Agnes Lodge

With the waters of beautiful Roviana Lagoon lapping at its doorstep, Agnes Lodge is an ideal haven offering a range of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.

From air conditioned suites with full facilities to budget rooms, or an island to yourself.  A fully licensed restaurant specialises in local seafood and the Munda Bar provides a character-filled realisation and meeting area.  We also have a pool, poolside bar, restaurant and conference room.  Activities include scuba diving, snorkelling, sport fishing, island picnics, swimming, lagoon tours, canoe hire, rainforest walks, village tours and World War II sites.

DISCOVER MUNDA MAGIC

...where fun begins...

Welcome to Agnes Lodge, a travellers paradise, where tourists, diving enthusiasts and fishermen mix with business people, government officials on tour and locals. For fifty years our lodge, in the heart of Munda on the shore of the Roviana Lagoon, has offered accommodation, meals and refreshments to all who travel through the Western Province. We are proud that our Solomon  Islands’ family-owned company has continued its Anglo-Solomons Hospitality role for half a century without losing its unique character. This is an experience you must try.  Our comfortable rooms are adorned with pacific style decorations, our restaurant specialises in seafood meals and our Munda bar looks out over the lagoon to the real Munda Bar.  Our sunsets are memorable, our crayfish and crabs unforgettable and our cold drinks refreshing. If that’s not enough, we also offer: · Scuba Diving and snorkeling on world-class sites · Sport Fishing within the lagoon for great fighting fish · Underwater coral and World War 2 relics · Land-based American, New Zealand and Japanese WW2 sites · Rainforest and wildlife fauna tours · Tropical island atoll visits, picnics and barbeques · Sightseeing lagoon tours and canoe transfers to nearby village/ town

Hotel Amenities found at Agnes Lodge : · Dive Munda · Go West Tours · Hopei Island Resort · Vetu Valusa · Experience daily lifestyle · Nearby Local Market

You must try us!  Come and visit us soon.

Welcome to Agnes Lodge.

To contact us:

Agnes Lodge, named after the founder Mrs. Agnes Kera, is a 22 room hotel that clings to the shore of the island studded Roviana Lagoon. An early morning ‘cuppa’, or a late afternoon ’sundowner’ drink from the Lodge’s “Munda Bar”, enjoyed while watching a vibrant community on its water highway is a true experience for the senses, and walks through our adjacent villages will take you back in time. The untouched beauty of the Western Province of the Solomon Islands has been attracting visitors from all around the world for years. Only an one hour  flight or a ten hours daylight voyage from the capital Honiara, Munda is situated close to the junction of the Roviana and Vona Vona lagoons, and is ideal for travellers who want something off the beaten track and are in search of the real Solomon Islands, whilst enjoying superb cuisine, comfortable accommodation and breathtaking scenery above and below the water.

Things To Do!

Agnes Lodge will ensure that there's never a dull moment during your stay with us at Munda. Experience ‘Munda Magic’.	.
Sight Seeing   World War 2 Japanese Clinic & other WW2 tours for Japanese Veterans	Diving DIVE MUNDA for Scuba diving and snorkeling
Fishing Fishing Trips	Hopei Island An island to yourself

Sightseeing

GO WEST TOURS
MUNDA
AGNES LODGE LTD
P.O Box 161, Munda, Solomon Islands
Ph: 677 62180/62133       Fax: 677 62190
Email: egilodge@solomon.com.sb 

 THERE IS LOTS TO DO DURING YOUR STAY AT AGNES LODGE.

WHY NOT TAKE ON ONE OF ‘GO WEST TOURS’ ADVENTURES .

There are ten (10) established tours in and around the Roviana and Vonavona lagoons as far as Vila, Baeroko Bay and Enoghae in the north of New Georgia Islands Group, Kohinggo in the west, Rendova and Tetepari to the south and Saikile to the east.

The tours range from World War 2 land and sea sites, to boat riding and sightseeing through and around two most beautiful and fascinating lagoons of Roviana and Vonavona, and walks through villages and rainforests. Descriptions of the tours are:

A. CUSTOM BUSH WALK TO HOLOPURU WATER FALL (½ Day)

This involves a few hours of bush walking and a visit to Holopuru Waterfall where you cool yourself with the water spray. Whilst walking through the rainforest of tropical Roviana, your guide will explain what the different plants and trees are used for.

Unless you prefer to do the entire bushwalk on foot, a vehicle hire will be arranged for part of the trip.

B. WORLD WAR 2 – MUNDA TOUR (½ Day)

This trip takes you to different locations in and around Munda. At Kindu Village you can see some of the war remains in the shape of anti aircraft guns, US water hole and other war debris. At Kokeqolo there is a Japanese Bunker and at Dunde Village a WW2 dump with war jeeps and other war relics.  Munda Airport’s length gives you an impression of the scale of the war in these parts of the Solomons. The tour of these sites is usually undertaken by hired vehicle.

C. WORLD WAR 2 – KULA GULF TOUR (1 DAY)

(ENOGHAE, BAEROKO BAY- VILA POINT- KOHINGGO)

These locations are on the Western end of New Georgia facing the Kula Gulf which separates the main island of Kolombangara from New Georgia. They are all sites of intense Japanese WW2 activity.

Enoghae is the home of powerful shore battery guns and not far from there is Baeroko Bay, the home of other war remains including a famous sunken Japanese Freighter, the ‘Kasi Maru’, which is at snorkelling depth.

Vila Point on the south eastern shore of Kolombangara is the site of a Japanese clinic, Japanese  bunker and main base areas during the war. On the island of Kohinggo is a famous Stuart US tank. The sites face the famous ‘Kula Gulf’ and “The Slot”, the area of much naval action during WW2.

D. WORLD WAR 2 - RENDOVA ISLAND TOUR (½ Day)

     (MANDALI, LUMBARIA & KURUKURU ISLAND)

An interesting site from WW2 is across the channel on the northern side of Rendova Island at Lumbaria, a war base of P.T. Boats and John F Kennedy’s P.T.109. Other war relics can also be seen in the vicinity.

The village of Mandali also has a story to be told and on the way back to the Lodge, a short rest on the beautiful beach of Kurukuru Island with an irresistible plunge into the sea.

E. HURA & PIRAKA RIVERS - ROVIANA LAGOON (½Day)

Taking a canoe ride eastward from Munda you will have the opportunity of exploring Hura and Piraka Rivers, homes of the salt water crocodile, exotic bird life, native orchids, ancient hardwoods, mangroves, hanging vines and much more.

F. ROVIANA LAGOON TOUR (½ Day)

A cruise through Roviana Lagoon passing Beulah Secondary School, the villages of Baraulu, Bulelavata (a village with a mini hydro scheme) Nusa Hope & Vogi (chieftaincy residence). Then journey further into the heart of Roviana Lagoon and return via Bethany and Saikile Bay. Pass some of the best dive sites in the world and return to the Lodge via Sasavele Passage, used frequently by warships during WW2. Some WW2 relics can be seen in the bay and Lagoon on the way home.

 G. SKULL ISLAND SHRINE WITH VONA VONA LAGOON TOUR (½ Day)

Take a canoe trip through the beautiful VonaVona Lagoon and visit Skull Island which houses the skulls of the great Roviana Warrior Chiefs - as well as some of their enemies. The skulls were moved from the mainland early in the twentieth century soon after the arrival of the first missionaries to avoid conflict with the new Christian religions. Following this visit, take on a beautiful trip through the Vonavona Lagoon. The lagoon is heavily crowned with numerous islands and live coral and one has to have a very intimate knowledge of the lagoon in order to be able to navigate through it.

The trip lasting two hours or more, takes you via Lola Island, past numerous villages including Nazareth Village to see a WW2 war plane, and then return to Agnes Lodge calling at either Zipolo Habu Resort, Tabaka/ Goldie College or Kolohite for a brief rest.

H. MOUNTAIN HIKE TO BAU & MOROKO WATERFALL (1- 1½ Day)

Hiking northward through lush rainforest takes you to Bau, the ancestral settlement of the local Roviana people. On arriving at the historical site, you will see the remains of the original stone pillar buildings and as you walk around the site, you are aware you are amongst the ancestors of New Georgia people. On your descent, you will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the fresh spray of Moroko Waterfall or even take a quick jump into it.

Those who choose to explore Bau and the hinterland must be reasonable physically fit. Usually the first leg of the journey is by vehicle and then on foot to Bau.

I. NUSA ROVIANA & PIRAKA ISLAND (¼ Day)

Nusa Roviana - meaning small Roviana - is an island situated between the islands of New Georgia in the north and Rendova Island to the south. It is one of the first shore settlements of the Roviana people known as the Kazukuru Tribe who used to live in the hinterland of New Georgia at a place called Bau.

Situated on a hill at the top of Nusa Roviana is a rock formation of a Stone Dog called ‘TIOLA’, a powerful figure in Roviana legends. You can view this by taking a pleasant walk through the village and up the hill to the local gardens. On the way are some stunning views overlooking the lagoon & other islands. The walk takes approximately 30mins. There are other ancient shrines to see on the way as well as the wall that surrounds Tiola. Nusa Roviana is also a perfect spot for anyone wishing to sketch or paint.

On Piraka Island, about 5mins from Nusa Roviana, is the home of the skulls of the chiefs of Roviana.

The journey to Nusa Roviana & Piraka Island is done by a motorised boat. With the walk, this tour takes about two hours.

 J. TETEPARI TOUR

This is an interesting and exciting place to visit. On Tetepari one can appreciate an unspoilt and peaceful environment. There is plenty to see and enjoy including the richness of both sea and land resources, bird watching and crocodile sighting. For those who wish to spend more than a day in this pristine environment, there is accommodation and meals provided and other tours of the island can be organised with the Field Station staff. ‘On Island’ costs are extra expenses charged by Tetepari.

 GO WEST TOUR RATES

Charges are given below in Australian, New Zealand and Solomon Islands dollars. The base rate is for the transport – custom fees – guide’s fee for one (1) person. The additional extra person costs are to cover our ‘add-on’ operating expenses such as extra custom fees, insurance, fuel etc., but only apply if the same transport is used. If more than one boat/ conoe/ guide/ vehicle is required, two base rates will apply.

Diving

 Based in Munda on New Georgia's Roviana Lagoon, Dive Munda offer varied and exciting recreational diving and the full range of PADI dive instruction. Located close to a number of Marine Protected Areas, Munda diving offers incredible biodiversity, with over 270 species of fishes identified on some of our sites, along with vibrant, healthy corals, sea turtles, large rays, and the chance of encounters with large pelagic fish and, of course, sharks, plus a wide range of invertebrate 'macro' life such as pygmy seahorses and colourful squat lobsters. Dive outings are two-tank trips, departing in the morning and returning by early afternoon to take advantage of the best conditions, although three-tank trips, afternoon dives and night dives can be arranged on request. Most of our dive sites are within 20-25 minutes of the dive centre on our twin-outboard boats, which can comfortably accommodate six to eight divers, and dive trips include light refreshments during our surface interval, usually taken on the beach at one of the unspoilt islands around the lagoon. Dives are conducted by experienced dive masters leading small groups.

Some of the highlights of diving in Munda include:

Shark Point: At the end of a reef protruding over a mile into open seas and bordering on a 600m-plus drop-off, Shark Point can be dived at any depth from 10m to 60m. Shallower dives here offer pristine corals, large schools of fish including Snapper, Barracuda, Bumphead Parrotfish and Tuna, and turtles. More experienced divers can venture deeper with our experienced guides, who will 'call' sharks on the point itself. Species seen here include Whitetip, Blacktip and Grey Reef Sharks at all depths, plus the chance of dramatic encounters with Great Hammerheads and several very large Silvertip sharks deeper on the drop-off. Depending on the time of day and the state of the tide currents can be quite strong here, but that only brings in more sharks!

Top Shelf: On the opposite side of the reef from Shark Point, Top Shelf consists of a slope running down to 65m, turning into a vertical wall as it rounds the corner. The site plays host to an incredible number of fish species, including schooling fish such as Horseye Trevally, Unicorn fish, Bumphead Parrotfish, Surgeonfish, Tangs, Snapper and Fusiliers, and it is often possible to see Eagle Rays and groups of up to 30 Devil Rays here, as well as turtles and an amazing variety of reef fishes. With that many fish, of course, there are plenty of sharks too, often accompanied by groups of Rainbow Runners hoping for scraps, as this is a regular hunting ground for the Grey Reef Sharks. Watching the Greys rounding up their prey and making feeding runs is a sight not to be misssed!

The Cave of the Kastom Shark: A short walk inland on Ndokendoke Island (approx. one hour from the dive shop) brings divers to the mouth of the Cave, which is entered via a short descent down a vertical shaft. The cave then slopes down to 34m, before sloping back up to a spectacular exit chamber which brings the diver out onto the reef wall after around ten minutes underground. Due to the depth and the overhead environment this is a dive for experienced divers only, but is one not to be missed.

The Corsair: Another dive for the experienced only, this is an almost completely intact American World War II fighter aircraft sitting on the bottom in crystal-clear water at a depth of 52m. After descending and inspecting the wreck, divers continue on to a reef wall where they can enjoy the corals and marine life as they decompress.

Nusa Roviana Wall: This very pretty wall dive offers something for divers of every level. Plenty of marine life, hard and soft corals, schooling fish and Grey Reef Sharks which come to the call at 25-30m, plus just enough current for a gentle drift dive make this a must-do in Munda.

Mushroon Island: With sheer walls dropping 518m from the surface to the sea-bed, Mushroom Island offers spectacular underwater scenery, beautiful sponges and soft corals, and the chance of pelagic encounters of all sorts. Hammerheads, dolphins and hunting Orcas have all been seen here in the past!

Other great sites we visit regularly include the intact wreck of a Douglas Dauntless dive bomber shot down during WWII and now lying in 12m of water, the spectacular vertical drop-off at Susu Hite Pinnacle, where large Marbled Rays and schooling Eagle and Devil Rays can be spotted, the abandoned trucks and aircraft parts at The Dump - once part of the American war effort, now home to all kinds of fantastic critters - and the deep walls at Ozzie Point, Secret Spot, Eagle's Nest and Patugogo.

Dive Munda
PO Box158 Munda
Solomon Islands
Ph: 677 62156
Email: divemunda@solomon.com.sb
Web:   www.mundadive.com

Fishing 

Reef Runner’, your Sport fishing boat for both trolling and bottom fishing.

Want to go fishing? No – not the deep sea, off shore, big game variety. Just in the lagoon or outside the Munda Bar with simple fishing tackle and an expert to help you catch a Coral Trout, Barracuda, Trevally, Kingfish or perhaps a Wahoo!  Do all this from the comparative comfort of a six metre launch where you can walk around, snack and drink while waiting for that ‘strike’. Early morning or late afternoon are the best times, but we can go out when it suits you, and your mate. The maximum number per trip is two people.  Of course, our kitchen will cook your catch for you, if you get it home!  The cost, which can be shared with a friend, is just AU$80/ NZ$100/ SI$500 per hour with a minimum of two hours, charged out in quarter hour segments; (AU$20/ NZ$25/ SI$125 per ¼ hour after the initial AU$160/ NZ$200/ SI$1000 for the first two hours)  Please contact the Reception Desk as pre-bookings are essential.

Hopei Island

TROPICAL ISLAND STOP-OVER

Do you have a spare half day or so in your busy holiday itinerary? If you have, why not spend a lazy day doing very little on a coral atoll on the outer fringing reef just 3 km off Munda. This is our very own Hopei Island.

 If you wish we can arrange for you to have the island to yourself, although there are always likely to be locals fishing from their canoes around the Lagoon. Apart from gazing out to sea, you can:

• Paddle yourself around the island
• Walk the short distance through impressive rainforest trees
• Swim off the sandy point at the islands eastern end
• Collect shells from the lagoon Sun bathe
• Cook your fish on the BBQ
• Do nothing

The island has its own ablution block, shower and sun decks or shaded decks to relax upon. We will arrange a picnic lunch – with all the trimmings if you wish, or cur ‘Man Friday’ will organise the bbq.

Whatever you wish for – or almost – is yours for the asking.

Facilities 

 To contact us:

Agnes Lodge Ltd
PO Box 161 Munda
New Georgia
Western Province Solomon Islands

Phone: (677) 62133  Fax: (677) 62190
E-mail: egilodge@solomon.com.sb