Gateway to the South Pacific's Greatest Adventures
PRESENTED BY
Gateway to the South Pacific's Greatest Adventures
PRESENTED BY
Diving
An extraordinary mix of marine life, wreckages and spectacular coral awaits Western Province divers.
Some of it is right near Munda—nearby Shark Point covered in corals of all shapes, sizes, and colours, as well as tonnes of reef fish.
Solomon Islands’ wartime history is easy enough to find; in Gizo there’s the 130-metre-long Toa Maru wreck, and at Rendova Lagoon, two almost intact plane wrecks can be dived on a single tank, sitting on a sandy sea floor at a shallow depth of only nine metres.
Funny that the sea surface and underneath the bed looks the same.
Corals of all shapes, sizes, and colours, as well as tonnes of reef fish.
Nemo, that you?
Also in Rendova is the incredible unique kastom shark dive, which is get lost’s #1 recommendation; cut a swathe through some mangroves to reveal a sinkhole, and drop down into it… if you’re brave enough.
About 30 metres down a tunnel will emerge, which ascends gradually to an opening on a nearby reef wall, flanked by bright red coral. Truly an incredible experience.
That face you make when you're not sure if you're going to stay on your board or not.
Surfing
A pretty decent swell hits the Solomons from the east which means the west is often best when it comes to surf.
Arguably the peak wave in the province is Titiana, an epic, long lefthander which is located a convenient paddle away from Gizo village. There’s a shallow reef here, so approach with caution, kook.
Anyone want a high five?
Thatched roof and walls never looked so good.
Fishing
The variety of waters around Munda mean you can experience everything from throwing a line in the deep sea and outer reefs, to lagoon, river and estuary fishing.
A short boat ride away from Munda, Zipolo Habu is considered the premier fishing resort in the Solomon Islands. Not only does it boast a fleet of custom-built sports fishing boats, but they’ve also got an onsite tackle shop.
Sittin' on the dock of the bay...
Thank goodness for drones so we can capture beauties like this.
Chilling
Are you an introvert?
Perhaps you are or perhaps you like the idea of having your own island for a night, Robinson Crusoe-style, although to our knowledge Robbie C didn’t have a wooden penthouse with a large overwater balcony, perfectly positioned to catch the soft breeze which wafts through the lagoon.
Normally you dive into bed. Here, you dive out of bed and straight into the crystal-clear water.
Gaze from your hammock out into the distance, where the Kolombangara volcano sits idly since it last exploded during the Pleistocene, at least 11,700 years ago (phew! Just missed it).
Spend your days diving into the crystal-clear lagoon, snorkelling and eating freshly-caught tuna from the Gizo market. This is living.
History
It might be the world’s most famous coconut.
On his desk at the White House, 35th President of the United States John F. Kennedy had the shell of a coconut, a relic from his time as a Lieutenant in the Navy during World War Two.
After their boat was taken down by the Japanese, Kennedy and ten surviving crewmates were forced to swim from island to island in the Western Province, looking for help. He encountered two local men, Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana, who helped him carve an SOS message into a coconut before delivering it to a U.S Navy base.
Even JKF experienced just how friendly the locals are.
Kennedy and ten surviving crewmates were forced to swim from island to island in the Western Province, looking for help.
Some of the war memorabilia around Kennedy Island.
Kennedy Island; a beautiful reminder of the strength and mateship behind an incredible tale.
Exploring
Imagine the catacombs in Europe, but an entire island, and that begins to tell the story,
Skulls half-covered in moss are everywhere at the appropriately name Kunda Hite (Skull Island), trophies which tell tales of vanquished warriors who vanquished not all that long ago.
Beautiful on the outside, terrifying history on the inside.
Removing an enemy’s head after death and putting it on display symbolized power... and accumulating more skulls meant more power.
'Heads will roll' had a different meaning back then.
Headhunting was a part of local warfare and was practiced in the area, as recently as early 20th century. It involved an enemy’s head being removed after death, and put on display as a fairly hectic means of symbolizing power. Accumulating more skulls meant more power, and a tour of Skull Island, on the fringe of the very attractive Vona Vona Lagoon, is one you won’t forget in a hurry.
get in the know In 1943, John F Kennedy was stranded on an island in the Solomons. After a dramatic escape thanks to the help of two locals, that island is now named after the President.
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