Bonegi I & II Dive Site — Solomon Islands
About Bonegi I & II
Two Japanese transport ships — Bonegi I (Hirokawa Maru) and Bonegi II (Kinugawa Maru) — lie in shallow water along Guadalcanal's northwestern coast, sunk by Allied air attacks in 1942. Bonegi I rests on a sandy slope from 3m to 25m with its stern section easily accessible, while Bonegi II sits slightly deeper. Both wrecks are magnificently encrusted with hard and soft corals after 80+ years underwater, creating artificial reefs teeming with lionfish, scorpionfish, and clouds of anthias. Look for resident hawksbill turtles resting on the deck structures and schools of batfish circling the masts. The shallow depth and calm conditions make these wrecks perfect for extended bottom times and wide-angle photography.
Site Information
- Depth: 3–25 m
- Difficulty: intermediate
- Site type: Wreck
- Current: Mild
- Best time: Apr-Nov
- Region: Solomon Islands
Highlights
- WWII Wrecks
- Coral Encrustation
- Tropical Fish