Munda is ideally located for those travellers wanting to get off the beaten track to experience the culture, diversity, geography and breathtaking scenery above and below the water of a remote south sea paradise.
Located on the southwest corner of the island of New Georgia, only a 1 hour flight from Honiara, adventure seekers will find a visit to Munda extremely rewarding. The snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities are astounding. Virgin reefs and walls teeming with big fish action are a highlight. Munda was also an important military airfield base in WWII and war relics can be found both above and below the water.
Nearby, Roviana Island has a colourful history of headhunting, animist religion and tribal wars. The surrounding region offers an array of full or half day adventures to local villages and uninhabited islands. Other activities in the area include fishing, surfing, rainforest and lagoon tours, secluded island visits and beach picnics.
Munda Geographical Information
Munda is situated close to the convergence of the Roviana and Vona Vona Lagoons. The lagoons are dotted with small islands complete with secluded, white sand beaches and swaying palm trees – a truly idyllic, tropical paradise.
Munda is the largest settlement on New Georgia island in the Western Province, and is made up of a number of villages, the largest being Lambete which has a few shops, a bakery, a post office, bank, Telekom centre, small hospital, one hotel, small port and an airstrip.
There are daily flights to Munda from Honiara (1 hour) and from Gizo (15 minutes). Munda can also be reached by boat transfer from Gizo in 2 hours.
Things to do in Munda
Snorkelling
Take a boat ride out to the many snorkelling spots around Munda. The warm, clear water houses a variety of marine life and corals to explore around the many secluded islands. One can also snorkel over sunken war ships and fighter planes.
Scuba Diving
The diving is still largely unexplored with new sites yet to be discovered. Virgin reefs and wall dives are specialties. The seabed is littered with wrecks from WWII, with fighter planes, bombers, a Japanese freighter and recently discovered WWII dump sites.
Freediving
Munda offers easy boat access to several suitable freediving sites. Coral encrusted walls and reefs drop off past 50 metres giving freedivers the chance to peer into the abyss whilst in the company of curious sharks and darting tuna. Munda also boasts a variety of WWII American and Japanese wrecks, ranging from shallow beginner or training freediving sites (12 metres) to advanced (50+ metres).
Surfing
There are 3 surf breaks 5-20 minutes from Lola Island. The surf season is generally November to April, although the breaks can be inconsistent.
Kayaking
The lagoon is perfect for a quiet paddle to explore around the coastline and further out around the lagoon.
World War II Tours
During WWII Munda was an important military airfield base. Munda Airfield was originally built by the Japanese in 1942 and was captured by the United States Army in the Battle of Munda Point in August 1943. The airfield was employed by the U.S. as part of the campaign to isolate the key Japanese control base at Rabaul in New Britain. World War II relics can be found all around Munda. See an American M5 Stuart tank, the Japanese coastal defence battery at Enoghai or the anti-aircraft battery above Munda airfield, snorkel the wreck of the Kashi Maru, or stroll down to one of the small local museums and check out the amazing artefacts.
Skull Island Tour
Skull Island is one of the most sacred places in the region. There are many shrines displaying the human skulls of great Roviana chiefs, from the days when headhunting was considered part of the custom.
Lagoon and River Tours
A variety of excursions by motor canoe can be undertaken into the Roviana and Vona Vona Lagoons for snorkelling, fishing and sightseeing around the many islands such as Lola Island, Hopei Island and Roviana Island. See war relics, waterfalls, bat caves, traditional villages, cultural and archaeological sites such as the ruins of an ancient coral fortress at Nusa Roviana protected by the stone dog-idol previously worshipped by the Roviana tribe.
Roviana River tours explore the tropical jungle where native birds and rare orchids can be found, and saltwater crocodiles reside along the river banks.
Walking and Hiking
A short canoe paddle or boat ride away from Munda are a variety of short guided walks to kastom villages, WWII sites and waterfalls.
Mt Bao Trek
A hard four hour trek through rainforest will see you reach Mt Bau. Stones and pillars stand on raised platforms atop Mt Bau representing the ancestral spirits. This is definitely off the beaten track and not for the faint hearted!
When to Travel to Munda
Tropical daytime temperatures average 29°C and evening temperatures average 19°C. Seasons are not clearly defined however April to November has less rain.
Munda Hotels and Resorts
 |
Agnes Gateway Lodge In Munda town |
Budget: $$ Pool: No Beach/Beachfront: Yes Bar: Yes Restaurant: Yes |
Wifi: Yes Onsite Shop: Yes Gym: No Spa: No Onsite Dive Centre: Yes |
 |
Tetepare Eco Lodge
On Tetepare Island (1.5 – 2 hours boat ride from Munda) |
Budget: $ Pool: No Beach/Beachfront: Yes Bar: No Restaurant: Yes |
Wifi: No Onsite Shop: No Gym: No Spa: No Onsite Dive Centre: No |
 |
Zipolo Habu Resort
On Lola Island (20 minute boat ride from Munda) |
Budget: $$ Pool: No Beach/Beachfront: Yes Bar: Yes Restaurant: Yes |
Wifi: Yes Onsite Shop: No Gym: No Spa: No Onsite Dive Centre: No |
- Geographical Information
-
Munda Geographical Information
Munda is situated close to the convergence of the Roviana and Vona Vona Lagoons. The lagoons are dotted with small islands complete with secluded, white sand beaches and swaying palm trees – a truly idyllic, tropical paradise.
Munda is the largest settlement on New Georgia island in the Western Province, and is made up of a number of villages, the largest being Lambete which has a few shops, a bakery, a post office, bank, Telekom centre, small hospital, one hotel, small port and an airstrip.
There are daily flights to Munda from Honiara (1 hour) and from Gizo (15 minutes). Munda can also be reached by boat transfer from Gizo in 2 hours.
- Activities
-
Things to do in Munda
Snorkelling
Take a boat ride out to the many snorkelling spots around Munda. The warm, clear water houses a variety of marine life and corals to explore around the many secluded islands. One can also snorkel over sunken war ships and fighter planes.Scuba Diving
The diving is still largely unexplored with new sites yet to be discovered. Virgin reefs and wall dives are specialties. The seabed is littered with wrecks from WWII, with fighter planes, bombers, a Japanese freighter and recently discovered WWII dump sites.Freediving
Munda offers easy boat access to several suitable freediving sites. Coral encrusted walls and reefs drop off past 50 metres giving freedivers the chance to peer into the abyss whilst in the company of curious sharks and darting tuna. Munda also boasts a variety of WWII American and Japanese wrecks, ranging from shallow beginner or training freediving sites (12 metres) to advanced (50+ metres).Surfing
There are 3 surf breaks 5-20 minutes from Lola Island. The surf season is generally November to April, although the breaks can be inconsistent.Kayaking
The lagoon is perfect for a quiet paddle to explore around the coastline and further out around the lagoon.World War II Tours
During WWII Munda was an important military airfield base. Munda Airfield was originally built by the Japanese in 1942 and was captured by the United States Army in the Battle of Munda Point in August 1943. The airfield was employed by the U.S. as part of the campaign to isolate the key Japanese control base at Rabaul in New Britain. World War II relics can be found all around Munda. See an American M5 Stuart tank, the Japanese coastal defence battery at Enoghai or the anti-aircraft battery above Munda airfield, snorkel the wreck of the Kashi Maru, or stroll down to one of the small local museums and check out the amazing artefacts.Skull Island Tour
Skull Island is one of the most sacred places in the region. There are many shrines displaying the human skulls of great Roviana chiefs, from the days when headhunting was considered part of the custom.Lagoon and River Tours
A variety of excursions by motor canoe can be undertaken into the Roviana and Vona Vona Lagoons for snorkelling, fishing and sightseeing around the many islands such as Lola Island, Hopei Island and Roviana Island. See war relics, waterfalls, bat caves, traditional villages, cultural and archaeological sites such as the ruins of an ancient coral fortress at Nusa Roviana protected by the stone dog-idol previously worshipped by the Roviana tribe.Roviana River tours explore the tropical jungle where native birds and rare orchids can be found, and saltwater crocodiles reside along the river banks.
Walking and Hiking
A short canoe paddle or boat ride away from Munda are a variety of short guided walks to kastom villages, WWII sites and waterfalls.Mt Bao Trek
A hard four hour trek through rainforest will see you reach Mt Bau. Stones and pillars stand on raised platforms atop Mt Bau representing the ancestral spirits. This is definitely off the beaten track and not for the faint hearted! - When to Travel
-
When to Travel to Munda
Tropical daytime temperatures average 29°C and evening temperatures average 19°C. Seasons are not clearly defined however April to November has less rain.
- Hotels and Resorts
-
Munda Hotels and Resorts
Agnes Gateway Lodge
In Munda townBudget: $$
Pool: No
Beach/Beachfront: Yes
Bar: Yes
Restaurant: YesWifi: Yes
Onsite Shop: Yes
Gym: No
Spa: No
Onsite Dive Centre: YesTetepare Eco Lodge On Tetepare Island (1.5 – 2 hours boat ride from Munda)
Budget: $
Pool: No
Beach/Beachfront: Yes
Bar: No
Restaurant: YesWifi: No
Onsite Shop: No
Gym: No
Spa: No
Onsite Dive Centre: NoZipolo Habu Resort On Lola Island (20 minute boat ride from Munda)
Budget: $$
Pool: No
Beach/Beachfront: Yes
Bar: Yes
Restaurant: YesWifi: Yes
Onsite Shop: No
Gym: No
Spa: No
Onsite Dive Centre: No