Fatboys Resort has long been the go-to choice near Gizo, especially for travelers looking for unique island accommodation and easy access to the region’s reefs and WWII wrecks.
With the recent addition of their brand new on-site dive shop, it’s a solid option for divers as well. I booked a stay here to explore the underwater world– but we also filled our days with snorkeling, island hopping, and plenty of downtime. This review is based entirely on my firsthand experience and gives a practical, honest breakdown of what to expect at one of the best dive resorts in the Solomon Islands.
Overview of Fatboys Resort
- Location: Fatboys Resort is located on Mbabanga Island, a 10-minute boat ride from Gizo in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. Airport transfers can be arranged by the resort from Gizo or Munda.
- Booking: You can book a stay at Fatboys Resort on Hotels.com or by contacting them directly.
- Diving: The resort now has its own fully equipped dive center, offering trips to nearby reef systems and WWII wrecks. You can also book snorkel trips, fishing, and island visits.
- Accommodation: Overwater bungalows and oceanfront rooms with open-air bathrooms and balconies.
- Restaurant: The iconic jetty restaurant serves up local seafood and international meals with a daily small selection.
- Best time to visit: Dry season runs from May to October. Visibility for diving is typically best June to September.
- Power & Wi-Fi: Solar power with generator backup. Wi-Fi (Starlink) is available at the restaurant and it reached my bungalow.
My TL;DR Review:
Fatboys is a laid-back island resort near Gizo with spacious overwater bungalows, a brand new dive shop with great gear, and an epic overwater bar and restaurant.
It’s not luxury in the conventional sense, no aircon in most rooms, and everything runs on island time. But it nails the balance between comfort and adventure and is ideal for those who’d rather have a real island experience than the sanitized, packaged vibe of a five-star resort in Fiji.
Check Availability: Fatboys Resort
How to Get to Fatboys Resort
Accommodation in the Solomon Islands’ Western Province is remote and low-key, but that’s exactly the charm. Don’t expect to land in a major city and hop in a taxi to your resort. Out here, transport is part of the adventure– and here’s exactly how to get to Fatboys.
From Gizo Town (Closest Access Point)
- Boat transfer: A fast 8–10 minute ride from Gizo’s jetty to Mbabanga Island (Fatboys). The resort arranges this to coincide with flights into Gizo’s Nusatupe Airport.
- Cost: Typically SBD 100 (~USD 12–13) each way when arranged via resort or local operator.
- My Recommendation: Arrange transfers through Fatboys in advance. They’ll coordinate directly with your flight schedule into Gizo (Nusatupe Airport).
Getting to Gizo
- From Honiara: Daily Solomon Airlines flights land at Nusatupe in about 1 h 15–30 minutes, and the cost ranges from USD 220–260 one way.
• After landing, transfer seamlessly to the resort’s boat.
From Munda (My Route)
- Flight option: Solomon Airlines flies direct from Brisbane to Munda, no internal connections required. From Munda to Gizo you can also take a short 15-minute flight, or go by boat.
- Boat combo: I arranged a private transfer starting in Munda, stopping to explore Kolombangara Island, staying at the Imbu Rano Lodge, then continuing on to Fatboys with a lunch and snorkel stop at Imagination Island Resort.
- Travel time: Munda → Kolombangara ~1 hour, then to Fatboys via Imagination Island Resort ~1–1.5 hours.
- Cost: Around SBD 2,200 (~USD 270) for a private longboat charter but can be cheaper if you arrange transport only.
Why this route? It’s more scenic and flexible, ideal if you’re already in Munda or want to explore more of the Western Province. Plus, you skip the domestic flight altogether. Though if you want to get to Fatboys as quickly as possible, fly to Gizo.
Rooms and Facilities at Fatboys Resort
Overwater Bungalows
Fatboys has six spacious overwater bungalows, all perched right on the water with wide balconies facing the sea. The layout and style feel more like small villas than basic island huts– roomy, breezy, and ideal for switching off.
The bungalows we stayed in didn’t have air conditioning, but we didn’t need it. With the ocean breeze and ceiling fans, the room stayed cool even in the early afternoon heat.
Each bungalow is built with natural materials– timber floors, woven bamboo interior panels, and traditional sago palm thatched roofing that adds to the authentic island aesthetic. The craftsmanship is clearly local, with polished wood finishes and little touches like seashell-decorated furniture and coral stone features. These aren’t flashy modern villas, but they’re well-kept and have character.
Inside, there’s a large, comfortable bed with a full mosquito net, plus a separate lounge area with a table and chairs. The open-air bathroom at the back has hot showers and plenty of space to rinse off after a dive or swim. The best part, though, is the private balcony– large enough to lounge on with a drink and just watch the water beneath you. Reef fish and even small sharks are often visible from your room.
New: Recently added, the Honeymoon Suite is positioned a bit further along the beach and stands out as the only air-conditioned bungalow. It retains the same local-materials charm with timber, bamboo accents, open-air vibes but offers extra privacy and comfort, making it ideal for couples or anyone wanting a more refined stay.
Fatboys Resort Restaurant & Bar
The restaurant at Fatboys is built on a timber platform over the water, connected to shore by a long jetty about 100 meters out. It’s a relaxed, open-air space with wooden tables and wraparound sea views. You’ll likely spot reef sharks, fish, and even rays cruising below while you eat.
The menu is à la carte and changes depending on what’s available, but seafood is the main event. Crayfish, mahi-mahi, spanish mackerel, reef fish, and chilli crab show up regularly, and meals are cooked fresh to order.
We had some great dinners here, and the pan-fried fish with garlic and lime was a standout. Breakfast is simple but solid eggs, toast, fruit, coffee, and smoothies– pancakes were my favorite.
There’s also a small bar next to the dining area serving cold Solbrew, cocktails, and a limited wine selection. It's a good place to hang out in the afternoons or after dinner. One night we stayed up late playing pool and watching reef sharks circling the lights under the jetty.
Prices are higher than in Gizo, which is expected given the location and effort required to source fresh ingredients. Service was friendly and casual. Solomon time is a real thing and things run on island time, so it’s best to order ahead and be patient.
Fatboys Dive Shop
Fatboys recently opened their own on-site dive shop, and it’s seriously very well done. I’ve dived all over the world and worked as a divemaster, and I can honestly say I’ve never suited up with gear this new. I literally had to take the inserts out of the fins, I was the first person to use them. And it’s not like I’ve got a size-17 flipper foot either.
The dive center is set just a short walk up the boardwalk from the restaurant and bungalows. Everything’s organized neatly, and you can load your gear straight onto the boats from the jetty out front.
The team is mostly Solomon Islander dive staff, and they were all super friendly, capable, and clearly experienced. There’s also an Aussie instructor named Suellen (just don’t call her Sue– seriously). She handled the admin side quickly and with good humor, which made the usual waiver paperwork painless.
They’ve got proper dive boats too, long fiberglass pangas with big new outboards. They’re fast, clean, and perfect for day trips to the reefs and wrecks around Gizo. The only thing missing I noticed are the tank slots on board, which apparently are still “on the way” from Gizo… Solomon time. But it’s not a dealbreaker, and they'll likely have that sorted soon. Diving is done in small groups, no overcrowded cattle boats here, just a few divers per trip and plenty of space.
Overall, it’s one of the most enjoyable, professional, and low-key dive operations I’ve experienced in the Pacific. Great gear, great crew, great setup.
Activities Beyond Diving
If you’ve been reading We Seek Travel for a while, you’ll know we don’t book accommodation just to hang around in it. Resorts are base camps. Somewhere to sleep, rinse off, and maybe eat a pancake before heading back out into the world. That said, it’s always a bonus when your stay makes it easy to explore. Fatboys does that well.
Despite the name, it’s not all hammocks and Solbrews (though no judgment if that’s your plan). There’s actually a fair bit to do if you’re the type who gets twitchy after an hour in a beach chair like I do.
Kayaks and SUPs
Guests can use kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for free. On calm days, you can paddle all the way around Mbabanga Island. Or further, if you’re feeling energetic and have brought snacks. The water is usually clear enough to spot reef sharks and rays from above.
Polycraft Dinghies
These little boats are my kind of chaos. They’re basically indestructible plastic tubs with 15 hp outboards and a bimini. You don’t need a license, but you do need to be comfortable steering with a tiller. Bring snorkels, lunch, and don't forget to plug the bungs.
Kennedy Island
Famous for JFK’s WWII survival story, Kennedy Island is just a short ride from Fatboys. The resort can arrange a half-day trip, and when we went, they threw on a beach BBQ. Joel, the caretaker, gave us a friendly, relaxed rundown of the history. We snorkeled, swam, and hung out for a few hours and even went for a dive on the house reef. Definitely worth the trip, even if you're not a WWII tragic.
Wine Downs
Probably the most iconic Fatboys experience. They take you out to a nearby sandbar for sunset drinks. Ours turned into a casual beach fire with the staff, a few glasses of wine, and no schedule whatsoever. Think more “island backpacker bonfire” than “Fiji five-star platter.”
No shoes, no pressure, all good vibes, this was my kind of resort.
Island Hopping
You can also ask the crew to take you island hopping. Nothing’s pre-packaged, but that’s part of the charm. If the weather’s good and the boat’s free, they’ll sort something out. It's a solid way to see more of the Western Province without packing your bags again.
Fishing
Fatboys can also arrange fishing charters, either as full-day trips or shorter sessions, depending on the weather and what you’re after. Locals joke that you should bait your hook behind a tree or the fish might jump on before you're ready.
This part of the Solomon Islands has never been commercially fished, and it’s considered one of the best game fishing regions in the world. Expect everything from tuna to mahi-mahi and massive GTs. Bring your own gear if you’re picky, but basic trolling tackle can be supplied.
What I Didn’t Like About Fatboys Resort
I do my best to write reviews that are honest and unbiased. I’m not affiliated with Fatboys I don't owe them anything. But honestly, there wasn’t much to fault. For me, the resort struck a rare balance between a luxury island getaway and a laid-back base for adventure.
Still, I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t mention a few things that might matter depending on your travel style. That said, I do feel a bit like a picky food critic complaining about the parsley garnish. These aren’t dealbreakers, just points to be aware of.
No Aircon in the Standard Bungalows
Unless you book the Honeymoon Suite, the bungalows don’t have air conditioning. Personally, I didn’t need it. The ventilation is great and the sea breeze kept things comfortable, even in the middle of the day. But if you’re someone who expects a blast of cold air after a hot afternoon in the sun, this might be something to consider. That said, if I were running the place, I wouldn’t install AC either. It’s part of the disconnect, and that’s the whole point of being here.
Solomon Time
This isn’t specific to Fatboys, but more of a Solomon Islands thing. Everything runs on what I quickly learned is called “Solomon time.” If someone says 10 o’clock, it means before lunch. Say 5 p.m., and there’s a decent chance it’s not happening today.
It took me a couple of days to adjust, but once I let go of the schedule, I actually appreciated it. You’re on island time. Might as well lean into it.
Slippery Jetty
During a few rainy spells, the timber jetty leading to the restaurant got pretty slick. Some anti-slip paint would go a long way here. It’s not a big deal, but worth keeping in mind, especially on the way back from the bar after a few wines at high tide.
Summary: Final Review of Fatboys Resort
Fatboys isn’t about five-star polish, it's real island experiences.
The seafood is fresh, the dive gear is brand new, and the best nights end with a bonfire on a sandbar. There’s no aircon in most rooms, and things run on Solomon time, but that’s all part of the rhythm out here.
If you’re the kind of traveler who values connection to place over curated perfection, Fatboys is one of the best places to stay in the Solomons. I’ll definitely be back.
