Gizo
Gizo is a town on Ghizo Island known for diving and surfing, with World War II history and heavy rain all year.
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Gizo is the capital of Solomon Islands' Western Province and sits on Ghizo Island, about 380 kilometers (236 miles) west-northwest of the national capital, Honiara. The island lies just southwest of the larger island of Kolombangara. The town is best known as a tourism center for diving and surfing. The airstrip sits on the nearby island of Nusatupe, northeast of the town.
Japanese imperial troops occupied the Solomon Islands in 1942 during World War II. A government station was set up here in January 1900 to suppress headhunting in New Georgia and nearby islands. Survivors of Kennedy's PT 109 boat visited Plum Pudding, Olasana and Naru, small islands just southeast of Ghizo. St. Peter's Cathedral, also called Gizo Cathedral, is the Catholic cathedral here. Rain falls heavily through the year with no clearly dry season, so pack rain gear whatever month you travel.
Gizo in five
- Arrange the transfer from Nusatupe airstripThe airstrip is on the small island of Nusatupe, northeast of town, not in Gizo itself. Ask your lodging how you get from there to town before you fly.Getting around
- Carry Solomon Islands dollarsPlan on cash for small shops, guides and boat trips. Bring enough Solomon Islands dollars (SBD) for the whole stay, including day trips.Money and costs
- Check the phone plan before you leave homeDownload offline maps before you leave home and confirm your plan covers Solomon Islands.Phones and eSIM
- Check diving cover on your policyConfirm the policy names scuba diving and boat transfers before you book a dive.Travel insurance
- Ask where higher ground isThe 2007 tsunami, caused by an 8.1 magnitude earthquake, hit Gizo in daylight and killed 52 people across the Western Province and Choiseul. Ask your lodging where higher ground is on the day you arrive.
Things to do in Gizo
See all attractions in Gizo
Need to know
- Currency
- Solomon Islands dollar (SBD)
- Entry
- Entry rules depend on your passport; check with Solomon Islands Immigration before you fly
- Emergency
- Ask your lodging for police, clinic and hospital numbers
- Tipping
- Ask your lodging or guide what is customary
- Time
- UTC+11, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Mixed
- JanuaryHeavy to very heavy rain
- FebruaryHeavy to very heavy rain
- MarchHeavy to very heavy rain
- AprilHeavy to very heavy rain
- MayHeavy to very heavy rain
- JuneHeavy to very heavy rain
- JulyHeavy to very heavy rain
- AugustHeavy to very heavy rain
- SeptemberHeavy to very heavy rain
- OctoberHeavy to very heavy rain
- NovemberHeavy to very heavy rain
- DecemberHeavy to very heavy rain
Right now in Gizo
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 24 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 29%
Gizo
07:37 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°27°29%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Wed29°27°35%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Thu28°27°39%Thursday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Fri29°27°42%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 42%.
- Sat29°27°43%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Sun29°27°52%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 52%.
Updated 07:17 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 7.953 SBD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- KolombangaraBy boat, time to confirm locallyThe larger island just northeast of Gizo, worth a boat trip to see its coast.Read the guide
- NusatupeBy boat from Gizo, time to confirmThe small island with the airstrip, so you may cross it on arrival and departure.Read the guide
- Plum Pudding, Olasana and NaruBy boat, southeast of Gizo, time to confirmSmall islands just southeast of Ghizo, visited by PT 109 survivors in World War II.Read the guide
Before you go to Gizo
Rules for Gizo, checked
- Check entry rules with Solomon Islands Immigration before you book, since they depend on your passport.
- Declare cash above the legal limit on arrival; check the current amount with Solomon Islands customs before you travel.
- Dress respectfully in St. Peter's Cathedral, the Catholic cathedral in Gizo.
- Ask permission before photographing people or villages.
Plan around Gizo
Gizo within a wider Solomon Islands trip
Read the guideAustralia & PacificOther islands and countries in the region
Read the guideGetting aroundFlights, boats and local transport planning
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules to check before you book flights
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices
Read the guideWhere to stayGuesthouses and lodges in Gizo
Read the guideGizo FAQ
Is Gizo worth visiting?
Yes if you dive or surf, since Gizo is a tourism center best known for both. It is a small town, so plan on a few days rather than a long stay.
How do you get to Gizo?
Fly to the small airstrip on Nusatupe, northeast of town, then arrange the onward transfer with your lodging. Flight and boat schedules change, so confirm them before you travel.
Where is Gizo?
Gizo is on Ghizo Island in the Western Province, about 380 kilometers west-northwest of Honiara and just southwest of Kolombangara.
How many days do you need in Gizo?
Three to four days covers a few dives or surf sessions and one boat trip to a nearby island. Add days if you want to explore the wider Western Province.
Is it safe to visit Gizo after the 2007 tsunami?
The 2007 tsunami is part of the town's history. Ask your lodging where higher ground is and follow any warnings you hear on arrival.
When is the best time to visit Gizo?
Gizo has no clearly dry season, with heavy to very heavy rain through the year. Choose dates by your diving or surfing plans and pack for rain in any month.