Safety · Destination Guide
Wrecks, reef passages and village lagoons in the wild west of the Solomons
Updated Apr 26, 2026 • 34 sources
Western Province is rewarding because it is remote, but that remoteness affects every safety decision. Dive within certification, use operators with oxygen and communications, respect local reef ownership and treat turtle beaches, caves, wrecks and coral as protected spaces. Conservation is practical here: permission, no-touch diving, responsible anchoring, rubbish discipline and ranger-guided wildlife viewing all matter.
Use an SMB on boat dives, follow tide and current briefings and keep computers conservative on repetitive profiles. Toa Maru, Shark Point, Uepi Point and cave or overhead sites should be reserved for suitably trained divers with a guide. Do not penetrate wrecks or caves beyond training, do not freedive alone and do not mix aggressive breath-hold diving with scuba on the same day. Ask each operator where oxygen, first aid, communications and evacuation plans are located before the first dive.
Gizo Hospital provides provincial medical support, while the National Referral Hospital and the Solomon Islands Dive Chamber are in Honiara. Evacuation from Western Province can involve boat, domestic aircraft or special transport, and may be costly or delayed by weather. Carry dive evacuation insurance, consider DAN or equivalent coverage and consult a travel clinician about malaria prevention, dengue avoidance, routine vaccines and personal medications before travel.
Remote evacuation is real
Western Province diving happens far from tertiary medical care. Carry dive-specific evacuation insurance, know where oxygen is on the boat and keep a no-fly buffer before leaving Honiara.
Currents at passages and points
Grand Central, Shark Point and Uepi Point are current-shaped sites. Follow local briefings, carry an SMB and do not pressure a guide into running an exposed site when the tide is wrong.
WWII artifacts and ordnance
Wrecks are historic sites, not souvenir piles. Do not remove, move or pry artifacts, and stay clear of any object your guide identifies as unstable or unsafe.
Malaria, dengue and tropical sun
Mosquito protection is part of trip safety. Pack repellent, cover up at dawn and dusk, discuss malaria prevention with a travel clinician and take sun exposure seriously on open boats.
Do not touch coral, ride turtles, chase sharks, collect shells or move WWII artifacts. On Tetepare and other conservation sites, follow ranger instructions, avoid lights and noise around turtle nesting beaches and never handle hatchlings unless a ranger explicitly directs a conservation action. Use moorings where provided, avoid anchoring on coral, keep reef-safe sun protection on your packing list and ask permission before photographing people, shrines or village areas.
Do Not Do This
Avoid entering when remote evacuation is real. Confirm local briefings before committing.
| Contact | Role | Phone | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solomon Islands emergency services | General emergency dispatch | 911 | 24/7 where phone service is connected |
| Royal Solomon Islands Police Force | Police emergency | 999 | 24/7 |
| Ambulance emergency | Medical emergency dispatch | 111 | 24/7 in service areas |
| Fire and Rescue | Fire emergency | 988 | 24/7 in service areas |
| Gizo Hospital | Provincial hospital for Western Province | +677 60224 | Call ahead through operator, lodge or local emergency channel |
| National Referral Hospital, Honiara | National hospital and evacuation receiving facility | +677 44000 | 24/7 emergency department, confirm through local emergency services |
| DAN Emergency Hotline | Diving emergency medical advice and evacuation coordination | +1 919 684 9111 | 24/7/365 |
| Dive Gizo | Local dive operator and boat contact in Gizo | +677 60253 | Dive shop hours and booked-guest emergency support |