Solomon Islands and Iron Bottom Sound - treasure troves for scuba divers.

Here's another travel experience that heavily influenced my current Treasured series of action adventure books. Enjoy.

The Solomon Islands consist of more than 900 islands and divers claims there are just as many wrecks to explore too. This is what attracted me to the sovereign country that lies northwest of Vanuatu.

The Solomon Islands experienced some of the most intensive fighting of World War II. The most notable operation was launched in August 1942 when the Allied Forces conducted simultaneous naval bombardments and amphibious landings to fight Japanese Imperial Forces. This important and bloody Battle of Guadalcanal signified the beginning of the Allies repelling the Japanese.  

Between 1941 and 1945, the island of Guadalcanal saw almost daily fighting between American and Japanese forces. Today however, this area now known as Iron Bottom Sound, is a scuba diving mecca. It’s the final resting place for dozens and dozens of wrecks including fighter planes and tanks, cargo ships and destroyers.  It’s a glorious underwater museum for anyone willing to make the long journey to get there. In 2010 we did.

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My boys were just 14 and 12 years old at the time and this was their first scuba diving holiday. During World War II the Japanese built an airstrip that was successfully concealed by rows of coconut palms suspended by cables. This was the very same airstrip we landed on and the first grass landing strip I’ve ever experienced. It was hair-raising to say the least.

My two favourite dives of the week were to explore two very different WWII wrecks.  The first, The Kasi Maru was a Japanese freighter that was hit with a bouncing bomb while it was anchored at shore to offload cargo. Because it lies in just 15 metres of water and remains almost upright, this makes the Kasi Maru perfect for both snorkelers and divers. We penetrated the hull and were treated to a treasure hunters dream with an abundance of artefacts scattered throughout the ship. Items such as Saki bottles, small jars, gas masks and cooking gear were in remarkable condition. One thing that remains very vivid in my memory was a pair of boots with the laces still done up. I couldn’t help but wonder if the person who owned those boots made it to safety.

The second wreck has a fascinating story. On the 21st of June 1943 dive bomber pilot Jim Dougherty and his radio gunner Robert Bernard, took off to swoop low over Munda Island to sink Japanese ships supplying local troops. A barrage of bullets crippled his plane and he tried to limp back to safety. But he didn’t make it. They crash landed just off Rendova. Incredibly, they both survived the crash, swam ashore and made it to an American hospital. The crash happened on Jim’s 21st birthday. More than 50 years later their plane was rediscovered and in 1995 Jim returned to Munda and dived down to his plane wreck on the anniversary of the day he was shot down. I can’t imagine what was going through his mind when he sat back in that cockpit one more time.

One other site at Munda Solomon Islands that had me enthralled was a little museum in the jungle. For years, possibly decades, Peter Joseph has been collecting all manner of rusty trinkets and artefacts that he’s salvaged from the jungle surrounding the town. WWII relics from both the Japanese and Allied forces fill every aspect of his little jungle hut. We saw everything from plane parts, to machine guns, to hand grenades to dog tags. It was truly fascinating.

I feel completely blessed to have shared this wonderful experience with my husband and two boys. Whether its modern day or ancient, I find history fascinating. I swear I must have been an archaeologist in another life.

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed another one of my travel experiences. You can check out a few more if you wish, HERE.

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