Mark Strickland's ESCORTED DIVE TRAVEL PROGRAM |
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| Solomon Islands | |||||||||||
 Located in the heart of the South Pacific, the Solomons consist of nearly 1000 islands, spread out over a distance of some 900 miles. Seen from the air, these jungle-clad islands resemble an emerald necklace accented with turquoise trim, resting on an indigo background. From sea level their beauty is even more evident, as your eyes sweep across white sand beaches bordered by swaying coconut trees, to aquamarine lagoons surrounded by the inky-blue of nearly bottomless depths, all of it framed by the lush green of distant mountains. Most compelling of all, however, are the views from below the surface. Here, you are immersed in a thriving marine life community in a wide range of healthy habitats, including stunning drop-offs, shallow coral gardens, and intriguing fissures, crevices and caverns along the shorelines.
Today the atmosphere is tranquil, but during WWII these islands were the center of some of the fiercest fighting in the Pacific theatre. As a result, there are many plane and shipwrecks to be explored, both on land and underwater. The Solomons also offer a great diversity of invertebrates, with everything from tiny shrimp to giant clams. Fish life is particularly abundant, including a kaleidoscope of colorful reef species like white-bonnet anemonefish and the brilliant flame angelfish. Exotics like ghost pipefish and pygmy sea horses are also seen regularly. Certain sites also have big populations of schooling fish, including Mary Island, where divers are often surrounded by hundreds of jacks and barracudas, usually in clear, blue water. For abundance of marine life, diversity of species, and stunning scenery above and below the surface, few destinations compare with the Solomons - come see for yourself!
Our exact itinerary will be determined according to prevailing conditions and marine life sightings when the time comes, but will almost certainly include Mary Island, the Florida and Russell Island Groups, and possibly Marovo Lagoon and Iron Bottom Sound as well. Not that you would need any additional incentives, but our Solomons trip does feature another major perk: Internationally recognized author and marine biologist Dave Behrens (bio here) will be aboard to answer any marine life questions you may have. And, for those who are interested in learning more about the creatures we're observing down below, Dave is conducting his acclaimed Marine Life Workshop, completely free of charge (Workshop Info here)
Although diving is our main reason to visit the Solomons, another great attraction is the people. Known for their warm smiles and welcoming attitude toward visitors, the islanders are especially friendly towards Americans, an affinity stemming back to the Japanese occupation during WWII. There will be at least one village visit during the trip, providing a great opportunity to meet some locals and learn a bit about their culture. Most villagers are more than happy to pose for pictures, so don't forget your camera! You may also wish to bring a few modest gifts like school supplies or fishing hooks, which are greatly appreciated (no candy, please). By the way, some of the finest woodcarvings in the Pacific come from the Solomons, so leave some room in your luggage for souvenirs! (shipping via DHL is also an option)
The Boat: Spirit of Solomons, sister ship to Bilikiki, is a stable, 125-foot long, 24-foot wide motor vessel that pioneered live-aboard diving in the Solomons and has a reputation as being among the best in the world. Spirit can accommodate up to 26 passengers, but we are purposely limiting this trip to 20 (incl. Mark and Dave) to avoid overcrowding. Accommodations consist of three deluxe staterooms and four deluxe cabins featuring private bathrooms. Additionally, there are six single-occupancy cabins sharing two toilets and three showers. All staterooms and cabins are air-conditioned. The Spirit is fully-equipped with large camera tables, multi-format video system, and unparalleled space and comfort in the lounge and on the sun decks with plenty of covering for shade. The dining deck is located aft on the bridge deck, with a commanding view of the ocean and islands. For more info. on Spirit Of Solomons and the Solomons in general, visit www.bilikiki.com
Reef & Rainforest: Dive Travel Experts As with previous expeditions, I'm delighted to announce that we'll be partnering with one of the world leaders in dive travel on this trip. Based in Sausalito CA, Reef & Rainforest Dive & Adventure Travel, is a full service dive travel agency specializing in exotic destinations. Owner Jenny Collister has tremendous experience with international travel, and will be happy to help you with travel-related questions, airfares and any other travel needs. Contact Jenny at jenny@reefrainforest.com or call toll-free at 1-800-794-9767, ext. 302 for availability and to confirm your spot. Mark Strickland / Oceanic Impressions e-mail: info@oceanic-impressions.com |
