Solomon Islands Fishing Holiday

| Overview | Zipolo Habu Resort | The Boats | Resorts & Fishing Ratings | Travellers Tips |

The Solomon Islands is comprised of more than 990 islands stretching across 1500 km between 5° and 12° south of the Equator and north east of Australia. Virtually untouched by commercial development, the island group remains a natural paradise. Most of its people still practice a traditional way of life, shunning the hectic pace and material concerns of the outside world.

In the Solomons there is an abundance of golden beaches fringed with palm trees where the sun sparkles on translucent blue waters, perfect spots where you can sit and dream or explore spectacular coral reefs and admire the colourful marine life. The interiors of the islands are covered in tropical rain forest and their steep hillsides are interspersed with swiftly flowing creeks, waterfalls and peaceful lagoons.

The warmth and friendliness of the Solomon Islanders makes a pleasant welcome for visitors, who are usually given a word of good advice soon after arrival. "If you find yourself walking faster than everyone else, stop for a minute and slow down".

During World War II, the Solomons came to international attention as the stage for one of the most bloody battles of the Pacific campaign. Bitter fighting raged between American and Japanese forces for six months on the main island of Guadalcanal until the Japanese withdrew early in 1943.

Many war wrecks and relics can be seen throughout the Solomons on both land and underwater. These include ships, aircraft, guns and cannons.

Specialist Fishing Resort

The scenic beauty and cultural diversity of Munda in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands has been attracting visitors from all over the world for several years.

With good flight connections from the capital city Honiara, Munda is ideally located for those travellers who want to get off the beaten track and head off in search of adventure, whilst enjoying good food, good company and pleasant surroundings. The forests surrounding Munda are one of the last areas of the planet where virgin rain forest still survives intact.

Zipolo Habu Resort is a specialist fishing resort located on Lola Island in the beautiful Vona Vona Lagoon, a thirty minute boat ride from Munda airstrip. Lola Island is comprised of nearly 100 acres of coconut palms and dense bush, surrounded by white coral sand beach on the northern end, and coral reef on the southerly end facing Pualako Reef and the open Solomon Sea beyond.

Bungalows, constructed in the Vona Vona traditional style of Sago Palm Leaf, Lawya Cane and Wild Betel Nut Tree, provide your quaint accommodation. Most cottages/leaf houses have their own basic kitchen equipped with a gas stove, refrigerator, eating and cooking utensils. Bungalows have electricity, portable electric fans and hot water showers.

Bungalows range in size to accommodate various numbers. Mosquito nets are provided but seldom needed. Toilets and showers are separately located directly behind the cottages. Rain tanks, located in close proximity to your cottage, provide pure rain water for your drinking and cooking needs. A bowl of fresh limes and green drinking coconuts will be awaiting your arrival.

Zipolo Habu dining is based on fresh seafood, whether you are having seafood pasta, barbecued crayfish, cuttlefish, or Chilli Mud crab. Special dietary requirements can be catered for. As the restaurant and fully licensed bar are located near the waters edge, please do not complain if the meal is interrupted by the zing of the spinning reel running off with a Queenfish, Trevally or Barracuda. It could be your next meal, if you are skilled enough to land your catch!

Culturally, Munda was the centre for the head hunting Roviana people and many remnants and artefacts of that era are still visible today. Visit the ancient stone ruins of Bao and the ancestral shrine at Skull Island. Watch warriors dancing, go on a village tour, and try out local food cooked in an earth oven. Or take a guided walk through the forests.

Zipolo Habu Resort specialises in sport fishing ranging from light tackle lagoon fishing for Queenfish, Trevally, Mangrove Jack and the elusive Bonefish to deep sea trolling for Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Spanish Mackerel, Bonito and Dogtooth Tuna. In between, you can cast poppers into the outer breaking reef for Giant Trevally, or take on a Black Marlin. The resort provides quality fishing tackle for light and medium sport fishing, or take your own gear. Spinning reels or hand casting reels are available for hire if you wish to fish from the beach or a dug-out canoe.

The following species are often caught around Zipolo: Spanish Mackerel (locally called "Kingfish" ), Green Jobfish, Great Barracuda, Skipjack Tuna, three species of Whaler Sharks, Bluefin Trevally, Yellowtailed Barracuda, Coral Trout, Flowery Cod, Giant Trevally, Mangrove Jack, Sleepy Cod, Sweetlip, Kawakawa (Mackerel Tuna), Long Tom, Queenfish, Brassy Trevally, Yellowfin Tuna, Red Bass, and Maori Seaperch."

Trolling large minnow lures outside the reef is sometimes productive, as is a skirted lure with a strip of Tuna rigged inside. There seem to be definite bite times, controlled by the tides.

There is good popper fishing for Giant Trevally with the best fish being on the outside reef. Evening light tackle trolling with small minnow lures and 6kg tackle inside the lagoon is excellent fun, with various Trevally, Spanish Mackerel and Barracuda giving good fights.

One of the better shore fishing spots is right in front of the bar at Zipolo Habu Resort where you can catch Trevally, Queenfish, Long Toms and small Barracuda with light tackle spinfishing, and Whaler Sharks on boats after dark.

This is pioneering sportfishing with huge areas of water to be explored. Add to this seasonal changes, moon and tide phases, other fishing techniques and there are endless possibilities.

There are 3 x 24' (7.5 m) Yamaha long boats, specially rigged for fishing. These are long, narrow, flat bottomed boats and are very stable, shallow craft and easily driven. They are also wet (but in the tropics who cares?). They are ideal craft for inshore and lagoon fishing, and bluewater capable on a good day. There is no shelter from the sun in these boats and it is very hot in the Solomon's. Split shift fishing is popular, taking a break in the shade during the mid-day heat. Boats are equipped with VHF radios for your added safety.

Here are a list of do's and don'ts. They may not be absolutely necessary but they will make your trip that much more enjoyable.

• Learn a little of the language; it tickles the locals sense of humour .
• Learn as much about the area as you can before leaving home especially about Guadalcanal and the second world war; it gives a much better perspective.
• Eat locally and eat what is natural to the area. The locals cook it better and you can always have steak and chips when you get home. Coconut crabs are becoming extinct so don't choose those off the menu but mud crabs have to be seen to be believed. Check out the size of your waiter as you may need to call on his assistance to break open the huge claws. be prepared to make a mess!
• Solomon Islanders tend to be quiet. Encourage them to talk and be involved and they will interact and give a wonderful cultural insight.
• Be courteous to a fault.
• Be prepared to hold hands. It is not uncommon to have a local man hold your hand while in conversation or walking along; it's just a local way of interacting.
• Don't take the huge knives off the small children. You are a lot more likely to hurt yourself than they are.
• Be aware that alcohol, cigarettes and skimpy clothing may offend.
• Take a small backpack to keep your camera in. If staying in an air conditioned room keep your camera box open as the camera will fog up and can cause long term problems.
• Take an extra water bottle; dehydration can be a big problem. Take a wide brimmed hat and sun cream.
• The Solomons are a great place to buy carvings both in stone and wood. It is fine to bargain but be fair. In the villages bartering hats, t-shirts, mask and snorkels can be of more use than money.
• Small gifts for the local kids, especially anything made of plastic, such as a yoyo, will earn you a life long friend.