There has been plenty to celebrate at Emperor Divers Honiara in the Solomon Islands recently as the team reached a very special milestone – its 100th diving certification.
And the landmark qualification was particularly pleasing.
Our 100th certification went to 10-year-old diver Zoey who completed her Junior Open Water Diver course with instructor Caroline – making her the youngest diver so far to earn a qualification with the Honiara team.
It is the latest chapter in a training story that began almost as soon as Emperor Divers Honiara opened its doors in June 2025.
When instructors Paul and Caroline arrived in Honiara, there was no time for a gentle introduction.
Among the centre’s first students were members of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, who joined us to complete their Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver courses.
Since then, the range of people learning to dive – and developing their existing diving skills – with Emperor Honiara has continued to grow.
Importantly, many of those certifications have been achieved by Solomon Islanders.
As well as members of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (pictured below), the team has trained the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), Tourism Solomons and GTS (Guadalcanal Travel Solomons). That has also included a growing number of female divers.
For the Emperor Honiara team, reaching 100 certifications is therefore about more than simply hitting a number. It represents more people gaining the skills and confidence to explore their own underwater environment and, in many cases, developing knowledge that can complement their professional roles.
The range of courses delivered also demonstrates just how varied the training in Honiara has become.
Alongside Open Water Diver courses, the team has delivered Advanced Open Water, Nitrox, Deep, Wreck, Rescue Diver, Emergency First Response and Fish Identification training.
At the more advanced end of the spectrum, courses have extended as far as decompression diving, while two superyacht crew members even completed Gas Blender training.
So, whether someone is taking their first breaths underwater or looking to develop much more advanced diving skills, Emperor Divers Honiara is proving a great place to learn as well as explore.
If you would like to find out more about the diving options available at Emperor Divers Honiara, then contact our fantastic team on [email protected] or WhatsApp +677 7155694
