Safety · Destination Guide
Sunbeam cuts, WWII relics and jungle-fringed Coral Triangle reefs
Updated Apr 26, 2026 • 18 sources
Russell Islands diving is remote, warm and usually beautiful, but the safety model has to be conservative. The nearest advanced support pathway is Honiara, and evacuation from the island group can require vessel, aircraft or specialist coordination. Use reputable operators, dive within no-decompression limits, carry insurance, respect local permissions and leave reefs, relics and villages as you found them.
Follow the liveaboard's rules even when the site looks easy. Carry a computer and SMB, keep a sensible gas reserve, avoid solo diving, avoid planned decompression, and stay close enough to the guide for tender pickup. Do not enter caves or cuts unless they are part of the guided recreational route, and do not push point dives in strong current. Wait at least 24 hours before flying after repetitive diving. Freedivers should use buddies and surface support, avoid overhead spaces and avoid breath-hold training after scuba dives.
Honiara is the main medical and recompression support hub, but chamber capability, staffing and evacuation logistics should be treated as limited and time-sensitive. Divers outside Honiara may need emergency transport before treatment. Carry travel insurance and dive accident coverage that specifically include recompression treatment, medical evacuation and remote-area coordination. Keep DAN or equivalent emergency numbers, operator emergency contacts and passport details accessible offline.
Remote evacuation and chamber limits
Honiara has the relevant chamber pathway, but Russell Islands evacuation requires boat, aircraft or specialist coordination. Carry dive insurance that explicitly covers recompression and medical evacuation.
Route swaps are normal
Weather, currents, village access, visibility and tender safety can all change the daily plan. The best Russell trips are flexible rather than locked to every famous name.
WWII relics and unexploded ordnance caution
Solomon Islands still has WWII hazards in some areas. Do not touch, pry, collect or penetrate wreckage or dumped material, and seek local advice before hiking or diving around historic sites.
Currents at points and exits
Karumolun Point and wall exits can move from mellow to demanding. Carry an SMB, listen for negative-entry or drift instructions and stay with the guide during blue-water pickups.
Use a strict look-only ethic. Do not touch coral, collect shells, move relics, chase turtles, ride marine life, feed fish or wear gloves unless a safety role requires them. Avoid sunscreen slicks by using clothing first and reef-safe products second. Keep fins off coral and silt at White Beach. Customary reef ownership and local no-fishing areas are part of the conservation system, so pay access fees through legitimate operators and follow village instructions. Historic WWII material should be photographed, not handled.
Do Not Do This
Avoid entering when remote evacuation and chamber limits. Confirm local briefings before committing.
| Contact | Role | Phone | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police Emergency | National emergency police response | 999 | 24/7 where network access is available |
| St John Ambulance Solomon Islands | Ambulance and medical emergency response | 111 or 911 | 24/7 in serviced areas; confirm locally |
| Fire and Rescue | Fire emergency response | 988 | 24/7 where service is available |
| Marine Search and Rescue | Marine emergency coordination | 977 | 24/7 where service and communications are available |
| National Referral Hospital | Main Honiara hospital and referral point for serious medical care | +677 23600 | 24/7 emergency care, call ahead through operator or emergency services |
| DAN Emergency Hotline | Dive accident medical consultation and evacuation coordination | +1-919-684-9111 | 24/7/365 |
