Gatokae Island

The waters surrounding Wilderness Lodge are teeming with colourful fish and corals. Suitable for all levels of snorkelers and scuba divers.

Self-guided coastal walks, endless natural and cultural photo opportunities, exploring Bulo Island in an outrigger canoe, trolling for dozens of different species of fish, night hunting coconut crabs in the rainforest with flashlight and coconut baits, learn about the unique culture and history from the village people, climbing Mt Mariu.

Take a motor canoe trip up the wild Gevala River, explore ancient fortified villages deep in the rainforest, visit the village gardens and learn subsistence agriculture techniques, boat trips taking in the incredible scenery of Gatokae and Marovo Lagoon, see the world-famous woodcarvers of Marovo at work in adjacent Peava village or visit Kavachi Submarine Volcano (weather permitting).

Munda                                       STAYED HERE IN MARCH 2013

                             

 

Munda, a 1-hour flight from Honiara, is situated on the southwest corner of the main of  island of New Georgia.  Munda is  ideally located for those travellers who want  to get off the beaten track in search of adventure, whilst enjoying good food and pleasant surroundings.

Munda is the ideal place for any traveller and diver  to experience the culture, diversity,  geography and relaxation of a typical south  sea paradise.

Munda and surrounding areas, has also become known for having some of the finest diving in the world today, with several renowned war wrecks and spectacular wall diving.

 

 

Munda was an important military airfield during WW2 and there are war relics everywhere: In the bushes, on the beaches and in the water. Great wreck diving is available.                                In the lagoon at Munda, Roviana Island has a colourful history of headhunting, animist religion and tribal wars. On the hill behind the village lie the ruins of an ancient coral fortress protecting the stone dog-idol previously worshipped by the tribe. 

From Roviana Island a variety of excursions by motor canoe can be undertaken into the Roviana and Vona Vona Lagoons for snorkelling, fishing and sightseeing: war relics, waterfalls, bat caves, and cultural sites such as the skull islands where the 'trophies' of yesterday's head hunters were stored.

 

 

Agnes Lodge

When  you land in Munda, you only have a short two-minute walk to Agnes Lodge Resort. The resort is situated right on the waterfront with stunning views out over Roviana Lagoon

 

 

 

Accommodation:

Originally built as a Government rest house on the unspoiled shores of Roviana Lagoon, Agnes Lodge is now a hotel with 20 rooms, located in several wings and catering for a range of budgets. The Zazala Wing has rooms with double beds, separate lounge and en-suite facilities. The Naru Wing has twin beds with en suite facilities. The lodge has also just completed the Ibibu Wing comprising eight cottages with double or twin beds. All rooms have ceiling fans, coffee-making facilities and small  refrigerators.

The Orchid Wing, with its three beds and no private facilities, is ideal for backpackers who are prepared to share.

Amenities: 
A traditional leaf thatched building on the water's edge, accommodates the lounge bar and an adjoining fully licensed restaurant specialising in local seafood.

Activities: 
Activities available to complement the diving and snorkelling are canoe trips, fishing, bushwalks, island picnics, cycling and visits to WW2 sites. Agnes Lodge can also organise a number of tours which include half day trips to tropical rainforests, tours to World War II sites and wrecks, and snorkelling and picnic tours to nearby islands.

Gizo Island

Toa Maru:
A 135m Japanese ship lying on her starboard side. Sitting in 10-37m of water, this dive site is worth several visits as you can explore the ship's holds containing ammunition, saki bottles and even a two-man tank.

Plum Pudding Island:
Historically interesting as the late U.S. President, John F Kennedy and his crew of the PT 109 were shipwrecked here.

Grand Central Station:
If its underwater action you need then this is the place. The most north-western tip of the Gizo islands is the merge point for oceanic currents and its here where the fish life, big and small, is at it's best. Large soft corals and fans adorn the walls while sharks; trevally and batfish patrol the waters. A relatively easy dive for all levels of experience and there is no need to go deep to see all the activity.

Hot Spot:
This small pinnacle, one of our discoveries in 1995, comes up to 5m from the oceans depths of 300-400m. On the swing of the tide, pelagic's come into feed on the shoals of bait fish that congregate in and around this off-shore dive site. It is also the home of the most interesting pink iridescent anemone.

American Corsair Fighter Plane:
The pilot of this plane crashed into the sea at great speed and the aircraft is in five recognisable large pieces around the 27-metre level. However the attraction is not only the wreck but also the fantastic marine life on or around it. The reef slope back to the boat is interesting and has its own attraction in a bommie called clown fish city at the safety stop level.

Kennedy Wall:
A superb wall dive off the historic island where the late US President JFK and the crew of the PT109 swam to after being rammed by a Japanese destroyer. With excellent visibility, this wall, covered in a kaleidoscope of soft corals, dips down to 40m and hosts good pelagic action.

Olasana Reef:
A sloping reef dive revealing a vast array of hard and soft corals is a photographers dream. Famous for huge "elephant's ears sponges" and plentiful fish life, it also hosts several colonies of garden eels on its sandy bottom. Turtles are often seen, as Olasana Island is one of their resting sites.

Naru Gap:
At one of the entrances to Gizo lagoon, "The Gap" experiences great water flows with the changing of the tides. As a result, it has, most aptly, gained a reputation for BIG pelagic fish action

Honiara

Honiara is the capital of the Solomon Islands and of Guadalcanal Province.

Guadalcanal was witness to fierce naval battles during WWII and was a turning point in the Pacific campaign. "Iron Bottom Sound" is host to hundreds of wrecks.

Destroyers, minesweeper, troop carriers, transport ships, submarines and planes provide an incredible range of dive sites. Honiara, the nations' capital and international gateway, is the stopover point for travellers wishing to visit some of the land based WWII sites.

Honiara has a harbour from which ferries depart to the various provinces. The gardens of the National Art Gallery are popular, while the reconstructed Government House and the National Museum are worth visiting. The spectacular Tenaru falls can be found a one hour's drive and a three-hour hike from Henderson International Airport.

Tulagi

Located in the middle of the Solomon's, The Florida Islands offer some of the best diving to be found any where in the Pacific. The Islands are about 35 km north of Honiara across the famous Iron Bottom Sound.

Tulagi was the original capital of the Solomon's but was severely damaged during WWII and was replaced by the new capital, Honiara, after the war.

Several notable wrecks surround Tulaghi, as well as many interesting reefs and underwater features.

Uepi Island                    STAYED HERE IN MARCH 2013

Uepi Island Resort is perched on the edge of the largest lagoon in the world. This area of the Western Province, offers opportunities for visitors to experience the culture of local people whilst relaxing in a tranquil environment.

Uepi Island is approximately 2.5 km long and up to 600 metres wide, and the whole area, aside from the resort's cultivated tropical gardens, is covered with tropical rainforest interspersed with walking tracks.

Guests can participate in a variety of activities or simply relax. The lagoon side of the island has a sandy beach, with clear shallow water suitable for swimming, paddle and sail boarding, and canoeing. Uepi Resort is the only operation on this remote island.

There are no villages on the island. Guests can book at the Resort for trips to the nearby villages and rivers to enjoy the local culture and natural beauty.

 Solomon Islands Travel Tips

Time Zone: Solomon Islands Standard Time is 11 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (this is 1 hour ahead of Australian EST).

Currency: Solomon Island Dollar. Australian dollars are accepted at most major resorts catering to Australian visitors. Credit Cards are accepted in some resorts. Carrying some cash is advisable.

Health: Visitors are strongly recommended to take a course of anti-malaria medication. See your doctor for advice and prescription. It is also advisable to take a personal first- aid kit. It is not recommended to drink the local water. Bottled water is available.

Visa Requirements: For most nationalities a visa is not necessary, a 30-day visitors permit is issued on arrival. However, all visitors must have a current passport, return or onward ticket and adequate funds to support the duration of their stay.

Departure Tax: SBD$40.00 departure tax (approx. AUD10.00) payable upon departure.

Electricity: Where available, 240 volts. 50 cycle A.C.

Tipping: Not encouraged. Visitors to the Solomons are usually asked to refrain.

Language: The predominant language is English.

Dress: Light casual clothing, not too brief especially outside your hotel.

Climate: Average daytime temperatures of 26-33 degrees Celsius, down to 22-30 degrees Celsius at night. The southeast trade winds blow from April to October. This time of the year is characterised by fine, dry weather. December to March is the "wet" season - the northwest monsoon. These months are warmer, more humid and experience the occasional tropical shower.

Water Temp: Generally ranges from 27-31 degrees Celsius.

          

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