July 24 - Aug 3, 2018
We saw a WHALE SHARK!!!!! I was with half the group and we were looking at fans for pygmy seahorses when we heard a constant tapping on a tank. We looked around and the next thing we saw was Tina and the the other guests swimming along side a massive whale shark!!! I could barely believe my eyes! It was huge and just cruising along the reef wall. What a dive! After that the pair of ornate ghost pipefish, leaf scorpion fish and spearing mantis shrimp all just added to the excitement!
The rest of the diving was excellent too with all the usual amazing critters, fish and coral. This trip we saw a lot of ghost pipefish including robust, ornate and halemeda. We had mainly bright sunny days and were able to dive the fabulous Mbulo Caves with gorgeous light beams shinning down for photographers and divers to enjoy. Wickham Island was also another favourite dive with stunning soft corals, eagle rays, cuttlefish, a herd of pygmy seahorses, more ghost pipefish and crocodile fish just to name a few of the things we saw there.  The last night dive we were treated to a beautiful spanish dancer as well as juvenile pinnate batfish and loads of different species of crabs!
Apart from the diving we enjoyed stopping off to buy carvings in Marovo Lagoon and seeing custom dancing, singing and village life in the Russell Islands. 
It was a great trip with a lovely crowd of people. Tina & Oli and all of the Bilikiki crew did a wonderful job looking after us all while we were onboard. I can’t wait to get back!!!!
Kellie