Haipi Reef, Rendova, Solomon Islands

Site Overview
Dive Centres
Site Type: Large scenic reef
Depth: Top: 5M Median: 22M Bottom: 30M
Location: Off the north west coast of Rendova, about 30 minutes from Munda. Solomon Islands.

Situated off the sparsely populated west coast of Rendova Island, near Munda in the Solomons Western Province, the Haipi reefs are coral-covered gently sloping reefs in incredibly good condition. (Like many of the Solomons Dive sites, they have a number of spelling variations: Hape and Hapi, Haipe and Haipi – either way pronounced ‘happy’!)View over the terrain with divers at Hapi Reef diving Munda in the Solomon Islands by Diveplanit

The variety of corals supports a matching variety of reef fish, even the Pyramid Butterflyfish – my personal favourite…

Pyramid butterflyfish on the reef at Hapi Reef diving Munda in the Solomon Islands by Diveplanit

As you drift down deeper you’ll find Whip Coral,..

Orange whip coral bunch at Hapi Reef diving Munda in the Solomon Islands by Diveplanit

And large seafans and soft bushy corals.

Red seafan with white coral bush at Hapi Reef diving Munda in the Solomon Islands by Diveplanit

This is also where the bigger fish hang out: the Humpnose Bigeye Bream

Humpnose Bigeye Bream at Hapi Reef diving Munda in the Solomon Islands by Diveplanit

The strangely named ‘Bignose’ Unicornfish – who doesn’t have a horn – just a Bignose I suppose.

Bignose Unicornfish at Hapi Reef diving Munda in the Solomon Islands by Diveplanit

And the Spotted Unicornfish, who doesn’t have spots, but rather a horn that’ll take your eye out if you’re not careful.

Spotted Unicornfish at Hapi Reef diving Munda in the Solomon Islands by Diveplanit

There are also some isolated Bumphead parrotfish down there, but they tend to avoid divers.

Bumphead Parrotfish at Hapi Reef diving Munda in the Solomon Islands by Diveplanit

Back up towards the safety stop, the brightly coloured fish school in the sunlight.

Pyramid butterflyfish on the reef at Hapi Reef diving Munda in the Solomon Islands by Diveplanit