Gizo is the capital of the Western Province in the Solomon Islands. With a population of 6,154, it is the second largest town in the country. It is situated on Ghizo Island approximately 380 kilometres west-northwest of the capital, Honiara, and is just southwest of the larger island of Kolombangara.
Flights to Gizo
Gizo plus the whole Western Province is an essential stop on any itinerary. The combination of pristine lagoons, prime dive sites and lush forests has 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 its people describing themselves as westerners.
In the 19th century the Western province's speciality was headhunting, and for self-protection most people lived on easily defendable ridges. Evidence of abandoned inland settlements such as standing stones, defensive walls, and house foundations can be found throughout the area, but most of the interior has reverted to thick forest with most cultivation in shore side villages cooled by fresh breezes.
Highlights
Magnificent aerial views of verdant islands, and azure lagoons.
Excellent diving and snorkelling at a variety of sites, including the Kavachi underwater submarine volcano, coral reefs and WWII wrecks.
Gizo, the provincial capital and a diving and excursions centre.
Kolombangara Island, an archetypal conical volcano with a crater rim 1770m high.
Megapode birds and skull shrines on many of the surrounding islands.
Marovo Lagoon, a proposed world heritage site, ecotourism villages and skilled carvers.
Flights to Gizo with Solomon Airlines
Solomon Airlines operates daily scheduled flights to Gizo, Western Province.