Activities in Solomon Islands
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Diving
Oh to have a few more hours in the day to squeeze in more dives! Marovo Lagoon provides superb dives for both experts and novices. Channels, caves, drop-offs, coral gardens, bommies and clouds of technicolour fish (and yes, sharks are part of the package) - what more could a diver hope for?
Marovo Lagoon has two state-of-the-art dive centres. One is based at Uepi Point (North Marovo Lagoon), the other is located in Peava (South Marovo Lagoon). It pays off to dive with each dive shop to maximise your diving experience during your stay in Marovo.
The live-aboard dive vessels MV Bilikiki and the MV Spirit of Solomons usually include the South Marovo Lagoon into their nine-…
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snorkelling
There's no shortage of snorkelling spots on the lagoon, including Kennedy island, just off Fatboys. Take the shuttle to Fatboys, hire snorkelling gear at the resort and snorkel to your heart's content.
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Kwaio Village visits
Ready for a culture shock? Consider visiting the traditional 'bush' Kwaio, who live in eastern-central Malaita's mountainous interior. This area is very seldom visited by Westerners and the 1000 Kwaio people who live in the mountains near Atoifi and Sinalanggu have rejected the modern world in favour of the traditional life and religion of their ancestors.
These Kwaio, as opposed to the Christian 'coastal' Kwaio, believe the ancestral spirits are omnipresent, and they practise magic and sorcery. Unmarried girls and women go naked and smoke pipes, while married women wear minute T-pieces. This is not your average 'cultural experience'; you do have to come prepared to avoid…
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Hiking
Growing weary of water activities? Consider climbing up to the crater's rim on Kolombangara. It's an exhilarating two-day/one-night hike. You depart from Iriri village, on the western side of the island, where you arrange guides and porters (avoid Saturdays, as it's an Seventh-Day Adventist village) and pay kastom fees. The first section follows a logging road. You then continue walking up through the thickly wooded forest to a clearing called Professor's Camp, where you sleep overnight.
The next morning, be ready for an early start to reach the top before the clouds set in. The scenery is surreal, trees are covered in moss; as one hiker told us, it feels like you're…
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Dive Gizo
At the time of writing, there was only one operational dive centre, Dive Gizo, at the western end of town (there's also a sales office beside the Gizo Hotel). A solid professional outfit, it's been run by Danny and Kerrie Kennedy since 1985. They also operate Dive Munda in Munda. They'll meet you at the airport or wharf and drive you to your digs.
You'll pay A$140 for a two-tank dive, including picnic (add an extra A$20 for gear rental). An open-water certification is A$630. We love their two-tank dive organisation; you spend your surface interval picnicking on a secluded island or having lunch at Fatboys, a winning formula.
Most dives are less than a 20-minute boat ride…
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Walking
If you've got itchy feet, it's easy to indulge in a bushwalking bonanza. There are various half-, one- or two-day walks through gardens, rainforest and friendly villages. Most lodges will be happy to provide a guide and help you organise your walk.
Suggested walks include the two-day trek to Mt Mariu (887m) in Nggatokae, the two-hour walk to the hill that lords over Chea Village on Marovo island and the half-day walk to Mt Reku (520m) on Vangunu. Don't forget your camera - the views over the lagoon are heavenly.
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surfing
What's quite new to the Solomons is surfing, and we're not complaining. Here, you can be guaranteed almost virgin waves. There's excellent point surfing off Pailongge, on Ghizo's southern coast. The October-to-April swell rises to 2m or more. There's a great left-hander nearer Titiana village, with a long paddle out to the reef's edge, and a right at Pailongge. Dive Gizo employs a local surfer who's finding new breaks all the time. Bring your own boards.
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Solomon Watersport
Another dive shop, Solomon Watersport, had temporarily closed down when we visited. It normally operates from the Gizo Hotel. It's run by Hans Mergozzi, who also owns Sanbis Resort. Travellers should know about the bitter feud (but not take sides) between the two dive outfits Solomon Watersport and Dive Gizo.
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diving
Gizo has made a name for itself in diving, diving, diving (and maybe some snorkelling); it's a first-rate dive destination in the Pacific. Sure, it lost some of its appeal thanks to the 2007 tsunami and its impact on several high-profile sites, but you won't leave disappointed after visiting here.
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Kayaking
Diving is king in Marovo, but kayaking can be very rewarding too. Uepi Island Resort can arrange multi-day kayaking trips, overnighting in lodges along the way - an excellent way to discover the lagoon at a leisurely pace.
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Walking
If island life is making you a little claustrophobic, you can stretch your legs on a walk around Ghizo island. Walks of various durations (anything from one to 10 hours) can be tackled. Ask at Dive Gizo for more details.
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Tourism Solomons
Ask for Ross Hepworth. Can arrange half-/full-day tours around Honiara, taking in the WWII battlefields, waterfalls and other sights. Can also organise trips to Savo and Tulagi. Prices vary according to the party size.
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Destination Solomons Travel & Tours
Run by Wilson Maelaua. Can arrange half-/full-day tours around Honiara, taking in the WWII battlefields, waterfalls and other sights. Can also organise trips to Savo and Tulagi. Prices vary according to the party size.
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Solomon Dive Adventures
Opened in 2007, this newish operation run by ebullient Lisa Roquette is conveniently based in Peava, a 10-minute walk from Wilderness Lodge. She runs dive trips to Mbulo, Kicha and Male Male Islands.
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Dolphin Watching
Savo is one of the most dependable locations in the Solomons to spot pods of dolphins, which usually congregate off the west coast and can be seen frolicking around boats: a magical experience.
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snorkelling
With hundreds of lovely sites scattered throughout the lagoon, snorkelling is equally impressive. Lodges can organise lagoon tours and snorkelling trips. Bring your own gear.
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trekking
For the fit and the adventurous, various customised trekking options in northern Malaita can be arranged through Makario Tagini who works as lawyer in Honiara.
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Solomons Sport Fishing
Tackle bigeye tuna, Spanish mackerel, kingfish, wahoo and sailfish with Solomons Sport Fishing, based at the Point Cruz Yacht Club.
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Invader Charters
In addition to organising dives, Invader Charters also has trips to Florida Islands aboard a 100ft vessel and snorkelling trips.
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Coastwatchers
Offers dive packages and snorkelling trips.
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