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Considering the Bilikiki this July ... any advice?

 

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?
Hello!

I’m considering an anniversary trip to the Solomons on the Bilikiki in July, with my spouse.

First, any advice on the spending 10 nights on the Bilikiki? ?Is it still a good operation under Emperor Divers? ?Would you recommend them?

Second, air travel advice.

It seems a bit tricky getting there, and I don’t like a lot of transfers (or extra distance spewing carbon on the seas) so I’m considering this itinerary to get there. ?It ends up with a 27h layover in Nadi, and then arriving a full day early into Honiara, where the Bilikiki will arrange transfers to the boat. ?We dont’ mind that so much…in returning, the flight is very quick, with just a 1h45m layover in Nadi and direct back to SFO.

Any tips on the flights? ?


Third, any particularly nice places to stay or visit if I have just a day in Honiara?


Thanks in advance for all tips!!! ?I always love this group’s advice, and strive to add mine where I have knowledge.

Dave
 

Yes recommend Bilikiki. Just there in November.? More details later.

Linda Reisinger?

On Sat, Feb 1, 2025 at 5:33?AM Dave Story via <davidstorydavid=[email protected]> wrote:
?
Hello!

I’m considering an anniversary trip to the Solomons on the Bilikiki in July, with my spouse.

First, any advice on the spending 10 nights on the Bilikiki?? Is it still a good operation under Emperor Divers?? Would you recommend them?

Second, air travel advice.

It seems a bit tricky getting there, and I don’t like a lot of transfers (or extra distance spewing carbon on the seas) so I’m considering this itinerary to get there.? It ends up with a 27h layover in Nadi, and then arriving a full day early into Honiara, where the Bilikiki will arrange transfers to the boat.? We dont’ mind that so much…in returning, the flight is very quick, with just a 1h45m layover in Nadi and direct back to SFO.

Any tips on the flights? ?


Third, any particularly nice places to stay or visit if I have just a day in Honiara?


Thanks in advance for all tips!!!? I always love this group’s advice, and strive to add mine where I have knowledge.

Dave
 

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Hi Dave,

I've been to the Solomons many times and always did a cruise with them.? First times were always on the Spirit of the Solomons, the other boat the company had, and last ones were on the Bilikiki.? It's hard for me to remember how many times, but I'd say 6? 7?

I haven't been on the boat since Emperor took over, but I talked with them and the owners at DEMA and I suspect they will operate much the same.

You do want to do at least 10 nights, as you want to get over to Mary Island and Marovo Lagoon.? That is where you will find the finest wood carvings done in the S. Pacific.? Many years ago I bought 2.5 foot high spirit carving made out of rosewood for two T-shirts.? Those days are gone, but the carving is still excellent.? You can take items to trade when looking at carvings.? Reading glasses were a big hit last time I was there.? Solar powered lights are great.? Wood carving tools are excellent.? Scissors and knives are tools they can use.? Then, simple things like T-shirts, and other clothing are always needed.

Flying Fiji Air to Nadi, then to the Solomons is the best way to get there.? You can fly to Nadi and do a layover there.? I strongly recommend the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi.? It has reasonable prices and is very Fijian.? But be aware that flights to the Solomons so not go every day from Nadi, though the boat schedule has been changed to fit the new Fiji Air schedule.? They fly on Thursdays and Sundays now.? I believe there is an overnight to do the 10 night cruises and they start on a Monday.

The flight to Nadi gets in around 5:30 AM and you have a layover of about 4 or 5 hours and then you can fly to the Solomons.? Or, you can spend a couple of days in Fiji before going on.? Nadi is a very tourist town but there are things to see and do there.? Honiara is a tad more difficult. I would recommend staying in the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel, but be sure you get in the main building.? Rooms are nicer.

Last trip I had there, some people were there for 3 days before the cruise.? I set up a day tour for those that wanted to see WWII sites, but they said they mostly drove around.? You can wander around town just looking, but it is gritty.

Last word of warning.? I have frequently shipped large carvings I had purchased back home via DHL.? I don't advise that now.? Last time I did it, he charged me a fortune to ship a bowl.? The receipt for the shipping in the box was less than 1/2 of what I was forced to pay.? So I believe that is a bit of graft going on in that office.

In all the world, the Solomons are completely unique.? Not only is the diving great, but the people are so very isolated.? It is a wonderful cultural experience.

Lynn

On 1/31/2025 6:33 PM, Dave Story via groups.io wrote:
?
Hello!

I’m considering an anniversary trip to the Solomons on the Bilikiki in July, with my spouse.

First, any advice on the spending 10 nights on the Bilikiki? ?Is it still a good operation under Emperor Divers? ?Would you recommend them?

Second, air travel advice.

It seems a bit tricky getting there, and I don’t like a lot of transfers (or extra distance spewing carbon on the seas) so I’m considering this itinerary to get there. ?It ends up with a 27h layover in Nadi, and then arriving a full day early into Honiara, where the Bilikiki will arrange transfers to the boat. ?We dont’ mind that so much…in returning, the flight is very quick, with just a 1h45m layover in Nadi and direct back to SFO.

Any tips on the flights? ?


Third, any particularly nice places to stay or visit if I have just a day in Honiara?


Thanks in advance for all tips!!! ?I always love this group’s advice, and strive to add mine where I have knowledge.

Dave

-- 
Lynn Morton
Deep Connections Dive Travel LLC
(510) 635-7724
CA Seller of Travel #2138433-40
 

Another thing I just remembered.? They provide free Nitrox now.

Linda Reisinger?

On Sat, Feb 1, 2025 at 8:07?AM Lynn Morton via <lynn=[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Dave,

I've been to the Solomons many times and always did a cruise with them.? First times were always on the Spirit of the Solomons, the other boat the company had, and last ones were on the Bilikiki.? It's hard for me to remember how many times, but I'd say 6? 7?

I haven't been on the boat since Emperor took over, but I talked with them and the owners at DEMA and I suspect they will operate much the same.

You do want to do at least 10 nights, as you want to get over to Mary Island and Marovo Lagoon.? That is where you will find the finest wood carvings done in the S. Pacific.? Many years ago I bought 2.5 foot high spirit carving made out of rosewood for two T-shirts.? Those days are gone, but the carving is still excellent.? You can take items to trade when looking at carvings.? Reading glasses were a big hit last time I was there.? Solar powered lights are great.? Wood carving tools are excellent.? Scissors and knives are tools they can use.? Then, simple things like T-shirts, and other clothing are always needed.

Flying Fiji Air to Nadi, then to the Solomons is the best way to get there.? You can fly to Nadi and do a layover there.? I strongly recommend the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi.? It has reasonable prices and is very Fijian.? But be aware that flights to the Solomons so not go every day from Nadi, though the boat schedule has been changed to fit the new Fiji Air schedule.? They fly on Thursdays and Sundays now.? I believe there is an overnight to do the 10 night cruises and they start on a Monday.

The flight to Nadi gets in around 5:30 AM and you have a layover of about 4 or 5 hours and then you can fly to the Solomons.? Or, you can spend a couple of days in Fiji before going on.? Nadi is a very tourist town but there are things to see and do there.? Honiara is a tad more difficult. I would recommend staying in the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel, but be sure you get in the main building.? Rooms are nicer.

Last trip I had there, some people were there for 3 days before the cruise.? I set up a day tour for those that wanted to see WWII sites, but they said they mostly drove around.? You can wander around town just looking, but it is gritty.

Last word of warning.? I have frequently shipped large carvings I had purchased back home via DHL.? I don't advise that now.? Last time I did it, he charged me a fortune to ship a bowl.? The receipt for the shipping in the box was less than 1/2 of what I was forced to pay.? So I believe that is a bit of graft going on in that office.

In all the world, the Solomons are completely unique.? Not only is the diving great, but the people are so very isolated.? It is a wonderful cultural experience.

Lynn

On 1/31/2025 6:33 PM, Dave Story via wrote:
?
Hello!

I’m considering an anniversary trip to the Solomons on the Bilikiki in July, with my spouse.

First, any advice on the spending 10 nights on the Bilikiki?? Is it still a good operation under Emperor Divers?? Would you recommend them?

Second, air travel advice.

It seems a bit tricky getting there, and I don’t like a lot of transfers (or extra distance spewing carbon on the seas) so I’m considering this itinerary to get there.? It ends up with a 27h layover in Nadi, and then arriving a full day early into Honiara, where the Bilikiki will arrange transfers to the boat.? We dont’ mind that so much…in returning, the flight is very quick, with just a 1h45m layover in Nadi and direct back to SFO.

Any tips on the flights? ?


Third, any particularly nice places to stay or visit if I have just a day in Honiara?


Thanks in advance for all tips!!!? I always love this group’s advice, and strive to add mine where I have knowledge.

Dave

-- 
Lynn Morton
Deep Connections Dive Travel LLC
(510) 635-7724
CA Seller of Travel #2138433-40
 

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Honiara lodging: I traveled there solo back in May 2018, and stayed in Honiara at a wonderful resort called Coral Sea. I chose it because I needed a couple quiet days of reliable internet to wrap up some work before being off the grid for 10 days. (The Bilikiki did not have any wi-fi or cell service back then!) It was really perfect. Clean, friendly, A/C, great dining, view of the sea. It would have been appropriate if my husband had been along, too. I would stay there again in a heartbeat!


~Deb Karimoto

On Jan 31, 2025, at 10:30?PM, Linda Reisinger via groups.io <lkreisinger@...> wrote:

?
Another thing I just remembered.? They provide free Nitrox now.

Linda Reisinger?

On Sat, Feb 1, 2025 at 8:07?AM Lynn Morton via <lynn=[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Dave,

I've been to the Solomons many times and always did a cruise with them.? First times were always on the Spirit of the Solomons, the other boat the company had, and last ones were on the Bilikiki.? It's hard for me to remember how many times, but I'd say 6? 7?

I haven't been on the boat since Emperor took over, but I talked with them and the owners at DEMA and I suspect they will operate much the same.

You do want to do at least 10 nights, as you want to get over to Mary Island and Marovo Lagoon.? That is where you will find the finest wood carvings done in the S. Pacific.? Many years ago I bought 2.5 foot high spirit carving made out of rosewood for two T-shirts.? Those days are gone, but the carving is still excellent.? You can take items to trade when looking at carvings.? Reading glasses were a big hit last time I was there.? Solar powered lights are great.? Wood carving tools are excellent.? Scissors and knives are tools they can use.? Then, simple things like T-shirts, and other clothing are always needed.

Flying Fiji Air to Nadi, then to the Solomons is the best way to get there.? You can fly to Nadi and do a layover there.? I strongly recommend the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi.? It has reasonable prices and is very Fijian.? But be aware that flights to the Solomons so not go every day from Nadi, though the boat schedule has been changed to fit the new Fiji Air schedule.? They fly on Thursdays and Sundays now.? I believe there is an overnight to do the 10 night cruises and they start on a Monday.

The flight to Nadi gets in around 5:30 AM and you have a layover of about 4 or 5 hours and then you can fly to the Solomons.? Or, you can spend a couple of days in Fiji before going on.? Nadi is a very tourist town but there are things to see and do there.? Honiara is a tad more difficult. I would recommend staying in the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel, but be sure you get in the main building.? Rooms are nicer.

Last trip I had there, some people were there for 3 days before the cruise.? I set up a day tour for those that wanted to see WWII sites, but they said they mostly drove around.? You can wander around town just looking, but it is gritty.

Last word of warning.? I have frequently shipped large carvings I had purchased back home via DHL.? I don't advise that now.? Last time I did it, he charged me a fortune to ship a bowl.? The receipt for the shipping in the box was less than 1/2 of what I was forced to pay.? So I believe that is a bit of graft going on in that office.

In all the world, the Solomons are completely unique.? Not only is the diving great, but the people are so very isolated.? It is a wonderful cultural experience.

Lynn

On 1/31/2025 6:33 PM, Dave Story via wrote:
?
Hello!

I’m considering an anniversary trip to the Solomons on the Bilikiki in July, with my spouse.

First, any advice on the spending 10 nights on the Bilikiki?? Is it still a good operation under Emperor Divers?? Would you recommend them?

Second, air travel advice.

It seems a bit tricky getting there, and I don’t like a lot of transfers (or extra distance spewing carbon on the seas) so I’m considering this itinerary to get there.? It ends up with a 27h layover in Nadi, and then arriving a full day early into Honiara, where the Bilikiki will arrange transfers to the boat.? We dont’ mind that so much…in returning, the flight is very quick, with just a 1h45m layover in Nadi and direct back to SFO.

Any tips on the flights? ?


Third, any particularly nice places to stay or visit if I have just a day in Honiara?


Thanks in advance for all tips!!!? I always love this group’s advice, and strive to add mine where I have knowledge.

Dave

-- 
Lynn Morton
Deep Connections Dive Travel LLC
(510) 635-7724
CA Seller of Travel #2138433-40

 

Oh, one more thing; Bilikiki has Starlink (free).

Linda

On Sat, Feb 1, 2025 at 11:18?AM Deb Karimoto via <deb.scuba=[email protected]> wrote:
Honiara lodging: I traveled there solo back in May 2018, and stayed in Honiara at a wonderful resort called Coral Sea. I chose it because I needed a couple quiet days of reliable internet to wrap up some work before being off the grid for 10 days. (The Bilikiki did not have any wi-fi or cell service back then!) It was really perfect. Clean, friendly, A/C, great dining, view of the sea. It would have been appropriate if my husband had been along, too. I would stay there again in a heartbeat!


~Deb Karimoto

On Jan 31, 2025, at 10:30?PM, Linda Reisinger via <lkreisinger=[email protected]> wrote:

?
Another thing I just remembered.? They provide free Nitrox now.

Linda Reisinger?

On Sat, Feb 1, 2025 at 8:07?AM Lynn Morton via <lynn=[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Dave,

I've been to the Solomons many times and always did a cruise with them.? First times were always on the Spirit of the Solomons, the other boat the company had, and last ones were on the Bilikiki.? It's hard for me to remember how many times, but I'd say 6? 7?

I haven't been on the boat since Emperor took over, but I talked with them and the owners at DEMA and I suspect they will operate much the same.

You do want to do at least 10 nights, as you want to get over to Mary Island and Marovo Lagoon.? That is where you will find the finest wood carvings done in the S. Pacific.? Many years ago I bought 2.5 foot high spirit carving made out of rosewood for two T-shirts.? Those days are gone, but the carving is still excellent.? You can take items to trade when looking at carvings.? Reading glasses were a big hit last time I was there.? Solar powered lights are great.? Wood carving tools are excellent.? Scissors and knives are tools they can use.? Then, simple things like T-shirts, and other clothing are always needed.

Flying Fiji Air to Nadi, then to the Solomons is the best way to get there.? You can fly to Nadi and do a layover there.? I strongly recommend the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi.? It has reasonable prices and is very Fijian.? But be aware that flights to the Solomons so not go every day from Nadi, though the boat schedule has been changed to fit the new Fiji Air schedule.? They fly on Thursdays and Sundays now.? I believe there is an overnight to do the 10 night cruises and they start on a Monday.

The flight to Nadi gets in around 5:30 AM and you have a layover of about 4 or 5 hours and then you can fly to the Solomons.? Or, you can spend a couple of days in Fiji before going on.? Nadi is a very tourist town but there are things to see and do there.? Honiara is a tad more difficult. I would recommend staying in the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel, but be sure you get in the main building.? Rooms are nicer.

Last trip I had there, some people were there for 3 days before the cruise.? I set up a day tour for those that wanted to see WWII sites, but they said they mostly drove around.? You can wander around town just looking, but it is gritty.

Last word of warning.? I have frequently shipped large carvings I had purchased back home via DHL.? I don't advise that now.? Last time I did it, he charged me a fortune to ship a bowl.? The receipt for the shipping in the box was less than 1/2 of what I was forced to pay.? So I believe that is a bit of graft going on in that office.

In all the world, the Solomons are completely unique.? Not only is the diving great, but the people are so very isolated.? It is a wonderful cultural experience.

Lynn

On 1/31/2025 6:33 PM, Dave Story via wrote:
?
Hello!

I’m considering an anniversary trip to the Solomons on the Bilikiki in July, with my spouse.

First, any advice on the spending 10 nights on the Bilikiki?? Is it still a good operation under Emperor Divers?? Would you recommend them?

Second, air travel advice.

It seems a bit tricky getting there, and I don’t like a lot of transfers (or extra distance spewing carbon on the seas) so I’m considering this itinerary to get there.? It ends up with a 27h layover in Nadi, and then arriving a full day early into Honiara, where the Bilikiki will arrange transfers to the boat.? We dont’ mind that so much…in returning, the flight is very quick, with just a 1h45m layover in Nadi and direct back to SFO.

Any tips on the flights? ?


Third, any particularly nice places to stay or visit if I have just a day in Honiara?


Thanks in advance for all tips!!!? I always love this group’s advice, and strive to add mine where I have knowledge.

Dave

-- 
Lynn Morton
Deep Connections Dive Travel LLC
(510) 635-7724
CA Seller of Travel #2138433-40

 

As far as I know, Sam and Kellie are still involved with the boat. But I have not been aboard since the partnership came about.
On Guadalcanal, almost everything is owned by someone or a tribe. The situation of the moment can dictate what you do or do not see. The Vilu Museum is your surest bet, an open air collection of hardware from the war, it's a good couple of hours poking around. You can see a good bit of the island on the ride to and from the museum, too.
I have stayed at the Coral Sea Resort and Casino twice. A very nice place with a restaurant (delicious food, and no "issues") and wifi in the room. The only drawback at CSRC is last time I was there, two years ago? They had almost nightly entertainment and it was noisy at night.
Kevin Goldsberry

On Fri, Jan 31, 2025 at 6:33?PM Dave Story via <davidstorydavid=[email protected]> wrote:
?
Hello!

I’m considering an anniversary trip to the Solomons on the Bilikiki in July, with my spouse.

First, any advice on the spending 10 nights on the Bilikiki?? Is it still a good operation under Emperor Divers?? Would you recommend them?

Second, air travel advice.

It seems a bit tricky getting there, and I don’t like a lot of transfers (or extra distance spewing carbon on the seas) so I’m considering this itinerary to get there.? It ends up with a 27h layover in Nadi, and then arriving a full day early into Honiara, where the Bilikiki will arrange transfers to the boat.? We dont’ mind that so much…in returning, the flight is very quick, with just a 1h45m layover in Nadi and direct back to SFO.

Any tips on the flights? ?


Third, any particularly nice places to stay or visit if I have just a day in Honiara?


Thanks in advance for all tips!!!? I always love this group’s advice, and strive to add mine where I have knowledge.

Dave

 

Thank you all! So kind and so fast on the advice!

I just pushed “purchase” on the flights to Honiara!

We ended up deciding to spend 3 days in Nadi as a layover, since we’ve never really spent much time on the big island. And then take the very convenient trip back after the Bilikiki returns.

I will let you know how it goes!

Dave Story

 

Oh, a few learnings already:

Google Flights hallucinates a Thursday flight to Nadi, and a Monday flight from Nadi — Honiara. Watch out!

Fiji air will silently adjust your booking from a Monday flight, to a Sunday flight, without any notification. Fiji Air customer support is aware of this, but has no workaround. Watch out!

No other new learnings yet!

Cheers,
Dave

 

Just throwing this as general Solomons advice. I have flown on Solomon Airlines twice. They do well with their international flights between Brisbane and Honiara. But once you are in the turboprops hopping about the islands, the schedule becomes... a strong suggestion.
The first time around, a couple years ago, I was transiting through the Solomons back to Honiara. SA out of the blue canceled the afternoon flight from Seghe to Honiara. I was pretty much hung out to dry but found food and shelter for the night at Uepi.?
The second time (this past January), the night before I was scheduled to leave Uepi SA canceled the flight and their website showed no flights for the rest of the week! Later that night the flight was reinstated. So the next day we waited for two hours plus at Seghe, an open air (hot and humid. Did I say humid?) facility. Finally our turboprop showed up and eventually got us to Honiara. We were late, but they held the Brisbane flight for us. The AC on that Airbus was to die for.?

On Mon, Feb 3, 2025 at 9:04?PM Dave Story via <davidstorydavid=[email protected]> wrote:
Oh, a few learnings already:

Google Flights hallucinates a Thursday flight to Nadi, and a Monday flight from Nadi — Honiara.? Watch out!

Fiji air will silently adjust your booking from a Monday flight, to a Sunday flight, without any notification.? Fiji Air customer support is aware of this, but has no workaround.? Watch out!

No other new learnings yet!

Cheers,
Dave




 

One more thing. I've been traveling a lot the past few years and found that the Flighty app often will show schedule disruptions or adjustments well before airline schedules. Even Solomon Airlines turboprops.
The other tracking tools may work too, I just know Flighty. Of course you need a connection, and knowing about a disruption or adjustment before everyone else involved may not be of much help, except allowing for one to start working contingencies.

Kevin Goldberry



On Mon, Feb 3, 2025 at 9:04?PM Dave Story via <davidstorydavid=[email protected]> wrote:
Oh, a few learnings already:

Google Flights hallucinates a Thursday flight to Nadi, and a Monday flight from Nadi — Honiara.? Watch out!

Fiji air will silently adjust your booking from a Monday flight, to a Sunday flight, without any notification.? Fiji Air customer support is aware of this, but has no workaround.? Watch out!

No other new learnings yet!

Cheers,
Dave




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