New Georgia Islands

The New Georgia Islands are an island group in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. The New Georgia islands are a large group of islands and reefs that are popular among foreign tourists due to their abundant reefs and marine life, peaceful atmosphere and tropical climate.

Several of the islands were scenes of fighting in World War II. The future United States president, John F. Kennedy, spent three days stranded on -8.112778156.9055561 Kennedy Island during the war.

The main industries are forestry and fishing.

One of the smaller New Georgia islands, -8.062156.5682 Ranongga , was lifted 3 m out of the Pacific Ocean by the 2007 Solomon Islands earthquake, causing an expansion of its shoreline by up to 70 m all around.

• -8.1156.851 Gizo – the capital of the Western Province, with a population of 4,600 as of 2019
• -8.328056157.2708332 Munda – the largest settlement on the island of New Georgia, with a population of 1,700 in 2019
• -8.216667157.2166673 Noro – the second largest town in the country, with 7,200 inhabitants, as of 2019

The two most common airports in the area are Gizo (GZO) and Munda (MUA). Both are regularly served by Solomon Airlines, flying DHC Twin Otters.

Water taxis in the form of banana boats are available from most destinations in the group. The waterside in Gizo and Munda have a fair amount of boats around ready to go; prices can be negotiated with the drivers. Other destinations may need to pre-arrange transport; it is worth inquiring with your accommodation.

Diving around Gizo and the other small islands outside Gizo town is possible with Dive Gizo, shop on the main street in Gizo town. Two tank dive about SBD 1200.