When To Go · Destination Guide
A remote Coral Triangle liveaboard route of jungle cuts, fish-choked walls, village anchorages, and World War II wrecks
When to go
The Solomon Islands are warm and diveable all year, but the easiest overall planning window is May to October, when the official dry season brings lower rainfall and more comfortable humidity.
Best overall window
Dryseason comfort, warm water around 28°C to 30°C, lower rainfall, and the most reliable travel planning.
Outside that window
Wettest planning period with more humidity, heavier showers, possible storm disruption, and some vessel maintenance or reduced inventory.
Start with the overall answer, then switch only when scuba, freedive, snorkel, or topside timing changes the trip in a meaningful way.
The overall row stays visible so you can compare it against the currently selected scope.
| Scope | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Overall - Jan: Tradeoffs | Overall - Feb: Tradeoffs | Overall - Mar: Tradeoffs | Overall - Apr: Good | Overall - May: Best | Overall - Jun: Best | Overall - Jul: Best | Overall - Aug: Best | Overall - Sep: Best | Overall - Oct: Best | Overall - Nov: Good | Overall - Dec: Good |
These regional shifts apply only to the selected scope.
| Area | Best months | Why it changes |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Islands, Russell Islands, Mary Island, and Marovo Lagoon | April to December, easiest May to October | This is the classic circuit. Main caution: Same-day route swaps become more likely when weather builds. |
| Munda, Gizo, Uepi, and Tetepare | May to October | Land extensions work best in the drier months because domestic flights, resort boats, rainforest trails, and lagoon transfers are less exposed to wetseason disruption. Main caution: Late-year rain is usually brief rather than trip-ending. |
| Honiara, Iron Bottom Sound, and Tulagi | May to October, with guided day diving possible outside it | Wreckfocused days depend on boat availability, wind, and visibility. Main caution: Crossings and exposed sites can feel rougher in this stretch. |
These do not replace the overall planner. Use them only if a specific animal or event is driving your trip dates.
Tetepare turtle nesting patrols
Best for Topside, Snorkel
Sep to Apr
Tetepare rangers monitor nesting beaches through the season.
Leatherback hatchling window
Best for Topside
Jan to Mar
Tetepare notes that leatherback hatchlings can emerge early in the year.
Mary Island schooling fish
Best for Scuba
Apr to Dec
When conditions allow the stop, Mary Island is a signature wideangle day with jacks, barracuda, reef sharks, turtles, and bumphead parrotfish around hard coral and walls.
World War II wreck focus
Best for Scuba, Topside
May to Oct
Honiara, Tulagi, Munda, and Gizo are best paired with dryseason topside touring and guided wreck dives when boat weather and visibility are more reliable.
Macro night diving
Best for Scuba
Apr to Dec
Liveaboard night dives can reveal shrimps, crabs, nudibranchs, pipefish, sleeping reef fish, and hunting behavior when itinerary, anchorage, and crew approval allow.
Built from climate references, access rules, and destination operators. Wildlife timing and route flexibility can shift year to year.