Tombatuni Passage (Vona Vona Lagoon) - Munda & New Georgia

35m Max

15-32m Vis

boat

Site Overview

Tombatuni Passage (Vona Vona Lagoon) is one of the signature dive sites of Munda & New Georgia in the Solomon Islands. Tombatuni Passage in the Vona Vona Lagoon is a drift dive where schools of jacks, barracuda and eagle rays stream through a current-swept channel lined with vibrant soft-coral walls. The site reaches a maximum depth of about 35 m, with an average depth near 20 m, and its passage and wall topography is draped in rock and coral. Marine life is the headline attraction, with schooling jack, great barracuda, spotted eagle ray, soft coral, grey reef shark, fusilier regularly recorded here, drawn in by the strong 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 advanced divers, and with the right guide the site delivers both the drama of its passage and wall and intimate encounters with the smaller residents. Local operators run regular trips from Munda, and the protected, low-tourism setting keeps coral cover dense and fish life abundant, making Tombatuni Passage (Vona Vona Lagoon) 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 Tombatuni Passage (Vona Vona Lagoon) 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 Munda. Descending toward the passage and wall profile, divers are immediately surrounded by schooling jack, great barracuda, spotted eagle ray, soft coral, grey reef shark, 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 20 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. Tombatuni Passage is a drift dive on a strong, predictable current, with schools of jacks, barracuda and eagle rays streaming through the channel and vibrant soft-coral walls. A negative entry and reef hook manage the flow, 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."