Fatboys Resort: New Top Diving Destination in Solomon Islands

Top island resort joins elite diving community

Fatboys Resort, located on Mbabanga Island near Gizo, has taken a bold step forward. It has officially launched a certified SSI dive centre, transforming itself into one of the most important dive resorts in the Solomon Islands.

This move places Fatboys among the top diving destinations in the region. It gives guests direct access to some of the most beautiful underwater sites in the South Pacific. Travelers now have one more reason to visit this legendary island resort.

Perfectly placed for diving adventures

Gizo, located in the Western Province, is home to world-class dive sites. The waters are clear. The reefs are rich. The region is packed with historic wrecks, steep walls, and diverse marine species.

Visitors staying at Fatboys Resort can explore:

• Grand Central Station – holds the world record for fish biodiversity with 275+ species
• Joe’s Wall – a dramatic drop from sandy shallows to over 60 meters deep
• Kennedy Island – renamed after President John F. Kennedy, offers shallow drift dives
• Toa Maru – a 440-foot WWII Japanese freighter
• US Corsair and Hellcat aircraft – still intact and resting in shallow waters

Many of these dive spots are close enough for two-tank dives in a single day. You can dive one reef in the morning and a wreck in the afternoon.

Professional diving services for all skill levels

The new Fatboys Dive Centre is a fully certified SSI Training Facility. It is staffed with:

• One SSI Instructor
• Two Certified Divemasters
• One Divemaster-in-training
• Two highly skilled local boat captains

Their goal is to serve everyone — from first-time divers to certified pros.

The facility features:

• 20 brand-new full SCUBA gear sets
• A wet room with rinse tubs and drying racks
• Compressor and backup air systems
• Three covered dive boats
• Complete first-aid, oxygen, and emergency beacon equipment

Snorkeling tours and non-diver activities are available too. Families and mixed-experience groups will find plenty to enjoy.

A major win for the Solomon Islands dive industry

The new centre strengthens the position of the Solomon Islands as a top-tier diving destination. It boosts tourism, generates income, and creates jobs in the local economy.

Improved dive infrastructure means:

• More international dive travelers
• More training opportunities for local guides
• More visibility in global dive magazines and forums
• Stronger partnerships between resorts and local communities

Every dive guest who comes through Fatboys helps support the region. This is not just tourism — it’s long-term development.

Fatboys builds on its iconic reputation

Named after a sleepy, food-loving character in Charles Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers, Fatboys Resort has always had charm. But now, it has something even bigger — a serious diving operation.

This expansion cements its legacy as more than just a beach getaway. It’s now a full-service, ocean adventure base for guests from around the world.

About the Author

Editor-at-Large Alan Merritt

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Alan Merritt is an international journalist and editor with over 12 years of experience across global news, television, and magazine media. Based in Las Vegas, with ties to New York and Paris, he serves as Editor-at-Large at Just Now News, a leading platform recognized for its Unscripted, Unfiltered, Unmissable coverage. In this role, he contributes a wide range of stories spanning human interest, culture, business, technology, and global affairs, bringing depth, clarity, and a global perspective to every piece.

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