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Solomon Islands🇸🇧 | attractionsKennedy IslandPT-109 survivors, palm-ringed islet, Blackett Strait, Kolombangara cone | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Kennedy Island
🏆 Top pickattraction ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Warm sand squeaks under your boots as the boat engine cuts, and the only sounds left are palm fronds ticking overhead and small waves slapping the shore. The island is tiny, a ring of white beach around a thick knot of coconut palms, and you can walk it in minutes. Kennedy Island sits in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands, just east of Gizo across the open water. There is no crowd here, usually just a handful of travelers and the boatman, but you pay for that quiet with a chartered or shared boat, which is the main cost. There are no facilities, no shade beyond the trees, and the sun is fierce. What you get is real history, the swim that a young naval officer named John F. Kennedy made in 1943, plus clear water and good snorkeling. A first day works well as a morning boat ride, a long swim and a lazy lunch on the sand.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Solomon Islands Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 attraction in Solomon IslandsReasons people choose to visit here

Go for the story. In August 1943 a Japanese destroyer cut Kennedy’s patrol torpedo boat, PT-109, in two, and the survivors swam for hours to reach this sandbar of an island. Standing on it, looking back across the water they crossed, makes the account far more concrete than any book can. Some travelers expect a museum and find only trees and sand, so adjust accordingly. That is also its appeal: the place has barely changed.
The second reason is the surrounding water. The Blackett Strait side of Gizo is wide, calm and clear, and the reef off the island is good for an easy snorkel where you can drift over coral and small reef fish with no one else around. Few Pacific war sites let you swim straight off the beach where history happened.
Third, it anchors a loop through Western Province. Pair it … read more 👉
Go for the story. In August 1943 a Japanese destroyer cut Kennedy’s patrol torpedo boat, PT-109, in two, and the survivors swam for hours to reach this sandbar of an island. Standing on it, looking back across the water they crossed, makes the account far more concrete than any book can. Some travelers expect a museum and find only trees and sand, so adjust accordingly. That is also its appeal: the place has barely changed.
The second reason is the surrounding water. The Blackett Strait side of Gizo is wide, calm and clear, and the reef off the island is good for an easy snorkel where you can drift over coral and small reef fish with no one else around. Few Pacific war sites let you swim straight off the beach where history happened.
Third, it anchors a loop through Western Province. Pair it with the dive shops and market in Gizo and the wartime wrecks scattered through these waters, and you get a rounded picture of the Pacific war in the Solomons without needing a guide or a full day.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while visiting Kennedy Island

  1. Kennedy Island beach: the headline sight. A small, sandy island ringed with coconut palms, formerly known as Plum Pudding Island for its round shape. Walk the whole shoreline in a few minutes and picture the exhausted crew washing up in 1943.
  2. The swim view across Blackett Strait: stand on the northern shore and look toward where PT-109 was rammed by the destroyer Amagiri. The distance the survivors swam, several kilometers, becomes believable once you see how much open water lies between.
  3. Snorkeling the fringing reef: just off the beach, healthy coral drops away into blue water. Visibility is usually good, and you share it with reef fish rather than other tourists. Bring your own mask if you have one.
  4. Kolombangara’s volcanic cone: to the northeast, the almost perfectly round cone of Kolombangara
… read more 👉
  1. Kennedy Island beach: the headline sight. A small, sandy island ringed with coconut palms, formerly known as Plum Pudding Island for its round shape. Walk the whole shoreline in a few minutes and picture the exhausted crew washing up in 1943.
  2. The swim view across Blackett Strait: stand on the northern shore and look toward where PT-109 was rammed by the destroyer Amagiri. The distance the survivors swam, several kilometers, becomes believable once you see how much open water lies between.
  3. Snorkeling the fringing reef: just off the beach, healthy coral drops away into blue water. Visibility is usually good, and you share it with reef fish rather than other tourists. Bring your own mask if you have one.
  4. Kolombangara’s volcanic cone: to the northeast, the almost perfectly round cone of Kolombangara rises from the sea, often wrapped in cloud. From the island at dawn or late afternoon it makes a fine backdrop, and the light is excellent for photos.
  5. Olasana Island: after reaching Plum Pudding, Kennedy and his men moved on to this larger neighboring island, where they found coconuts and water. A visit adds the second chapter of the story and has a quiet beach of its own.
  6. Naru Island: the place where the crew was finally found by two Solomon Islander scouts, Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana, who paddled a dugout canoe to reach them. Kennedy scratched a message on a coconut, which he kept as a paperweight on his desk as president.
  7. Sunset from the sand: the sun drops behind the strait in a wash of orange, and the palms go black against it. Stay until the light fades, with the boatman happy to wait.
For a first visit, spend your time on the beach itself, since the island is the reason for the trip and the swim view gives the history its scale.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Drier Season (May to October): Seas are calmer for the 20 to 30 minute crossing from Gizo, and the water is clearer for snorkeling off the sandbar. Days run about 26 to 31°C (79 to 88°F), with showers that pass quickly.
  • Wet Season (November to April): Expect heavy downpours, humid air around 25 to 31°C (77 to 88°F), and choppier water, especially December to March. Boat operators sometimes cancel when squalls roll in.
  • Daylight: Sunrise and sunset sit close to 6 am and 6 pm all year, so aim to be on the sand by mid-morning when the light is good.
  • Crowds and Prices: The island sees a handful of visitors a day at any time, mostly dive-trip add-ons. Boat rates stay the same all year, though fuel costs can push them up a little.
Go on a weekday morning in the drier months, when you may have the whole sandy strip to yourself.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Stay in Gizo town, because every boat to Kennedy Island leaves from there and nothing on the island itself is set up for overnight visitors. The central stretch around the market and main jetty is the most practical base. You can walk to supermarkets, the handful of cafes, the ATM and the boat operators, and the waterfront is busy enough in daylight to feel safe for solo travelers. Guesthouses here and a few dive lodges along the shore take backpackers, and the dining tables are where you swap tips with divers, volunteers and the odd yachtie.

The quieter residential edge of town, toward the hospital … read more 👉
Stay in Gizo town, because every boat to Kennedy Island leaves from there and nothing on the island itself is set up for overnight visitors. The central stretch around the market and main jetty is the most practical base. You can walk to supermarkets, the handful of cafes, the ATM and the boat operators, and the waterfront is busy enough in daylight to feel safe for solo travelers. Guesthouses here and a few dive lodges along the shore take backpackers, and the dining tables are where you swap tips with divers, volunteers and the odd yachtie.

The quieter residential edge of town, toward the hospital and the hillside, trades convenience for peace and sea views. It is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the center, fine in daylight, but take a taxi or a torch after dark since street lighting is patchy.

Some small lodges sit on islets across Gizo Harbour and are reached by short boat transfers. They suit travelers who want snorkeling right off the dock, though you pay more and eat where you sleep. Book ahead in the drier months, since the town has few beds in total.
Best hostels in Solomon Islands


Best quality hotels in Solomon Islands

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

A day at Kennedy Island runs about US$98 for a backpacker based in Gizo, with the boat charter eating most of it. The island sits in the Western Province, a short boat ride from Gizo, and the visit is a half-day trip. Travelers pay in Solomon Islands dollars, and prices below are converted to US dollars.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Boat transfer from GizoUS$25 to 45 per boatCharter small outboard boats from the Gizo waterfront or through your guesthouse. The fare is per boat, so splitting with others cuts the cost sharply.
Island landing or visit feeUS$3 to 6The island is under local custom ownership, so a small fee is paid to the community caretakers on arrival. Amounts are set locally and can vary.
Snorkeling gearUS$0 to 8Some Gizo dive and guesthouse operators rent masks and fins. Quality
… read more 👉
A day at Kennedy Island runs about US$98 for a backpacker based in Gizo, with the boat charter eating most of it. The island sits in the Western Province, a short boat ride from Gizo, and the visit is a half-day trip. Travelers pay in Solomon Islands dollars, and prices below are converted to US dollars.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Boat transfer from GizoUS$25 to 45 per boatCharter small outboard boats from the Gizo waterfront or through your guesthouse. The fare is per boat, so splitting with others cuts the cost sharply.
Island landing or visit feeUS$3 to 6The island is under local custom ownership, so a small fee is paid to the community caretakers on arrival. Amounts are set locally and can vary.
Snorkeling gearUS$0 to 8Some Gizo dive and guesthouse operators rent masks and fins. Quality varies.
Food and drinkUS$6 to 12Pack lunch and water from Gizo market and stores. Expect no shops on the island apart from the occasional coconut seller.
Accommodation in Gizo (high season)US$20 to 35 per nightBasic guesthouse rooms and simple dorm-style beds. Rates dip slightly in the wetter months.
Local transport in GizoUS$1 to 3Shared minivans and short taxi hops around town to reach the waterfront.
Guide or extrasUS$0 to 10Boat drivers often double as guides. Tipping is not expected, but a small thank-you is appreciated.
Total Daily BudgetUS$98Per person, per day, in high season.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Half a day is enough. The boat from Gizo takes about 20 to 30 minutes each way, and most people spend 2 to 4 hours on the sandbar for a swim, snorkel and a look at the small Kennedy shrine. Add a night in Gizo before and after if you are coming from Honiara, as flights land there once or twice a day.
Yes for most travelers, mainly because the fee is small, often SBD 15 to 50 (US$2 to 6) paid to the landowners, and the real cost is the boat. The island has clear water, coral right off the beach and a link to John F. Kennedy’s 1943 swim after PT-109 was sunk. It is a modest slice of history rather than a museum, so expect sand, palm trees and a small shrine.
Fly from Honiara to Gizo with Solomon Airlines, a trip of about 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on stops, then hire a small boat from the Gizo waterfront or through a dive operator. The crossing is 20 to 30 minutes and costs roughly SBD 350 to 700 return per boat. Arrange a pickup time with the driver, because no regular ferry serves the island.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Solomon Islander attractions near Kennedy Island

Explore more nearby:

  • Skull Island Shrine—Roviana Lagoon, Chief Hiqava, sacred skulls, landowner guides| 37 km away
  • Vilu War Museum—Open-air relics, anti-aircraft guns, aircraft wreckage, village guides| 345 km away
  • Bonegi Wrecks—Shore-entry wrecks, black volcanic beach, rusted hull ribs, Kinugawa Maru| 354 km away

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Give it half a day, no more. That is enough time for a snorkel, a walk around the sand, and a slow look at the strait. If you can, go in the late afternoon and stay for the sunset. Bring water, a hat and snacks, because nothing is for sale on the island itself.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Solomon Islands. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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