Gizo Island Travel Guide - Free Web & App

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Gizo Island
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Gizo Island, Solomon Islands, combines coral reefs, WWII history, island villages and clear Pacific waters for diving, snorkelling and boat trips.

Island Setting and Character

Gizo Island, also commonly written Ghizo, lies in the New Georgia Islands of the Solomon Islands’ Western Province. The island is best known through Gizo, the small provincial capital on its southern coast, whose waterfront looks across clear channels and reef-fringed islets towards Kolombangara and the wider Vella Gulf. Although the main settlement is modest, Gizo is an important base for exploring the surrounding archipelago, with accommodation, markets, boat operators and practical services concentrated around the town rather than spread evenly across the island.
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Reefs, Beaches and Island Waters

The coastline is defined by tropical vegetation, sheltered bays, mangroves and coral reefs, while nearby islands provide sandy beaches and lagoons suited to snorkelling, diving, fishing and boat excursions. Kennedy Island, a short distance from Gizo, is the area’s best-known historical and recreational outing. The waters around the Western Province are valued for steep reef walls, coral gardens and varied marine life, although conditions, visibility and access change with weather and tides. Nusatupe Island, where the regional airstrip is located, is separate from Gizo Island and is normally connected to Gizo by boat.

History and Local Life

Gizo’s identity combines the living cultures of the Western Province with the physical remains of the Pacific War. Kennedy Island is associated with Lieutenant John F. Kennedy and the crew of PT-109, who were stranded there after their torpedo boat was sunk in 1943. In town, the market and waterfront offer a more immediate sense of contemporary island life, with produce, fish and locally made goods arriving from surrounding communities. Visitors should allow time for the practical realities of an island destination: services are limited, boat travel is central, and respectful engagement with local communities matters as much as sightseeing.

When is the best time to visit Gizo Island?

Best: July–September · 30°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January31303
February31324
March31346
April31334
May31292
June30218
July (best)30160
August (best)30161
September (best)30171
October31200
November31237
December31278

Getting to and around Gizo Island

How to get there

Gizo is generally reached by air via Nusatupe Airport, whose runway is on Nusatupe Island rather than on Gizo Island itself. Domestic flights connect the Western Province with Honiara and may also link with other Solomon Islands destinations, but routes and schedules can change. From Nusatupe, accommodation providers or local boat arrangements normally provide the onward transfer across the channel to Gizo. Travel by sea is also possible within the Western Province, although services depend on vessel availability, weather and local schedules. International visitors usually enter the country through Honiara before continuing on a domestic flight.

Transportation

Boats are central to exploring Gizo Island and the surrounding islets, with local operators and accommodation providers commonly arranging transfers and excursions. Gizo town can be explored on foot, while road travel on the island is limited compared with urban destinations. Longer journeys, reef visits and trips to nearby communities require planning around tides, weather, fuel and a confirmed return arrangement. Walking beyond the town may involve uneven surfaces, heat and limited signage. Visitors should not assume that a public ferry, taxi or regular excursion is available at short notice; arrangements are best made locally and confirmed before departure.

Best landmarks in Gizo Island

Kennedy Island is Gizo’s best-known historical landmark, remembered for its connection with Lieutenant John F. Kennedy and the PT-109 survivors during the Pacific War; its significance is inseparable from the surrounding sea routes and wartime geography. Gizo’s waterfront and market are cultural landmarks in a broader sense, revealing the island’s continuing role as a meeting and trading point for communities from across the Western Province. Offshore coral reefs, channels and small islands form the destination’s defining natural landmarks, while Kolombangara’s volcanic profile provides a dramatic regional reference across the water. Nusatupe Airport is an important transport landmark for visitors but lies on Nusatupe Island, not Gizo Island. Wrecks and other wartime remains may be found in the wider waters, though access and condition should be confirmed through local guides.

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Best restaurants in Gizo Island

Gizo’s dining scene is small and closely tied to accommodation businesses, local eateries and the market rather than to a formal restaurant district. Fish, reef and pelagic seafood, rice, root crops, coconut, island-grown fruit and leafy vegetables are common elements of Solomon Islands cooking, although daily offerings depend on catches, harvests and supply boats. In town, visitors can look for simple meals, takeaway food and market produce, while lodges and guesthouses may serve cooked meals for guests, often with advance notice. Nearby island accommodation can offer dining as part of the stay, but choices are less flexible than in Honiara. Visitors with dietary requirements should explain them before travelling and carry suitable snacks, since imported provisions and specialist foods may be limited.

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Best bars in Gizo Island

Gizo is not a late-night destination and has no substantial clubbing scene. Evening social life is centred on hotel and lodge bars, small local drinking places and the town’s established hospitality venues, where conversation and music are more characteristic than a formal nightlife circuit. Some accommodation providers may serve Solomon Islands beer, spirits and soft drinks, but opening arrangements and entertainment can vary. Outside town, evenings are generally quiet, shaped by darkness, sea conditions and the pace of island life rather than by organised venues. Visitors should avoid walking unfamiliar waterfronts or roads alone after dark, arrange boat transfers in daylight and show discretion around local communities and residential areas.

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Best nightclubs in Gizo Island

Gizo is not a late-night destination and has no substantial clubbing scene. Evening social life is centred on hotel and lodge bars, small local drinking places and the town’s established hospitality venues, where conversation and music are more characteristic than a formal nightlife circuit. Some accommodation providers may serve Solomon Islands beer, spirits and soft drinks, but opening arrangements and entertainment can vary. Outside town, evenings are generally quiet, shaped by darkness, sea conditions and the pace of island life rather than by organised venues. Visitors should avoid walking unfamiliar waterfronts or roads alone after dark, arrange boat transfers in daylight and show discretion around local communities and residential areas.

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Best shops in Gizo Island

Shopping on Gizo Island is practical and local rather than extensive. Gizo market is the principal place to see fresh fish, fruit, vegetables and other produce brought in from nearby communities, while small shops in town supply everyday provisions and basic travel needs. Visitors may find locally made shell jewellery, woven items, carvings or other handmade goods through markets, community sellers and accommodation contacts, but stock is variable and not every item is available every day. Specialist outdoor equipment, medicines and imported foods are more reliably sourced in Honiara, so remote-island visitors should pack essentials. When buying crafts or marine-related products, avoid coral, shells and wildlife goods whose collection may damage reefs or breach local and national conservation rules.

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Gizo Island essentials

Currency and Payment
The national currency is the Solomon Islands dollar, coded SBD. Card payment may be available at some accommodation businesses and established services in Gizo, but acceptance is not universal, particularly for market purchases, small boats, village visits and informal activities. Cash machines and banking facilities are concentrated in larger settlements, so visitors should obtain sufficient Solomon Islands dollars before travelling away from town and keep a reserve for transport or changing plans. Foreign currency exchange is more limited than in Honiara, and businesses may not be able to provide change for large notes.
Safety
Gizo is surrounded by open channels, reefs and small islands, so marine conditions deserve careful attention. Use established local boat arrangements, wear the supplied flotation equipment and check weather, tides and return plans before travelling. Coral, currents, slippery shoreline rocks and sudden rain can make apparently simple water activities more demanding. On land, heat, humidity, uneven paths and limited lighting require sensible preparation after dark. Do not enter the water alone or approach unfamiliar reef areas without local advice, and respect warnings about sea conditions, wildlife and restricted community places.
Emergency Situations
For emergencies in the Solomon Islands, visitors should use the national emergency number 999 for urgent assistance and clearly state that they are in or near Gizo, including the island, village, accommodation or boat location. Mobile coverage can be uneven beyond town and offshore, so carry a charged phone and make sure someone knows the planned route. Gizo has local medical services, but serious cases may require transfer to Honiara or another major facility, with delays affected by weather and aircraft or boat availability. Travel insurance covering medical evacuation is prudent for remote-island travel.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly away from beaches and resorts, ask before photographing people or entering village areas, and follow local guidance when visiting customary land or reefs. Do not remove coral, shells or archaeological material, and avoid touching marine life while snorkelling or diving. Keep rubbish with you when facilities are unavailable and use reef-conscious sun protection. Ask about permission, fees or customary protocols before landing on a small island, fishing area or village beach. Bargain gently when appropriate, but do not treat local markets or communities as staged attractions, and avoid walking through private land without permission.
Local Tips
Gizo town is the most practical base for supplies, local services and boat arrangements, while accommodation on nearby islands can provide a quieter marine setting. Plan excursions with daylight, tides and weather in mind rather than relying on a tightly packed itinerary. The market is most useful for seeing local produce and fish arriving from surrounding communities, although its character and opening pattern can vary. Allow extra time between transport connections, particularly when transferring from Nusatupe Airport, and keep essential medicines, toiletries and snacks with you because retail choice is limited compared with Honiara.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloAllo[ah-loh]
GoodbyeBye-bye[bye-bye]
YesAe[eye]
NoNao[now]
Please/You're welcomePlis[plees]
Thank youTankiu[tan-kyoo]
Excuse me/SorrySori[soh-ree]
How are you?Olsem wanem?[ohl-sem wah-nem?]
Fine. And you?Bae[bah-eh]
Do you speak English?Iu save toktok long Inglish?[yoo sah-veh tohk-tohk long een-gleesh?]
I don't understandMi no save hem[mee noh sah-veh hem]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseMi laek boisim menu, plis[mee liek boy-seem menu, plees]
I don't eat meatMi no kaik abus[mee noh kai-ik ah-boos]
Cheers!Chee[chee]
I would like to pay, pleaseMi laek plei, plis[mee liek pleh-ee, plees]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Helpim![help-eem!]
Go away!Go we![goh weh!]
Call the Police!Kolem Polis![koh-lem poh-lees!]
Call a doctor!Kolem dokta![koh-lem dohk-tah!]
I'm lostMi lusim[mee loo-seem]
I'm illMi sik[mee seek]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Mi laek fo baem...[mee liek foh bah-em...]
I'm just lookingMi jes lukim[mee jess loo-keem]
How much is it?Hao moch hem iu?[how mohch hem yoo?]
That's too expensiveHem tu espensiv[hem too eh-spens-eve]
Can you lower the price?Iu save daunim praes?[yoo sah-veh dow-nee-m prys?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Hao taim hem?[how tah-eem hem?]
It's one o'clockIuwan taim[yoo-wahn tah-eem]
Half past (10)Half past ten[hah-f passt tehn]
MorningMornim[morn-eem]
AfternoonAftanun[ahf-tah-noon]
EveningIvning[eev-ning]
YesterdayYesde[yes-deh]
TodayTude[too-deh]
TomorrowTomoro[toh-moh-roh]
1Wan[wahn]
2Tu[too]
3Tri[tree]
4Fo[foh]
5Faev[fah-ev]
6Siks[siks]
7Seven[seh-vehn]
8Eit[ayt]
9Nain[nayn]
10Ten[tehn]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Whea hem...?[weh-ah hem...?]
What's the address?Wanem adris ia?[wah-nem ad-rees ee-ah?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Iu save soemim mi (long map)?[yoo sah-veh soh-eh-mim mee (long map)?]
When's the next (bus)?Hao long nao (bas)?[how long now (bahs)?]
A ticket (to ....)Wan tiket (fo ....)[wahn tee-keht (foh ....)]

History of Gizo Island

An Island in the New Georgia Group

Gizo Island forms part of the New Georgia Islands, a complex of volcanic islands, reefs and channels in the western Solomon Islands. Its human history belongs to the wider maritime culture of the Western Province, where communities have long depended on fishing, gardening, inter-island exchange and navigation between coastal settlements. The sea is therefore not simply a scenic setting but the principal corridor linking islands, families and sources of food. Local identities and customary relationships remain important to how land, reefs and village spaces are approached by visitors.

Missionaries, Colonial Rule and Administration

During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Christian missions, traders and colonial administrators became increasingly involved in the New Georgia region. Mission influence altered religious and educational life, while colonial administration introduced new political structures and commercial connections. Gizo developed as an administrative and trading centre for the Western Province, a role it retains as the provincial capital. The settlement’s modest scale reflects the dispersed geography of the islands: many of the people who use Gizo’s services live in surrounding villages and travel by boat.

The Pacific War in Western Province

The Solomon Islands became a major theatre of the Pacific War after Japanese forces occupied parts of the archipelago in 1942 and Allied forces began campaigns to regain strategically important islands. The waters around Gizo and the neighbouring New Georgia islands were drawn into this conflict, bringing military shipping, aircraft and combat operations into a landscape previously organised around village and maritime life. Reminders of the period survive in war sites, wrecks and local historical memory, although many sites are dispersed and their condition varies.

Kennedy Island and PT-109

Kennedy Island, off Gizo Island, is associated with the 1943 sinking of PT-109, a United States Navy patrol torpedo boat commanded by Lieutenant John F. Kennedy. Kennedy and surviving crew members reached an island in the area, where they were assisted by local Solomon Islanders who carried messages through Japanese-controlled waters. The episode later became part of Kennedy’s public biography and gave the small island an international historical association. The island is now visited as a short boat excursion, combining a wartime story with a beach and reef setting.

Post-war Island Life and Tourism

After the war, Gizo resumed its role as a provincial centre connected to surrounding islands by sea. Fishing, subsistence gardening, public administration and small-scale commerce continued to shape local life, while the Solomon Islands’ independence in 1978 placed regional institutions within a national state. Tourism developed gradually around diving, fishing, coral reefs and Pacific War history. Today, Gizo’s visitor economy remains relatively small, and its appeal lies in access to a living island community and a marine environment rather than in extensive urban infrastructure.

Gizo Island in Photos

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Cities in Gizo Island

The towns and cities of Gizo Island, and the easiest places to base yourself.

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Gizo Island

Discover Gizo Island like never before with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more!

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Unlock the secrets of Gizo Island with Evendo, your comprehensive and free travel guide app. Find attractions, book tours, and navigate like a local.

  • History of Gizo Island and travel essentials
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Welcome to Gizo Island, a tropical paradise in the Solomon Islands, brimming with adventure and beauty. Make the most of your visit with Evendo, the ultimate app-based travel guide designed to help you explore every nook and cranny of this enchanting destination. From the iconic Kennedy Island to the bustling Gizo Market, Evendo has detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities.

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