For those with an interest in history, Kerrie and Danny have researched the local WWII war history in Washington, USA, and have information on well known subjects, such as John F. Kennedy and the PT109. Diving hightlights are the intact Japanese transport Toa Maru, and three WWII aircraft. Bush walks can be arranged to WWII land sites.
The people of the Western Province produce famous carvings from various woods and stone. Woven bags, baskets and mats are also ancient village arts and are available for purchase. Adventure Sports shop has a good selection of carvings and baskets.
General stores line the main street of Gizo and supply a wide range of goods. Fresh bread is available daily, tinned foods and long-life milk are readily available. The daily markets provide fruit and vegetables and fresh fish.
Gizo offers a number of restraunts, with standard fare being fresh seafood and fruit.
Gizo is serviced by multiple daily flights to and from Honiara. The flight takes about one and a half hours (often stopping at Seghe and Munda en route).
Part of Western Province
The region is a world renowned scuba dive location, with not only the natural wonders to marvel at, but WW2 ships and aircraft, too. There are internationally accredited dive companies and schools in several centres including Gizo, Munda and Uepi Island Resort. Gizo, the capital, is a quiet peaceful town, but has all the facilities needed by visitors, such as banks (ANZ, NBSI), luxury hotels, guesthouses and backpacker accommodation, bars, restaurants, custom dancing and arts available (the region is famous for its carvings such as ebony marine carvings inlaid with nautilus shell). A splendid market, sports fishing boat hire and even surfing areas, all accessible from Honiara via Solomon Airlines which flies twice a day, and Pacific Airlink which also has several weekly flights. There are numerous airfields serviced by both companies scattered around Marovo Lagoon. Local guides are available for historical and cultural tours and bush walks to tambu sites.
There is a plethora of accommodation including hotels, resorts and a uniquely Solomon Islands experience - the many traditionally built and family owned .
The Western Province was an area feared for head hunting in the 19th Century. The use of human heads or skulls was central in the burial customs and death beliefs of many of the Marovo Lagoon islands' people. Frequent raiding took place between islands in search of heads which were used in many rituals including burials and the launching of new Tomoko (war canoes).
Prior to about 1850 the situation had calmed down for a long time during the so called "Great Peace"; however, the arrival of Europeans with iron axes to trade quickly destabilised the region leading to renewed raiding. Of all the Western Province, Roviana was the most feared for head hunting. War canoes carried carved figureheads called nguzu nguzu on their prows in the shape of a dog with either a skull or a dove in it's paws depending on the ill or goodwill of the mission.
The headhunting was put down by force by the British District Commissioner, George Woodford, in 1900.
Activities
Gizo also has much to offer above the water...
- Ghizo Island: Go by boat or walk to Saeraghi village along a scenic coast line to Gizo's most famous beach. Stop at Gilbertese and Melanesian villages along the way, where traditional life still continues.
- Sail boat hire to enjoy a holiday at your own pace.
- Walking tours are a must with local story many Wilson Hivu, who will take you through his village and into the bush, discovering traditional foods, garden methods and medicines. With breathtaking views from Gizo's hilltops you will conclude your walk at an historical site from days gone by, where elders of the village made custom money from fossilised clam shells.
- Kennedy Island: A beautiful small island where US President JF Kennedy and crew of the PT109 were shipwrecked during WWII. Great for snorkelling and beachcombing.
- Skull Island: A great day trip to step back in time to the days of head hunting, where you will visit a shrine composed of the skulls of chiefs and warriors. Travelling through the picturesque Vona Vona Lagoon and jungle river tour, the day is completed with lunch alongside the lagoon at Zipolo Habu Resort on Lola Island.
- Simbo Island: Bush walk, climb the volcanic crater, and watch the locals cook megadpode eggs in thermal ponds. A breath taking boat trip to Nusa Simbo viewing cascading vines and ferns down dramatic volcanic cliffs. This trip is dependent on favourable conditions.
- WWII Tours: For those interested in war history, you can visit an American Tank, Japanese Gun For and partially submerged wrecks, or just browse through our books and information folders accumulated from personal research in the US Naval Archives.
- Kolombangara: A large dormant volcano peak awaits the fit and adventurous trekker. Venture into a natural rainforest towards the breathtaking rim.
Dive Sites:
All dives are boat dives. Water temperature averages 28C. Visibility is usually upwards of 20 metres. Troublesome currents are rare. (All divers must show certification cards.)
Toa Maru: A twenty minute boat ride from Gizo is one of the south Pacific's most popular diveable WWII shipwrecks. This is virtually intact Japanese transport ship of some 140m (450') length lying on its starboard site. It was run aground after suffering damage from an American attack. The dive starts at an easy 7 metres and slants to 37 metres. Interesting artefacts adorn this vessel that sunk before it could be unloaded. Some of the trinkets include saki bottles, medical supplies, office equipment and rounds of ammunition. The larger objects include bombs, a motorbike, a type 21 tank. For the more experienced divers a guided tour inside the wreck to the bridge, crew quarters, engine room and medical supply room is a must do adventure.
For a detailed plan of the Tao Maru site and its features, click on low resolution (57K) or high resolution (249K).
Grand Central Station: If its underwater
action you need then this is the place. The most northwestern tip of the
Gizo islands is the merge point for oceanic currents and it's here where
the fishlife, big and small, is at it's best. Large soft corals and fans
adorn the walls while the waters are patrolled by sharks, trevally and
batfish. A relatively easy dive for all levels of experience and there is
no need to go deep to see all the activity. The Hot Spot: One of our
recent discoveries, located in November 1995, a small pinnacle only 5
metres from the surface surrounded by ocean depths of 300 to 400 metres.
It's offshore diving with pelagic action with every swing of the tide and
home to an interesting pink iridescent anenome.
American Hellcat Fighter Plane: The plane is completely intact and
lying in ten metres of water. A comprehensive history of the plane is
available and the dive is high on the list for underwater photographers.
American Corsair Fighter Plane: The pilot of this plane crashed into the sea at great speed and the aircraft is in five recognisable large pieces around the 27 metre level. However the attraction is not only the wreck but the fantastic marinelife on or around it. The reef slope back to the boat is interesting and has its own attraction in a bommie called clown fish city at the safety stop level.
Plum Pudding Island: Or Kennedy Island as it is known as, was named after the late US President who captained the PT109 during the Pacific War. This dive site offers shallow coral reefs for novice divers and great snorkelling, as well as deeper drift dives for the experienced.
The Manta Dive:An Adventure Sports Gizo exclusive, this site is visited on request and if the time is right then its one show you wouldn't want to miss.
The Beach Dive: For the devoted drift divers this can clock up to 1.2 kilometres. Start at the beach and watch the reef glide by on an armchair ride to a coral reef delight.
The Gap: The ultimate drift dive. Drop down on the outside of Naru Wall and drift through the schools of fish that welcome you into the Gizo lagoon.
One Tree Island:This dive site would have to be one of the most beautiful reefs in the Gizo area. Multitudes of hard and soft corals, large gogonian sea fans and multitudes of reef fish.