Honiara
While Honiara won't be mistaken for Lagos, the country’s bubbling principal food market covers a whole block between Mendana Ave and the seafront. It has…
Must-see attractions in Solomon Islands
Guadalcanal
About 12km west from Honiara, Bonegi is music to the ears of divers, snorkellers and sunbathers. Two large Japanese freighters sank just offshore on the…
Guadalcanal
About 25km from Honiara, a turn to the south from the coastal road brings you to this great open-air museum. Here there are US, Japanese, Australian,…
Western Province
A 30-minute boat ride from Munda, this tiny islet on Vonavona Lagoon is the final resting place for the skulls of countless vanquished warriors, as well…
Honiara
This superb memorial is a five-minute taxi ride from the centre. The well-maintained compound has marble slabs bearing detailed descriptions of battles…
Guadalcanal
A few metres before reaching the shore of Tetere Beach, a dirt track to the west leads to 30 or more abandoned amtracks (amphibious troop carriers). Many…
Solomon Islands
One of the star attractions in Honiara’s hinterlands is Mataniko Falls, which feature a spectacular thundering of water down a cliff straight into a…
Western Province
A perfect cone-shaped volcano that rises to 1770m, Kolombangara looms majestically on the horizon, due east of Ghizo island. It's a two-day hike to the…
Malaita
With its traditional-style houses raised on stilts over the shore, the friendly fishing village of Lilisiana, about 1.5km from Auki, is photogenic to boot…
Guadalcanal
From Henderson airport, a track leads south to this area that's also called Edson's Ridge, after Edson's Raiders. Commanded by Colonel Merritt Edson, they…
Malaita
If you want to get a taste of rural life and enjoy superb scenery without travelling too far from Auki, make a beeline for Gwaunaru'u. This sweet little…
Guadalcanal
At 63m, these waterfalls are spectacular. They are a fairly easy four-hour walk (return) from a tiny settlement about 2km south of Tenaru Village. It's…
Western Province
The Japanese garrison stationed in Baeroko Bay held the besieging US forces off for five weeks before finally being overwhelmed in August 1943. A silent…
Malaita
If you need to refresh yourself, make a beeline for Kwaibala Waterfall, about 3km from Auki. This little waterfall drops into a few pools that beg…
Western Province
History buffs should consider this excellent private ‘museum’ of WWII relics. Run by knowledgeable Alphy Barney Paulson, it features lots of utensils,…
Malaita
The 'north road' leaves Auki and follows the coast from Sisifiu to Sisolo, providing lovely sea views. Long stretches of white-sand beach line the shore…
Malaita
East of Auki is this haunting cave, with stalagmites, several large subterranean chambers and an underground river. Caveat: it's very slippery – wear…
Guadalcanal
The road to Mt Austen begins in Kukum and climbs up to the historical sites where Japanese troops doggedly resisted the US advance. About 3.5km from the…
Guadalcanal
In Betikama village, this sprawling property comprises a small WWII museum with an outdoor collection of salvaged material (mostly US aircraft) as well as…
Honiara
This modest museum – there is only one room – features interesting displays and old photographs on traditional dance, body ornamentation, currency,…
Henderson Airport Memorial Gardens
Guadalcanal
A small memorial outside the airport entrance honours US forces and their Pacific islander allies. In front is a Japanese anti-aircraft gun. About 100m to…
Honiara
Betel nut, anyone? The friendly Gilbertese settlement called White River Village about four km west of the centre is mostly famed for its betel nut market…
Guadalcanal
Just across the road from Bonegi beach, there’s a bush track that heads inland and runs about 400m to a rusty US Sherman tank called Jezebel which was…
Guadalcanal
The clearing at the summit of Mt Austen (410m) offers a marvellous view northeas over Henderson. Americans in WWII dubbed this spot Grassy Knoll. There’s…
Guadalcanal
About 40km from Honiara is this timeless hamlet blessed with a majestic setting – it's wedged between the sea and a soaring, velvet-green hill. Soak up…
Malaita
On the northern outskirts of Auki, this lake is a nature-lovers' paradise, home to colonies of seabirds. It can be explored in a dug-out. You might be…
Honiara
The conical-shaped concrete building that’s perched on the hill above Hibiscus Ave is the National Parliament. Inside, the dome boasts a rich tapestry of…
Western Province
On Kohinggo Island, there is a wrecked US Sherman tank at Tahitu on the northern shore. It was lost in action in September 1943 when US marines overran a…
Honiara
Honiara's most prominent religious building is this cathedral perched on a hill to the east of the centre. Visitors are welcome to attend, but make sure…
Malaita
Lilisiana's peaceful beach is a narrow, long, golden sand spit beside coral shallows. It's immediately to the north of the village and is the closest one…
Malaita
This 35km-long lagoon contains more than 60 artificial islands. There's no formal accommodation, but you can arrange your stay in a village; ask the chief.
Western Province
WWII Japanese relics are scattered around the island. Vila Point was an important WWII Japanese base and you can still see guns in the bush.
Guadalcanal
Popular with locals and expats at weekends, this beach has black sand and is OK for swimming and bathing.
Honiara
These lovely grounds on the hills located above the city provide a green haven for nature lovers.
Guadalcanal
Turtle Beach is an appealing strip of white coral sand fringed with coconut trees.
