Reefs, unusual and impressive coral formations, WW2 wrecks, wall dives and lots of life and colour, Gizo Island is another tropical-island-ideal diving destination. Water temperature and visibility make diving here even more pleasant, as does the topside scenery of white sand and palm trees.

Grand Central Station is a great dive site name – in this case ‘cause it’s so busy with fish. Right in the current this is where the fish converge. In the stronger currents and deeper water you can expect to see a shark or two, batfish and trevelly schools, and closer to the walls, laden with thriving corals and sponges, are the smaller fish.

The Toa Maru is one of the best wreck dives off Gizo, a Japanese transport complete with cargo of ammunition, motorbikes a tank and plenty of saki bottles which was hit and sunk, limping into the shallows but not quite making it. The shallowest part of the Toa Maru is only under about 7 metres of water.

Close by, Plum Pudding Island, also known as Kennedy Island, because it’s where JFK brought his crew after his boat was rammed by a Japanese destroyer, is a really good spot for beginners, the reefs are shallow and colourful and there are a couple of good practice drift dives. Also a good spot for snorkelers.

Written by  Nick Shaw.

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