Page 467 - Melanesia

DEVILS’ HIGHWAY (Florida Islands): An advanced
dive with strong currents (8 to 10 knots), but
that’s where the mantas cruise. You’re dropped
a couple hundred yards from the wall in about
3 meters of water. Once you approach the drop
off to the wall, kick hard downward and find a
place to hold on. Mantas continue to swim back
and forth along the top of the wall, feeding in
the current. This is a high current dive site. You
will be delighted by the dozen or so mantas that
continue to swim back and forth along the top
of the wall, feeding in the current.
GRAND CENTRAL STATION (Gizo): If its under-
water action you need then this is the place.
The most north-western tip of the Gizo islands
is the merge point for oceanic currents and it’s
here where the fish life, big and small, is at it’s
best. In the big currents the waters are patrolled
by sharks, trevally and batfish. A relatively easy
dive for all levels of experience and there is no
need to go deep to see all the activity. This site is
known for having the second highest fish count
in the world, with over 270 different species
of fish identified in a single tank dive. The dive
starts after lunch on Njari Island, starting just 20 and the wreck lies close to Bonegi 1. The engine
M off the shore, making it easy access for both
snorkelers and divers.
HIROKAWA MARU, (Honiara / Florida Islands):
also known as “Bonegi 1”: The Japanese trans-
port “Hirokawa Maru”, built in 1940 and original-
ly about 146 meters long, was sunk in November
1942 close to the beach near Bonegi Creek, ap-
proximately 13 km west of Honiara. The ship lies
on a steep slope on its port side with the bow
completely shattered and the stern section in
reasonable condition. You’ll find excellent coral
growth and fish life here, and it is considered one
of the best wreck dives in the Solomons.
HOT SPOT (Gizo): a small pinnacle, comes up to
5 meters from the ocean’s depths of 300-400
meters. As the tide changes, pelagics come and
feed on the shoals of bait fish that congregate in
and around.
KINAGAWA MARU (Hiniara / Florida Islands): also
known as “Bonegi 2”: This Japanese transport
was beached in an attempt to off load supplies
block protrudes from the water, making easy
access for snorkelers and good swim throughs
for divers, while the stern lies in 20 meters plus.
There are some excellent photo opportunities,
particularly in the aft section of engine room
(the cathedral), while lots of blue spotted rays
bask on the sand.
LERU CUT (Russell Islands): This site provides one
of the Solomons’ iconic photo-ops as morning
sunlight pierces a chasm in the island. Dramatic
streams of light penetrate the jungle canopy,
providing for striking available light shots of
divers in silhouette. It is basically a cut in the wall
that penetrates in for 100 meters and open is at
the top revealing the jungle above. The bottom
of the cut is 20 meters and the dive is normally
done just before mid-day in order to the streams
of light just right. The inside wall is covered with
fans, soft corals, nudibranchs, and fusiliers, and
the wall outside the cut is as good.