerous night
dives on the islands of the Solomon chain in the Coral Sea. 
"Somewhere between Fiji and PNG". Our live aboard was the
BILIKIKI.  They have excellent service at their web site, and you can
contact them without too much difficulty.  The business office is located
in Western Canada, so expect a "lag" in response.  Sometimes
they must contact the Solomon Islands to answer your question.  However, I
STRONGLY recommend you let THEM book your airline flights.  Using a travel
agent proved somewhat confusing very slightly more expensikive then going
straight with the Bilikiki staff.  After all, the Biliki is TOTALLY
DEPENDENT on you getting to the Solomons.  Solomon Air has limited
flights.  Do not underestimate the difficulty in getting to Honiara,
Guadalcanal, the capitol of the Solomons and departure point for the
Bilikiki.  We flew via Bribane and stayed at the Stamford Plaza Brisbane. 
EXCELLENT hotel near all the high end shopping and restaurants yet barely
more expensive then the cross town Holiday Inn.  With the free drinks you
can get, the cost difference might be zero.  Plus no cab fare to get to
the good places to eat.

The Biliki crew/captain/dive masters were excellent.  Dive plans were spot
on, dive masters were fun, friendly, and extremely willing to show you
"the small stuff".  Many thanks to Montey and Michelle for the
many pygmy seahorses, pipefish, innumerable species of shrimp,
nudibranchs, mantas shrimps, crocodile fish, leaf fish, etc, etc, etc,
etc!!  The soft corals were magnificent.  The Russel Islands were among
the best sites for Soft Corals, but all of the island chains had something
to offer. The tinny drivers and rest of the crew were extremely friendly,
good people.

Three island visits were arranged to "meet the local culture"
and shop.  The natives often came out to barter/visit with us as we docked
near remote island shores.  See issues of FATHOMS MAGAZINE for a look at
these beautiful people.  

The boat is in excellent condition.  We managed to see a school of Orcas
that cruised by our boat and took a liking to the tenders that were
dragged behind our cruising ship.  Pilot Whales and Dolphins also did
their usual "bow" hunting.

Five dives per day were the usual.  We had all sorts of types of diving
including dives of the back deck when "moored", tinny diving
with NO RUSH to get on board or get to the dive sites, and mooring
line/anchor line descents for low viz diving on a few wrecks.  There were
a couple of Japanese transport boats, a few airplanes, and some PT boat
station wreckage (trucks, shell casings, barges) that were of interest.
But the prime attraction is the macro life and soft corals.  This is one
place should be on a "must visit once" list.


Nitrox diving was available for a flat fee with 32% fills.  Dive times
were not usually limited, site dependent of course.  The boat did NOT have
an air conditioned lounge, which was slightly annoying for some customers,
but the cabins were air conditioned offering an "escape" from
moderate heat.  This is a first class operation.  Travel restrictions on
the airlines are SEVERE and Solomon Air better figure out a way to get
divers to this boat WITH their equipment or, I fear, the Bilikiki
operation will end up suffering.  The weight limits are very severe and
several divers did NOT get their camera gear (and in some cases clothing)
for about 6 days.  The Bilikiki did their BEST to help us outfox the Air
Solomon ticket agents.  Also, Bret Gilliam of FATHOMS carried "some
weight" with a letter promising increased weight allowances for this
"expedition" with FATHOMS.  It proved VERY helpful.  But BEWARE.
 The BILIKIKI gives you green laminated cards to attach to your luggage. 
PUT IT ON EVERYTHING including your CARRY ON.    
No TAG means NO ARRIVAL we found out. 

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