By: Torben Lonne
The MV Bilikiki was built in 1966 and was remodeled in 2013. It is not the most luxurious liveaboard but it makes up for that with friendly a friendly crew and extraordinary diving spots. The MV Bilikiki is 38m/125ft in length and width of 7.5m/25ft. This vessel can house up to 20 guests and has a cruising speed of 9 knots and can crank it up to a top speed of 11 knots. This speed gets obtained by the impressive 350 HP Caterpillar diesel engine that powers this vessel. The MV Bilikiki can hold up to 25000liters of water and produce 3000liters of fresh water every day.
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Some divers said the MV Bilikiki is the only liveaboard that has permission from tribal leaders to dive in their waters -
A couple of divers noted that they visited 40 dive sites in 9 days
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The crew were attentive and helpful
Things we don't like:
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Many people felt that the chef can improve on the variety of dishes he serves
Diving on the MV Bilikiki in Solomon Island
MV Bilikiki liveaboard
The MV Bilikiki was the first full-service dive liveaboard to grace the waters of the Solomon Islands.
It is also one of the more popular liveaboards around the Solomon Islands region. The Solomon Islands have more to offer than meets the eye with 3 great island groups to explore like the Marovo Lagoon, Florida Island and Russel Island. You will find this liveaboard operates between the months of March – December when weather conditions are at its best. Moreover, the attentive crew will cater to your every whim making your stay onboard truly worthwhile.
Interior and entertainment areas
On the MV Bilikiki, you will be treated like a king/queen with 10 cabins that scream luxury and sophistication. All of the cabins have individual air-conditioning and en-suites that have hot & cold showers. The cabins have enough space for your belongings as well as soft beds with linen that gets changed on a frequent basis.
Relaxation & leisure areas on the MV Bilikiki
There is an expansive sun deck on the MV Bilikiki that is fitted with many sun loungers that enable you to soak in the sun. On the lower deck, you will find an outdoor lounge with ample seating this is also where most snacks will be served between dives. There is also a salon area where fellow divers can gather for a quick coffee and snack while sharing die stories.
Dive deck on the liveaboard
The dive deck has enough space for divers to enter and exit the water. There are two dive tenders that will take you to some far-reaching dive sites that are not accessible by the liveaboard. What’s more, there is a camera station where you can store your equipment as well as bins for your dive gear.
Food on the liveaboard
The MV Bilikiki chef and crew will keep your belly full of delicious local and international cuisines. There will be three main meals served each day, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Between dives, you will also be treated to various snacks like sandwiches, fruit platters, savory plates, etc. The chef will cater to specific dietary requirements that some of the guests may have.
Itinerary on the MV Bilikiki
Exploring the best dive destinations in the Solomon Islands is easy with this. Normal itineraries will last between 7-11 nights. Some of the top islands you will visit are Russel Island, Marovo Lagoon and Florida Island. This liveaboard only operates between the months of March and December.
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