Florida & Russell Islands · Solomon Islands · Cave & cavern · Wall
Leru Cut
Sunbeams in a jungle-roofed cut that ends in a surfacing pool
A channel cut into the side of Leru Island in the Russell Islands, open to the sky along its whole length. Divers swim up the cut to surface among vine-covered cliffs and jungle, and at the right time of day beams of light reach down through the gap.
Also known as Leru Cutting.
Where it is and how deep
8.9980° S, 159.0514° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The cut is an indent of about a hundred metres into the island, around 12 m deep, and the passage stays open to sunlight all the way. Divers keep swimming straight in to the end, surface to see the vine-covered cliffs and jungle overhead, then descend again for the swim back out.
Outside the cut the dive exits onto a sheer wall of fans and soft coral that drops to 23 m, and the current decides which side of the entrance to follow. Butterflyfish, angelfish, hawkfish, parrotfish, anemonefish and rabbitfish work the wall.
Marine life and season
- Reef fish swarms
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair |
Season follows Florida & Russell Islands: Diving runs all year; the northwesterlies of November to April bring more rain and the odd squall or cyclone that can reroute a trip.
Dive videos
Solomons Leru Cut · Robin McConchie on YouTube
Leru Cut · Jack and Sue Drafahl on YouTube
Sources
- Bilikiki Cruises itinerary — Bilikiki Cruises
- Leru Cut dive site — Diveplanit
- Dive Sites You Must See: Solomon Islands — Underwater Photography Guide
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