(Solomon Islands) – So Solomon, So Different

The Solomon Islands are a collection of nearly one thousand islands in Oceania that form a sovereign country. They lie to the east of Papua New Guinea in Melanesia and cover a land area of 28,400 square kilometres (11,000 sq mi). The country's capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal.

Solomon islands

With 300+ days of perfect weather, the Solomon Islands is a traveller’s paradise. Get active & trek to the top of waterfalls and volcanoes, or take it easy and relax under the shade of palm trees as you lie in a hammock with a cocktail in hand.

Solomon islands - Solomon map

Solomon islands

Explore the hidden paradise of this Pacific archipelago comprising of 992 islands; there is so much to see and do in the Solomon Islands - from the diver’s paradise of diverse marine life, to the wild interiors of local village treks.

Solomon islands

Things to see and do in Solomon Islands

Explore the wildlife

Visit the main islands of Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Malaita, New Georgia, San Cristobal and Santa Isabel. They are up to 200km (120 miles) long and up to 50km (30 miles) wide. The wildlife on the islands is of great interest, consisting of a mixture of introduced and indigenous species. Most islands are populated with a range of reptiles (including turtles), as well as marsupials such as flying foxes (fruit bats), phalangers and opossums.

Solomon islands

Go diving

Much of the best land-based diving located in the Western Province on or near the islands of Gizo (the capital of the Western Province) and New Georgia. Well-known dive sites in the area include Munda, on the Roviana Lagoon, 15 minutes by plane from Gizo; and Uepi Island, on the north side of New Georgia, across the famous Marovo Lagoon. Diving tours to the numerous WWII wrecks are also possible.

Solomon islands

Go fishing

Try a spot of fishing in the well-stocked waters. Enquiries may be made at the Point Cruz Yacht Club, which welcomes visitors.

Solomon islands

Guadalcanal

Go on an excursion around Guadalcanal and other islands. Popular tours include the battlefields of WWII, the Betikama carving centre, and Alite and Laulasi villages on the island of Malaita, where shells are broken, rounded and, after further working, strung together. They are used to denote status and as gifts and items of barter in inter-tribal deals. The strings of shells can be worn as bracelets, necklaces, belts and earrings.

Solomon islands

Honiara

Head to Honiara, the capital on Guadalcanal, which has a museum, botanical gardens and Chinatown. There are relics of WWII in and around the town, and notice boards indicate major battles and incidents that took place during the battle for Guadalcanal. Villages and scenic drives are within easy reach.

Solomon islands

Tropical rainforests

Head out on an educational tour to the tropical rainforests that cover most of the archipelago and dormant volcanoes with the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau. Exotic orchids, ferns and palms are widespread and butterflies are abundant. There are more than 70 species of reptiles. A variety of trees and shrubs have been introduced along with fruits and vegetables.

Solomon islands

Volcanic islands

Explore the 900 volcanic islands and coral atolls spread across the blue tropical waters. The superb marine life makes the islands an excellent destination for swimming and cruising.

Solomon islands

Solomon islands

Solomon islands

Solomon islands

Solomon islands

(World Travel Guide, Visit Solomon, Wikipedia)