Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands - Things to Do in Marovo Lagoon

Things to Do in Marovo Lagoon

Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands - Complete Travel Guide

Marovo Lagoon stretches across 700 square kilometers of pristine waters in the Solomon Islands, creating what's widely considered the world's largest saltwater lagoon. The lagoon cradles dozens of small islands, each fringed with coral reefs that drop dramatically into deep blue channels. You'll find traditional villages where life moves to the rhythm of tides and seasons, and where the art of wood carving has been passed down through generations. The water here is genuinely spectacular - that kind of clarity where you can spot eagle rays gliding thirty feet below your boat. What makes this place special isn't just its size, but how untouched it feels. There's no mass tourism infrastructure, which means you're likely to have entire coral gardens to yourself, but it also means planning takes a bit more effort than your typical tropical getaway.

Top Things to Do in Marovo Lagoon

Snorkeling the Barrier Reef

The outer reef system here rivals anything you'll find in more famous destinations, with pristine hard corals and an abundance of fish life. The visibility often exceeds 40 meters, and you'll likely encounter everything from reef sharks to massive schools of barracuda. The coral formations are particularly impressive along the western edge, where the reef drops into the deep ocean.

Booking Tip: Local dive operators charge around $80-120 per day including gear and boat transfers. Book through your accommodation as independent operators can be hard to find. Best conditions are typically in the morning when winds are calmer.

Village Cultural Immersion

Several villages around the lagoon welcome visitors to learn about traditional Melanesian culture, including wood carving demonstrations and traditional fishing techniques. The village of Seghe is particularly known for its master carvers who create intricate bowls and sculptures from local hardwoods. You might also witness traditional shell money-making, which is still used for ceremonial purposes.

Booking Tip: Arrange visits through local guides or your accommodation, expect to pay $30-50 per person including a traditional meal. Always bring a small gift like tobacco or rice as a gesture of respect. Sundays are generally not suitable for visits due to church services.

Kayaking Through Mangrove Channels

The lagoon's extensive mangrove systems create a maze of narrow waterways perfect for kayaking. You'll paddle through cathedral-like tunnels of roots where the water reflects the canopy above, creating an almost mystical atmosphere. These areas are rich with bird life, including kingfishers, herons, and the occasional sea eagle.

Booking Tip: Kayak rentals cost around $40-60 per day, though availability is limited so book well ahead. Some lodges include kayaks in their rates. Early morning or late afternoon paddling offers the best wildlife viewing and more comfortable temperatures.

Traditional Fishing Expeditions

Join local fishermen on traditional outrigger canoes to learn centuries-old fishing techniques still used today. You'll likely try your hand at net fishing in the shallows or line fishing along the reef edges. The experience offers genuine insight into how communities here sustain themselves from the lagoon's resources.

Booking Tip: Arrange through village contacts or your lodge for around $60-80 per person for a half-day trip. Early morning departures (around 6 AM) are most productive. Bring sun protection and be prepared to get wet - these are working boats, not tourist vessels.

Island Hopping by Boat

Charter a boat to hop between the lagoon's numerous small islands, each with its own character and often its own small community. Some islands have beautiful beaches, others offer excellent snorkeling, and a few have interesting historical sites from World War II. The journey between islands often reveals dolphins and occasionally whales.

Booking Tip: Full-day boat charters run $200-350 depending on group size and distance covered. Fuel costs are significant here, so expect higher prices than other destinations. Book through established operators who know safe passages through the reef systems.

Getting There

Marovo Lagoon is accessible via Seghe Airport, which receives regular flights from Honiara on Solomon Airlines - the flight takes about 45 minutes and costs around $150-200 each way. From Seghe, most accommodations arrange boat transfers, which can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours depending on your final destination within the lagoon. Some visitors also arrive by boat from other parts of the Western Province, though this requires more complex planning and local knowledge of safe passages through the reef systems.

Getting Around

Transportation within Marovo Lagoon is almost entirely by boat, as there are virtually no roads connecting the various islands and communities. Most lodges and guesthouses provide boat transfers to major snorkeling and diving sites as part of their packages. For independent travel, you can hire local boats with drivers, though this requires negotiating prices and ensuring the operator knows the reef systems well. Some accommodations offer kayaks for shorter distances, which gives you more flexibility to explore at your own pace.

Where to Stay

Seghe area (near the airport)
Uepi Island (dive-focused resorts)
Charapoana Island (eco-lodges)
Gatokae Island (budget guesthouses)
Vangunu Island (community stays)
Nggatokae area (fishing lodges)

Food & Dining

Dining options center around fresh seafood and traditional Solomon Islands cuisine, with most meals featuring fish caught that day, taro, sweet potato, and tropical fruits. The larger lodges serve international dishes alongside local specialties, while village stays offer more authentic traditional meals cooked in earth ovens. You'll find excellent fish curry, coconut crab when in season, and various preparations of the day's catch. Imported goods are expensive and limited, so menus tend to focus heavily on local ingredients. Most accommodations include meals in their rates, which is fortunate since independent restaurants are virtually non-existent.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Solomon Islands

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

Le Bernardin

4.6 /5
(4023 reviews) 4

La Villa Restaurant

4.8 /5
(498 reviews)

Restaurant L'Auberge Gourmande

4.9 /5
(349 reviews)

La Vela Italian Restaurant

4.5 /5
(360 reviews)

When to Visit

The dry season from April to October offers the most reliable weather, with calmer seas and better visibility for snorkeling and diving. July through September tends to be the driest period, though you should still expect occasional tropical showers. The wet season from November to March brings more rainfall and rougher seas, which can limit boat activities and make some areas inaccessible. That said, the wet season also brings fewer visitors and lush, green landscapes. Water temperatures remain warm year-round, typically 26-29°C, so the main consideration is weather conditions rather than water comfort.

Insider Tips

Bring reef-safe sunscreen as it's not available locally and the coral here is particularly pristine
Pack extra batteries and memory cards - there's limited electricity and no shops for electronics
Learn a few words in Pijin (Solomon Islands pidgin) as English proficiency varies significantly between communities

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