Solomons:Chapbook99

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1999 Chapbook

Solomon Islands

One of the last countries to jump on the tourism bandwagon, the Solomon Islands' tourist infrastructure is nil except for a few small, remote dive resorts in beautiful settings like Uepi and the Gizo islands, although several live-aboards dive these waters.... There are plenty of wrecks from WWII, lots of pristine reefs and walls, an abundance of fish (big ones too), and even more unexplored territory (the Solomon Seahas been doing several exploratory trips into new waters).... The Russells stand out because of dramatic underwater scenery including rocks, caves, and cracks.... In the Florida Group don't miss a dive on Twin Shaft Pinnacles.... Diving is year-round with plenty of places to dive in the lee, but April and May are the best months, followed by October, November, and December.... The Solomons are a good add-on from Fiji (1300 miles to the southeast) or Papua New Guinea (700 miles to the west); Honiara is on the main island of Guadalcanal; use it only for overnighting.... Solomon Islanders produce fine wood carvings.... It looks like 1999's short-lived political flare-up is no longer a problem, but check with the State Department before traveling. . . .This is serious malaria country....

For full reviews of the following Solomon live-aboards, see:

Solomon Sea,In Depth- July 1995

Let's Go Diving, September 1997, Mark Strickland and Suzanne Forman, Patong Beach, Thailand. Located at the King Solomon Hotel in Honiara; small, professionally run, full service operation. Took one day dive on WWII wrecks in Iron Bottom Sound. Most easy swim from shore, via the shop's custom minibus. Japanese transport-Bonegi I-20 minutes drive from the shop. It's a huge ship, badly broken up, but recognizable. Encrusted with soft corals, gorgonia, anemones, surrounded by prolific fish life. Second site another 20 minutes down the road, an American B-17, largely intact, in 50 feet of water. Lots of marine life, besides the intrigue of the wreck itself. By mid-afternoon we were back in Honiara for shopping and relaxing; a great way to spend the day!

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