Western Province

The Western province is an essential stop on any itinerary. The combination of pristine lagoons, prime dive sites and lush forests have immense appeal to visitors. The many lagoons are a visual delight from the air and the combination of dark greens, white strips, light and dark blues is breathtaking. Often colloquially called the West, the Western Province which has now become the country's hub for tourism, was formerly the largest administrative area in the Solomons with it's people describing themselves as westerners. In the 19th century the Western Province's specialty was head-hunting, and for self protection most people lived on easily defended ridges. Evidence of abandoned inland settlements such as standing stones, defensive walls, and house foundations, can be found throughout the area, but the interior has reverted to thick forest with most cultivation in shore side villages cooled by fresh breezes. Solomon Airlines operates daily scheduled flights to the Western Province.

Highlights

Magnificent aerial views of verdant islands, and azure lagoons.
Excellent diving and snorkelling at a variety of sites.
Gizo, the provincial capital and a diving and excursions centre.
Kolombangara Island is an archetypal conical volcano with a crater rim l,770m high. There are Megapode birds and skull shrines on many of the surrounding islands.
Marovo Lagoon is a proposed world heritage site, ecotourism villages and skilled carvers.

Scuba Diving

Diving around Gizo ranges from peaceful shallow lagoons and fringing reefs, dramatic vertical walls and drop-offs, to intriguing sunken war wrecks such as the world famous Toa Maru. Scuba diving is the main activity in Gizo and is available through Adventure Sports Gizo which is located on the premises of the Gizo Hotel. They offer a variety of dive courses and have equipment for rent.

New Georgia has dive operators and accommodation at Munda and at Uepi on the edge of Morovo Lagoon.

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