Islands Around Ghizo

Introducing Islands Around Ghizo

A perfect cone-shaped volcano that rises to 1770m, Kolombangara looms majestically on the horizon, due east of Ghizo Island. It’s a two-day hike to the top and back. It rises from a 1km-wide coastal plain through flat-topped ridges and increasingly steep escarpments to the rugged crater rim of Mt Veve. Logging has been a major activity, with Ringgi being the main settlement, on the south coast. WWII Japanese relics are scattered around the island. Vila Point was an important WWII Japanese base and you can still see guns in the bush.

At Sepo island, a lovely retreat just 15 minutes from Gizo, in a beautiful traditional house (entirely rebuilt after the 2007 tsunami), is Oravae Cottage (66621, 66619; naomibaea@gmail.com; cottage incl 3 meals S$1000).

Definitely worth a visit is Simbo island for its megapode hatcheries and its volcano that can easily be climbed. There’s also a sulphur-covered crater lake.

Mountainous Vella Lavella is dominated by the dormant volcano Mt Tambisala and it is noted for its bird life.

Unfortunately the reefs off Ranongga, which were once ranked among the most spectacular in the province, were uplifted during the tsunami in 2007 and lost much of their appeal.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009