SOLOMON PAPUA NEW GUINEA JUNE 2019 BROCHURE

THE SCUBA PLACE
SOLOMON ISLANDS & PAPUA NEW GUINEA


SOLOMON ISLANDS
© Tanya G Burnett
The Solomon Islands are characterised more than anything, by the sea that surrounds it. The Solomons are located within the Coral Triangle. Here, the waters have been nominated as one of Oceania's Seven Natural Wonders and described as the 'Amazon of the Ocean' for its huge diversity of corals and marine life.
These reefs absolutely teem with life! You’re sure to find titan trigger fish, green and orange neon slugs and amazingly coloured sea fans. And then the whole way up the food chain with massive schools of jacks and barracuda, to the cruising grey reef sharks. This is one of the top destinations for sightings of the pelagic favourites...from mammoth Napoleon wrasses to sharks, barracudas and several varieties of rays.
The Solomon's underwater realm provides spawning grounds and migratory routes for hundreds of reef fish species, dolphins, rays, sharks, and six out of seven of the world's species of marine turtles.
The Solomons also have one of the highest concentrations of WWII wrecks in the Pacific. Aircraft, ships and submarines litter the sea floor and now serve as artificial reefs attracting corals and fish life as well as sharing fascinating records of world history. From American oil tankers and navy destroyers to New Zealand mine sweepers and Japanese seaplanes, the diving is sensational and evokes vivid memories of WWII.
This is almost as good as it gets for diving the Big Blue!! Underwear photographers will be in awe of daily discoveries, both big and small.
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.comedivewithus.co.uk


MV BILIKIKI
© Jo O’Shea
In 1989 MV Bilikiki sailed as the first full service luxury live aboard dive vessel in the Solomon Islands. Her large size and a hull that was built for South Pacific seas are the two main reasons why guests from around the world say that the Bilikiki is one of the most spacious and comfortable vessels that they have travelled on.
© Tom Demeyer © Tom Demeyer
With 10 deluxe cabins and a maximum of 20 divers, the Bilikiki offers 7 to 14 day itineraries sailing to sites in the Russell and Florida Islands, Mary Island and the Marovo Lagoon area. An immense dive deck gives divers plenty of space to kit up and the boat is well suited for photographers with carpeted tables for your precious gear. Tinnies (or skiffs) are used to get divers to the dive sites while the Bilikiki is moored just a 100m away. The diving is unlimited with up to five dives scheduled daily.
Experience the culture of the islands with a village visit and villagers will often come out in the their canoes with produce and local carvings when the boat is anchored nearby.
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.comedivewithus.co.uk


PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Papua New Guinea is located in the Coral Triangle, the centre of marine biodiversity which boasts the highest diversity of tropical fish and coral in the world. The waters of New Britain are home to prolific and diverse marine life and reef structures. Pristine and colourful corals are home to a variety of fish, crustacean and invertebrate life and many of the reefs have resident schools of barracuda, tuna and jacks. A range of shark species are regularly sighted, including hammerheads and silver tips, particularly on the offshore reefs.
Kimbe Bay is located along the shores of New Britain Island and is huge marine protected area with an amazingly bio-diverse ecosystem. Immaculate reefs are home to over 800 species of reef fish and 60% of the coral species found in the Indo-Pacific area! The occasional sightings of orca, pilot whales, whale sharks and other marine life passing through Kimbe Bay and West New Britain waters always delight both guests and staff.
Milne Bay in the Bismarck Sea is located at the far eastern end of Papua New Guinea. During the war Milne Bay became a huge naval base through which hundreds of thousands of servicemen passed. The area provides not only airplane wrecks from WWII but superb muck diving, stunning drop-offs, colourful coral gardens and towering pinnacles.
With barrier reefs, coral walls, fringing reefs and sea grass beds along with historic World War II wrecks, scuba diving in Papua New Guinea is some of the best in the world!
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.comedivewithus.co.uk


WALINDI PLANTATION
© Juergen Freund
Walindi Plantation Resort is nestled on the shores of Kimbe Bay and Max and Cecilie Benjamin, their family and staff have been proudly showing off the Kimbe Bay reefs to visiting divers for over 30 years. Walindi Resort is world famous for it's quality of diving, warm hospitality and relaxed atmosphere.
The central resort area is the social hub of Walindi and includes the tropical and airy reception, Casuarina Restaurant, lounge and Planters Bar. There is also a swimming pool, sundeck, Blue Taro Boutique and a comprehensive library. Wireless internet is available in the main resort area. The library/lounge is air-conditioned with comfortable seating and an extensive reference library encompassing marine life, underwater photography, local village life and history.
Day diving from the resort is offered on three custom built day dive boats, with moorings on over 40 Kimbe Bay reefs. Walindi Dive also offers hire dive equipment, dive courses and NITROX.
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.comedivewithus.co.uk


SOLOMON ISLANDS GALLERY
BAHAMAS GALLERY
photos courtesy of Greg Lecoeur, Elmer Doty, Monty & Michelle, Bret Gilliam & Matt Smith. Please forgive any omissions.


PAPUA NEW GUINEA GALLERY
BAHAMAS GALLERY
photos courtesy of The Scuba Place by Nigel Wade


ITINERARY
SOLOMON ISLANDS & PAPUA NEW GUINEA 22 night itinerary
5 June to 27 June 2019
TRIP SUMMARY:
- Flights from London Gatwick to Honiara via Dubai & Brisbane on Qantas
- Overnight stay in Honiara
- 10 nights aboard M.V. Bilikiki - Solomon Islands live aboard
- Overnight stay in Honiara
- Domestic ight from Honiara to Hoskins - Kimbe Bay
- 7 nights at Walindi Plantation Resort, full board with 10 dive package
- Return ight to Gatwick via Brisbane & Dubai on Qantas
- Airport transfers
- Limited to 10 spaces on Bilikiki live aboard _______________________________________________________________________________________ PRICE :
£7950 per person based on double occupancy
£2000 non-refundable deposit per person to secure space
£2000 interim payment due by 31 December 2018
balance due 12 weeks before departure _______________________________________________________________________________________
FLIGHT DETAILS : Flights are not yet available - the following is provided as a guideline only.
Wednesday 5 June 2019 : Qantas Airlines
depart : London Gatwick at 21:45
connections in Dubai and Brisbane
arrive : Honiara (GMT+11) at 14:45 on Friday 7 June 2019
Wednesday 19 June 2019 : Air Niugini
depart : Honiara at 10:50 connection in Port Moresby
arrive: Hoskins - Kimbe Bay at 16:50
Wednesday 26 June 2019 : Air Niugini
depart : Hoskins at 10:15 connection in Port Moresby
arrive : Brisbane (GMT+10) at 16:35
Wednesday 26 June 2019 : Qantas Airlines
depart : Brisbane (GMT+10) at 22:50
connection in Dubai
arrive : Gatwick at 12:35 on Thursday 27 June 2019
details : economy seating, baggage allowance currently 30kg (subject to airline policies at the time of booking
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.comedivewithus.co.uk


ACCOMMODATION DETAILS :
M.V. Bilikiki : Honiara, Solomon Islands
check in : Saturday 8 June 2019 check out : Tuesday 18 June 2019 details : deluxe cabin, full board basis
DIVING :
details: unlimited diving : up to 5 dives scheduled per day ; dives sites selected from
several locations at captains preference based on weather and diving conditions _______________________________________________________________________________________
ACCOMMODATION DETAILS :
Walindi Plantation Resort : Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea check in : Wednesday 19 June 2019
check out : Wednesday 26 June 2019
details : plantation house room, full board basis
DIVING :
details : 10 dive package : 2 to 3 boat dives per day _______________________________________________________________________________________
ALSO INCLUDED :
Overnight stay in Honiara before boat departure - to recover from long haul (optional - based on departure date selected)
Overnight stay in Honiara after disembarking - due to ight schedule to Kimbe Bay
Transfers included _______________________________________________________________________________________ NOT INCLUDED :
airline upgrades : we can arrange for higher class seating and/or extra baggage, please contact us for up to date pricing
live aboard extras : bar tab, gear and tank rental, NITROX ($20 USD/day)
resort extras : bar tab, gear and tank rental, NITROX ($10 USD/ ll), extra dives, environmental
and safety fee ($9 USD/diving day) _______________________________________________________________________________________
BOOKING DETAILS :
To book this trip please contact John at [email protected] or 020 7644 8252
Any change in pricing due to ight availability or other circumstances will be disclosed and discussed at time of booking.
Tickets and full travel documentation for group travel will be issued to all passengers 2 weeks prior to departure. All passengers will receive con rmation of their booking and receipt for deposit or any payment immediately after processing along with an ATOL certi cate.
Passenger names as listed on passport, together with passport number and expiry date, date of birth and nationality is required for each passenger travelling before nal documents can be distributed.
Travel and Diving Insurance are mandatory. Please review all Booking Conditions here.
[email protected] | 020 7644 8252 | www.comedivewithus.co.uk