Solomons Trip diving from the Bilikiki live aboard

So a little lazy putting these together, one is the long version I do for us the short is for the general public.

After the 3min mark (in the long version) Julie has some excellent macro/super macro video. She does all this without a tripod, which we avoid after seeing people just plop them on live corals.

14min Version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J72v-vkHVzk

6min Version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7n9vRX9cCg

You guys got some great shots! I like the mix of wide and macro, scenic and action. It's ridiculous to single out only one image but I especially like the pipefish threading through orange coral at 9:49. Thanks for posting.

By the way, what part of the country were you diving, Western or Russells or somewhere else? I miss the Solomons, spent a lot of time underwater there, but don't get back any more.

Hi Martin

Great stuff.. We(my daughter and I) will be on the Bilikiki June 30- July7th. Anything special we should do or ask for.

Give Julie a hug for me.

Joe

P.S. Did you do any drugs? For Malaria.-))

Thanks. Like most of that area there is plenty of variety. They are pretty good at telling you what the highlights will be for choosing lenses. You start in the Russells and move from there.

Joe you will have a great time. Of course one of my favorites is White Beach. I usually do one dive where I just snorkel and shoot over/unders up in the shallows. I only spend 1/2 dive on scuba shooting some of the WWII stuff down lower. Barracuda Point, where the real draw has been big schools of Jacks. They go to an area with caves where you can do a lot of natural light stuff and its all real shallow.

">http://]

">http://

What I love about the Bilikiki is once you get in a couple of dives they leave you alone if you want. Better yet they don't cap your dive times. Julie and I had several +90min dives just putting around and the launch is always right there to get you. We did not take anything for malaria, if you do a shore visit just have some good bug spray. This was our second trip with them and they are really great.

">http://

Thanks for the info.. and the the images,,

It is our 2nd time also..

What trips do you have coming up? We really enjoyed the trip with you and JULIE..

Joe

That was a fun trip. Right now the only trip we have on the books is one to Zimbabwe to do some volunteer work. We are pondering another Raja trip or humpbacks in Tonga and we have yet to see a tiger shark....

How about you?

Thanking about land based 2 week to the Philipines Jan - Feb.. Any suggestions.. Maybe 3 locations with 5 days at each,,, Any sugestions?

Been to Atlantis in Dumegette and Kasai Village Resort in Moalboal and Crystal Blue Resort- Anilao. All were great..

When it comes to the Philippines, you really can't go wrong with Anilao (IMHO, YMMV, etc). The diving is consistent, presenting a "target rich environment" as a pilot friend of mine says. There are a few newer resorts now that are a bit more upscale. The only thing missing is large pelagics. But that's also true for most of the other well known destinations around Dumaguete and Puerto Galera.

We spent a week at Malapascua recently and had a great time. The thresher sharks are the main attraction - for good reason - but we also did plenty of enjoyable reef dives. There are occasional hammerheads. There's a reliable mandarinfish site that is quite close. The island is a bit more rustic than average, but we found it relaxing and friendly.

Tubbataha is really fantastic if you're willing to do a liveaboard. There are a couple of boats that go for long weekends now, as opposed to the standard 7 day trip. February is the start of the season for those trips.

troporobo, Thanks for the info.

Where did you stay and who did you dive with on Malapascua Island?

Also, we are planning a two week trip and want to do two different lactations.. Where would you suggest that was not too far from Malapascua Island?

We stayed at and dove with Evolution. They have an excellent dive operation, much more conscientious than what we saw from other operators. There is very good food and drinks at the beach side bar and resto. Its not a posh resort but not downscale either, on the higher end of Philippine resorts, and the rooms are nice and the gear and camera rooms are well set up. In a week there, it was clear that they are the friendliest crew on the island.

If you're looking for something that feels a bit more upscale then Tepanee is the best choice. It is a lovely setting but not primarily a dive resort and I don't know who they use for their dive operation.