Bilikiki trip August 30 - September 9, 2022


After a couple of short warm up trips, Bilikiki has returned from her first 10 day trip. Australians and Americans joined us to rediscover the beauty of the Solomon Islands. It was our first long trip in 2½ years and it was great to finally be back diving!
We started our trip in the Florida Islands where the dives were very fishy and the coral reefs were breathing life! In the Russells, Leru Cut was spectacular! Right timing, right light! Our guests, photographers and non photographers, fell in love with the world famous site! Mirror Pond, Rainbow Reef and Karumolun Point, amongst other spots, were simply delightful! Mary Island was unbeatable with schools of barracudas, big eye jacks, 17 baby sharks hanging out at Barracuda Point, turtles, anemone fish, flame angelfishes, crocodile fish and, for macro lovers, tons of blennies, shrimps and orangutang crabs! The underwater volcano, Kavachi, was awake so we had a booming soundtrack too!
Diving again in the largest salt water lagoon in the world, Marovo Lagoon, was thrilling. Along with all of its schools of fish everywhere (including rainbow runners, bumphead parrot fish, midnight snappers, barracudas, oceanic triggerfish) there was the stunningly beautiful hard coral formations. Mbulo Caves were a highlight for many and, as always, breathtaking. Kicha... was at its best too!
The carving markets were a big success! Our guests went on a shopping spree and the local carvers were super happy! The village visit for traditional dancing and singing was incredible as well! It was so good to be back visiting the people of the Solomons and they were very happy to see us back too!
Our guests also really enjoyed the floating markets and our sunset snack time, everyday with a beautiful and different sky! And the cherry on top of this great trip was to be able to dive with several manta rays at Devil's Highway!!! So much fun!
Thank you so much everyone for joining us for this first trip, it has been amazing! We wish you safe travels home and hope to see you again soon.
A big, big thanks to all the Bilikiki crew who, as always, did a magnificent job taking care of our guests.

 

Below photos thanks to Robert Widman & Mario Montoya.


 

Posted by Sam and Kellie on September 09, 2022

What our guests say

"Just really, really, really enjoyed our trip!!! We really fell in love with Pato and Fernando. They did an excellent job guiding us! The crew is as go... Read More"

Darlene Myers

"I have just returned from a 10 night stay on board the Bilikiki. It was my first trip on the Bilikiki however friends we were with have been 3 or 4 ti... Read More"

Pearl Corker

"I can't think of a better way to spend 12 days than on board Bilikiki. It is absolutely spectacular diving amongst healthy corals, colorful fishes, st... Read More"

Karen Doby

"I had an amazing 10 nights onboard the Bilikiki! The dive sites were so diverse and so beautiful, we had some amazing encounters with wildlife, the cr... Read More"

Lauren Thomas

"My bucket list trip. Outstanding crew and service. Superb diving. Stable and comfortable vessel and accommodations. The chefs do a marvellous job, eve... Read More"

Fred Catella

"The trip of a lifetime! Impeccable crew, perfect organization, beautiful landscapes under and above water, new friends, incredible wildlife. My eyes a... Read More"

Stephanie Loubat

"I have been on many Bilikiki trips over the past eight years, and I will keep going back again and again. I’ve dived in more than 15 countries and h... Read More"

Joanna O'Shea

"Always a great time on the Bilikiki. Spectacular diving, excellent food and an amazing crew. One of the best laid out boats I've been diving on."

Mike Aitken

"If I could rate them 6 stars I would!!! Amazing boat, crew, food and diving."

Brett Lobwein

"Second time and still finding new sights to see! Wonderful trip well worth the effort....."

Reed Nescher

"Just got back from a 10 day trip on Bilikiki with Tina and Oli. The whole Bilikiki team made our trip a memorable one, despite the temperamental weath... Read More"

Jonathan Rose

"Bilikiki is much more than a great dive boat with a fantastic crew sailing the remote Solomon Islands and discovering new and beautiful dive sites; it... Read More"

Thane Kreiner

"I did my 1000th dive on my second trip on the Bilikiki. Last time was in 2005 and then I thought it was the best liveaboard I had been on. It still is... Read More"

Alex Davids