Shipwrecks and sealife in the Solomons

Everyone has their own unique bucket list that's special for whatever reason. For me, Gizo has been a diving location that I have wanted to visit for a long time. I've read about its fabulous warm water diving and vibrant fish and coral life and, importantly, its World War 2 military history that can still be seen resting on the bottom of the Vela Gulf next to the Island of Gizo. 

Visiting Gizo took me back to my schoolboy days, when I'd excitedly devour any information I could come across relating to the heroes of the second great war. Looking over the side of the boat into Gizo's clear blue waters and seeing the outline of a long-sunk fighter airplane or our guide pointing out the very island John Fitzgerald Kennedy, who would become the United States 35th President, swam to along with ten of his patrol torpedo boat crew after it was been rammed by a Japanese destroyer, simply blew my mind. 

The road to Gizo

We left Munda by boat early in the morning to get to Gizo and the Imagination Island Resort. The two-hour boat ride treated us to some of the most picturesque scenery I have ever seen before we arrived at Imagination Island and settled into our stunning 'over-water' bungalow.

Imagination Island is located about 15 minutes by boat from Gizo town, around 10 minutes from the Nusatupe Island located airport. It is a small resort with very friendly staff and a restaurant located over the house reef and with their own resident black tip reef sharks. The house reef is a highlight and gives “non-divers” a great opportunity to experience Gizo’s fish life snorkelling. And if you are extra lucky we were told that the island is periodically visited by local dugong. 

The plan for the afternoon was to squeeze in three dives with local operator Dive Gizo. After a call with the owner Danny Kennedy (no relation to JKF we were reliably informed) plans were put in place to dive Hot Spot and the Toa Maru 2 shipwreck, before visiting Njari Island for a late lunch, which was fantastic. Our guide Danny also recommended a night dive off the house reef at Imagination Island which includes a sunken fishing boat. 

The Toa Maru 2

The Toa Maru 2 shipwreck is a Japanese navy freighter that sunk on the 3rd February 1943 and now rests on her starboard side on the sloping sandy bottom of Kololuka Bay off northern Gizo Island. The Toa Maru is 134 metres long and lies with the bow at approximately 7 metres and stern at 37 metres depth making it a relatively safe dive for most experience levels. Penetration into the wreck is possible too but it is highly advised this only be attempted with a dive guide. 

The Toa Maru 2 was attacked by US Dauntless dive bombers and Grumman F4F Wildcat fighter aircraft on the 31st January 1943 while being protected by Japanese Mitsubishi F1M2 seaplanes and Nakajima Ki-43 fighter aircraft. Despite the dogfight that ensued the Toa Maru 2 was hit by one Dauntless bomb that flooded the one and two holds, and strafing runs by the Wildcats set the ship on fire. The ship drifted for three days until running aground and sinking in its current location.

Our dive guide Greg pointed out a number of fascinating features on the wreck, and I highly enjoyed the dive. Being a freighter, the boat was carrying an interesting cargo of war machinery such as a Type 95 tank, ammunition, bags of concrete - and bottles and bottles of sake!  We were able to swim through the wreck, and emerge from the hole where a Dauntless bomb had entered the stern - a completely unique experience.

Imagination Island - a night dive

We arrived back at Imagination Island wharf just before sunset in time to prepare for our night dive. The plan was to start in the lagoon and watch for the black tip reef sharks and then head out to a purpose sunken commercial tuna fishing boat in good condition. I estimated it to be at approximately 55 to 60 metres in length and resting on its port side at about 15 metres deep.

A highlight of the dive was seeing the likes of parrotfish and leather jackets finding a safe place to spend the night. They would have been pretty annoyed with us and our lights so I hope, when we had left, they got back to sleep!

Getting back to the wharf is relatively easy with the lights of the restaurant guiding us back to a dry towel and a cold beer. The resort is stunning, and I loved our stay. I definitely feel I have unfinished business, and I'm looking forward to coming back, staying longer and diving with Danny and his fantastic team at Dive Gizo again soon.

Getting there

Flights with Solomon Airlines are available via their website. Click here for details on how to book your trip.