M/V Solomons (PNG) Master

DAY 1

Arrive at Honiara Internationa Airport (IATA code HIR) and meet your local representative from the Master Fleet. They will transfer you to the vessel. If you are already in Honiara make your own way to the Coral Sea Resort. Meet your fellow divers and the crew. After a safety briefing, the boat will head off to its first destination. Dinner included. (Please note: this is a sample itinerary only, the crew will find the best diving with location and dive sites subject to weather and diving conditions; with the safety of the divers and crew foremost; and that there is no guarantee to see any stated Discovery). (Transfer only valid on the day of embarkation).

DAY 2

You will have up to four dives (including a possible night dive if offered). Possible dive site: Tulagi Island - This island was a major military base during WWII & subject to frequent and ferocious battles; explore wrecks of Japanese & American seaplanes, cargo ships, minesweepers and heavy cruisers; a land visit to the town of Tulagi to visit some of the battlegrounds, Japanese caves and bunkers, as well as a British colonial house is offered; Carolina Airplane - the American Catalina aeroplane went down in 1943, apparently after hitting a small boat on the surface in the bay, sitting on the bottom at about 34m the right way up, as if someone had just (badly) parked her there. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

DAY 3

You will have up to four dives (including a possible night dive if offered). Possible dive site: RNZN Moa - Moa was a minesweeper and submarine chaser of the Royal New Zealand Navy, and she played a pivotal role in the sinking of the Japanese submarine 1-1 in 1943, which also lies off Cape Esperance, in Guadalcanal. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

DAY 4

You will have up to four dives (including a possible night dive if offered). Possible dive site: USS Minneapolis - This American heavy cruiser with 8-inch calibre guns was struck by two torpedoes forward of the number one mounts. The Minneapolis was towed back to the harbour of Tulagi where the damaged bow section was removed & a temporary bow constructed so that she could be sailed back to Pearl Harbour for a complete repair, but the wreck was badly damaged by the explosions, & is a very interesting dive with lots of junk to explore. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

DAY 5

You will have up to four dives (including a possible night dive if offered). Possible dive site: White Beach - This location was home to a major American supply base during WWII, which at the end of the war, an artificial reef was created by dumping trucks, jeeps, tractors, bulldozers & large amounts of ammunition. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

DAY 6

You will have up to four dives (including a possible night dive if offered). Possible dive site: Ghavutu Island - is home to at least 13 known Mavis (Japanese) planes & at least one Catalina (American) plane; the nearby wharf was a dumping ground for WWII detritus, like aircraft wings & landing gear. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

DAY 7

As today is your last day you will have the up to two dives. Settle any accounts that you have. Farewell dinner. Possible sites: Around Honiara - Bonege I, II, & III - 3 Japanese ships located close to Honiara shore. Each wreck is named after the beach she ended upon. Hirokawa Maru (Bonegi I) is a 156m (468ft) cargo vessel turned into a seaplane tender. Kinugawa Maru (Bonegi II) is a cargo ship, and Kyusyu Maru (Bonegi Ill) is an attack transport vessel. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

DAY 8

Disembark at the Coral Sea Resort and meet your local Master representative who will transfer you to Honiara International Airport (IATA code HIR). If staying at a local hotel please make your own way. Breakfast included. Transfer included on the day of disembarkation only.