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Dive Review of Solomon Dive Adventures in
Solomon Islands

Solomon Dive Adventures: "A special place for the more adventurous", Nov, 2019,

by JOHN HOOVER, HI, US (Reviewer Reviewer 4 reports with 2 Helpful votes). Report 11255.

Photos Submitted with this Report


Click on an image to see an enlarged version and captions

Percula clownfish ( White-Bonnet Clownfish, a Solomons specialty

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

Accommodations 3 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling 3 stars
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments A very small operation in Marovo Lagoon run by Lisa Choquette, former co-owner of Dive Makai in Kona, Hawaii. Lisa houses her guests (maximum 4) at Minado Eco Lodge on Turupu Island, which is owned by Johnlee Koli, who was for some years the engineer on the Bilikiki liveaboard. Minado Eco Lodge is about 1 hour boat ride from Seghe Airstrip. Johnlee will meet you at the airstrip on arrival. Accommodations are basic and comfortable. Rooms are airy. No screens on windows, but mosquito nets are provided. However, it was breezy while I was there and I saw few mosquitos. Don’t expect hot showers. If it’s warm at night there’s a good fan in each of the two guest rooms. Food is healthy and nutritious—lots of veggies and salads, protein mostly fish and eggs. Fresh breads and muffins. Internet speed is reasonable, especially for such a remote location. I found the diving wonderful. It’s all in Marovo Lagoon and is mostly along walls. Visibility was good during my stay—50 to 100 ft. Lisa has trained local divemasters herself. They are highly competent and will give you very personal attention if you want it, or will leave you alone if you don’t. They also know quite a bit about fish and critters, thanks to Lisa. And Lisa knows a lot about fish and critters. She and her divemasters can put you on just about any animal you ask for, even rare stuff. Burgess Butterflyfish? Easy! Colin’s Angelfish? No problem! Leopard Toby? Maybe. I wasn’t looking or asking for big animals, so don’t really know how “available” they are. Did see a Blacktip shark or two right off the jetty most days. Snorkeling: You can snorkel (or make a very very shallow dive) off the jetty and you’ll see quite a lot, Percula clowns, Archerfish, Shrimp gobies to name a few. Lisa could probably arrange snorkel trips by boat to various locations as well. You could always email Lisa to find out about snorkeling, big animals, or anything else. She’ll answer you right away. Maybe ask to get on her newsletter, which she puts out every month or so. To sum up, this is a place without frills for discerning divers who aren’t fussy. It has everything one really needs and a lot of heart. At Lisa’s you’ll see lots of fish, get personal attention, and feel like you’ve made lots of friends with her staff by the end of your stay.
Websites Solomon Dive Adventures   [same]

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Mostly Hawaii, but all over
Closest Airport Seghe (unpaved airstrip) Getting There Solomon Airlines from Honiara, flights most every day (Twin Otter aircraft)

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, cloudy Seas calm, no currents
Water Temp 82-83°F / 28-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 50-100 Ft/ 15-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions none
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? no

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities 3 stars
UW Photo Comments I'm mostly a fish photographer, so I did not lack for subject matter. No camera room, but I found ample space on the big dining table. Bring your own power strip if you need multiple outlets. Australian style power plugs are used in the Solomons.
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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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