Things to do in Western Province
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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- an…
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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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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 ente…
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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 f…
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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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Kolombangara
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.
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World Fish Centre
The only place that could qualify as a sight is World Fish Centre, on Nusatupe island (Gizo's airstrip). This clam farm and research centre run by a New Zealand couple accepts visitors. There's a small visitor centre with information on research programs. It's a good spot if you want to snorkel over giant clams of up to 1m long in the lagoon.
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Market
Apart from a few churches and a handful of mildly interesting memorials, there's little to see in Gizo. Go to the market and soak up the atmosphere. Villagers from neighbouring islands (and even from the Shortland Islands) arrive each morning by boat to occupy their little stands under the shade of tall trees.
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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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Nuzu Nuzu Restaurant
This is the most atmospheric spot to dine. The breezy open-air dining room is suitably exotic, with wood-carved posts, wooden tables and wicker seating. Food-wise it's a bit more conservative, with well-executed fish and meat dishes as well as daily specials. The Friday evening barbecue is popular.
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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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Lamasa
Blink and you'll miss it. That's how discreet Lamasa is, with its unobtrusive façade and inoffensive décor. It's nothing more than a few tables but it's hygienically kept and the fish 'n' chips are brilliant value. No alcohol. Too bad it's closed on weekends.
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PT 109
Named after John F Kennedy's WWII patrol boat that sank off Gizo, and situated in a great waterfront location, this place has relaxed vibes. A blackboard displays a few simple dishes, such as local fish or chicken. Sometimes it's open for dinner.
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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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Gizo Nest Restaurant
Come here for a bellyful of chicken or beef dishes with a Chinese bent, or tuck into acceptable sandwiches that won't blow your budget. With its frilly curtains and naive murals, the décor is laughably naff.
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Bamboo
The best drinking dens include the bar at the Gizo Hotel. If you want to relive Saturday Night Fever island-style, try Bamboo, part of the Gizo Hotel, which also has a karaoke evening on Friday,
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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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Ranongga
Unfortunately the reefs off Ranongga, which were once ranked among the most spectacular in Western Province, were uplifted during the tsunami in 2007 and lost much of their appeal.
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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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Simbo island
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.
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Vila Point
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.
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Vella Lavella
Mountainous Vella Lavella is dominated by the dormant volcano Mt Tambisala and it is noted for its birdlife.
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