Epic Photo Destinations: Solomon Islands

The 3rd photo essay in our series of 5 epic destinations for underwater photography

By Jo O'Shea and Ron Watkins, text by Brent D

Our third epic photo destination is the Solomon Islands. The bar is set very high for these underwater photo destinations, and the Solomons continually prove that they sit right up there with Raja Ampat and French Polynesia, plus our next two epic destinations (secret as of now).

Bluewater Photo has selected these Top 5 destinations and I've put together some photos to show you just how great the underwater photo opportunities are.

The Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands are certainly no secret to divers, but are also not one of the current trendy dive destinations. They don't receive the regular tourist traffic common in neighboring Fiji and French Polynesia either. This means that the water is cleaner and the reefs see much less dive traffic - which is ideal for underwater photographers.

According to Bluewater Travel's Solomon Islands page, divers will find "wrecks, caverns, wide-angle reefs, large sea fans, soft corals and lots of macro." There are also many unique cultural opportunities with the locals, and the liveaboards often do up to 5 dives per day! These things combine to make an incredible dive trip filled with photo opportunities.

The photos below will speak for themselves, and you better believe the Solomons now ranks high on my dream dive trip list!

Book Your Trip to the Solomon Islands

Book your personal Solomon Islands dive trip.

Join our August or September 2016 Solomon Islands Photo Workshops.

Email bookings@bluewaterdivetravel.com for detailed info.

Beautiful reef and color in the Solomon Islands. Photo: Jo O'Shea

A scuba diver hovers above a large sea fan. Photo: Ron Watkins

Scenic reefs await visiting underwater photographers. Photo: Jo O'Shea

The scenery in the Solomon Islands is as incredible topside as underwater. Photo: Jo O’Shea

Beautiful detail on a Solomon Islands reef. Photo: Ron Watkins

Two cardinalfish watch the photographer at a jetty, making great macro subjects. Photo: Ron Watkins

A clownfish peers out from its host anemone. Another fun macro subject in the Solomons. Photo: Jo O'Shea

There are abundant opportunities for macro portraits in the Solomons. Photo: Ron Watkins

Even the hydroids are full of color, texture and contrasts. Photo: Jo O'Shea

A turtle leaves the reef to swim towards the surface. Photo: Ron Watkins

The famous Leru Cut is a must for wide-angle photographers. Photo: Jo O'Shea

Wrecks aplenty for WWII history buffs. Photo: Ron Watkins

Plenty of shipwrecks await visiting underwater photographers. Photo: Ron Watkins

If you dive the Solomon Islands by liveaboard, you will likely make new friends as they paddle up to the boat. Photo: Jo O'Shea

Sun, clear water and great reefs - what more do you need? Photo: Jo O'Shea

Join a Photo Workshop

Join our Solomon Islands u/w photo workshops, lead by pro photographer Mark Strickland. Two workshops offered on the Bilikiki liveaboard: August 23-30, 2016 and Aug 30 - Sept 9, 2016.

Want to join Joanna O'Shea for an underwater photo workshop? Jo is co-hosting Bluewater Photo's Anilao workshops in April/May 2016: Anilao Photo Workshop Spring 2016.

Want to join Ron Watkins for an underwater photo workshop? Ron is hosting a Galapagos Photo Workshop in May 2016 and French Polynesia Photo Workshop in December 2016.

Epic Destinations #1 and #2

Epic Photo Destination #1: Raja Ampat

Epic Photo Destination #2: French Polynesia

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