The two small islands of Pavuvu and Mbanika that make up the Russell Islands in the central Solomons, are superb locations in which to explore the abundant marine life of the area. Located just 30 miles northwest of Guadalcanal, the islands played a prominent role in WWII history. In 1943, US troops occupied the islands, and Banika Island Naval Base was built. This was one of the first steps in pushing the Japanese army out of the area. The islands became a training centre as well as support centre and at one point had hospital facilities, roads, a boat base, radar station as well as housing for many people. When shut down in 1945, much of the equipment of the base was dumped into the sea, inadvertently creating interesting artificial reefs where fish swim between war relics, jeeps and bulldozers.
INCLUDED EXPEDITIONS:
*Snorkeling