One of the most recognisable names in Solomon Islands tourism has entered the world-class dive market, with Fatboys Resort on Mbabanga Island near Gizo now offering fully certified SCUBA diving through its newly launched Fatboys Dive Centre.
Located in the Western Province near Gizo, Fatboys is perfectly positioned for access to some of the most diverse and exciting dive sites in the Solomon Islands. With World War II wrecks, vibrant offshore reefs, dramatic coral formations, and an abundance of marine life, the area is a magnet for SCUBA enthusiasts from around the globe.
Sites like ‘Grand Central Station’, renowned for its record-breaking fish count of over 275 species, and the stunning ‘Joe’s Wall’, with its dramatic 60-metre drop-offs, offer spectacular underwater experiences. Novice divers can explore the shallow coral reefs around Kennedy Island, also known as Plum Pudding Island, where former US President John F. Kennedy was famously shipwrecked during WWII.
For wreck diving enthusiasts, nearby sites include the 440-foot Japanese freighter Toa Maru, a US Corsair fighter, and a nearly intact Hellcat aircraft resting in shallow waters – all accessible via short boat rides and ideal for same-day dive combinations.
New dive centre delivers opportunity and quality
The new Fatboys Dive Centre is a fully certified SSI Training Facility, operated by a team of six including an SSI Divemaster Instructor, two certified dive masters, a third in training, and two experienced local boat captains. The facility features a wet room, compressor and backup unit, 20 brand-new scuba gear sets, and three custom dive boats, all equipped with first-aid kits, oxygen, and Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs).
Fatboys caters to all diver levels, from beginners to experienced groups, with additional snorkelling tours available for non-divers.
A boost for the local community
Tourism Solomons Acting CEO, Dagnal Dereveke, welcomed the development, calling it a “further enhancement” for the country’s dive sector.
“The dive sector remains one of our biggest sources of international visitation and places us in a position where we can compete with any dive location on the planet,” said Mr Dereveke.
“Having improved access to quality dive infrastructure such as Fatboys and the many other first-class operators we have here is key to raising the profile of the Solomon Islands as a serious dive destination.”
“Providing increased facilities results in increased visitor arrivals, which in turn creates more opportunities for local employment and business partnerships – a positive outcome for the entire community.”
A resort with character and history
Fatboys Resort, named after a famously indulgent character in Charles Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers, blends quirky charm with world-class hospitality. Its dive centre marks an exciting new chapter in the resort’s journey and the broader Solomon Islands dive offering.
