Off the beach snorkelling in the Pacific

Does anyone know which islands in the Pacific are good for (off the beach) snorkelling in July/August?
Have been to Fiji (Yasawas and Caqalai), the Cooks (Aitutaki) and Vanuatu and would like to explore other places. Also interested in culture, people, nature/wildlife and hiking.

Any recommendations for healthy coral reefs and plenty marine life with easy access from the beach, ideally in combination with above mentioned interests?

Thanks in advance.

Papua New Guinea would be unbeatable for what you want, with the Solomons being the next (and cheaper) best thing.

I can vouch for Maravagi in the Central Islands Province (Gela or Florida Islands), Solomon Islands, a short ride by fast boat from Honiara. Unfortunately, their website is down at the moment. Note the price quoted on the linked website does not include meals, and you would need to buy them on-site in the restaurant.
There would also be a number of options in the Western province.

Thanks Laszlo and Ozziegiraffe! Both look really good.
Any advice about safety? I'm an older female travelling solo.

I am also an older single female, and travel all over Solomon Islands safely. Dress respectfully (a skirt that covers the knees in rural areas), and beware of petty theft if you go to the main market in Honiara.
Don't walk around alone at night (but you probably wouldn't at home either).
As for Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby and other big urban areas can be an issue, so don't stay there longer than you need to.
If you decide to go to Solomon Islands, ou will probably need at least one night in Honiara, so let us know for accommodation suggestions (and your preference for level of accommodation).

I second Ozzie as to the safety in Solomons. It's a shame about petty theft in the market, though, that's a new one for me because I haven't been back since 2002 and the market was quite safe back then (apart from the occasional drunk Masta Liu nicking fish from the fish sellers).

I think most of the local market ladies know me by now, especially the fish and betel-nut sellers from North Malaita (I have to go and say hello to them when I'm there). However, I also find that the local women advise me to be careful with my purse, and my friends make sure I have an escort. (One of the men in my "family" coundn't go with me one day, so he called his mate who is a taxi driver, who I didn't know from Adam, and got him to escort me (I did pay the taxi fare).
I've never had anything stolen from the market, only from ships, and once an attempt outside the Hot Bread shop in broad daylight, when 3 locals caught the guy before he had gone 6 feet, and held on to him until they could summon a passing police car. Basically, most locals go out of their way to help visitors.

Wow Ozzie ... I had no trouble just after the Peace Accord was signed and before RAMSI arrived, other than steering clear of Jimmy Rasta's hangout near where I was volunteering; had to walk past it every day but never had a problem. Just goes to show, but what, I'm not sure. I'm thinking/hoping/dreaming of MAYBE going back some time this year, if the proposed Japan trip doesn't pan out. Not sure what the head of my "family" will do this time about my going out and about on my own. He laid down the law the last visit, I was never, ever to go out by myself. That law got broken on about day 4 of the trip, along with the other two safety rules he decided I had to follow :-)) Anyway, I think every single taxi driver in town knew me, so I had a good deal of protection from them, but in any case I never needed any protection during my 4 months stay.

My allies are the Mothers' Union. Maybe I should direct the OP to stay at St Agnes when she arrives, and introduce herself to the women in the Provincial Office (eg the Archbishop's wife).
Interestingly, the head of my Malaita family is a very feisty woman who has been widowed for more than 20 years, and is very good at keeping all 6 of her sons, as well as their sons and grandsons under control.

Edited by: The Pirate Queen

LOL Pirate! No-one can keep the head of my family under control, not even himself at times, but then what can you expect from an E. Kwaio? :-)) St. Agnes is a good option.

Wish I had a way of sending you a copy of the Lau Pirates CD, (I could if you PM me your snail mail address, though).
Did you know they fly the Pirate Flag from my island when I am in residence?

LOL, I am visualizing you with an eye patch! PM on the way, thanks so much.

One of my favourites is the old Pacific Junction group; I have a tape of a tape a friend made for me. The group has disbanded and the tape is no longer available, so I'll look forward to a Pirates on with bated breath!

Did you ever hear Urika aka Octaves? An acapella group from Bellona; they were really good (disbanded now) and sang in Vancouver when they came out with the CUSO cooperant. They had 3 old Polynesian songs in the old Polynesian language. The lads knew the words but not the meanings. They used to sing those songs for me as much as possible when they were here because I loved them so much. No CDs available, though, which is a pity.

Anyway, thanks again, PM on the way!