Makira Outer Wall - Makira & Ulawa (Southern Province)

50m Max

20-45m Vis

liveaboard

Site Overview

Makira Outer Wall is one of the signature dive sites of Makira & Ulawa (Southern Province) in the Solomon Islands. Makira Outer Wall is a steep, current-washed drop-off in the remote Southern Province, alive with grey reef sharks, dogtooth tuna and a dense, healthy pelagic cast. The site reaches a maximum depth of about 50 m, with an average depth near 30 m, and its wall and drop-off topography is draped in rock and coral. Marine life is the headline attraction, with grey reef shark, dogtooth tuna, great barracuda, spotted eagle ray, schooling jack, soft coral regularly recorded here, drawn in by the strong currents and the rich Coral Triangle productivity of the region. Visibility typically ranges from 20 to 45 m, while water temperatures hold a consistent 27 to 30°C year-round, comfortable in a 3 to 5 mm wetsuit. Conditions suit advanced divers, and with the right guide the site delivers both the drama of its wall and drop-off and intimate encounters with the smaller residents. Local operators run regular trips from Kirakira, and the protected, low-tourism setting keeps coral cover dense and fish life abundant, making Makira Outer Wall 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 Makira Outer Wall 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 Kirakira. Descending toward the wall and drop-off profile, divers are immediately surrounded by grey reef shark, dogtooth tuna, great barracuda, spotted eagle ray, schooling jack, soft coral, with the reef and structure revealing more detail the closer you look. The maximum depth reaches about 50 m while the average sits near 30 m, so a dive computer and disciplined gas planning keep the profile safe and comfortable. Currents are described as strong, 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. Makira Outer Wall is best dived from a liveaboard on a strong current, when the steep drop-off erupts with grey reef sharks, dogtooth tuna and abundant pelagics. A negative entry and reef hook manage the drift, and a calm-weather window gives the best light into the blue. Water stays 27 to 30°C, and a 5 mm wetsuit suits the depth. Ascend on a DSMB."