Reefwander

Florida & Russell Islands · Solomon Islands · Pinnacle · Cave & cavern · Wall

Twin Tunnels

Two vertical shafts that drop through the reef to a wall exit

A large seamount in the channel between Guadalcanal and the Florida Islands, rising from 60 m to a hard-coral top at 12 m. Two vertical shafts drop from the top into an L-shaped cave that opens onto the outer wall, where fusiliers school and grey reef sharks pass.

Also known as Twin Tunnels Reef.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Twin Tunnels: typical dive 12–35 m (40–115 ft), deepest point 60 m (197 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit12 m35 m60 m maxtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 70 m (230 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

9.1365° S, 160.1470° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.

The dive

The descent lands on the pinnacle top at 12 m, covered in hard corals, where cuttlefish, octopus and mantis shrimp live among schools of snapper and anemonefish. Two tunnels open in the top and drop vertically straight down.

The shafts meet in a chamber and an L-shaped cave whose exit on the wall sits at 35 m. Predators and prey gather in the current at the opening. Swimming out of the cave onto the sheer wall, divers meet schools of fusiliers with grey reef sharks cruising by.

Marine life and season

  • Reef sharks
  • Reef fish swarms
  • Octopus & cuttlefish
  • Macro critters
Month-by-month season rating for Twin Tunnels
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FairFairFairFairGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodFairFair

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.

Questions divers ask

How deep is the cave exit at Twin Tunnels?+

The tunnels drop from the top at 12 m to a cave that exits onto the wall at 35 m. The seamount itself rises from 60 m, so the dive needs deep training.

Sources

  1. Bilikiki Cruises itinerary — Bilikiki Cruises
  2. Tulagi, for lovers of Rust and Reef — Diveplanit
  3. Twin Tunnels Reef — ScubaGo

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