Kennedy's Barge - Gizo & Ghizo Island

20m Max

12-28m Vis

boat

Site Overview

Kennedy's Barge is one of the signature dive sites of Gizo & Ghizo Island in the Solomon Islands. Kennedy's Barge is a small wreck at 15 to 20 m, now an artificial reef draped in coral and alive with nudibranchs and rich macro life. The site reaches a maximum depth of about 20 m, with an average depth near 17 m, and its wreck topography is draped in metal and coral. Marine life is the headline attraction, with nudibranch, lionfish, moray eel, soft coral, glassfish, ghost pipefish regularly recorded here, drawn in by the mild currents and the rich Coral Triangle productivity of the region. Visibility typically ranges from 12 to 28 m, while water temperatures hold a consistent 27 to 30°C year-round, comfortable in a 3 to 5 mm wetsuit. Conditions suit beginner divers, and with the right guide the site delivers both the drama of its wreck and intimate encounters with the smaller residents. Local operators run regular trips from Gizo, and the protected, low-tourism setting keeps coral cover dense and fish life abundant, making Kennedy's Barge a genuine standout on any Solomon Islands itinerary. Divers who time their visit to the calm season will find the most predictable conditions, though the site rewards repeat visits across the year.

Dive Briefing

"The dive at Kennedy's Barge begins with a thorough operator briefing covering the site layout, expected marine life and emergency procedures, followed by a controlled entry and a short transfer from Gizo. Descending toward the wreck profile, divers are immediately surrounded by nudibranch, lionfish, moray eel, soft coral, glassfish, ghost pipefish, with the reef and structure revealing more detail the closer you look. The maximum depth reaches about 20 m while the average sits near 17 m, so a dive computer and disciplined gas planning keep the profile safe and comfortable. Currents are described as mild, and the guide chooses the entry time to make the most of slack or mild flow, using a reef hook or DSMB when needed. Neutral buoyancy protects the fragile coral and the group stays close to manage depth and any surge. The safety stop is completed in open water on a DSMB, and the boat follows the bubbles to collect divers at the exit point for a relaxed return to base. Kennedy's Barge is best dived as a relaxed shallow dive on a calm day, when the small wreck and its macro residents are most colourful. The 15 to 20 m depth gives long bottom time. Water stays 27 to 30°C, and a 3 mm wetsuit is plenty. A slack-window dive keeps the water clear for photography."