Come snorkel the Solomon Islands on the unique liveaboard that is known as Bilikiki. This small island nation has it all from a snorkeler’s perspective. These lush islands are largely undeveloped, with endless shallow reefs that host a cornucopia of marine life, and vibrant coastal communities.
The Solomon Islands consist of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands. They’re located on the southeastern corner of the Coral Triangle, just northeast of Australia. The Solomon Islands sit within the global epicenter of biodiversity, the Coral Triangle. Thus, you can expect to encounter an overwhelming amount of marine life. This includes beautiful little reef fish that dance like glitter suspended in the water column, larger schooling fish like snappers, jacks, and parrot fish, and awe-inspiring pelagic species like manta rays, reef sharks, and barracuda. Hopefully, we’ll also find some weird benthic creatures like scorpion fish, signal gobies, and maybe even a seahorse!
Given the Solomons’ unique geographic location, straddling the border of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific islands, we’ll see a mixture of both of these underwater worlds. We’ll see reefs similar to those found around North Sulawesi, where hard and soft corals form a carpet of color and texture. Also, we’ll see that many of the reefs share topographic features with Fiji- crevices illuminated by piercing beams of light. There are even a couple of wrecks for us to explore, including some from WWII.
The tourism industry in the Solomon Islands is still quite undeveloped. There are very few snorkeling/diving operators in the country. The Bilikiki is the premier operator in the area, having run both diving and snorkeling safaris for over 25 years. We have chartered the Bilikiki for the trip and will have exclusive use of the liveaboard.
*Please note that this particular itinerary covers a lot of territories. It thus involves several overnight crossings between regions where we will be in the open sea. We’ll be more exposed to the elements, particularly swell. If you have any reservations about what it’s like onboard a liveaboard, please get in touch with us and or read this blog about what you can expect for a liveaboard itinerary such as this.
Inga A. May 2026
‘I had a wonderful time on the Solomon Islands tour. Alex was fantastic and it was amazing to see how seamless everything was between him and the Bilikiki guides. They worked so well together. For me, a real highlight of the trip and equally valuable as the snorkeling, were the village visits, contact with the people who live in the Solomon Islands and the focus on history on WW2 day. It added a huge cultural layer that I was hoping for but didn’t expect’
Marine Life Guide
This tour is partnered with the Manta Trust. Find out how we support the Manta Trust via this tour here.
Please note that the liveaboard’s itinerary/exact route is subject to change, at the sole discretion of the cruise director, based on the weather and ocean conditions.
Day 1 - Arrive at the Solomon Islands
Arrive in Honiara, Solomon Islands, and transfer to the hotel, where you can check in and relax before meeting for a group welcome dinner – an opportunity to relax, enjoy some delicious food, and connect with fellow travelers before our adventure begins.
This comfortable and welcoming hotel will be our base as we settle in and get to know one another.
Day 2 - Board the Bilikiki
We will check out of the hotel and be transferred to the marina where we board our home for the following twelve nights, we’ll receive a boat safety and orientation briefing. We’ll also listen to a snorkel briefing where we’ll discuss our intended route and what you can expect from this snorkeling safari.
Depending upon arrival time, we’ll either enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner onboard. This is a non-snorkeling day.
Day 3 - 13 - Snorkeling from the Bilikiki
Each day begins with a big breakfast before starting a site briefing for our first snorkel session of the day. Each snorkel session will run for 70 – 120 minutes, depending on the site and the day’s snorkeling schedule. The Bilikiki will take us as close to the sites as possible, typically 2-5 minutes. We’ll board the 2 aluminum tender boats (known as “tinnies”) that will drop us in the shallows. On some sites, we’ll enter and exit from the back of the Bilikiki. All the snorkel sessions have boat support, and you can jump on a tender and return to the boat if you prefer a shorter snorkel session.
After our first snorkel, we’ll jump back into the “tinnies” and head back to the Bilikiki for a fantastic lunch, a bit of downtime to digest, followed by another snorkel. Afterwards, we’ll return to the main vessel for some snacks and a delicious dinner. On some nights we’ll enjoy a night snorkel. Each day will run a little bit differently depending on where we are. We aim for 2-3 long snorkels each day. Furthermore, there will also be opportunities to go ashore to visit the local villages.
On this particular tour, we intend to visit the Russel Islands, Mary Island, the Marovo Lagoon area, and finally the Florida Islands. The exact itinerary will be decided upon on arrival. This way, we can take things like sea and weather conditions into account when planning. As this is a liveaboard safari, the itinerary is subject to change given the expected weather conditions.
Day 14 - Tour ends
After a big breakfast on board, we’ll say our goodbyes to the lovely crew. Thereafter, you’ll have the option to depart for your international flight or overnight at a hotel close to the airport and make your onward journey the following day.
Heritage Park Hotel, Solomon Islands
The Heritage Park Hotel overlooks the beautiful landscaped gardens and Pacific Ocean. Tastefully furnished with a comfortable queen bed or twin beds, a well-appointed ensuite, wardrobe, tea and coffee facilities and private balcony with lounge and dining area and free wifi access during your stay.
Bilikiki Liveaboard
In 1989 MV Bilikiki sailed as the first full-service liveaboard vessel in the Solomon Islands. She is a large, stable, comfortable vessel with a crew that has a vast amount of experience throughout the region.
At 125 feet long and 24 feet wide, the MV Bilikiki comfortably accommodates 10 deluxe cabins, eight with a double bed and single bunk, and two with twin single beds and no bunk (cabins #1 & 2). All cabins are air-conditioned and have their own en-suite bathrooms. There is a large sundeck, a comfortable lounge, a separate camera room, and a spacious dive deck.
Twin Cabin
Double Cabin
We’ll eat buffet-style meals in the covered open-air dining room. They will try to cater to any specific dietary requirements, but advance notice needs to be given as the Solomon Islands are remote, and supplies may be limited.
Bilikiki Snorkeling Boats
The Bilikiki has two custom-built aluminum tender boats, which they call “tinnies,” which will be our vehicles to the snorkeling sites each day from the main vessel. The boats have rear ladders that fold down into the water with nice flat steps.
On this page you will find our Tour Dates & Pricing, a Request to Book Form and Details of Payment schedule including deposit and final balance.
My name is Crystal and I’ll be your personal consultant for this tour, I’ll manage your booking right up until you meet our tour leader in destination. I’ll be on hand to assist with everything from additional nights before and after your tour and making sure you are on time for our Welcome Dinner to guidance on what to bring and the snorkeling conditions you are likely to experience. We share an email inbox at Snorkel Venture, you can fill out the form below or drop me an email at hello@snorkelventure.com. I look forward to assisting you on this tour.
Make an inquiry or Book this Tour
2028 Tour Dates
6 – 20 May
Tour Price:
10,750 USD per person
How to book your place:
Initial deposit to secure your booking $800 per person
12 Months before departure interim deposit of $600 per person
6 Months before departure interim deposit of $1000 per person
Balance due 3 months before departure
Please note for single supplement bookings we ask for 2x the deposit for each payment.
Inclusions:
- 1 Night Heritage Park Honiara with dinner and breakfast at the start of the tour.
- Return airport transfers
- 12 nights on Bilikiki Liveaboard with all meals and snacks, drinking water, tea, and coffee
- Taxes and Fees for Bilikiki
- 3/4 guided snorkel sessions per day on board Bilikiki
- Snorkel Venture Tour Leader
- 1 Night Heritage Park Honiara with breakfast at the end of the tour.
Exclusions:
- Flights to Honiara and all international flights
- Snorkeling equipment rental
- Tips
- Travel Insurance- recommended
- Health insurance- compulsory
- Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, laundry, and general sundries
Please note our cancelation policy: All deposits are non-refundable.
1 Year or more: 150 USD penalty per person, the balance will be given as a credit note for use within 2 years
12 months or less: Loss of deposit and interim payment
90 – 28 days: 25% Refund (includes your final balance payment)
28 – 0 days: No Refund
*We recommend that you purchase travel insurance to protect your deposit in the event that you have to cancel your trip.
