Things to Do in Solomon Islands

About Solomon Islands

The first thing you notice is the quiet, a deep, green hush broken only by the rhythmic slap of waves against a wooden canoe. The Solomon Islands aren’t a place that announces itself; you have to lean in to hear it. This is a country of nearly a thousand islands scattered like emerald chips across a sapphire sea, where the main ‘highway’ between Honiara’s Point Cruz and the Marovo Lagoon is a propeller plane, and the scent of woodsmoke from cooking fires mixes with the salt spray. In Marovo, the world’s largest saltwater lagoon, you can snorkel over a Japanese Zero fighter plane, its wings now a garden of soft corals, then paddle to a village where shell money is still used for bride price. The humidity clings to your skin, a permanent, warm embrace. The trade-off is infrastructure that runs at island time: a ferry might be a day late, the power in your beachside bungalow might flicker off at sunset, and the internet is a distant rumor. This isn’t a destination you tick off a list; it’s one you absorb slowly, over a bowl of kokoda (raw fish marinated in lime and coconut cream, SBD 50 / $6) on a Gizo wharf, listening to stories told in Pijin. It’s the last great, untold story in the Pacific.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Forget timetables; think logistics. Domestic flights on Solomon Airlines are the arteries of the nation, linking Honiara to provincial hubs like Munda and Gizo. A one-way fare from Honiara to Munda tends to run around SBD 1500-1800 ($180-$215). Book directly with the airline’s Honiara office for the best chance at a seat; online booking is unreliable. In Honiara, taxis don’t use meters. A short trip within town should cost SBD 30-50 ($3.50-$6) – agree on the price before you get in. For inter-island travel, the ‘banana boats’ (small, open fiberglass boats) are a local lifeline but can be dangerously overloaded. If you must use one, pick a calm day and wear a life jacket. Your best bet for exploring is to charter a boat with a local guide – expensive at SBD 1000-1500 ($120-$180) per day, but it buys you access to remote reefs and villages you’d never see otherwise.

Money: Cash is king, and patience is its queen. The Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD) is the local currency, and outside of major hotels in Honiara, credit cards are virtually useless. ATMs exist in Honiara and Auki, but they’re prone to running out of cash, especially on Fridays. Withdraw what you think you’ll need, plus a buffer, when you find a working machine. Smaller notes (SBD 5, 10, 20) are gold for market purchases and short taxi rides. Tipping isn’t a common practice, but rounding up or a small gesture for exceptional service is appreciated. For village stays or guided tours, it’s customary to offer a ‘kastom’ gift – tobacco, rice, or fuel are often more valued than cash. A key insider move: change a small amount of USD into SBD before you arrive at Henderson Airport; the exchange counter there can have surprisingly long lines.

Cultural Respect: The concept of ‘tabu’ (sacred or forbidden) is taken seriously. Never enter a village without being invited or accompanied by a local. If you see an area marked with crossed palm fronds or stones, do not enter. Always ask permission before taking photographs of people, especially elders and children – a simple nod and smile goes a long way. Dress modestly when away from resorts; covering shoulders and knees is expected in villages. Pijin is the lingua franca, and learning a few phrases (‘tankyu tumas’ for thank you very much, ‘wanem nem blong yu?’ for what is your name?) will open more doors than you expect. Remember, you are a guest. Time is viewed cyclically, not linearly. A meeting scheduled for ‘morning time’ might happen anytime before lunch. Fighting this will only frustrate you; leaning into it is the point of coming here.

Food Safety: You eat with the sun here. The golden rule: if it’s cooked in front of you, it’s generally safe. The Honiara Central Market at dawn is where you’ll find the freshest betel nut, island cabbage, and reef fish. A plate of boiled taro with fresh fish might cost SBD 40 ($5). Avoid pre-cut fruit salad sold in plastic bags sitting in the sun. ‘Kai bars’ (small, often family-run eateries) are where locals eat; look for a busy one. A heaping plate of rice, chicken, and greens will run SBD 50-70 ($6-$8). Tap water in Honiara is not safe to drink. Stick to bottled or boiled water, which even many resorts provide in large dispensers. The local specialty, kokoda (raw fish in lime and coconut cream), is a must-try, but only order it at a busy restaurant or resort where you know the turnover is high. Your stomach might grumble for a day as it adjusts to new bacteria – consider it a rite of passage.

When to Visit

The Solomon Islands run on two seasons: wet and less wet. The ‘dry’ season (April to October) is your best window, with southeast trade winds keeping temperatures around 28-30°C (82-86°F) and rainfall lower, though afternoon showers are still likely. This is peak season, so flights and the better eco-resorts (like the ones in Marovo Lagoon) book up months ahead, with prices running 20-30% higher. May to July offers the best visibility for diving the war wrecks of Iron Bottom Sound. The wet season (November to March) brings the northwest monsoon: higher humidity, daily downpours, and temperatures creeping up to 32°C (90°F). This is when the islands feel most lush and isolated, but it also means canceled flights, muddy roads, and more mosquitoes. Travel insurance that covers weather disruptions is essential. Hotel prices can drop by as much as 40% in these months, but many smaller lodges simply close. The major cultural event is the week-long Festival of Pacific Arts, hosted by a different nation every four years – when the Solomons host it, as they did in 2012, it’s a breathtaking, all-consuming spectacle of song and dance. For budget travelers and adventurers unfazed by rain, February can be a strangely rewarding time to have entire islands to yourself. For families or first-timers wanting reliable weather for lagoon exploration, lock in June or July, but book your Gizo or Munda flights the moment your dates are firm.