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Dive Review of Bilikiki Cruises/Bilikiki in
Solomon Islands

Bilikiki Cruises/Bilikiki, Nov, 2012,

by ann mcgrath, VA, US (Sr. Contributor Sr. Contributor 26 reports with 19 Helpful votes). Report 6826 has 2 Helpful votes.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity 3 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments I have no criticism of Bilikiki Cruises. They do an excellent job, and have been for many years. The boat is perfect for diving. The cabins have plenty of room, and there is always p,entry of hot water ( unless several showers are running simultaneously).

The cooks do an excellent job also. I don't eat meat, and they accommodated me nicely. There is plenty of fresh fruit and always a big salad at lunch and dinner. There are fresh baked cookies after the morning dive, and a platter of things to nibble on before dinner. They buy more fresh produce and fish from the locals as we cruise. They bought a tuna one day, and we had sashimi that evening. The crew caught a Spanish mackerel another day, and it was nicely prepared at dinner.

The dinghies are roomy for 8 divers with cameras. The boat drivers are very good at picking up divers, no matter where they surface. The crew doesn't talk much, but they are good at their jobs, and will help out when asked.

The boat managers, Sam and Kellie, are fantastic. One of them dives on every dive, and they are amazing at finding critters on the reef. They helped me get video of some things I didn't yet have, which is always appreciated.

Bilikiki is the only live aboard in the Solomon Islands. Luckily, it's one of the best! Because the dive sites are infrequently visited, they are pristine and the coral is perfect. We saw only one eel, which is different from the last two times I've been there (2002 and 2007). There used to be blue ribbon eels everywhere, but no more. Devil's Highway had great manta action, so we didn't mind surfacing in washing machine! Just watch the down current there! There was virtually on current on other sites.
Websites Bilikiki Cruises   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving [Unspecified]
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 80-82°F / 27-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 20-100 Ft/ 6-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Nitrox limits, some dives 1 hour if the boat needed to move.
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales 1 or 2
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 3 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Camera charging room is big enough for all the photographers in our group. Crew rinsed all camera gear after every dive.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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