ELIZABETH ANN - Iron Bottom Sound

If you fancy a break from the deep giants of Iron Bottom Sound, the *Elizabeth Ann* offers something completely different: a proper shore dive straight onto a wreck. We love this site for its accessibility and the sheer joy of poking around a wreck in just a couple of metres of water. It’s perfect for a lazy afternoon, when you want more than just a snorkel but don’t feel like gearing up for a deep descent. She’s a fishing vessel, grounded back in ’76, and what’s left of her sits fast on the rocks just off Honiara. You can practically walk into the water and be on top of her. The bow section is still quite intact, providing fantastic nooks and crannies for exploration. We’ve spent ages just investigating the engine room, which is completely flooded, of course, and now home to swarms of small damselfish and gobies. Look closely in the shadowed crevices for moray eels – they’re almost always there. The shallow depth means ambient light is brilliant, picking out the colours of the sponges and soft corals that have colonised the exposed metal. It’s a photographer’s dream, particularly if you're experimenting with wide-angle close-ups. Our favourite part is the stern, where the propeller is still visible, encrusted with growth and surrounded by busy schools of fusiliers. It's a truly relaxed dive, suiting anyone from beginners looking for an easy wreck experience to seasoned divers wanting to slow down and really observe.

Location: Iron Bottom Sound, Solomon Islands, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates: -9.418555, 160.011470
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 2m

Marine Protected Area: Tulagi Island

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)

Nearby Dive Sites in Iron Bottom Sound

Nearest Dive Centres to ELIZABETH ANN

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.

Notable Species

Blue-lined Surgeonfish (Acanthurus lineatus) - Reef Fish
Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus striatus) - Reef Fish
Blue and Gold Fusilier (Caesio caerulaurea) - Reef Fish
Boring Clam (Tridacna crocea) - Clams & Mussels
Orange-lined Triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) - Reef Fish
Dusky Parrotfish (Scarus niger) - Reef Fish
beautiful fusilier (Caesio teres) - Reef Fish
Blue-lined Tang (Zebrasoma scopas) - Reef Fish
Rainbowfish (Halichoeres hortulanus) - Reef Fish
Redfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunulatus) - Reef Fish
Burrowing urchin (Echinometra mathaei) - Sea Urchins
Small giant clam (Tridacna maxima) - Clams & Mussels
Kihikihi (Zanclus cornutus) - Reef Fish
Latticed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon rafflesii) - Reef Fish
Bleeker's Parrotfish (Chlorurus bleekeri) - Reef Fish
Butterfly fish (Chaetodon vagabundus) - Reef Fish
Black-barred Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigricauda) - Reef Fish
Mimic Surgeonfish (Acanthurus pyroferus) - Reef Fish
Triangular Butterflyfish (Chaetodon baronessa) - Reef Fish
Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for ELIZABETH ANN

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