Tanavula Point Drift
Protected Area
Tulagi Island
Why dive here
With 391+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, humpback whales and orcas - Tanavula Point Drift offers some of Iron Bottom Sound's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 29-31°C, warmest January, April, December.
Tanavula Point Drift is one of those dives we always look forward to in Iron Bottom Sound. It’s a proper current ride, and you really feel the push as you fly along the wall. The reef starts as a gentle slope, maybe 10-12 metres, a nice warm-up, then BAM, it drops away into a vertical face at the point. That’s where the magic happens. We’ve seen bluefish schooling so thick they blot out the sun for a second, and the messmate pipefish always put on a show in the cracks. Our favourite part is hanging back from the main current at the point, just watching the parade: the boomerang triggerfish picking at corals, the banded blue sprats shimmering in unison, and the occasional red emperor lurking. You absolutely need to be aware of the downcurrents at the point if there’s a strong flow, so keep an eye on your depth. This dive is for those who love a bit of speed and aren’t afraid to commit to a drift, best done on a rising tide for the clearest water and most consistent push.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Tanavula Point Drift
Tanavula Point Drift Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Tanavula Point Drift, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-9.03, 159.16) (58km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
30°C
85°F · Range: 28.7–30.5°C
Air Temperature
27°C
80°F
Wind Speed
3.74 m/s
7.3 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1010.5 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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