The Pinnacles (off Honiara) - Guadalcanal – Honiara & Iron Bottom Sound

40m Max

20-40m Vis

boat

Site Overview

The Pinnacles (off Honiara) is one of the signature dive sites of Guadalcanal – Honiara & Iron Bottom Sound in the Solomon Islands. The Pinnacles are offshore seamounts rising from deep water off Honiara, swept by currents that summon schooling barracuda, jacks, grey reef sharks and eagle rays, with the occasional hammerhead for advanced divers. The site reaches a maximum depth of about 40 m, with an average depth near 25 m, and its pinnacle and wall topography is draped in rock and coral. Marine life is the headline attraction, with schooling barracuda, bigeye jack, grey reef shark, spotted eagle ray, scalloped hammerhead, soft coral gardens 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 pinnacle and wall and intimate encounters with the smaller residents. Local operators run regular trips from Honiara, and the protected, low-tourism setting keeps coral cover dense and fish life abundant, making The Pinnacles (off Honiara) 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 The Pinnacles (off Honiara) 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 Honiara. Descending toward the pinnacle and wall profile, divers are immediately surrounded by schooling barracuda, bigeye jack, grey reef shark, spotted eagle ray, scalloped hammerhead, soft coral gardens, 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. The Pinnacles are best dived on a strong incoming current when the seamounts come alive with schooling barracuda, jacks, grey reef sharks and the occasional hammerhead. A negative entry gets you down fast, and a reef hook or DSMB manages the drift. Water stays 27 to 30°C, and a 5 mm wetsuit suits the deeper profile. Dive the pinnacles on a calm-weather window and ascend with a delayed SMB."