Author: Ran Mor

Verdant mountains, white sand beaches, lush rainforests, tranquil blue lagoons, and turquoise waters full of pristine reefs make up the Solomon Islands, a sovereign country consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller isles in an archipelago within Oceania. Lying in the sub region of Melanesia, the islands range from tiny, low-lying coral atolls to greater landmasses that offer a diversity of geography. Still relatively new to ecotourists, the islands see far few visitors than the more popular dive destinations in Fiji and Vanatu. The Solomon Islands also offers some of the most diverse diving in the world: Reefs, walls, wrecks, caves, and stellar macro sites. The world there above and below the water is truly breathtaking. History The Solomon Islands was made a protectorate of the United Kingdom in 1893 to safeguard its people from the evils of the slave trade. By 1900, the entire archipelago was under British administration, except for Buka and Bougainville, which remained under German administration as part of German New Guinea. When WWII broke out, most settlers were evacuated to Australia because of the intense fighting thereabouts. The Solomon Islands became a major staging area of the South Pacific for both Allied and Japanese Imperial Forces. Significant operations resulted in naval bombardments and amphibious landings on the islands. The historic Battle of Guadalcanal was just one bloody campaign fought in the region. After the war, local councils were established. A new constitution came into place in 1970 and the first post-war elections were held soon after. Today the waters below the islands are still home to many submerged relics from those earlier days of conflict though, making them a prime dive location for wreck enthusiasts. Florida Island Dive Sites Gavutu Wharf During World War II, Japanese aircraft bombed Gavutu Island. US Marines used