Western Province resorts to visit in 2024

Made up of 992 islands, the Solomon Islands is the epitome of the word, getaway. From the moment you land in Honiara on the main Island of Guadalcanal, there is so much to explore – a world away from reality. A quick 45-minute Solomon Airlines flight will have you in the town of Gizo, the gateway to the Solomons’ remote west. From Gizo, the only limiting factor to your adventure is your return flight home – with the sparkling blue of the Pacific Ocean lapping at your toes, the islands of the Western Province await.

Imagination Island

The best thing about this area of the Solomons is the islands are relatively close and you can hop about with ease, from village stays to resort islands, there are ample places to explore and you can reach them all by motor canoe. Imagination Island is just ten minutes by boat from Gizo, and an excellent choice for either your first stop on an epic Western Province adventure or a long relaxing stay.

The island itself is just big enough for the four Reef Bungalows—simple structures with unbeatable views. As soon as you walk through the door and sink into a hammock overlooking the ocean, all thoughts of sidewalks, buildings, cars, and the hustle and bustle of the real world just melt away. Whether you travel as a couple, with friends, or with your family, Imagination Island is a perfect blank canvas to mould your time in this unspoilt piece of the Pacific. From snorkelling with the fish, to paddleboarding with some dolphins or taking a trip with the resort staff on their visits to the Gizo market, the days are yours. The Gizo market is a fascinating place packed full of locally grown produce – grab yourself a fresh coconut and sip the cool refreshing water as you explore the tropical wonders on offer.

The Imagination Reef Bar sits on a jetty over the water and is the hub of the resort where you will enjoy meals with other guests, play a game of darts, and watch the blacktip reef sharks waiting to be thrown some leftovers. It is very tempting to spend all day just watching the reef and its inhabitants go about their business. The clear water and tropical temperatures make this the perfect place for snorkelling. Until you experience somewhere like the Solomons, I think it is hard to imagine the sheer volume of fish and sealife that are swimming around the jetty at the island resorts – let alone the creatures you can see if you go further out or go on a scuba diving day trip. Back in 2011, the team at Imagination sunk two boats just off the island to create an accessible shipwreck perfect for all levels of snorkellers and divers.

Fatboys’ Resort

Fatboys’ Resort is easily accessible from both Gizo and Imagination Island. Arriving by boat to Mbabanga Island, you will unload onto their jetty at the overwater reception area. After a warm welcome, you cross the walkway to the island, where the bungalows are spread across the shore. The Overwater Deluxe Bungalows are quite something – the structure is made from huge tree trunks, and the walls and roof intricately woven from palm fronds. They have spacious verandahs which open out over the water – perfect for swinging in a hammock and contemplating the day ahead.

The resort can accommodate around 20 guests, but with diving trips, fishing trips, snorkelling trips, surfing trips, and village tours, you often find yourself the only person exploring the coral and sealife directly off the jetty or relaxing in the bar area taking in the view. The food is cooked fresh by local islanders who meet the fishermen’s boats as they come in and barter for the day’s catch. If you like seafood and fish this is definitely the place for you. Crayfish, anyone?

A highlight of any stay at Fatboys is their BBQ on a private beach. They serve up expertly cooked squash, rice and fish on leaf plates, and then allow plenty of time for snorkelling, paddleboarding and swimming without another person for miles around. As on most days in the Western Province, you will most certainly encounter more fish than people on this day trip. Fatboys also has small boats you can rent to go exploring around the island or over to Sanbis Resort for pizza cooked fresh from their overwater pizza oven.

For those more interested in staying dry and eating fish rather than looking at them, game fishing trips can be organised with the resort and you can catch a huge variety of fish including Spanish mackerel, mahi mahi and giant trevally, which the restaurant can prepare for you on your return.

Book online at Imagination-island.com and fatboysolomons. mydirectstay.com