Mary Island (Russell Islands) - Tulagi & Florida Islands

40m Max

20-40m Vis

boat

Site Overview

Mary Island (Russell Islands) is one of the signature dive sites of Tulagi & Florida Islands in the Solomon Islands. Mary Island in the Russell Islands is a steep-walled pelagic hotspot where grey reef and silvertip sharks, dogtooth tuna and barracuda tornadoes gather, with hammerhead aggregations from May to September. The site reaches a maximum depth of about 40 m, with an average depth near 25 m, and its wall and drop-off topography is draped in rock and coral. Marine life is the headline attraction, with grey reef shark, silvertip shark, dogtooth tuna, great barracuda, scalloped hammerhead, spotted eagle ray regularly recorded here, drawn in by the strong currents and the rich Coral Triangle productivity of the region. Visibility typically ranges from 20 to 40 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 Tulagi, and the protected, low-tourism setting keeps coral cover dense and fish life abundant, making Mary Island (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 Mary Island (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 wall and drop-off profile, divers are immediately surrounded by grey reef shark, silvertip shark, dogtooth tuna, great barracuda, scalloped hammerhead, spotted eagle ray, with the reef and structure revealing more detail the closer you look. The maximum depth reaches about 40 m while the average sits near 25 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. Mary Island is best dived on a strong current when the steep walls erupt with barracuda tornadoes, jacks, grey reef and silvertip sharks, and seasonally schooling hammerheads. A negative entry and reef hook manage the drift, and a morning dive on a calm-weather window gives the best light. Water stays 27 to 30°C, and a 5 mm wetsuit suits the depth. Ascend on a DSMB."