Diving in Iron Bottom Sound

Explore 84 dive sites in Iron Bottom Sound, Solomon Islands. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in Iron Bottom Sound

The warmest water temperatures in Iron Bottom Sound occur in January, averaging 30.5°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 30.5°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 30.5°C (air: 26.9°C)
  • February: 30.5°C (air: 26.7°C)
  • March: 30.5°C (air: 26.7°C)
  • April: 30.5°C (air: 26.8°C)
  • May: 30.5°C (air: 26.9°C)
  • June: 30.5°C (air: 26.5°C)
  • July: 30.5°C (air: 26.5°C)
  • August: 30.5°C (air: 26.3°C)
  • September: 30.5°C (air: 26.5°C)
  • October: 30.5°C (air: 26.7°C)
  • November: 30.5°C (air: 26.7°C)
  • December: 30.5°C (air: 26.9°C)

Marine Life in Iron Bottom Sound

Home to 415 recorded species including 320 reef fish, 29 hard corals, 18 sea snails & nudibranchs, 16 sea cucumbers, 7 seagrass & algae, 5 clams & mussels.

Recommended Packing List for Iron Bottom Sound

Based on average water temperature of 30.5°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Marine Protected Areas in Iron Bottom Sound

  • Arnavon Islands - Community Conserved Area (IUCN Category VI)
  • Barivuto - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Nusa Roviana - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Nazareti - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Barasipo - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Kekehe - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Baraulu/Bule Lavata - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Beta / Kandilae - Kindu - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Kozou - Zone 1 - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Nusa Hope/Heloro - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Ha'apai - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Kida - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Kinamara - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Olive - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Saika - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Buni - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Dunde - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Iriri Pasapasa - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Tetepare - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Tetepare - Community Conserved Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Duduli Rereghana - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Nusa Hope (Mangrove) - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Niumala - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Lodu Hokata - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Dunde (Shark Point) - Marine Protected Area/Tabu (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Karikasi Reef - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Alale, Grant Island - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Bakiha Reef - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Kia - Marine Managed Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Komarindi - Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Pipa/Kororo (Marovo) - Marine Protected Area/Tabu (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Rendova Harbor - Marine Protected Area/Tabu (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Opele - Marine Protected Area/Tabu (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Tobo - Marine Protected Area/Tabu (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Sasavele/NB - Marine Protected Area/Tabu (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Koqu Rua - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Maravaghi - Marine Protected Area/Tabu (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Salavo - Marine Protected Area/Tabu (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Sisili - Marine Protected Area/Tabu (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Taburu - Marine Protected Area/Tabu (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Tulagi Island - Marine Protected Area/Tabu (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Leva Point - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Penjapenja Reef - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Variparui Island - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Vena Island - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Petu Island - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)

Getting to Iron Bottom Sound - Nearest Airports

  • Honiara International Airport (HIR), Honiara - 160 km away, approx 189 min travel time
  • Munda Airport (MUA), Munda - 178 km away, approx 209 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres