USS Kanawha - Tulagi & Florida Islands

50m Max

20-38m Vis

boat

Site Overview

USS Kanawha is one of the signature dive sites of Tulagi & Florida Islands in the Solomon Islands. The 140 m fleet oiler USS Kanawha was sunk in 1943 and rests at 35 to 50 m, a huge structure draped in coral with schools of jacks and eagle rays and rewarding technical penetration. The site reaches a maximum depth of about 50 m, with an average depth near 42 m, and its wreck topography is draped in metal and coral. Marine life is the headline attraction, with schooling jack, spotted eagle ray, grouper, grey reef shark, soft coral, barracuda regularly recorded here, drawn in by the moderate currents and the rich Coral Triangle productivity of the region. Visibility typically ranges from 20 to 38 m, while water temperatures hold a consistent 27 to 30°C year-round, comfortable in a 3 to 5 mm wetsuit. Conditions suit technical divers, and with the right guide the site delivers both the drama of its wreck 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 USS Kanawha 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 USS Kanawha 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 wreck profile, divers are immediately surrounded by schooling jack, spotted eagle ray, grouper, grey reef shark, soft coral, barracuda, with the reef and structure revealing more detail the closer you look. The maximum depth reaches about 50 m while the average sits near 42 m, so a dive computer and disciplined gas planning keep the profile safe and comfortable. Currents are described as moderate, 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 USS Kanawha is best dived on a planned technical profile from 35 to 50 m, with the huge 140 m hull most impressive on a calm, slack-window descent. Mild to moderate currents ease the approach, and a morning dive gives the clearest water. Water stays 27 to 30°C, and deco gases plus a suitable suit are required for the depth."