Uepi Passage
Also known as: Uepi Point, Marovo entrance
Wall and passage where lagoon meets ocean, reliable for reef sharks and big schools
The encounter
Species / spectacle: Grey and blacktip reef sharks, schooling barracuda, turtles, eagle rays and mantas; Uepi hammerheads are reported roughly May to August.
How you see it: dive/snorkel
Typical duration: Typical dive of 40-60 min per site from the resort dive shop. (Confirm.)
When to go
Diveable year-round from the resort; hammerhead interest peaks in the cooler mid-year months. (Confirm.)
Reef sharks and schools are reliable year-round at the point; hammerheads are seasonal around May to August. (Confirm.)
Best time of day: Dived on incoming tide for the jetty sharks and to suit passage current windows. (Confirm.)
Uepi hammerheads are the standout seasonal draw, usually seen in the cooler mid-year window.
Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.
Who it suits
Difficulty (1-5): 4 (high)
Physical demand: Currents where the passage meets The Slot can be strong and the wall drops deep, so drift-dive skill and good buoyancy control are needed. Depth discipline is important.
Accessibility & group fit: The point and passage suit experienced divers, while the adjacent jetty wall offers gentler shark snorkelling for wider groups. Best fit is certified divers.
Options for a mixed group: Uepi dive shop can split by ability between the exposed point and sheltered jetty or reef options. (Confirm.)
Permits & responsible travel
Regulation / permits / fees: Some dive sites off Uepi's own reefs carry a custom fee of roughly four to fifteen AUD to local reef owners, negotiated and collected by the resort.
Guide / crew: Guided diving through the Uepi Island Resort dive operation is the standard and recommended way to dive the point.
Reefs sit under customary ownership, and Uepi Island Resort enforces a no-collecting policy and pays reef-owner custom fees. Respect landowner permissions and take-nothing practice.
Permits, fees and quotas change - confirm before booking.
Safety & hazards
Strong passage currents, deep wall and pelagic exposure are the key hazards. Conservative depth and current planning advised.
Weather / conditions: The point is exposed to swell and strong tidal current where the passage meets open ocean. Conditions can change quickly with wind and tide.
Remote island setting with the resort carrying oxygen; serious evacuation routes via Seghe toward Honiara. (Confirm.)
Getting there & staying
Access logistics: Fly Honiara to Seghe (about one hour), then roughly an 18 km lagoon boat transfer to Uepi Island; the point sites are a short boat ride from the resort.
Accommodation / camping: Uepi Island Resort provides on-island accommodation; no camping. (Confirm.)
Gear / water / connectivity: Resort dive shop supplies gear and fills; connectivity on the remote island is limited. (Confirm.)
Facilities: Full resort facilities including dive shop and jetties on Uepi Island.
Crowds / solitude: Low crowding centred on the single small resort, giving a quiet, uncrowded feel.
Operators & guiding
Nearby operators / hubs: Uepi Island Resort is the on-site operator; Seghe is the gateway and Honiara the international hub.
Guided trips / outfitters: Uepi Island Resort dive operation; Marovo liveaboards also visit the area. (Confirm.)
Operators change - confirm current licensing before you book.
Live conditions & sources
Recent sightings and today's conditions are a runtime layer - check the sources: https://www.uepi.com/explore ; https://indopacificimages.com/diving-uepi-in-the-marovo-lagoon/ ; https://www.uepi.com/insights/travelling-to-uepi - referenced under fair use.
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand wildlife report. Coordinates are approximate.