One of the South Pacific's premier dive resorts, Uepi Island sits in the middle of Marovo Lagoon in the Western Province. The resort offers comfortable bungalows and a house reef teeming with marine life. Diving from Uepi is world-class with steep walls, pristine coral gardens, and encounters with sharks, turtles, and Napoleon wrasse. The remote location ensures exclusivity and an authentic Solomon Islands experience.
Uepi Island Resort occupies its own private island at the eastern end of New Georgia's Marovo Lagoon in the Western Province, one of the largest saltwater lagoons in the world and a site of outstanding natural value. The island is approximately 1.5 km long and is rimmed by white-sand beaches on the lagoon side and a sheer coral wall dropping to open ocean on the exposed side. Reaching the resort requires a domestic flight from Honiara to Seghe airstrip in Western Province followed by a 20-minute boat transfer — a journey that reinforces the sense of genuine remoteness that defines the experience.
Accommodation consists of a small number of timber bungalows built in a style that integrates local materials with the basic comforts expected at a premium Pacific resort. Each bungalow includes a private veranda, ceiling fans, and net-screened windows. The electricity supply is solar-supplemented and sufficient for lighting and device charging. Guests spend the majority of daytime hours on the water or reef rather than in their rooms, which are designed accordingly.
Diving is the resort's central offering. The house reef begins metres from the beach and provides immediately accessible snorkelling and encounters with reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, and sea turtles without entering the water far from shore. The dive centre operates professionally guided dives to Marovo Lagoon's signature sites: the New Georgia wall system, shark observation points, and intact WWII wrecks lying in relatively shallow water. Kayaking, reef and game fishing, and guided village visits to surrounding Marovo Lagoon communities extend the activity programme beyond diving.
All meals are included in the base rate and served communally, creating a shared lodge atmosphere suited to the remote setting. Meals feature fresh local produce, reef fish, and Solomon Islands staples prepared by a kitchen team experienced in island provisioning logistics. The bar operates on an honour-system for drinks.
WiFi is limited and intermittent, a function of the location rather than an infrastructure shortfall. The resort accommodates a maximum of around 20 guests at one time, ensuring the dive sites and the island itself remain uncrowded. Advance bookings are required, with minimum-stay conditions applying during peak periods.
Amenities
- dive centre
- overwater bungalows
- beachfront
- restaurant
- bar
- kayaks
- fishing
- snorkelling
- boat transfers
- free WiFi (limited)
- all-inclusive meals
Location
Uepi Island, Marovo Lagoon, Western Province
-8.7833, 158.3000 View on map
Highlights
- Private island resort in Marovo Lagoon, Western Province, with a house reef accessible directly from the beach
- World-class diving on the New Georgia wall system, WWII wrecks in shallow water, and regular reef shark and turtle encounters
- All-inclusive meals from fresh local reef fish and Solomon Islands produce served communally in a lodge atmosphere
- Maximum 20 guests at one time, keeping dive sites and beaches uncrowded throughout the stay
- Kayaking, reef and game fishing, and guided village visits to traditional Marovo Lagoon communities
Tips for visiting
- Book three to six months in advance — the small capacity means the resort fills quickly, particularly during the prime diving season from April to November.
- Pack light and use soft bags rather than hard-shell cases; the Seghe charter aircraft and island boat transfer have weight limits of approximately 15 kg per person.
- Bring your dive certification card and log book — the dive centre requires both before issuing tanks for wall dives and night dives.