The waters around New Georgia hold one of the densest concentrations of WWII wreckage in the Pacific. Aircraft, landing barges, and warships went down across the lagoon and surrounding straits during the 1943 campaign, and most have been left where they fell. Coral has colonised the metal over the decades; what were once instruments of war are now extraordinary reef systems.
The most accessible wrecks are clustered around Munda and in Roviana Lagoon. Standouts include a Japanese Zero fighter lying intact in relatively shallow water, several Dauntless dive-bombers, and a Corsair that sits upright on the lagoon floor, its cockpit still recognisable. The Toa Maru, a large Japanese transport vessel, is one of the more dramatic wreck dives — a big ship with holds full of wartime cargo, now colonised by soft corals and patrolled by batfish.
Dive operators in Munda run guided wreck dives for all experience levels. Most of the shallow wrecks (under 15 metres) are accessible to snorkellers. The deeper wrecks require open water certification at minimum; a few require advanced qualifications. Visibility is generally excellent — 20 to 40 metres on most days. The water is warm year-round, around 28–29°C, so a 3mm wetsuit is all you need.
Book diving through your accommodation, or directly with the Munda-based dive operators before you arrive — equipment rental is available but limited, and popular sites book out during peak season (June to September).