Plizio Visual Lab
Gizo Town
ℹ️Practical info — Gizo Town
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit the Gizo market early in the morning when boats from neighboring islands arrive with fresh goods.
- Use water taxis for trips to nearby islands; always agree on the price in advance.
- Book diving or snorkeling trips at the established operators near the wharf to see WWII wrecks.
- In the evening, it is advisable to stick to the well-lit main paths.
- Bring a mosquito net if your accommodation doesn't provide one.
🍽 Food
A specialty of the Western Province; look for it in local waterfront restaurants.
Gizo is famous for top-quality fish; often available as sashimi or grilled in local cafes.
Freshly prepared at the market with local fruits like starfruit and pineapple.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Convenient for handmade black pearl jewelry and artistic ebony wood carvings.
Find practical gear for island tours and local fabrics here.
A quiet path along the shore offering beautiful views over Gizo Bay.
A short climb rewards you with a peaceful view over the town and the ocean.
Water temperature…
Gizo Town is the administrative capital of the Western Province, situated on Ghizo Island, and stands as the second-largest urban center in the Solomon Islands. Historically, Gizo served as a prominent colonial outpost and a major trading hub for copra before the outbreak of World War II. In 1942, Japanese forces occupied the town, utilizing its strategic location to monitor naval movements in the New Georgia Sound. The town suffered extensive damage from Allied air raids and naval bombardments during the 1943 liberation efforts. A more recent turning point in its history was the massive 2007 earthquake and tsunami, which significantly altered the shoreline and destroyed much of the waterfront infrastructure. Today, Gizo is a colorful and bustling town, famous for its daily market where islanders from across the province gather. It is a world-renowned destination for divers, offering access to some of the most spectacular wartime wrecks and coral reefs in the Pacific.
- Location: Solomon Islands
- Top sights: Gizo Harbour · St. Peter's Cathedral · Seventh Day Adventist/Permanent
- Nearby: Maru (4 km)
- Population: ~7.177 (2026)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Aug, Nov, Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
| Rain mm | 315 | 353 | 313 | 262 | 308 | 295 | 326 | 273 | 272 | 278 | 224 | 229 |
Geography
Facts
- Gizo's waterfront market is one of the most vibrant in the South Pacific.
- The city's airport is located on the nearby islet of Nusatupe, requiring a boat transfer.
- The 2007 earthquake permanently raised parts of the island by up to 2 meters.
- The wreck of the 'Toa Maru', a 140-meter Japanese transport ship, lies nearby.
- Gizo is a hub for traditional Solomon Islands woodcarving and handicraft.
- The town features a diverse population, including I-Kiribati settlers moved here in the 1950s.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Gizo Town (4)
Frequently asked questions
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Gizo Town: where is it located?
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Gizo Town: why is it worth visiting?
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