Why not spend the cyclone season in the beautiful islands of the Western Province of the Solomon Islands?

This is our third trip through the Solomons, first in 2005 and then again in 2006. We have returned with Compadre, our 55′ cutter, and we are presently at Liapari Island, which borders the southern end of Vella Lavella Island. It is just 14 miles from Gizo, the second largest city in the Solomons.

Noel and Rose Hudson, of Liapari Ltd., have been operating a 200-ton slipway here for 26 years, and have recently built a 100-foot dock. Presently a 60-ton slipway for yachts is under construction and will be completed before the end of 2011. They offer a first-class machine shop and woodworking shop, engineering services and a trade store. The yard is currently rebuilding Corina-D into a 112′ x 22′ triple screw live-aboard motor yacht.

The channel leading to this marine facility has a depth of 11 feet at high tide. If you would like to store your yacht, he will look after it for a reasonable fee.

Transfers can be arranged to Gizo, which offers connections to Honiara’s international airport.

Contact Noel at [email protected]

07 degrees 56.8′ S

156 degrees 42.8 E

Submitted by Jim and Vicki Punter, S/V Compadre