May 13-23, 2024 Trip Report

Bilikiki has returned from 10 days of spectacular diving with 20 guests under the leadership of Jane Steinbrecher's Dream Weaver. We visited the Floridas Islands, the Russells, Mary Island and Marovo Lagoon - what an adventure it turned out to be! The weather conditions were mixed but the encounters under water were fantastic.
Everyone just loved the magnificent hard and soft corals, plus the fish life to match. It's hard to mention all the highlights we were lucky to see during this trip, but one was definitely a close encounter with a great hammerhead shark, slowly cruising above our heads. What really kept the dive deck chattering at an unprecedented noise level though, was the unexpected encounter with a resting saltwater crocodile while diving in Mbulo - oh wow, that was something extremely rare and equally exciting!
Kicha proved to be another highlight, with a very curious and playful mobula ray appearing through a cloud of rainbow runners and having a close look at our divers, it performed loops around us for several minutes. All the while, the undersea volcano Kavachi was exploding and crackling along at record noise levels, providing the perfect soundtrack - it was almost physical! We also saw a sea snake, massive stone fish, mantas, ribbon eel, an amazing array of colourful anemones and their guardian fish, the list could go on and on. Every dive offered something special and unique.
Our guests equally enjoyed the contact with the local villagers while visiting the carving markets. Many presents were handed out to smiling kids and adults alike during the floating vegetable canoe markets. Thankfully, the rain stopped the morning of our village visit to Karumolun, with the villagers performing their custom singing, dancing and the beautiful pan pipe music - played with flip-flops!
A trip full of unforgettable memories above and below the waves has come to an end. Thank you so much Jane for being such wonderful company and bringing all these great folks out here. And thank you, again, to our amazing Bilikiki crew, who worked tirelessly to make all this happen - you are the best!
Best fishes
Tina & Oli
Photo Credits:
Hammerhead + Saltie: Chris Hess
Mobula, Spearing Mantis, + Crab: Todd Allen
 

Crocodile underwarer  Hammerhead shark underwater  Little crab  Spearing mantis shrimp

Posted by Sam and Kellie on May 24, 2024

What our guests say

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

Reed Nescher

"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

"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

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

Brett Lobwein

"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

"The trip of a lifetime! Impeccable crew, perfect organization, beautiful landscapes under and above water, new friends, incredible wildlife. My eyes a... Read More"

Stephanie Loubat

"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 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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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