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Santa Isabel, Solomon Islands - Things to Do in Santa Isabel

Things to Do in Santa Isabel

Santa Isabel, Solomon Islands - Complete Travel Guide

Santa Isabel stretches 240 kilometers through the Solomon Islands with zero tourist infrastructure—which is exactly why you should go. This rugged island offers something rare in the Pacific: authentic village life where people still farm and fish like their ancestors did, and you won't find a single resort or tour bus anywhere.

Top Things to Do in Santa Isabel

Traditional village stays

Several coastal villages let you stay with local families and share meals while participating in daily fishing and gardening. You'll sleep in traditional leaf houses and experience Melanesian village life that modern influences haven't touched yet.

Booking Tip: Arrange through community leaders or the Isabel Provincial Government office in Buala - expect to pay around $20-30 USD per day including meals. Best organized 1-2 weeks in advance, and bring small gifts like soap, batteries, or school supplies.

Kia village war relics

The area around Kia village contains numerous World War II artifacts that aren't marked on any official maps. Crashed aircraft sit where they fell. Local guides show you abandoned equipment and defensive positions while sharing stories passed down from villagers who witnessed the fighting firsthand.

Booking Tip: Contact village chiefs in Kia directly or through your accommodation - guide fees typically run $15-25 USD per day. Dry season (May-October) offers better access to jungle sites, and guides appreciate advance notice of 2-3 days.

Lagoon fishing and island hopping

Protected waters between Santa Isabel and smaller offshore islands offer excellent fishing opportunities over pristine coral reefs. Local fishermen take you to spots where you'll catch dinner. These reefs see virtually no tourist traffic, so the snorkeling beats anything you'll find at developed destinations.

Booking Tip: Negotiate directly with fishermen in coastal villages - full day trips cost $30-50 USD including boat and guide. Morning departures work best, and bringing your own snorkel gear is recommended as rental equipment is limited.

Mountain trekking to interior villages

The mountainous interior hides villages accessible only on foot through dense rainforest. These treks offer spectacular views. Inland communities live completely differently from their coastal neighbors, maintaining traditions that disappeared elsewhere decades ago.

Booking Tip: Essential to arrange guides through village networks - expect 2-3 day minimum treks costing $40-60 USD per day including guide and basic food. Pack light but bring rain gear and sturdy boots, as trails can be muddy and steep.

Traditional canoe building workshops

Master craftsmen in several villages still build traditional outrigger canoes using ancient techniques and hand tools. Some offer informal workshops. You can learn basic techniques while helping with actual boat construction projects that the community will use for years.

Booking Tip: Ask around in Buala or Kia for active boat builders - workshops are informal and typically cost $10-20 USD per day. Best during dry months when wood work is easier, and projects can last several weeks so timing is flexible.

Getting There

Getting there is half the adventure. Fera Airport near Buala gets irregular flights from Honiara on Solomon Airlines, but weather cancels them frequently. The better bet is a cargo ship or passenger ferry from Honiara—8 to 12 hours depending on stops and sea conditions, running 2-3 times weekly with schedules that change constantly.

Getting Around

Transportation on the island requires serious patience. No regular bus service exists. The main road connects just a few coastal settlements, so most people travel by boat for longer distances or walk for shorter trips. Some villages have trucks that make irregular supply runs to Buala, but your best option is connecting with locals who can arrange rides since formal taxi services don't exist.

Where to Stay

Buala town center
Kia village guesthouses
Tatamba coastal area
Kilokaka village
Suavanao community
Jejevo beachfront

Food & Dining

Food centers on what locals catch and grow daily. Fresh fish dominates every meal. Families prepare traditional dishes like fish in coconut milk or lap lap—root vegetables steamed in banana leaves—for visitors who ask nicely. Buala has small shops with canned goods, but locally-sourced meals from families taste better and cost less than anything from a store.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Solomon Islands

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

Le Bernardin

4.6 /5
(4023 reviews) 4

La Villa Restaurant

4.8 /5
(498 reviews)

Restaurant L'Auberge Gourmande

4.9 /5
(349 reviews)

La Vela Italian Restaurant

4.5 /5
(360 reviews)

When to Visit

May through October offers the most reliable weather for getting around. Seas stay calmer for boats. Interior trails remain passable for trekking, though you'll still get rain and high humidity year-round. November through April brings rough seas that cancel boat services and turn trails into mud pits that become nearly impassable for outsiders.

Insider Tips

Bring plenty of small denomination Solomon Island dollars. Credit cards don't exist here. ATMs don't exist outside Honiara, and villages rarely have change for large bills.
Pack a good headlamp and extra batteries. Electricity runs just a few hours daily. Many activities start before dawn when you can't see your hand in front of your face without proper lighting.
Learn a few words in Cheke Holo or other local languages beyond English. English is widely spoken here. Showing effort with local languages opens doors and creates genuine connections that you'll remember long after you leave the island.

Explore Activities in Santa Isabel

Continue Planning Your Trip

Itineraries

Sample trip routes and plans for Santa Isabel

Getting Around

Transport options and tips for Santa Isabel

Where to Stay

Accommodation guide for Santa Isabel

Budget Guide

Trip costs and money tips for Santa Isabel

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