Solomon Islands Ferries

Has anyone done an island hop in the Solomons on boats/ferries rather than flying? Does anyone know how regular the service is? I am going there in October and would ideally like to travel by boat from Honiara and stop off at some diving spots on the way to Gizo (such as Marovo Lagoon)? Any advice would be great!

I do boat trips most of the time, as they are considerably cheaper than flying. They vary from the local "ships" which are old ferries, where everyone sleeps on deck or in a below-deck space, where you stake out your area on the floor. For a trip to the Western province, this can be quite a long journey (about 2 days). Some of these boats have a canteen, which sells basics the locals eat (navy biscuits, tinned tuna, 2-minute noodles, soft drinks, twisties and Chinese spam). These can run out before you reach your destination. I suggest you take your own food, plus hot water in a thermos if you are a tea or coffee drinker. Also bottled water. (There are some markets when the ship reaches Marovo lagoon, which sell fruit, coconuts to drink and cooked food such as fish and puddings.
However, the views are great, and it is interesting travelling with locals. Bikoi is the ship that does this trip most regularly, stopping at many ports. It is generally a once a week service.
The other option in Ocean Express or Express Pelican. These boats travel faster, have seats, and generally can't overload. They cost 2 to 4 times as much. Again, a once-a-week service, but they do have weeks when they are undergoing repairs. One of them leaves Honiara early every Sunday morning. (about 7am, and they always leave on time).
To travel this way, you do need to leave a week's margin for cancelled services, or allow money in case for a flight back to catch your plane out of Honiara (and there are rarely vacant seats on the next flight from Gizo or Munda).

You should also check out the availability of diving, if that is your main reason for travelling that way - there is a dive operator near Wilderness Lodge, but Uepi generally provides diving for guests only, and is usually heavily booked, so you may not find a bed there. Also, allow funds for the the cost of boat transfers from the ferry stop to wherever it is that you're planning to dive.

Hi mate
Short of a liveaboard you probably won't find a boat that will act as both as a ferry and a dive boat.
I was just over there doing a parrotfish bioerosion study based in Kolombangara and I know a couple of guys that run a speedboat service plus has a friend that does ReefCheek and WWF - let me see what I can get for you.

I was just in the Solomons this past June and I would recommend the flights. I flew into (from Honiara) Seghe, Munda, and Gizo and each of my flights were on time.