Solomon Islands - Destination & Accommodation advice needed

I'm traveling to the Solomon Islands for two weeks in April. The 2nd week I will be diving aboard the Bilikiki, but the first week is as yet unplanned. I definitely want to get out of Honiara, and it sounds like the Western Province is the place to go. I've been looking at Gizo, Uepi (too expensive for me), Fatboys, Morovo Lagoon, etc and can't really figure out the best option.

I'd like to do a little diving (one or two days), some fishing, sightseeing, and just relaxing. Can someone recommend a good destination for that combination of activities? Hopefully one that won't break the bank since the Bilikiki already did. :)

Oh, and I'm traveling solo, so a place that offers interaction with other laid back travelers or friendly locals would be nice. I'm not looking for a party atmosphere, just a place that won't feel like a couples honeymoon resort.

I'm starting to feel desperate for information, so any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,
Julie

I'm not a diver so don't really have any answers to your question but you might want to check these sites:

http://www.surfsolomons.com/tours.html - this is a new operation so I don't know how they're doing.

http://www.thewildernesslodge.org/index.htm - the Morovo Lagoon is well worth a visit.

A young woman called Ella operates a village stay in Marau Sound on Guadalcanal Islands, about 4 hours from Honiara (in good weather) in an OBM. Have been there several times and loved it even more every time! It is pretty cheap, $120 per night or $300 including food but I recommend taking your own. Pretty basic, but has bunk beds, kitchen with gas stove and is right on the water front. No diving as such but lots of snorkelling and canoeing and just hanging about with the local villagers.

The village is actually directly beside the Marau airport too, if you have a few more $ to take the plane but I always opt for the boat because its a nice trip. The village stay in also 15 mins from Tevanipupu Resort in the OBM so if you want a taste of the high life you can go there for a meal (Saturday nights I think they have entertainment)

PM me with any more questions email Ella on eltee_91@hotmail.com

You could also try Maravagi resort in Gela (sometimes called Florida Islands, though Bilikiki travels to the same area.
If you are doiing a Bilikiki cruise, the Western Province is probably your best option for the other week, as it covers a different part of the country.
Look at the site in my sig line, or Visit Solomons for ideas and an overview.

See our recently posed trip report for W province. We did a few dives with Munda, Solomon Dive Adventures and Uepi (though not staying there). Getting between the different locations is quite expensive though.