Planning a trip?
Hotels, dive operators, gear, and how to get here are on the Bonegi Wrecks location page.
Overview
The Kinugawa Maru — 'Bonegi 2' — is a 135 m Japanese armed transport run aground and shelled to a wreck on 15 November 1942 during the Guadalcanal campaign, now resting just off Bonegi Beach west of Honiara. A shore-entry dive, the hull runs from a coral-crusted bow around 7 m down to the sternpost and rudder near 23 m and is easily circled in one dive. Hard and soft corals, gorgonians and balloon corallimorphs sheathe the steel and a heavily encrusted deck gun; spinecheek and Clark's anemonefish work the anemones, while round and longfin batfish and lionfish hang over the wreckage. Visibility is clearest in the dry season, when runoff from neighbouring Bonegi Creek eases.
Briefing note
Shore dive; a small landowner access fee is paid at the beach. The shallow coral-covered bow and midships suit open-water divers, while the deeper stern (~23 m) and any penetration call for more experience. Visibility falls sharply during and after heavy rain when Bonegi Creek discharges silt; the dry season (May–Oct) is clearest.
What you'll see
5 species curated- year-roundSpinecheek anemonefish
- year-roundClark's anemonefish
- year-roundBatfish
- year-roundLionfish
- year-roundGorgonian sea fans
Conditions
| Month | Water | Visibility | Current |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28–30 °C | 10–20 m | mild |
| Feb | 28–30 °C | 10–20 m | mild |
| Mar | 28–30 °C | 10–20 m | mild |
| Apr | 28–30 °C | 12–22 m | mild |
| May | 27–29 °C | 15–25 m | mild |
| Jun | 27–29 °C | 15–25 m | mild |
| Jul | 26–28 °C | 15–25 m | mild |
| Aug | 26–28 °C | 15–25 m | mild |
| Sep | 27–29 °C | 15–25 m | mild |
| Oct | 27–29 °C | 12–22 m | mild |
| Nov | 28–30 °C | 10–20 m | mild |
| Dec | 28–30 °C | 10–20 m | mild |
Season calendar
Peak season highlighted · current month outlined
Next step
Book your trip to Bonegi Wrecks
Hotels, liveaboards, dive operators, gear recommendations, and travel logistics for the whole region.
Plan your trip →Some links earn us a commission. Learn more