Seven Days in Paradise: Solomon Islands Unveiled
From WWII wrecks to pristine Pacific beaches
Trip Overview
Seven days in the Solomon Islands stitches together WWII history, living culture, and raw Pacific beauty across three islands. You'll slip beneath the surface to explore war wrecks, hike dripping rainforests, and collapse onto powder-white beaches. The rhythm shifts from Honiara's gritty capital energy to Gizo's barefoot ease, finishing inside Marovo Lagoon's impossible blues. Mornings bring adventure, afternoons melt into hammock time, and evenings end with sunsets bleeding coral pink across the sky.
Pace
Moderate
Daily Budget
$120-180 per day
Best Seasons
May to October during the dry season
Ideal For
Scuba divers, History enthusiasts, Beach lovers, Cultural explorers, Adventure seekers
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A complete plan for every day of your trip
1
Honiara's Historic Heart
Honiara
Dive into the Solomon Islands capital's WWII legacy and lively markets
Morning
Guadalcanal American Memorial
Mount Austin's summit delivers Iron Bottom Sound laid out below once morning mist burns away. The marble slab lists ships lost during 1942-43 while mynah birds argue in banyan branches. Frangipani sweetness cuts through salt air.
Lunch
Breakwater Café
Afternoon
Central Market tour
Honiara's central market assaults every sense - pyramids of betel nut stacked beside smoked reef fish, women weaving palm fronds as kids proffer coconut chunks. Scarlet chilies, golden turmeric, emerald taro leaves create a color riot.
Evening
Dinner at Heritage Park Hotel's terrace restaurant
Try the kokoda - raw fish marinated in lime and coconut cream
Where to Stay Tonight
Honiara city center (Heritage Park Hotel)
Central location for day 2's early departure and quality amenities
See all Solomon Islands accommodation options →Carry small bills - market vendors rarely have change for large notes
Day 1 Budget: $120
2
Beneath Iron Bottom Sound
Honiara
Descend into history with Honiara's legendary WWII dive sites
Morning
Hirokawa Maru dive
Drop 40 feet to the Japanese transport where coral gardens explode across rusted steel. Lionfish drift through portholes while barracuda schools circle overhead. The water temperature feels like silk against skin as you fin past anti-aircraft guns frozen skyward.
Book through Dive Munda or Solomon Islands Dive Expeditions
Lunch
Point Cruz Yacht Club
Afternoon
Bonegi Beach wrecks
Walk straight off the beach to the Kinugawa Maru's bow jutting from gin-clear water like a steel beast. Tropical fish weave between machine gun nests while your fins stir golden sand clouds. Coconuts thud onto soft coral sand nearby.
Equipment rental available on-site
Evening
Sunset drinks at King Solomon Hotel's rooftop bar
Order the local SolBrew beer while watching fishing boats return
Where to Stay Tonight
Honiara (King Solomon Hotel)
Comfortable stopover before island hopping
See all Solomon Islands accommodation options →Bring reef-safe sunscreen - regular sunscreen damages the coral reefs
Day 2 Budget: $170
3
Gizo Island Escape
Gizo
Fly to the Western Province's turquoise playground
Morning
Flight to Gizo
The 45-minute flight unrolls a map of emerald islands tossed across sapphire seas. Morning sun paints the water jade and turquoise while volcanic peaks punch through cotton clouds. The aircraft drops toward Gizo's lagoon where the runway stops at water's edge.
Book Solomon Airlines domestic flight
Lunch
PT109 Restaurant
Afternoon
Kennedy Island snorkeling
Wade through knee-deep water to the sandbar where JFK swam after PT-109 went down. Parrotfish graze coral gardens while you hover above brain coral formations. Thirty feet of crystalline water reveals every grain of sand below.
Arrange through Fatboys Resort
Evening
Dinner at Gizo Hotel's waterfront restaurant
Fresh tuna steak with island vegetables
Where to Stay Tonight
Gizo town (Gizo Hotel)
Best base for exploring western islands
See all Solomon Islands accommodation options →Pack reef shoes - the coral can be sharp at Kennedy Island
Day 3 Budget: $180
4
Skull Island Secrets
Gizo
Discover ancient headhunting sites and excellent reefs
Morning
Skull Island visit
Wind through mangrove channels to reach the shrine where weathered skulls line limestone caves. Your guide recounts headhunting customs while salt spray beads on your arms. Hollow eye sockets track movement as incense smoke snakes through humid air.
Book through Dive Gizo
Lunch
Island picnic on Njari Island
Afternoon
Njari Reef diving
Drop into an aquarium world of coral bommies where reef sharks patrol between purple sea fans. Water clarity stretches beyond 100 feet while clownfish dart from anemone homes. Silver bubble streams rise as turtles glide past in slow motion.
Dive Gizo offers daily trips
Evening
Sunset at Fatboys Resort
Order a tropical cocktail while perched on their over-water deck
Where to Stay Tonight
Gizo (Imagination Island eco-lodge)
Overwater bungalows for the ultimate island experience
See all Solomon Islands accommodation options →Bring a sarong - it's respectful when visiting sacred sites
Day 4 Budget: $160
5
Marovo Lagoon Magic
Marovo Lagoon
Journey to the world's largest saltwater lagoon
Morning
Boat transfer to Marovo Lagoon
Two hours across glass-smooth water where flying fish skip alongside the bow. Children wave from thatched villages while women paddle dugout canoes. Marovo Lagoon spreads like a turquoise jewel box with coral gardens visible 50 feet down.
Arrange through Uepi Island Resort
Lunch
Uepi Island Resort restaurant
Afternoon
Lagoon kayaking
Kayak through mangrove tunnels where herons stand guard on twisted roots. The water beneath is so transparent starfish appear magnified on sandy bottoms. Paddle rhythm mixes with rainforest bird calls overhead.
Evening
Beach barbecue with village visit
Join local families for traditional earth oven cooking
Where to Stay Tonight
Uepi Island (Uepi Island Resort)
Overwater bungalows on the lagoon's edge
See all Solomon Islands accommodation options →Bring waterproof bags - everything gets wet on boat transfers
Day 5 Budget: $150
6
Village Life and Coral Gardens
Marovo Lagoon
Immerse in traditional village culture and pristine reefs
Morning
Biche village cultural tour
Watch nimble fingers weave pandanus baskets while yam steam carries sweet notes through the air. Children sing traditional melodies as you learn coconut husking with a sharpened stick. The chief's wife shows banana leaf wrapping for earth oven cooking.
Resort coordinates village visits
Lunch
Village lunch feast
Afternoon
House reef snorkeling
Step from your private deck into bathtub-warm water where giant clams pulse neon blues and greens. Butterflyfish flutter past as you drift over coral canyons. Only sounds are your breathing and distant fish splashes.
Evening
Private dinner on your bungalow deck
Fresh lobster with coconut curry sauce
Where to Stay Tonight
Uepi Island (Uepi Island Resort)
Excellent house reef right at your doorstep
See all Solomon Islands accommodation options →Bring small gifts for village children - pencils or balloons are appreciated
Day 6 Budget: $140
7
Return to Honiara
Honiara
Complete the circle with final treasures and departure
Morning
Morning snorkel at Uepi
One final float through the underwater great destination where yellow tang schools create golden clouds against coral walls. A curious reef shark cruises below while you hover above anemone gardens. Morning light dances in shifting patterns across sand.
Lunch
Airport departure lounge café
Afternoon
Flight to Honiara
The return flight delivers last glimpses of scattered islands below - your week's adventures shrunk to emerald dots on endless blue. Afternoon sun transforms the lagoon into liquid gold as you leave this Pacific playground.
Book return flight through Solomon Airlines
Evening
Departure dinner
Honiana's seafood restaurant if flight schedule permits
Where to Stay Tonight
Departure (Airport departure)
Most flights depart evening
See all Solomon Islands accommodation options →Buy duty-free SolBrew beer at the airport - you can't find it elsewhere
Day 7 Budget: $140
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before you go
Getting Around
Domestic flights link Honiara to Gizo (45 minutes) and Seghe for Marovo Lagoon. Boats handle island transfers - speedboats for quick hops, traditional canoes for village calls. Honiara taxis run $5-10 for most rides. Rental cars exist but drive on the left.
Book Ahead
Reserve domestic flights and Uepi Island Resort 2-3 months ahead. Book dive trips before arrival, during peak season. Village visits require advance notice through your accommodation.
Packing Essentials
Pack reef-safe sunscreen, waterproof dry bags, snorkel gear (rental available), light rain jacket, sarong for villages, reef shoes, insect repellent, and cash since ATMs vanish outside Honiara.
Total Budget
$950-1260 for the week excluding international flights
Customize Your Trip
Adapt this itinerary to your travel style
Budget Version
Sleep in village homestays on Gatokae Island instead of Uepi Resort. Eat at local markets and catch shared boats. Ditch guided tours for independent exploring with reef shoes and mask. Daily costs fall to $80-100.
Luxury Upgrade
Splurge on Sanbis Resort's private Gizo bungalows with personal chef. Charter private boats between islands and secure exclusive dive guides. Book Pacific Casino Hotel's harbor-view suites in Honiara.
Family-Friendly
Pick King Solomon Hotel's family suites in Honiara with pool for kids. Choose shallow snorkeling at Kennedy Island and glass-bottom boat tours over diving. Most resorts provide babysitting during adult dive time.
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