Fatboys Resort, Bar and Restaurant is located on Mbabanga Island, a 15 minute boat ride from Gizo. The name Fatboys comes from the character of Joe in Charles Dickens’ novel, “The Pickwick Papers”. The Fatboys life revolves around eating, sleeping and making every attempt to avoid work. Whilst at Fatboys, guests can become “Joe the Fatboy”.
With magnificent views across to Kennedy Island and the majestic Mt Kolombangara volcano, the rustic island charm of Fatboys offers 4 bungalows tastefully appointed bungalows and one self contained unit sitting on the water’s edge surrounded by lush greenery, along with the recent addition of a new overwater bungalow.
All accommodation is situated within a short stroll to Fatboys Bar and Restaurant located along the private jetty, 100 metres out over the reef. With a tropical climate and an average daily temperature of 29˚C, Fatboys Resort offers the ultimate tropical beachside reef experience and is the perfect hideaway that can be visited anytime of the year.
Getting to Fatboys Resort
The flight from Honiara to Gizo takes approximately one hour. The scenery viewed from the plane enroute is absolutely stunning. On arrival at Gizo Airport, the Fatboys boat will be waiting to transfer you to the resort, just a short 8 minute boat ride away.
Amenities at Fatboys Resort
A 100 metre jetty connects the island to the popular Fatboys Bar and Restaurant where both locals and tourists frequently stop for a meal and a drink. The overwater restaurant specialises in fresh seafood and is open for lunch and dinner everyday.
The bar is stocked with both local and imported produce including a modest wine list and is also equipped with a pool table, couches and sun lounges.
Tours can be arranged at the front desk. Hammocks, kayaks,stand up paddleboards, snorkelling gear and a laundry service is available for use, as is limited wifi reception.
Accommodation at Fatboys Resort
Fatboys Resort has four (4) waterfront bungalows that have been constructed using a blend of traditional leaf and tropical hardwoods consisting of 2 x Family Bungalows in a duplex, each with 1 queen bed master bedroom and 3 single beds, private verandas with hammock and a shared veranda leading to the beach plus 2 x Honeymoon Bungalows with 1 queen bed.
A new Overwater Deluxe bungalow has direct access to the water from a private platform leading off the veranda for swimming and snorkeling in the turquoise waters below.
Each bungalow features quality imported bedding and furniture, 24 hour ceiling fans and lighting, tea and coffee making facilities, large verandas with stunning water views, hot water in private bathrooms, mosquito screened bedrooms, laundry service and daily housekeeping, complimentary tuck down service.
The two storey, self-contained Beach House located on a private section of beach has 2 separate bedrooms with a queen bed in the upstairs master bedroom and a queen and single bed or 3 single beds in the second bedroom. There is a family room, downstairs kitchen, bathroom and a big open veranda and decking with lounge chairs and hammock.
Activities at Fatboys Resort
Swimming and Snorkelling
The waters surrounding Fatboys are tropically warm and exceptionally clear with an abundance of corals and colourful reef fish. You can swim and snorkel on the reef right off the resort or take a kayak or stand up paddle board and some snorkelling gear and venture out a little further each day. Banana/long boats or poly-craft boats can be hired to explore the spectacular underwater world further afield.
The Fatboys Snorkel Tour takes guests to Munda, Zipolo Habu Resort and Skull Island and includes snorkelling on a WWII Hellcat Fighter Plane in 8 metres of crystal clear water.
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is organised with the local dive operator and can be booked for either 2 or 3 dives a day to different dive sites with a relaxed surface interval and picnic lunch on one of Gizo’s remote islands in between dives.
Surfing
Gizo has a number of great coral reef surf breaks all accessible by boat from Fatboys.
Pailongge – a long right-hander that picks up a lot of swells and breaks in front of a village. It has 2 sections that join and become perfect on large swells
Titiana –a strong left-hander 800 metres south of Pailongge
Skull Island – a 2 hour boat ride from Gizo, near Zipolo Habu Resort. Possibly the longest right-hander in the Solomon Islands. Requires a medium to large swell and works best at 3-6 foot. The wave starts breaking about 200 metres south of Skull Island.
Kennedy Island Tour
Kennedy Island lies 5 minutes by boat from Fatboys Resort. This small, uninhabited island was named after John F Kennedy when in August 1943, it was to this island that the crew of the PT 109, commanded by then Lieutenant Kennedy, swam after their boat was rammed and wrecked by the Japanese destroyer, Amagiri. Two American sailors died in the incident. Kennedy later had the crew swim to the larger Olasana Island.
Skull Island Tour
A great day trip to step back in time to the head hunting days. Travelling through the picturesque Vonavona Lagoon to Skull Island is truly breathtaking where a shrine devoted to the skulls of Chiefs and vanquished warriors lies. Along the way, you can snorkel on a WWII Hellcat Fighter Plane, in 8 metres of water and/or on one of the fringing reefs on some of the pristine islands in the lagoon.
Fishing Tours
The waters surrounding Fatboys provide world class game fishing and bottom fishing. Fatboys supplies banana/long boat and a driver so you can focus on catching that prize fish.
Hiking
For fit and adventurous hikers, the majestic Kolombangara Island awaits! At 1,770 metres high, the volcanic island supports a beautiful and diverse ecosystem with approximately 80 rivers and streams flowing down its flanks. Beachcombing on the pristine beaches of Kolombangara is more relaxing and also fun!
Other activities from Fatboys Resort include kayaking and stand up paddle boarding, island tours and WWII tours, romantic picnics on deserted islands and guided village walks.
- Getting There
-
Getting to Fatboys Resort
The flight from Honiara to Gizo takes approximately one hour. The scenery viewed from the plane enroute is absolutely stunning. On arrival at Gizo Airport, the Fatboys boat will be waiting to transfer you to the resort, just a short 8 minute boat ride away.
- Amenities
-
Amenities at Fatboys Resort
A 100 metre jetty connects the island to the popular Fatboys Bar and Restaurant where both locals and tourists frequently stop for a meal and a drink. The overwater restaurant specialises in fresh seafood and is open for lunch and dinner everyday.
The bar is stocked with both local and imported produce including a modest wine list and is also equipped with a pool table, couches and sun lounges.
Tours can be arranged at the front desk. Hammocks, kayaks,stand up paddleboards, snorkelling gear and a laundry service is available for use, as is limited wifi reception.
- Accommodation
-
Accommodation at Fatboys Resort
Fatboys Resort has four (4) waterfront bungalows that have been constructed using a blend of traditional leaf and tropical hardwoods consisting of 2 x Family Bungalows in a duplex, each with 1 queen bed master bedroom and 3 single beds, private verandas with hammock and a shared veranda leading to the beach plus 2 x Honeymoon Bungalows with 1 queen bed.
A new Overwater Deluxe bungalow has direct access to the water from a private platform leading off the veranda for swimming and snorkeling in the turquoise waters below.
Each bungalow features quality imported bedding and furniture, 24 hour ceiling fans and lighting, tea and coffee making facilities, large verandas with stunning water views, hot water in private bathrooms, mosquito screened bedrooms, laundry service and daily housekeeping, complimentary tuck down service.
The two storey, self-contained Beach House located on a private section of beach has 2 separate bedrooms with a queen bed in the upstairs master bedroom and a queen and single bed or 3 single beds in the second bedroom. There is a family room, downstairs kitchen, bathroom and a big open veranda and decking with lounge chairs and hammock.
- Activities
-
Activities at Fatboys Resort
Swimming and Snorkelling
The waters surrounding Fatboys are tropically warm and exceptionally clear with an abundance of corals and colourful reef fish. You can swim and snorkel on the reef right off the resort or take a kayak or stand up paddle board and some snorkelling gear and venture out a little further each day. Banana/long boats or poly-craft boats can be hired to explore the spectacular underwater world further afield.The Fatboys Snorkel Tour takes guests to Munda, Zipolo Habu Resort and Skull Island and includes snorkelling on a WWII Hellcat Fighter Plane in 8 metres of crystal clear water.
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is organised with the local dive operator and can be booked for either 2 or 3 dives a day to different dive sites with a relaxed surface interval and picnic lunch on one of Gizo’s remote islands in between dives.Surfing
Gizo has a number of great coral reef surf breaks all accessible by boat from Fatboys.Pailongge – a long right-hander that picks up a lot of swells and breaks in front of a village. It has 2 sections that join and become perfect on large swells
Titiana –a strong left-hander 800 metres south of Pailongge
Skull Island – a 2 hour boat ride from Gizo, near Zipolo Habu Resort. Possibly the longest right-hander in the Solomon Islands. Requires a medium to large swell and works best at 3-6 foot. The wave starts breaking about 200 metres south of Skull Island.Kennedy Island Tour
Kennedy Island lies 5 minutes by boat from Fatboys Resort. This small, uninhabited island was named after John F Kennedy when in August 1943, it was to this island that the crew of the PT 109, commanded by then Lieutenant Kennedy, swam after their boat was rammed and wrecked by the Japanese destroyer, Amagiri. Two American sailors died in the incident. Kennedy later had the crew swim to the larger Olasana Island.Skull Island Tour
A great day trip to step back in time to the head hunting days. Travelling through the picturesque Vonavona Lagoon to Skull Island is truly breathtaking where a shrine devoted to the skulls of Chiefs and vanquished warriors lies. Along the way, you can snorkel on a WWII Hellcat Fighter Plane, in 8 metres of water and/or on one of the fringing reefs on some of the pristine islands in the lagoon.Fishing Tours
The waters surrounding Fatboys provide world class game fishing and bottom fishing. Fatboys supplies banana/long boat and a driver so you can focus on catching that prize fish.Hiking
For fit and adventurous hikers, the majestic Kolombangara Island awaits! At 1,770 metres high, the volcanic island supports a beautiful and diverse ecosystem with approximately 80 rivers and streams flowing down its flanks. Beachcombing on the pristine beaches of Kolombangara is more relaxing and also fun!Other activities from Fatboys Resort include kayaking and stand up paddle boarding, island tours and WWII tours, romantic picnics on deserted islands and guided village walks.