Safety · Destination Guide
Frontier day-boat diving, WWII wrecks, and kastom lagoon culture from the Western Province gateway
Updated Apr 26, 2026 • 23 sources
Munda is rewarding but remote. The main safety themes are conservative diving, reliable operators, boat safety, malaria and mosquito protection, crocodile awareness near mangroves, limited emergency transport, and respect for customary reef ownership. Treat deep wrecks, cave features, strong current, and wet-season weather as serious planning variables.
Use established operators with emergency oxygen, first aid, communication, and weather judgment. Carry SMBs, stay close to guides on walls, and do not enter overheads unless the dive is briefed for your certification. Deep wrecks such as Koviki Corsair are not casual recreational dives. Avoid reverse profiles and aggressive repetitive diving because evacuation to Honiara may be slow. Freedivers should never dive alone and should avoid unbriefed cracks, caves, and boat channels.
Local medical resources in the provinces are limited. Honiara has the national hyperbaric chamber infrastructure, but remote transport and chamber capability can affect care, so prevention matters. Carry DAN or equivalent dive insurance, evacuation coverage, prescription medicines, malaria precautions, and a written emergency plan. In a dive emergency, notify the operator immediately, begin oxygen if trained and available, and coordinate with DAN, local medical services, and evacuation providers.
Remote dive medicine
Munda is remote. Emergency oxygen, evacuation logistics, Honiara chamber access, and flight schedules can all affect care. Carry dive insurance and make conservative decisions on deep wrecks, current, and repetitive profiles.
Current and chop at walls
Shark Point, Tombatuni Point, Bilikiki, and other exposed sites can change quickly with tide, wind, and channel flow. Listen to the local skipper and accept site swaps.
Crocodile awareness in mangroves
Saltwater crocodiles occur in the Solomon Islands. Avoid swimming near mangroves, river mouths, murky channels, or dusk and dawn habitat unless local guides say the exact spot is safe.
Unexploded WWII ordnance
Do not touch metal artifacts, shells, wreckage, or unusual objects on land or underwater. Report finds to guides and keep children away from relics.
Munda reefs and cultural sites are connected to customary ownership. Pay required kastom or conservation fees, do not anchor on coral, do not touch fans or wrecks, and avoid collecting shells, artifacts, or marine life. Use reef-safe sun protection and fin carefully over shallow coral. On cultural sites such as Skull Island, ask before photos and follow guide instructions. On Tetepare or turtle-related trips, use only approved conservation channels.
Do Not Do This
Avoid entering when remote dive medicine. Confirm local briefings before committing.
| Contact | Role | Phone | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police emergency | National emergency response | 999 | 24/7 where phone service is available |
| Medical emergency and ambulance | National medical emergency number | 111 | 24/7 where phone service is available |
| Fire emergency | National fire emergency number | 988 | 24/7 where phone service is available |
| DAN Emergency Hotline | Dive accident medical coordination | +1 919 684 9111 | 24/7 international hotline; use with dive insurance and operator support |
| Honiara Dive Chamber coordination | Hyperbaric support pathway in Honiara | - | Coordinate through local dive operator, medical services, and DAN |