Wreck of the Ann, Solomon Islands

By Christopher Crowley (Adapted from "passport to diving the world")

Well Known For :

A photogenic wreck that also serves as a articial reef.

The Ann is a freighter sunk intentionally as an artificial reef. There are wide-angle opportunities on the wreck, with red elephant ear sponges providing a setting for squadrons of lionfish. Some unusual subjects for macro photography can also be found, including rose-coloured halimeda ghost pipefish and many rainbow mantis shrimps scurrying about. In early November, the site also features a population explosion of exquisite nudibranchs: Thecacera picta, Miamira sinuata, Chromodoris coi, and Chromodoris tinctoria. The residents provide a very warm welcome to vistors, and willingly lend their wooden canoes for a tryout. Watching guests struggling to manage the unwiedly craft is an endless source of entertainment for them, and a humbling experience for the visitors who manage to do so far more clumsily than the local children.

(Ok enough with the stories, I'm itchin' for a dive)