Mary Island Wall - Mborokua (Mary Island) – Remote Pelagics

60m Max

20-45m Vis

liveaboard

Site Overview

Mary Island Wall is one of the signature dive sites of Mborokua (Mary Island) – Remote Pelagics in the Solomon Islands. Mary Island Wall is a remote volcanic drop-off where massive schools of barracuda, jacks, grey reef and silvertip sharks gather, with seasonal hammerheads and the occasional whale shark. The site reaches a maximum depth of about 60 m, with an average depth near 35 m, and its wall and drop-off topography is draped in rock and coral. Marine life is the headline attraction, with great barracuda, schooling jack, grey reef shark, silvertip shark, scalloped hammerhead, whale shark 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 Liveaboard (Munda staging), and the protected, low-tourism setting keeps coral cover dense and fish life abundant, making Mary Island 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 Mary Island 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 Liveaboard (Munda staging). Descending toward the wall and drop-off profile, divers are immediately surrounded by great barracuda, schooling jack, grey reef shark, silvertip shark, scalloped hammerhead, whale shark, with the reef and structure revealing more detail the closer you look. The maximum depth reaches about 60 m while the average sits near 35 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 Wall is best dived from a liveaboard on a strong current, when the sheer drop-offs erupt with barracuda, jacks, grey reef and silvertip sharks, and seasonally hammerheads and whale sharks. A negative entry and reef hook manage the drift, and 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."