SANBIS RESORT

Approximately 7 minutes from the Gizo airstrip by boat, Sanbis Resort offers the premier accommodation in the country, with each bungalow having its own private beach, luxury ensuite bathrooms with hot water and a terrace with a stunning view across the lagoon. The resort boasts the best stocked bar in the West, fantastic meals are prepared by our International Chef and served by our very friendly and trained staff!

Enjoy snorkelling in front of your private bungalow in 30 degree waters, join activities provided by Solomon Water sport located at the in-house dive centre Opening soon - closed due to Covid restrictions ) or simply relax to your heart’s content. The Solomon Islands are as far from the maddening crowd as you can get and Sanbis Resort offers the tranquillity that comes with the serene island environment.

Accommodation

Sitting amidst coastal trees and coconut palm is your Leaf House Villa with its veranda over a tranquil lagoon. Opened in 2005, Sanbis Resort is for the holiday- maker who wants something unique.

To maintain total exclusivity, the resort has six bungalows, generally limited to 12 guests at any one time. Each bungalow incorporates a modern ensuite bathroom with hot shower, has its own secluded beach and is totally separated from the others. Sanbis Resort a “KIDS FREE” haven most of the year (no children under 12 years of age) however Queensland School holidays permits kids from 4 years and over to enjoy Sanbis. Please ask us about EXECULSIVE KIDS SPECIALS.

The beautifully appointed beach bungalows are all made from local materials apart from the bathroom fit-outs, which have a European style feel. Proper, ceiling fans run 24 hours a day.

Fresh drinking water is provided daily, hot water for tea and coffee is available in thermos bottles, which are replaced twice a day. Whilst you have dinner, our staff visits your bungalow for a quick clean up, spray for mosquitoes and lights a kerosene lantern so you can find your way when returning to the bungalow for the night. (All lighting works 24 hours a day as it is all run by our Solar battery bank).

Although, Mosquitoes are few and far between, all bungalows have insect screens on windows and a large mosquito net over the Queen sized beds. The finest pure cotton sheets, (360 stitches per inch) are provided. Each bungalow has very fluffy bath towels and an additional set of beach towels to use around the resort.

Due to the fact that we follow ecologically sound guidelines, we unfortunately cannot provide refrigeration in the bungalows, however, if need be, you can keep your items in one of our fridges or freezers at the restaurant.

Please note that we have two bungalows, which are a little larger than the other four – ideal to share between 3-4 divers, a small fishing group or a family with up to 2 elder children.

The Lodge

“The Lodge” at Sanbis Resort. It is an absolutely beautiful and exclusive complex located at the very end of our island – about 250 metres from the existing Bar/Restaurant.

Tell me more...

Dining

Sanbis offer lavish breakfasts with an array of tropical fruit, fresh juices, bread baked in our in-house wood fire oven...and of course fresh coffee. A great location overlooking the beach and lagoon. Only in-house guests are able to enjoy the privacy of the resort restaurant and bar located at the beach side of the jetty. You can enjoy great Pizzas from the ONLY genuine Wood Fire Pizza Oven in the Western Province.

The Chef

The chef creates exotic seafood delicacies, spicy island BBQ’s in the reef hut and a wide variety of western style meals with an island touch. Entrees ranging from the special Sashimi to the most delicious soups that can be enjoyed for both lunch or dinner. In the You can even eat your own fish after returning from a fishing trip, let our staff know how you’d like it prepared!

Environment

Sanbis Resort is a very eco friendly place. All lighting is solar powered, unlike all other resorts our sewerage is treated and the last stage used in our gardens and as a result our reef is still pristine. Despite being an eco responsible place, all our bungalows have (proper) ceiling fans, which run 24 hours a day (at night time on inverters from the solar system). By following environmental guidelines, we minimize the impact on our aquatic ecosystem whilst contributing to environmental, economic and cultural conservation.

The management and employees of Sanbis Resort have made a total commitment to the environment by way of applying the latest technologies to recycle all waste. The layout of the resort is such that a minimum amount of trees had to be cut. For every tree cut we planted approximately 5 to replace it. Every effort has been applied to utilise sustainable resources in the building of the resort.

ECO doesn’t mean sacrificing the little luxuries... We have Wireless internet access (bring your own laptop) and batteries for cameras, computers and the like can be charged anytime at the Resort bar/restaurant

Diving - OPENING AGAIN SOON

Gizo, in the Western Province is a “must” on every diver’s calendar as it offers some of the most Exciting diving you will ever experience.

The highest number of marine life can be found here in 29 degree and crystal clear waters. You’ll find numerous WWII wrecks, planes and ships. The gin clear water opens up an amazing display of sea whips, giant gorgonian fans and an immense display of hard and soft corals.

Relax! – We do not operate on a set schedule! After all, you are on holidays - have breakfast and we will take off once you are ready! Dive trips are guided by one of our experienced Dive Masters and are leaving from the Sanbis Resort Dive Centre.

All dive sites are within a short boat ride from Gizo. Light lunches are provided and for divers diving on several days, we organise a beach BBQ on a nearby secluded island during surface intervals.

Pre & post dive set up is all part of the service. No slugging of heavy loads on or off the boat for our guests. You can relax filling in your log book, or looking up the strange fish you've just witnessed, whilst our staff rinse off and store your diving equipment. Dives are conducted from one of our 3 dedicated dive boats powered by either single or twin 100Hp Yamaha engines.

We stock Scubapro Gear with optional Dive Computers. Bring your own gear and we will even give you a discount!

Apart from Scuba Diving we also offer all sorts of exciting watersport activities. Game fishing, windsurfing, para-sailing, kayaking, water-skiing and knee-boarding!

Fishing

Reef fishing can be done on either a 8m Oceantech longboat powered by twin 100Hp four strokes or a 22 foot Yamaha longboat set up with a single 100Hp Yamaha, a shade canopy and centre console for walk around fishing. There is a good range of medium and light tackle from 25 kg down. Most of the fishing is TROLLING, but POPPER casting and LIGHT SPINNING has recently gained enormous popularity.

There is no wasted time as the chain of reefs around Gizo Lagoon is right at our doorstep. Ideally no more than 3 people - 3 lines at any one time. This includes all fishing gear, gimble, harness, lures, local guide and boat as pictured. Please note, any lost lures are charged at cost plus 20%.

Fishing equipment consists of 80 W Tiagra's, Abu Carcia 50lbs reels, Okuma 50TLs and there is a choice of a great range of lures. For casting, please bring your own favourite gear. Many Blue fin travelly have been caught from the jetty at SB Bar.

Poppering has produced Giant Travelly to 60 lbs, light lure casting has accounted for Spottail Bass up to 25 lbs. Jigging heavy metal has done well on a variety of fish including Dog Tooth Tuna and Yellow Fin Tuna to 28 kgs. Much bigger fish have been hooked jigging but have proved unstoppable on the lighter tackle.

Trolling has accounted for Marlin to 320 kgs, Sailfish to 68 kgs and Yellow Fin to 72 kgs amongst the bigger pelagic. Closer in, Spanish Mackerel, Dog Tooth Tuna and Great Barracuda to 20 kgs are regular catches.

Surfing

We regularly have surfers staying at Sanbis resort. We also have 3 boards ranging from 6 – 7.5 f in case a board gets offloaded with the airlines. Surfers should also consider bringing spare fins, of course wax and maybe a spare leg rope.

Ravia, one of our staff, who is also a rescue diver is one of Gizo’s best surfers. He usually takes our surfing guests to the breaks.

There are three usually good breaks: Titiana (LH), Paelongge (RH) and Outside Naru (RH)). Titiana is about 13 minutes from Sanbis by boat, Paelongge about 20 minutes and Naru about 7 minutes.

The best time for surf is during the Australian cyclone season but best is between November and end of April when we have N/NW winds. Particularly if there is a cyclone or low somewhere south towards Australia, the breaks can be fantastic. Other times can also be very good but not when the SE winds are up (usually ok for say 3 out of 7 days). There is also a break at Skull Island, (VERY long) but unreliable. Skull Island is usually only good if Paelongge and Titiana are huge.

Surf transfers we only provide for in-house guests. Up to 8 surfers can fit into one boat. Many of the surf photographs you see on our site, have been taken by Peter Boskovich on behalf of the Waves Magazine in April 2008.

Activities

Not only can Sanbis provide great fishing, surfing and diving experiences but they also have a number of activities and day trips to offer, they can arrange a guided adventure trip to the famous Arnavon Islands, visit the Japanese abandoned WWII airstrip (on Balalai Island near Bougainville) in the Shortland Islands, or camp at the Paraso Volcanic area. Other activities and day trips include.