Destination: Gizo, Solomon Islands
Introduction
Gizo is the main town of the Western Province of the Solomon Islands, situated on a small island in the Gizo Lagoon. It is the gateway to the extraordinarily beautiful and little-visited Western Solomons, including the New Georgia Islands and the legendary Marovo Lagoon. The area has spectacular diving on WWII wrecks, pristine reef systems, and some of the richest marine biodiversity in the world.
GPS Coordinates
8° 6' 14.040"S 156° 50' 30.120"E
8 6 14.040S 156 50 30.120E
Protected Anchorages
Gizo Harbour has anchorage in 10–20 m off the main town jetty. The surrounding islands and passages of the Western Province offer countless anchorages — Munda, Vonavona Lagoon, Rendova Harbour, and the New Georgia passages are all protected and offer good holding in 5–15 m. The area requires detailed chartwork and caution — reefs are widespread and some charts are unreliable.
Customs Protocols for Visiting Yachts
Gizo has a customs presence and can assist with permit extensions and clearance for the Western Province, but vessels arriving in the Solomons should clear first at Honiara. Check with the Gizo customs office for current arrangements.
Yacht Clubs and Marinas in the Vicinity
- Gizo Hotel waterfront and the PT109 bar (named for JFK's WWII patrol torpedo boat sunk nearby) welcome yachts. Basic fuel by jerry can, water, and provisions available in Gizo town.
Renowned Attractions
- Kennedy Island — where John F. Kennedy swam to after PT-109 was sunk by a Japanese destroyer in 1943
- Toa Maru WWII Japanese transport wreck — one of the world's best accessible wreck dives
- Skull Island (Nusa Roviana) — historic war shrine displaying skulls from inter-tribal warfare
- Village dolphin hunters of Fanalei — one of the world's last traditional dolphin hunting communities
- Pristine outer reef diving — Solomon Islands has some of the richest coral biodiversity on Earth
Currency and Exchange Rate
Currency: Solomon Islands Dollar
Exchange Rate to USD
Nearby Yachting Destinations
Summary
Gizo is the base for exploring the Western Solomon Islands — an area of extraordinary marine biodiversity, compelling WWII history, and remote island cultures that make this one of the Pacific's most rewarding and least-visited cruising grounds.