Trip Report August 10-20, 2019

Trip Report August 10-20, 2019

Bilikiki has just returned from a fantastic 10 day trip on which we were joined by a group of 12 photographers with Immersed Imaging and 3 repeat guests from the US and Japan. Our divers came in a brilliant mood and were rewarded with spectacular encounters under water. It is hard to name everything we got to see but it included plenty of sharks, mobula and eagle rays, schools of bumphead parrot fish, barracudas, jacks and oceanic triggerfish. All the little critters were also out in abundance, we saw cuttlefish, pygmy seahorses (H. denise and H. bargibanti), seahorses and three different species of ghostpipe fish (halimeda, ornate and robust), plus orangutan crabs, nudis and flatworms - the list goes on and on! The cuts and caves impressed everyone too with beautiful light rays coming in from the jungle above. A photographers delight!

One definite highlight however was when our crew spotted orcas outside of Mary Island and some of us quickly headed out in the tinnies. They came right towards us, dived under the tinnies, and we were finally able to jump in with them to see a pod of five orcas swimming right past us, four adults and a baby - what a magical moment!! This encounter certainly kept the conversations going for the rest of the trip!

For Oli and myself it could not have been a nicer last trip of this season. We would like to thank all our guests for being such a wonderful group, you all made this very special! Our heartfelt thank you also goes to our incredible crew for their continuous hard work every single day and for being such great guys - you rock, and we're looking forward to seeing you all again in 2020 for more adventures! Tagio tumas!

With best fishes

Tina & Oli  

Orca photos to come soon!

Group photo of divers in the Solomon Islands

 

All underwater photos are by Michael Zeigler of Immersed Imaging.

Archer fish in the Solomon Islands

A coral hermit crab in the Solomon Islands.

Posted by Sam and Kellie on August 20, 2019

What our guests say

"If I could rate them 6 stars I would!!! Amazing boat, crew, food and diving."

Brett Lobwein

"I did my 1000th dive on my second trip on the Bilikiki. Last time was in 2005 and then I thought it was the best liveaboard I had been on. It still is... Read More"

Alex Davids

"Just really, really, really enjoyed our trip!!! We really fell in love with Pato and Fernando. They did an excellent job guiding us! The crew is as go... Read More"

Darlene Myers

"Second time and still finding new sights to see! Wonderful trip well worth the effort....."

Reed Nescher

"I have been on many Bilikiki trips over the past eight years, and I will keep going back again and again. I’ve dived in more than 15 countries and h... Read More"

Joanna O'Shea

"I can't think of a better way to spend 12 days than on board Bilikiki. It is absolutely spectacular diving amongst healthy corals, colorful fishes, st... Read More"

Karen Doby

"I have just returned from a 10 night stay on board the Bilikiki. It was my first trip on the Bilikiki however friends we were with have been 3 or 4 ti... Read More"

Pearl Corker

"Always a great time on the Bilikiki. Spectacular diving, excellent food and an amazing crew. One of the best laid out boats I've been diving on."

Mike Aitken

"Just got back from a 10 day trip on Bilikiki with Tina and Oli. The whole Bilikiki team made our trip a memorable one, despite the temperamental weath... Read More"

Jonathan Rose

"I had an amazing 10 nights onboard the Bilikiki! The dive sites were so diverse and so beautiful, we had some amazing encounters with wildlife, the cr... Read More"

Lauren Thomas

"My bucket list trip. Outstanding crew and service. Superb diving. Stable and comfortable vessel and accommodations. The chefs do a marvellous job, eve... Read More"

Fred Catella

"Bilikiki is much more than a great dive boat with a fantastic crew sailing the remote Solomon Islands and discovering new and beautiful dive sites; it... Read More"

Thane Kreiner