BILIKIKI, SOLOMON ISLANDS: General Info
The Bilikiki has earned an international reputation as a venerable veteran of the Solomon Islands, the live-aboard whose owners & crew have the most depth of experience & savvy in these magnificent Melanesian islands. This is a great scuba diving yacht, with a host of creature comforts & hearty meals to keep you happy. The Bilikiki operates much like the live-aboard diving vessel Thorfinn does in Truk Lagoon -- as a Mother Ship, from which fast little skiffs streak outward each day to the best diving sites, with small groups of divers who don't get in each other's way.
One of the underwater wonders of Melanesia, the Solomons' outer islands are an adventure destination matched or topped by only a handful of tropical island sectors anywhere in the world. This is about as good as it gets on Earth, for abundant soft corals & clouds of fish on every reef you're blessed to visit. Photographers will be beside themselves with daily discoveries.
The Solomon Islands diving scene is famous for the gorgeous array of soft corals that crowd all over their reefs, & along their steep sea walls. So much marine life congregates & thrives at the mouths of reef passageways in and out of the lagoons, that photographers will find themselves transported by sights of incredible beauty. This is one fine place for sightings of the pelagic biggies -- from mammoth Napoleon wrasses to sharks, barracudas & rays of several lively varieties. Just like you'll find in Papua New Guinea, not far away, scuba divers are delighted by the many strange species of fish that are so abundant here, yet so rare elsewhere in the Pacific: from the lacy leaf-fish to shy scorpionfish & retiring little stonefish of unearthly weirdness. Shutterbugs, here's the thing about Solomon Islands diving -- you will be yelling into your regs with sheer astonishment at the great macro shots you see glowing at every turn of the reef. The essence of Solomon Islands diving is critter intensity, diversity & luminosity. And the only safe & sound way to enjoy this aquatic realm is on Solomon Islands live-aboards such as MV Bilikiki.
All Bilikiki cruises start at Honiara, then proceed to several choice locales, depending on weather: Marovo Lagoon, Kicha & Mary islands & the Russell Islands, as well.
The Bilikiki is 127 feet long, 24 feet in the beam, with a 7-foot draft, & it cruises at a relaxing 9 knots. This huge live-aboard vessel holds 12,000 gallons of fresh water, so you never have to worry about getting too salty during your days at sea. The 10 double cabins accommodate 20 passengers; so living on a vessel this large means you have plenty of room to stretch out & enjoy your journey. Each Bilikiki cabin has its own private shower & head. The main salon & all cabins have air conditioning. The Bilikiki also has full digital photo processing on board, so slide shooters can see their results in a jiffy. There are both 110 & 220 volt charging systems for your battery packs & strobes.
One of the underwater wonders of Melanesia, the Solomons' outer islands are an adventure destination matched or topped by only a handful of tropical island sectors anywhere in the world. This is about as good as it gets on Earth, for abundant soft corals & clouds of fish on every reef you're blessed to visit. Photographers will be beside themselves with daily discoveries.
The Solomon Islands diving scene is famous for the gorgeous array of soft corals that crowd all over their reefs, & along their steep sea walls. So much marine life congregates & thrives at the mouths of reef passageways in and out of the lagoons, that photographers will find themselves transported by sights of incredible beauty. This is one fine place for sightings of the pelagic biggies -- from mammoth Napoleon wrasses to sharks, barracudas & rays of several lively varieties. Just like you'll find in Papua New Guinea, not far away, scuba divers are delighted by the many strange species of fish that are so abundant here, yet so rare elsewhere in the Pacific: from the lacy leaf-fish to shy scorpionfish & retiring little stonefish of unearthly weirdness. Shutterbugs, here's the thing about Solomon Islands diving -- you will be yelling into your regs with sheer astonishment at the great macro shots you see glowing at every turn of the reef. The essence of Solomon Islands diving is critter intensity, diversity & luminosity. And the only safe & sound way to enjoy this aquatic realm is on Solomon Islands live-aboards such as MV Bilikiki.
All Bilikiki cruises start at Honiara, then proceed to several choice locales, depending on weather: Marovo Lagoon, Kicha & Mary islands & the Russell Islands, as well.
The Bilikiki is 127 feet long, 24 feet in the beam, with a 7-foot draft, & it cruises at a relaxing 9 knots. This huge live-aboard vessel holds 12,000 gallons of fresh water, so you never have to worry about getting too salty during your days at sea. The 10 double cabins accommodate 20 passengers; so living on a vessel this large means you have plenty of room to stretch out & enjoy your journey. Each Bilikiki cabin has its own private shower & head. The main salon & all cabins have air conditioning. The Bilikiki also has full digital photo processing on board, so slide shooters can see their results in a jiffy. There are both 110 & 220 volt charging systems for your battery packs & strobes.
All Bilikiki photos © Copyright Bilikiki Cruises.