Some voyages are just charmed. Everything was perfection on the June 2018 snorkel adventure through the Solomon Islands. Clear skies, calm seas, fabulous snorkeling and best of all, an adventurous, enthusiastic and extremely compatible group.
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- Black Tip sharks
The Solomon’s has everything going for it underwater. Healthy hard and soft coral teeming with anthias, chromis, butterfly fish galore, snappers, lion fish, so many types of anemonefish including the white bonnet found only in the Solomon’s. Sandy areas with crocodile fish, shrimp gobies, cuttlefish. Seagrass where juvenile batfish, filefish and trumpet fish played hide and seek and even some wrecks in the shallows. Did I mention huge schools of jacks, barracudas and graceful manta rays? It’s awesome!
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- coral gardens
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- Cuttlefish
The Bilikiki isn’t fancy but the vibe is first class. The boat is comfortable, well-run, has a great crew. This highly-respected liveaboard contributes generously to the local villages. Their presence is always welcomed. As we anchored near a village we were met by locals on visiting us on their dugout canoes. The locals would paddle up and create a flotilla around our boat. Voila! Instant marketplace. Papayas, coconuts, bananas, leafy greens, freshly caught fish and sometimes handicrafts were available for purchase. Big smiles with Beetle nut stained teeth.
On Karumolun Island, we were thrilled with stunning drop offs, and a hard coral garden Ashore we enjoyed a cultural visit to Chief Raymond’s village. The villagers treated us to traditional dancing and singing. We were shown around the village and we were able to ask questions they might have about their way of life. We left our hearts there.
Other highlights included the dramatic Leru cut, an geological wonder. We snorkeled in between the large cliff walls, with amazing lighting inside the cut. Crystal clear water outside the cut was teeming with marine life.
Schools of barracuda and jacks thrilled us at Mary Island. Marovo Lagoon not only had magnificent reefs but also world famous wood carvers. None of us could resist at least one treasure. Our remarkable voyage ended with a day in Maravagi Bay. What a sweet spot!
Every day was a new and exciting adventure. I can’t wait to return in 2020! Kudos to the amazing crew of the Bilikiki and a huge thank-you to my traveling companions for making this a fun and special journey.
Cheers and until the next time!
Wendy Simon
Snorkeling Etc. Inc.
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- Wendy and Bilikiki Cruise Directors
