Papatura point

Best months: Jul–Oct

Protected Area

Kia

Why dive here

With 391+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, humpback whales and orcas - Papatura point offers some of Iron Bottom Sound's richest reef diving. Water ranges 29-31°C, warmest January, April, December.

Best timeJul–Oct

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks, Humpback Whales and Orcas · 391+ species recorded

Water29-31°C · warmest January, April, December

CharacterReef dive

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Papatura Point offers a pleasant shore dive experience, great for an easy afternoon. We found the reef stretched out nicely, a long, sloping affair from about 5 meters down to a maximum of 17 meters. It's often a good spot to drift, as the bi-directional currents, dictated by the tide, will give you a gentle push. While not the most dramatic reef in the Solomons, you’ll likely spot large fan corals and those deep purple vase sponges clinging to the reef. Keep an eye on the seagrass beds, particularly if you’re hoping to find turtles with their usual batfish escorts. Visibility averages around 10 meters, but it can drop quite a bit after heavy rain, so pick your day.