Dive Site: Ghizo - Kennedy Island

About Ghizo - Kennedy Island

Kennedy Island, also known as Plum Pudding Island, holds significant historical importance as the site where Lieutenant John F. Kennedy and his crew sought refuge after their PT-109 torpedo boat was sunk in 1943. Beyond its historical narrative, the island offers an exceptional dive experience characterized by gently sloping reefs from 5 to 18 meters, adorned with healthy coral gardens featuring table, staghorn, and brain corals. Local guides can vividly recount the events of PT-109, pinpointing the channel where the vessel went down, adding a unique historical layer to your underwater exploration. The shallow reef tops are teeming with colorful nudibranchs and anemonefish, providing fantastic opportunities for macro photography. The waters are also frequented by both hawksbill and green turtles, which are often encountered grazing on the corals or resting on the sandy bottom. This dive site masterfully blends a compelling wartime history with a thriving natural ecosystem, offering a reflective and engaging experience for divers of all levels. While the historical context is a major draw, the biological diversity ensures a rewarding dive. The sheltered location means relatively calm conditions, allowing for relaxed exploration of both the reef structure and its resident marine life. It's a site that appeals to those who appreciate a dive with a story, alongside the beauty of the underwater world.

Dive site facts: Ghizo - Kennedy Island

Depth

5–18 m

Typical dive

12–15 m, 60 min

Current

Mild

Visibility

20–30 m

Water temperature

28–30 °C

Entry

Tender

Level

All levels

Dive type

Reef, historical

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Western Province

Coordinates

-8.2333, 156.9833

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Kennedy Island are generally mild, contributing to a very easy diving environment. While most dives present minimal current, there may be occasional, gentle water movement, particularly around specific features or at certain tidal states. Dive plans are typically arranged to minimize swimming against any currents present, often allowing for pleasant drift dives. The calm and warm conditions, combined with excellent visibility, make for comfortable entries and exits from tender boats, ensuring a relaxed experience for divers.

Marine life & sighting chances

Hawksbill Turtle

occasional

Green Turtle

occasional

Anemonefish

common

Nudibranch

common

Reef Fish

common

Pygmy Seahorse

occasional

Octopus

occasional

Cuttlefish

occasional

Shark

rare

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Your dive at Kennedy Island typically begins with a tender drop close to the historical channel where PT-109 was sunk. You'll descend onto the gently sloping reef, starting at around 5-7 meters, and explore the vibrant coral gardens that stretch down to about 18 meters. The route generally follows the reef contour, allowing for close inspection of staghorn, table, and brain corals. Keep an eye out for hawksbill and green turtles gliding past or resting among the corals. The dive often progresses into shallower areas, where you can spot colorful anemonefish sheltering in their hosts and various nudibranchs on the reef top. The turn point is flexible, allowing you to maximize bottom time at a comfortable depth before gradually ascending for a safety stop in the clear, sunlit shallows, completing the dive with a tender pickup.

Underwater photography

Kennedy Island offers a blend of subjects suitable for both wide-angle and macro photography. For the expansive coral gardens, a wide-angle lens will capture the health and density of the reef, especially the impressive table and staghorn corals. When focusing on the historical aspect, consider wide-angle shots that incorporate the unique topography of the channel or any subtle reminders of its past. Macro photographers will delight in the shallow reef tops, which are rich with nudibranchs and anemonefish, requiring a macro lens and potentially a snoot for creative lighting. Given the generally mild currents and excellent visibility, taking your time for composition and patient observation is highly rewarding. Buoyancy control is paramount to protect the delicate corals and ensure clear shots.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Munda - Shark Point

  Munda’s Shark Point, located in the Solomon Islands' Western Province, is a renowned dive site offering thrilling encounters with large…

• Toa Maru

  A significant WWII wreck dive in the Western Province.

• Marovo Lagoon - Coral Gardens

  Known for its healthy corals and abundant macro life.

• Njari Island - Manta Point

  Njari Island's Manta Point is a renowned dive site within the Solomon Islands, celebrated for its consistent manta ray sightings.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Kennedy Island typically involves flying into Honiara International Airport (HIR) on Guadalcanal, which has direct connections from Brisbane, Nadi, Port Moresby, and Auckland. From Honiara, a domestic flight with Solomon Airlines will take you to Gizo (GZO) in the Western Province, which is the main departure point for liveaboards and day trips to Kennedy Island. Liveaboards typically combine this site with others in the Western Province or broader Solomon Islands itineraries, offering multiple dives per day. Trip lengths vary, but liveaboard packages often range from 7 to 14 days, providing comprehensive coverage of the region's diverse dive sites. Ensure you have the necessary Solomon Islands dollars (SBD) for any local purchases, as cash is preferred outside Honiara.

Safety & environment

The Solomon Islands are remote, and immediate medical facilities are limited. The nearest recompression chamber is approximately 1,500 miles away in Townsville, Australia, requiring a complex air evacuation process. Therefore, comprehensive dive insurance that covers remote evacuation and recompression treatment is absolutely essential. While Kennedy Island offers generally easy diving conditions, always dive within your training limits and follow your guide's instructions. Malaria is present in the Solomon Islands, so consult your doctor about prophylaxis before travel. Drink only boiled or sterilized water and ensure food is well-cooked. Always be aware of your surroundings and practice excellent buoyancy control to avoid damaging the historical site or delicate marine life.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Ghizo - Kennedy Island FAQ

Liveaboards diving Ghizo - Kennedy Island

These liveaboards may visit Ghizo - Kennedy Island on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Solomons Master

Solomon Islands

16 guests

$401/day

Emperor Bilikiki

Solomon Islands

20 guests38 m

$569/day

Pacific Master

Solomon Islands

20 guests30 m

$268/day