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WWII wrecks

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UD Rating – 4 Star

Solomons Master

The Solomons Master explores vibrant coral reefs and amazing WWII wrecks

The Solomon Islands offer unparalleled biodiversity, with vibrant coral reefs and rich marine life—all without the crowds. It's a hidden paradise for divers seeking pristine, uncrowded waters.

The Solomons Master, formerly known as Truk Master, is a robust steel-hulled vessel designed for divers seeking a comfortable and memorable experience in the Solomon Islands. With eight double-occupancy cabins, accommodating up to 16 guests, you can choose from classic, premium, or superior options—all equipped with private, en-suite bathrooms and individually controlled air conditioning.

Diving enthusiasts will appreciate the spacious dive deck, featuring individual setup stations, under-bench storage, and an easy-access rear platform with ladders. The vessel is fully outfitted for recreational, technical, and rebreather diving, catering to a variety of diving preferences and expertise.

On the main deck, you'll find an inviting indoor dining room and a dedicated camera station with ample charging points and storage. After a day of thrilling underwater exploration, relax in the indoor lounge and bar area, complete with a plasma screen perfect for movie nights or photo viewings. Alternatively, step out to the shaded relaxation area or head up to the sundeck, where you can unwind in a lounge chair while soaking up breathtaking views.

Classic Twin Cabin

Located on the lower deck of the vessel, each cabin benefits from ensuite bathroom facilities and individually controlled air-conditioning.

  • Twin Beds
  • Ensuite Bathroom
  • Air-conditioning

Superior Cabin

Situated on the upper deck of the vessel, this spacious cabin offers fabulous views along with ensuite facilities, air-conditioning and ample storage space.

  • Double Bed
  • Ensuite Bathroom
  • Seating area
  • Storage space
  • Air-conditioning

Premium Twin

Located on the main deck of the vessel, this cabin benefits from ensuite bathroom facilities and individually controlled air-conditioning.

  • Twin Beds
  • Ensuite Bathroom
  • Air-conditioning

Premium Twin/Double

Situated on the main deck of the vessel, these cabins offer flexible twin or double bed accommodation along with ensuite facilities, air-conditioning and ample storage.

  • Double or Twin Beds
  • Ensuite Bathroom
  • Air-conditioning

Route Options

The WWII Wreck Week itinerary takes divers on a journey to explore some of the many wrecks from the WWII Solomon Islands Campaign, scattered around the Florida and Russell Islands. Divers will also experience iconic dive sites such as Leru Cut and Mirror Pond.

Renowned for its thriving marine life, the Solomon Islands were the site of intense battles during the Pacific War, beginning with the Japanese invasion of Guadalcanal in 1942 and the subsequent Battle of Guadalcanal, codenamed Operation Watchtower.

This 7-night liveaboard adventure aboard Solomons Master offers a unique opportunity to dive into history while exploring the captivating wrecks and vibrant underwater landscapes of the region.

Solomons Master's WWII Wreck Week itinerary offers divers the opportunity to explore some of the more accessible wrecks within recreational depth limits around the Florida Islands and Guadalcanal. The wrecks are in various conditions; some remain almost completely intact, while others are in pieces or completely blown apart due to damage sustained in battle or by salvaging.

However, it's not all about wrecks. There are some fantastic caverns, walls, cuts and pinnacle dives included in this itinerary, as well as land visits to experience some of the Solomon Islands' culture and rich history.

The following is a sample of the dive sites that may be visited during the liveaboard adventure. Please note that the inclusion of specific sites is not guaranteed, and alternative locations will be offered if any site is inaccessible.

Russell Islands:
White Beach: Located off Mbanika Island, White Beach was a key U.S. military base during WWII. The area has become an artificial reef with wrecks like trucks, jeeps, and bulldozers, hosting an array of marine life including pygmy seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, and nudibranchs.
Wreck of the Ann: A freighter intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef, now home to groupers, blennies, puffers, and soft corals. The wreck offers vibrant photo opportunities.
Karumolun Point: A steep wall and deep peninsula attract pelagic species such as reef sharks, trevallies, and barracuda. The area also features nesting titan triggerfish and macro critters.
Leru Island - Leru Cut: A 100-metre chasm through Leru Island with stunning photography opportunities as light filters through the walls above and below the surface. The surrounding wall is teeming with fish life.
Mane Island - Mirror Pond: An underwater cave surrounded by mangroves, accessed through interconnecting caverns. The exit leads to a steep coral wall with depths reaching 50+ metres.
Pavuvu Island - Kastom Caves: Volcanic caverns with sunbeams streaming through fissures. Inside, divers can spot lobsters, eels, and occasionally eagle rays.

Florida Islands:
Tulagi Island & Harbour: Tulagi is home to several wrecks, including Japanese and American planes and ships. Divers will explore seaplanes and various WWII relics while also touring the town’s battlegrounds, caves, and bunkers.
RNZN Moa: A New Zealand Navy minesweeper sunk during an airstrike, now resting at 41 metres. Key areas to explore include the propeller, rudders, and 4” gun.
Tulagi Base 1: Known as 'The Garbage Patch,' this site is filled with WWII debris, including a bow section of the USS Minneapolis, landing barges, and torpedoes.
Catalina Airplane: A PBY-5A US seaplane wreck from 1943, with the cockpit and engines still visible at 34 metres.
USS Kanawha: A fleet oiler sunk in 1943 at a depth of 60 metres. Key features include open hatches, gun mounts, and the forward mast.
Soghonangola Island - Twin Tunnels: A seamount with lava tubes and dramatic walls, home to pelagic fish like dog tooth tuna and barracuda.
Ghavutu Island: A former Japanese seaplane base, home to the wrecks of several seaplanes, including the Kawanishi H6K Mavis. The area also features a variety of WWII detritus, including aircraft parts and landing barges.

Guadalcanal:
Bonegi I, II, III: Three Japanese wrecks located near Honiara. These vessels were bombed and beached during the Guadalcanal Campaign and offer varied depths and levels of penetration.
B17E 'Flying Fortress': The wreck of 'Bessy the Jap Basher' sits in 10-18 metres, with the cockpit and wings still intact.
Submarine I-1: A Japanese submarine wreck with well-preserved sections, including dive planes and the stern, located at depths of 3-28 metres.

The Guadalcanal & Western Province liveaboard diving itinerary will take you to the best dive sites of the Solomon Islands between Honiara and Munda. Allowing up to 30 dives, highlights of this 10 night itinerary include WWII relics at White Beach, Marovo Lagoon and the iconic Leru Cut and Mirror Pond.

The 10-night Guadalcanal & Western Province itinerary follows a one-way route between Honiara in the Solomon Islands Central Province and Munda in the Western Province. Dive sites consist of pristine reefs, stunning walls and pinnacles, breathtaking chasms and caverns with a few wrecks added to the mix. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to experience island life with at least one village visit where you can interact with the village kids and participate in a traditional song and dance performance.

Here’s a sample of dive sites that may be visited during your liveaboard:

Russell Islands:
Mbanika Island - White Beach: WWII-era sunken trucks, jeeps, and equipment create an artificial reef full of marine life and relics.
Folau Island - Rainbow Reef: A seamount with fans, soft corals, and pelagic species like sharks and rays. Depths start at 17m.
Karumolun Point: A wall dive with sharks, barracuda, and occasional eagle rays. Watch for nesting titan triggerfish.
Pavuvu Island - Kastom Caves: Volcanic caves with soft corals and macro opportunities, plus eagle rays outside.
Leru Island - Leru Cut: A unique 100m chasm with vibrant fish life and incredible light effects.
Mane Island - Mirror Pond: Known for swim-throughs, Bat Cave, and pygmy seahorses.
Mborokua Island: A point with schools of barracuda and trevally, plus caverns and coral gardens to explore.
Barracuda Point: A weather-dependent dive with huge schools of jacks and barracuda, and possible whale sightings.

Marovo Lagoon:
Mbulo Island: Known for hard corals, with swim-throughs in volcanic tubes and abundant marine life.
Cathedral: Cracks, crevices, and caverns illuminated by sunlight create a stunning visual experience.
Kicha Island: Vibrant coral gardens with sharks, batfish, and giant parrotfish, plus a wall covered in fans and whip corals.
Kavachi Corner: A wall dive near an active underwater volcano, with sharks and parrotfish, and the sound of eruptions nearby.

Western Province
Wickham Island: Home to WWII wrecks, soft coral walls, and a variety of marine life, including pygmy seahorses and nudibranchs.
Taiyo Wreck: A picturesque sunken Taiwanese fishing boat at 2-40m, teeming with anemonefish and nudibranchs.
The Abyss: A unique dive with electric file clams, purple fans, and deep blue water, revealing pelagic life.
Shark Point: A 600m wall dive with reef sharks, turtles, and occasional hammerhead or silvertip sharks.
Airacobra: A P-39 fighter wreck from WWII, home to schools of sweetlips and other fish.
Haipe Reefs: Pristine coral reefs with bumphead parrotfish, turtles, and potential shark encounters, ideal for night dives.

The 7 night Florida and Russell Islands liveaboard diving itinerary affords some of the very best biodiversity and marine life found in the Solomon Islands. Dramatic walls, swim-throughs and caverns, and plenty of pelagic action are just some of the stunning attractions the island groups have to offer. You can also take a step back in time and explore a few WWII wrecks including Japanese and American planes and battle sites, or hunt in the muck for weird and wonderful creatures amongst the detritus left behind by departing troops.

The Florida and Russell Islands 7 night scuba diving liveaboard itinerary allows up to 22 dives around Honiara, the Florida Islands and the Russell Islands, including the iconic Leru Cut and Mirror Pond as well as WWII wreck sites.

Here’s a sample of dive sites that may be visited during your liveaboard:

Russell Islands:
Mbanika Island - White Beach: WWII relics like trucks, jeeps, and ammunition form an artificial reef teeming with juvenile reef fish, pygmy seahorses, and nudibranchs.
Folau Island - Rainbow Reef: A saddle-shaped seamount with vibrant corals, perfect for spotting sharks, mobula rays, and barracuda.
Karumolun Point: A wall dive where you can observe sharks, trevallies, barracuda, and sometimes eagle rays.
Leru Island - Leru Cut: A dramatic 100m chasm offering amazing photography opportunities with a surrounding fish-filled wall.
Mane Island - Mirror Pond: Famous for swim-throughs, bat caves, and pygmy seahorses.

Florida (Nggela) Islands:
Mangalonga Island - Maravagi: A muck dive rich in macro critters, including nudibranchs, seahorses, and rare pipefish.
Nggela Sule Island - Tanavula Point: A reef and wall covered in corals and nudibranchs, with occasional bumphead parrotfish and rays.
Tulagi Island - Catalina Airplane: A WWII seaplane wreck with intact engines and a machine gun, resting at 34m.
Soghonangola Island - Twin Tunnels: Lava tubes covered in sea fans, leading to a deep wall full of pelagic fish.

Ghavutu-Tanambogho:
Ghavutu Island: WWII wrecks and marine life-rich muck diving, including blue ribbon eels and mantis shrimps.
Tanambogho Island - Mavis Seaplanes: Two WWII Mavis seaplane wrecks, offering a unique dive experience among well-preserved aircraft.

Vessel Details

Year Built / Refurbished 1974 / 2016
Length & Width 34 metres / 7 metres
Speed 8 knots
Engines 2x Cummins 520 HP
Water Storage 20 tonnes
Communication & Navigation Systems Radio VHF/DSC/SSB - E.P.I.R.B. Distress System
Safety Features Life Vests / Oxygen / Emergency Rafts / First Aid Kits
. Nitrox available
. Shaded Diving Area
. Tech Diving
. Rebreather Support
Full Equipment Set Wetsuit, BCD, regs, mask, fins, boots & snorkel - 270 USD-405 USD
Wetsuit 72 USD-108 USD
Standard Regulators 72 USD-108 USD
BCD 72 USD-108 USD
Fins (Open-heel) 30 USD-45 USD
Booties 30 USD-45 USD
Mask and Snorkel 30 USD-45 USD
Dive Computer 72 USD-108 USD
Torch 36 USD-54 USD

Available Experiences

ITINERARIES AVAILABLE IN THIS DESTINATION

Marcelina

Friday, 06 December 2013

Fabulous Fiji by Marcelina Jesus on Sport Diver Magazine

Lured by the promise of world-class reefs and adrenaline-fueled shark encounters Marcelina Jesus ventures to the wild islands of Fiji.

Fabulous Fiji by Marcelina Jesus on Sport Diver Magazine

What Our Customers Have To Say

Reviews from our Clients, Journalists, Photo Pro's and our own Experts

Our reviews and blogs are an additional guide to evaluate of the holiday is exactley what you are looking for or not. Some love an Eco-Resort, some love air-con and a flat screen TV, we aim to ensure you get what you are looking for, at great value for money.

Tulagi Twin Tunnels

Guadalcanal Province, Solomon Islands

An atoll that comes up to about 13 metres with some vertical shafts that go down to 35 - 40 metres. The Western shaft has a small cave at the rear of the bottom end with Painted Crays inside. The top is rich with soft corals, mushroom coral, cuttlefish, crocodilefish.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 40m

Velvia

Central Province, Solomon Islands

This is an atoll that comes up to 10 m and has heaps of critters, oscillated lionfish, stonefish, lionfish, cuttlefish, and octopus. This dive is a must and deserves the name Velvia because of the animals and the colour they bring.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 30m

Leru Cut

Central Province, Solomon Islands

Cutting that goes into the wall for 100 yards and opens at the top. Bottom of the cutting is 15 metres and the dive needs to be done at 11.00 am. Underneath the overhang at the entrance to the cutting are some Sailfin gobies with shrimp. It is worth while to come to the surface inside the cut and smell the trees, so to speak. The walls of the cut have some flaming scallops to make the cut even more interesting. The wall outside is covered with fans, soft corals, nudibranchs, and fusiliers. It can also some times be very prone to current, and if this is the case the current here can exceed two knots along the wall (possibly restrict the dive to the cut in this case)

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 15m

Barracuda Point

Central Province, Solomon Islands

A triangular underwater point that comes straight out from the rocks typically starting at about 5m/15ft with the end of the point at about 50m/150ft . Starting your dive in the depths off the point a large school of Chevron barracuda can normally be found at around 30m/100ft to 40m/120ft. Two other species of Barracuda (Great & Yellowtail) can be commonly found around the point although in smaller numbers. As you come back up the point you should encounter Big eye jacks schooling in the current in large numbers. Grey reef sharks, Dog tooth tuna, Spanish and King Mackeral can bee seen patrolling of the point. Sleeping white tip reef sharks can found under coral in about 12m/40ft. In the shallows there are also the smaller animals like porcelain crabs, anemone fish with eggs.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 50m

Kokoana Passage

Western Province, Solomon Islands

Start the dive out the front of the wall just up from the corner. Gorgonian fans cover the wall with some lionfish hiding behind some of the fans. Anthias of various species along the top half of the wall. Leaf Scorpions have been found on the wall at 18m/60ft. On the incoming tide barracuda and Bigeye trevally can be found on the corner also the best opportunity of seeing hammerheads in the Solomons. There have been several sightings of the Pygmy seahorse along this wall on a cream coloured fan, "subergorgia mollis". This is a very rare find, with the animal only being 6mm in height it is very hard to find.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 30m+

Anemone Point

Western Province, Solomon Islands

Coming off the point there is a ridge that starts at around 5 metres and gradually drops to 40 metres and then disappears into the abyss. Right on the point there is a singular anemone. On the southern side of the finger there is section between 30 to 40 metres that has a large amount of brilliant orange soft corals Dendronephthya. The mix of the soft corals and other animals is beautiful. On the current side there is Bumphead parrot fish, Grey reef sharks, Chrevron barracuda, Oceanic triggerfish, and a soup of fusiliers. The occasional hammerhead shark is spotted here. Keep a look out for allied Cowries which have been seen in the fans at around 10m.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth:

Japanese Mavis Seaplane

Central Province, Solomon Islands

A Japanese seaplane sunk during WW2 which sits upright on the bottom at 30m, it is an impressively large, mostly intact plane. This site is also excellent for macro subjects with reef top pipefish, twin spot gobies and spine check anemone fish.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 30m
Dates Duration Route Room Type Price
26 Nov 2024
3 Dec 2024
7 Nights Solomons WWII Wreck Week Classic Twin Cabin £0
19 May 2025
29 May 2025
10 Nights Guadalcanal to Western Province Classic Twin Cabin £0
15 Nov 2025
22 Nov 2025
7 Nights Florida and Russell Islands Classic Twin Cabin £0