Imagination Island

Accommodation

Four Reef Bungalows are built over the water on the sheltered south side of the island, overlooking shallow reef flats — two one-bedroom, two two-bedroom, comfortably suiting up to four people as a couple or family. Each has a queen bed, luggage rack and storage, furnished with locally made wood, bamboo and cane furniture, plus hammocks. Bathrooms are private with hot and cold water and environmentally friendly composting toilets, stocked with natural plant- and mineral-based toiletries; bath and beach towels are provided, and all bedrooms have fans and mosquito nets. Power comes from a mix of 240v generator, solar and battery inverters, with Australian-style power points. From your private deck, expect to spot reef fish, small black-tip reef sharks, and possibly manta rays, turtles and dugongs.

Diving

National Geographic has ranked these waters among the most pristine and best-preserved diving areas in the world, with over 270 fish species recorded in a single tank on record — crystal-clear water with up to 70m visibility, warm year-round. The Solomons are famous for WWII wrecks, and the waters around Gizo include the Toa Maru, an American Hellcat, an American Corsair, a Japanese Zero and the Tokyo Maru 11. Imagination Island also has two more recent wrecks — former tuna boats deliberately sunk by resort staff in 2011, now a thriving artificial reef. The shallow wreck (6–18m) suits beginners, open-water divers and snorkellers; the deep wreck (27–45m) suits advanced divers. Diving runs year-round.

Snorkelling

The shallow reef around the island is thick with hard and soft coral, tropical fish of every colour, clownfish, parrotfish schools, wrasse and giant clams — with a chance of crayfish, eagle rays, dugongs, turtles or dolphins along the reef edge. Reef sharks here are harmless and a good sign of a healthy ecosystem, and snorkellers can also explore the shallow wreck.

Fishing & spearfishing

Deep-water game fishing minutes from the island targets wahoo, Spanish mackerel, mahi mahi, giant trevally, tuna, marlin and sailfish, with trips further out to deep trenches, drop-offs or FADs, and reef fishing trips available too. The surrounding reef was declared a Marine Park in 2012, so spearfishing reef fish isn't permitted — but pelagic species in deeper water are fair game, recognised as one of the more environmentally friendly forms of fishing. Spearfishing tours to other nearby sites, including extreme blue-water hunting, can be arranged with expert local guides.

Surfing & on the water

Pailongge and Titiana have excellent breaks, usually with nobody else out — best November to April, with Pailongge exceptional when the surf's up. SUP over the reef offers a bird's-eye view of turtles, bonito schools, reef sharks, manta and eagle rays and dolphins, and dugout canoes or sea kayaks are available to explore the reef or paddle to nearby uninhabited islands. The Reef Bar serves cold beer, cocktails, wine, fresh juice and local organic espresso with stunning views over it all.

Kolombangara volcano

An extinct, cone-shaped volcano rising 1,700m, visible from most of Western Province and often draped in cloud. The hike is remote with steep trails and best treated with caution — normally done over two days, with the first getting you just below the summit for an early climb the next morning ahead of the daily cloud cover. Local guides and island accommodation can be arranged.

Village tours

Solomon Islanders are famously welcoming, and specially designed village tours are a genuine way to learn local culture and tradition first-hand.