regular boats in western province of solomon islands???

Hello,
My husband and i are planning on spending 5 weeks in the Solomons over December and January with our children aged 3,5 and 6. We have most of the trip roughly organised but have 9 days where we want to island hop through the islands between Honiara and Gizo (or possibly fly to Munda and then boat to Gizo). We are having trouble finding information about how regularly boats go between the islands and if there are even regular scheduled boats. We are also concerned that we will be travelling during the busy season and boats might be full. Does anyone have any advice about travelling through this area or know if it is possible to book in advance and how?

any advice would be greatly appreciated,
cheers

There are usually 2 regular weekly boats from Honiara to the Western Province, one fast and one slow. These may stop in the Russell Islands (Yandina) then several ports in the Western Province. Generally they do not stop at other islands (eg Isabel) in between.
From late November to the middle of January, however, there may be more services, though they will be much more crowded, first with students, then workers, travelling home for Christmas. Booking tickets in advance will not guarantee you space on the ship (although the fast boats are better about this) and may not even mean the ship will come into port.
I was waiting on the wharf at Yandina with booked tickets once, for a ship back to Honiara, but it moored in the bay, because it was already full. We had to find someone with an outboard to take us out there then climb on board. (I was due back at work). We then had to sit on deck in a small space, as that was the only space left.
You would probably need to fly to either Gizo or Munda, and may find it easier to get around by hiring a local outboard and driver.

Ozziegiraffe- thanks for your advice. I think that based on this info we might just fly into Munda and then make our own way to Gizo. Is there any islands/ accommodation/sight between Gizo and Munda that you have been to and would recommend?? we are still trying to roughly plan our trip.

Cheers, Brydie

Not much of anything between Gizo and Munda. The Marovo Lagoon is basically the other side of New Georgia.
Look at the Visit Solomons website, for ideas. This website is a commercial one based in Western Province, but they may have local information and ideas.

There are two passages you can take from Munda to Gizo. One, straight through Noro then onto Gizo. Two, travel
through the Vona Vona lagoon and go rest a little at Lola resort which is run by Joe (American) and his wife Liz (Solomon Islander), then onto Gizo. A few minute before you get to Gizo you'll go past Fatboys and Sanbis Resort, which is situated on the same island (Nusa Mbangabanga). I can get detailed more, I'll just see if you're satisfied with what I've written. Cheers.