Tulagi
Overview
In these beautiful waters around Tulagi some of the worlds best diving is to be found, from pristine reefs to spectacular WWII wrecks. The Floridas can offer you just about anything you could ever want to see.
Want some wrecks? Tulagi is the place to go. Two Seaplanes, one Mine sweeper, one Oil Tanker and the Destroyer “Aaron Ward” are just waiting for you.
Want a cave? At Twin Tunnels you can descend through two vertical openings and emerge 35m below to watch gray reef sharks cruising through big schools of Fusiliers.
Also surrounding Tulagi is a large number of unspoilt reefs, soft corals, drop offs, huge fans, and giant sponges all packed with an abundance of tropical marine life.
Dive Sites
US AARON WARD
Only discovered in 1995, this is the only diveable destroyer in the Solomon Islands. Mortally wounded by Japanese aircraft in April 1943, she limped as far as Tinete point where she went down. This impressive wreck is sitting upright and intact on the sandy bottom at a depth of 53m-74m. Possessing an extensive arsenal of big guns this is one awesome dive. For the very experienced diver.
THE MOA
Resting in Tulagi harbour is the wreck of the New Zealand ship, the RNZNS Moa, a minesweeping and submarine chasing warship that was influential in the sinking of a Japanese sub at Cape Esperance. She’s in good condition, upright at a slight list and at a depth of 35m-42m which allows for lots of time to explore.
TWIN TUNNELS
This coral bommie gets its name from the two vertical shafts near its western face. The reef top sits in two metres of water and the tunnel entrance at 14-16 metres. The tunnels meet in a common cavern which exit onto a reef wall at 35-40 m. It is then a short swim into the current to watch the fish action: tuna, G.T’s, sharks, barracuda, humphead wrasse and the odd turtle.
KANAWHA
A 478’ American Oil tanker that saw service in 2 World Wars. This ship was sunk in Tulagi harbor on the same day as the Aaron Ward, 7th April 1943. Sitting upright on a flat bottom the deck is at 46m and strewn with marine supplies. Penetrations lead into areas such as the engine room, kitchens, tool rooms and crew quarters.
DEPTH RANGE: 40m – 60m.
KAWANISHI H6K5 FLOAT PLANES
Lying off Ghavutu + Tanambago Islands are several “Mavis Flying Boats”. These are 4 engined Reconnaissance /VIP transports. One lies upright intact in 27-31 metres of water. The others lie broken in large sections to add to the challenge of the dive.
ORCHID ROCK
Orchid Rock is a drift dive along a wall covered with huge Gorgonian Fans, and is often visited by hump headed Wrasse.
PRESENTATION POINT
Presentation Point is another drift dive—this time through a labyrinth of tunnels, caves and swim throughs.
NORTHERN POINT
This dive site is along the North end of Double Island. At a depth of 4 metres soft corals hide many different types of Nudibranchs and you’ll also find Blue Spotted Rays here. This outcrop drops off to a depth of 30 metres. Huge Gorgonians Fans provide sanctuary for Butterfly Cod and large Barrel Sponges line the gently sloping wall.
SOUTHERN GARDEN
Southern Garden is another 4 metre outcrop covered in a soft coral garden. The 30 metre drop off down a perpendicular wall brings you face to face with Moray Eels, and if you look hard enough there may be a few lobsters hiding among the cracks.
CHRISTMAS TREE ROCK
At no deeper than 10 metres you’ll find a huge boulder of hard coral covered in Christmas Tree worms. Octopus and rays share this coral outcrop with Nudibranchs and hermit crabs.
DOUBLE ISLAND
This is a popular lunch spot for between dives. The area has a grassy sea floor at a maximum depth of 4 metres. There are Anemone Fish with unique black stripes. This site is also a great snorkeling spot.
AARON’S REEF
Aaron’s Reef is a kaleidoscope of colour bommie dive where you’ll see Pipe Fish, Clams, Clown Fish,
Anemones and a mixture of hard and soft corals.
DEPTH RANGE 6 – 22 m.
MANTA GAP
This site speaks for itself. Giant Manta Rays are often seen here, feeding in the current. The dive has a gentle sloping sandy bottom strewn with long fingers of rock covered with fans, barrel sponges and anemones.
DEPTH RANGE 9 –27 m.
Getting there
Tulagi Island is part of the Florida Island group and is located in the middle of the Solomon’s.
It is a one-hour boat ride from Honiara and we can arrange a taxi/shuttle/boat transfer to the resort.
Accommodation
From motels to eco-lodges and resorts, Tulagi offers a variety of accommodation to suit your budget and style.
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