Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Traveling by boat between Gizo, Munda and Seghe

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Solomon Islands

I will be flying into Gizo and out of Seghe from/to Honiara. I am hoping to travel by boat working my way from Gizo to Seghe. Has anyone done this? I have read that there is no organized boat transportation for this, but that you can ask around. Does anyone know how easy it is to find a boat ride? What should I expect to pay?

Here is a general idea of what I am interested in at each location. Does anyone have any suggestions/advice?

Gizo:
Accommodation- PT 109
Snorkeling- World Fish Center (Giant Clams)
Simbo Island- Volcano
Kolombangra
Munda:
Accommodation- Agnes Lodge
Skull Island
Waterfalls
Marovo Lagoon:
Accommodation- Matikuri Lodge (is the other side of the lagoon better for any reason?)
Kayaking

You should be able to find someone willing to take you by outboard if you enquire either at your accommodation in Gizo and Munda, or in the wharf area.
Expect to pay ($AU 10+ a gallon for fuel, plus a fee for the boat and the driver. Negotiate this before you start, to avoid nasty surprises.
it may be possible to do some legs on the regular "ships" if you are travelling at the same time. However, avoid November and December, when everyone is travelling home at the end of the school year, and for Christmas.

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Hi ASKC and Ozziegiraffe,

I am thinking of doing a very similar trip in April - flying into Seghe and flying out of either Munda, Ramada, Gatokae, etc because the flight from Seghe goes to Honiara four days before our flight back to Oz. I wanted to ask how your trip went, if it was easy to find boats, etc.

And some general questions:
1. We will book the Honiara-Seghe flight, but do we need to book the flight from the Western Province to Honiara now? We would prefer to do this once we are in the Solomons but I am worried about flights booking out.
2. Would love to visit Matikuri and Charapoana. We are looking for low-key local life with good local fish/seafood and beautiful scenery. Any recommendations or must visits? We're hoping to keep our itinerary open but if we need to book our flight in advance, we may need to decide now.

Thanks,

Tsukasa

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Definitely book flights before arriving in Honiara. And allow several days leeway, in case of cancelled or late flights returning to Honiara.

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