WORLD DISCOVERER

Best months: Jul–Oct

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 - WORLD DISCOVERER offers some of Iron Bottom Sound's richest wreck 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

CharacterWreck dive

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

We love a good shipwreck, and the *World Discoverer* delivers a genuinely unique experience. This isn't some deep, dark tomb; she's practically sunbathing, with her bow poking right out of the water. It makes for an incredible photo opportunity before you even get wet. The ship ran aground in 2000, so she's relatively new to the wreck scene, but the Solomon Islands' warm waters and currents have worked wonders. Dropping in, you'll find her listing hard to starboard. We like to start at the stern and work our way forward, exploring the passenger cabins, now open to the sea. Sunlight streams through every porthole and doorway, illuminating schools of fusiliers that dart through the corridors. Look closely, and you'll spot nudibranchs clinging to the bulkheads and clownfish peeking out from anemones on what used to be the sundeck. Our favourite part is the bridge, still somewhat intact, where you can imagine the captain's last moments. It’s an easy, shallow dive, perfect for wreck enthusiasts who prefer to spend more time exploring than decompressing. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light is best, and the currents are typically calmer.