Leru Cut (Russell Islands) - Tulagi & Florida Islands

35m Max

15-32m Vis

boat

Site Overview

Leru Cut (Russell Islands) is one of the signature dive sites of Tulagi & Florida Islands in the Solomon Islands. Leru Cut is a narrow, deep cleft sliced into a limestone island, a swim-through where shafts of light beam down onto glassfish, nudibranchs and soft corals, a true photographic gem. The site reaches a maximum depth of about 35 m, with an average depth near 18 m, and its cleft and canyon topography is draped in rock and coral. Marine life is the headline attraction, with glassfish, nudibranch, soft coral, moray eel, butterflyfish, fusilier regularly recorded here, drawn in by the mild currents and the rich Coral Triangle productivity of the region. Visibility typically ranges from 15 to 32 m, while water temperatures hold a consistent 27 to 30°C year-round, comfortable in a 3 to 5 mm wetsuit. Conditions suit intermediate divers, and with the right guide the site delivers both the drama of its cleft and canyon and intimate encounters with the smaller residents. Local operators run regular trips from Tulagi, and the protected, low-tourism setting keeps coral cover dense and fish life abundant, making Leru Cut (Russell Islands) a genuine standout on any Solomon Islands itinerary. Divers who time their visit to the calm season will find the most predictable conditions, though the site rewards repeat visits across the year.

Dive Briefing

"The dive at Leru Cut (Russell Islands) begins with a thorough operator briefing covering the site layout, expected marine life and emergency procedures, followed by a controlled entry and a short transfer from Tulagi. Descending toward the cleft and canyon profile, divers are immediately surrounded by glassfish, nudibranch, soft coral, moray eel, butterflyfish, fusilier, with the reef and structure revealing more detail the closer you look. The maximum depth reaches about 35 m while the average sits near 18 m, so a dive computer and disciplined gas planning keep the profile safe and comfortable. Currents are described as mild, and the guide chooses the entry time to make the most of slack or mild flow, using a reef hook or DSMB when needed. Neutral buoyancy protects the fragile coral and the group stays close to manage depth and any surge. The safety stop is completed in open water on a DSMB, and the boat follows the bubbles to collect divers at the exit point for a relaxed return to base. Leru Cut is best dived on a calm day with the sun high, when the light beams shaft down the narrow limestone cleft for the most dramatic photos. Enter from the deep end and swim up into the cut, keeping a slow pace to avoid silting. Water stays 27 to 30°C, and a 3 to 5 mm wetsuit is ample. A morning dive gives the clearest water and best light."