Gizo, Western Province, Solomon Islands
A raw, authentic slice of the South Pacific — world-class diving in the Coral Triangle, WWII wreck sites, and the island where JFK's crew swam to safety. Expedition ships love it for good reason.
A raw, authentic slice of the South Pacific — world-class diving in the Coral Triangle, WWII wreck sites, and the island where JFK's crew swam to safety. Expedition ships love it for good reason.
Gizo is a tender-only port — ships anchor in the harbor and passengers take tender boats to the central town wharf.
💡 Pro move: A new cruise jetty was under construction as of late 2024 — check with your ship whether tendering is still required on your call date.
Gizo has no dedicated cruise terminal — ships anchor and tender passengers to the central town wharf.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition ships (Ponant, Silversea, Seabourn Pursuit, Heritage) | Anchor in Gizo Harbor; tender to Gizo Town Wharf📍 | Tendered |
| Occasional mid-size vessels (P&O Australia) | Same anchorage; tender to town wharf📍 | Tendered |
Gizo's strengths are underwater — WWII wrecks, shark-filled reefs — and the JFK history just offshore at Kennedy Island.
Hire a local banana boat to Plum Pudding (Kennedy) Island, where JFK and his PT-109 crew swam after their torpedo boat was sunk in 1943. A small shrine marks the spot; the snorkeling directly off the beach is excellent.
Find Kennedy Island tours →The Toa Maru, a sunken Japanese merchant ship, and other wrecks sit in warm, clear water teeming with marine life. Among the best wreck dives in the Pacific.
Find wreck diving tours →The waters around Gizo sit inside the Coral Triangle, the global center of marine biodiversity. Local operators run snorkel trips to reef passes with sharks, rays, turtles, and vibrant coral.
Find snorkel tours →Two private island resorts a short boat ride from Gizo offer overwater bars, white sand, and house reefs. Fatboys is especially popular for lobster and cold SolBrew with a view of Mt. Kolombangara.
Find island resort day trips →The waterfront market buzzes with locals arriving by canoe from surrounding islands. Nearby, artisans sell the Western Province's famous carved sharks, fish, and Nguzunguzu war canoe figureheads inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
Explore Gizo town →Gizo town is compact — the one main waterfront street covers it all in under 20 minutes.
Walk the main street from the town wharf past the open-air market, the BSP bank, local shops, and the PT 109 Bar to the Gizo Hotel. Everything you need in a short, easy walk.
A short walk from the wharf brings you to St. Peter's Cathedral, known for its open-air design and traditional Solomon Islands woodwork inside.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Gizo, Western Province, Solomon Islands (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 84°F / 29°C | 80°F / 27°C | 26 | 6:25 AM | 6:58 PM |
| Feb | 84°F / 29°C | 80°F / 27°C | 26 | 6:36 AM | 6:57 PM |
| Mar | 84°F / 29°C | 80°F / 27°C | 25 | 6:37 AM | 6:45 PM |
| Apr | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 26 | 6:35 AM | 6:30 PM |
| May | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 26 | 6:36 AM | 6:21 PM |
| Jun | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 26 | 6:43 AM | 6:22 PM |
| Jul | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 26 | 6:48 AM | 6:29 PM |
| Aug | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 27 | 6:42 AM | 6:32 PM |
| Sep | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 25 | 6:26 AM | 6:29 PM |
| Oct | 83°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 24 | 6:10 AM | 6:26 PM |
| Nov | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 25 | 6:02 AM | 6:31 PM |
| Dec | 84°F / 29°C | 80°F / 27°C | 26 | 6:10 AM | 6:45 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Gizo is a tender port and the pier lands right in the heart of town. Most shops, the local market, and waterfront are easily walkable within 5–10 minutes.
Shared taxis are the main motorized transport in Gizo. Fares are not metered — agree on a price before you get in. Short town trips run SBD 25–35; hourly hire is ~SBD 150.
The airport is on the separate island of Nusatupe, so transfers require a short boat ride. Local boat operators also run trips to Kennedy Island, nearby atolls, and snorkel/dive sites.
Gizo is famous for WWII wrecks and coral reefs. Local dive and snorkel operators offer half-day excursions to sites like the Toa Maru wreck and PT-109. Book dockside or via your cruise line.
Upcoming cruises that call at Gizo, Western Province, Solomon Islands. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.