White-sand beaches, swaying palm trees and warm weather are just a few good reasons to consider getting away to a tropical island for your honeymoon.

A number of resorts around the Solomons cater specifically for lovers of all ages. There you will find beautiful white sandy beaches, clear warm waters and secluded coves. You can be as active as you like and go kayaking, snorkelling and diving or take it easy and relax. They can organise romantic picnic getaways for you and your partner on your own private island and you can enjoy a refreshing swim or snorkle in between.

For those who want to be more active, hikes, village treks and day excursions can also be organised. It all really comes down to you picturing your perfect honeymoon and letting the operators do the organising for you.

Some of the available resorts are Sanbis resort, Mariu resort, Uepi Island resort, and Maravagi Island resort.

The Solomons really is a tropical paradise and remains unspoilt, untouched and unhurried and is perfect for your tropical honeymoon no matter what that may involve.

The Solomon Islands is fortunate to have an abundance of untouched endemic wildlife, flora and fauna that have been preserved and contained. Many resorts are environmentally conscious such as Anavon Island, Netiasi Eco Lodge, Tetepare Island Eco-Lodge, Treasure Island Eco Village resort, Uepi Island resort, Mariu resort, Sanbis resort as well as others.

                                                          

The best waves to surf are located in the Western Province (mainly Pailonge and Titiana). Local resorts around Gizo (Western province) offer surf transfers. Some other best surfing sites are in the North coasts of the islands of Malaita, Isabel and Makira Provinces. The typical wave size in the Solomons is from 3 to 5 foot but can get bigger.  

The dry season in Solomon Islands falls from late May to early December and so sunshine is experienced throughout the islands with little showers. Rain is expected to fall from mid May to mid December. The average rainfall is 2250mm and average temperature is 29 degrees Centigrade.   

Money can be exchanged at the ‘Solomon Post’ booth at the Honiara International Airport, and in any banks in town.

The banks do not buy all currencies, therefore if unsure about the currency you are bringing in it is best to bring US, AUD or NZ dollars.

The ANZ bank in Solomon Islands currently buying currency from the following countries:AustraliaUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadaEuro ZoneFijiHong KongJapanNew ZealandPapua New GuineaPhilippinesSamoaSingaporeVanuatuTongaSwitzerlandSwedenATM (Automatic Teller Machines) are also available and can be easily accessed in Honiara.

There are many restaurants that offer a variety of cuisine, most of the ingredients used comes directly from our fresh local market and some from imported products. Some hotels offer entertainment while food is being served and some restaurants have a spectacular view of the ocean. Some of the popular restaurants are Sea King, Ocean View, Club Havanah, and Taj Mahal, Casablanca, Jina’s, and Oasis. The famous, tasty fast food and cafés in Honiara are Lime Lounge, El Shaddai, Nicky’s, Ning’s Café Bakery and Raintree Café.         

Solomon Airline provides domestic flights to over 20 airfields around the country. Domestic flights provide a great opportunity for breathtaking view of the remote atolls which the boat cannot reach. Cargo and passenger boats are the main modes of inter-island transportation for locals, but can be irregular to remote areas. Travelling in a boat enables one to enjoy the close scenery of the islands, take close pictures of the islands and watch the friendly dolphins pass by. Some specialised tourist boats can be hired.  

Solomon Islands is composed of nine different provinces and they all have different dialects not to mention the other minority groups such the Micronesian and Asian people. Overall there are about 90 different languages spoken in the Solomon Islands. But the most common language spoken among the locals is Pidgin which is mixture of Melanesian and English. English is taught in schools and is the official language spoken in all government offices as well as widely spoken and understood by many.

It is highly recommended to boil town water before drinking, otherwise drinking bottled water is adviced. These can be easily purchased from most shops. Malaria is a problem in some remote areas of the country hence it is wise to sleep under a mosquito net an use mosquito repellent.

For the best advice visit your local travel doctore before visiting as most still recommend the taking of anti-malarials for the duration of your visit.

There are five leading hotels in the Solomon Islands in which four are located in Honiara (Guadalcanal Province) and the other one located in Gizo (Western Province).

Honiara: Pacific Casino Hotel, Honiara Hotel, King Solomon Hotel, Kitano Mendanna Hotel

Gizo: Gizo Hotel

Solomon Islands is rated as the second best in the world for its Marine ecosystem. Many of its atolls have warm clear blue waters to go snorkeling and see the fascinating and unique marine life. Also Solomon Islands has many world war two spectacular wreckage sites to take divers back to the year 1940s!So where is the best place to go snorkelling? Well anywhere that there is water. There are many great beaches all around Honiara.

Below is a list of some suggestions:

Western Province: Sanbis, Fat boys, Saeragi, Matikuri, Rogo Sagena, Zipolo Habu Resort, Tibara Lodge 

Uepi Island resort: The Wilderness Lodge, Beava village, Ropico Lodge 

Renbel Province: West Bellona, Tugago Beach (East Rennell)  

Makira Province: Santa Catalina 

Isabel Province: Anavon Island, Porro Village 

Mailata Province: Serah Lagoon Hideaway   

Central Province: Maravagi Resort, Nogu Beach, Roderick Bay 

Guadalcanal Province: Tavanipupu, Tawahi, Bonege Beach

 

Cultural artifacts can be purchased from locals who often sell their products in a leaf hut outside the Mendana hotel, and in the Central market. There are also Shops available in town where you can obtain a wide range of quality souvenirs and these are Nautilus gift shop, Island Artifacts shop, Melanesian gift shop, DJ Graphics, Betikama Carvings Shop and BJS cultural artifacts Shop.

The Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau also sells large maps of the Solomons for $60 SBD.

Copies of Mike McCoy's "Solomon Islands: A South Seas Journey" a large format, coffee-table book. It is 32 cms x 24 cms, 176 pages, full colour throughout are also available at the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau for the price of $60 AUD or $300 SBD.

In the Foreword, Tim Flannery writes: "Mike McCoy lived in Solomon Islands for 26 years, and he has visited virtually every island of the group, consequently, very few people know this remote archipelago as well. Thankfully, as this book attests, he also ranks among the world’s great natural history photographers. His photographs of submarine life are as stunning as his land-based images, and very few photographers can achieve such empathetic images of indigenous peoples. Having worked with him in the Solomons, I think perhaps that’s because Mike is known and loved throughout the islands, allowing him to view and photograph the Solomons people as true friends and compatriots."

The easy way to travel around Honiara is by our public buses that run along the main road (Mendana Avenue). Every public bus has a destination card clearly displayed on the front window and fares are quiet modest. Taxis can be stopped anywhere along the road and can also be booked. Taxis charged SBD$7 per kilometer but most however are not properly equipped with meters so it is best to negotiate taxi fares before getting in. Rental vehicles are also available for hire from Rental Car Service operators.

You can use the internet cafes available in hotels and around town, pay telephone cards are available at most shop and be used in public phone booths around town. Alternatively you can buy your own Sim Card for your current mobile  at Solomon Telekom and then purchase recharge cards.

The Solomon Islands is a safe destination to travel to and engage in tours and other activities. The people are very friendly and keen to share their way of life with visitors.

As with most places, it is advised that you do not travel alone late at night and that you take necessary precautions either by organising transport or travelling in groups.

Pick-pocketing, though infrequent, may be encountered in busy local market areas. Common sense is advices. Avoid keeping wallets and other vaulables in sight and make sure handbags are closed. Market goods are usually quite inexpensive so try keeping the small change you will need in a separate purse or pocket to avoid rumaging through wallets and/or taking out large bundles of bills.

Henderson Airport – Honiara town costs SBD$70However, different taxi services have different rates ranging from SBD$6 to SBD$7 per kilometer. Hence it is wise to ask the  taxi driver the cost he charges to avoid any inconvenience.

You should take mosquito repellent, a cap/hat and sun cream to protect you from the heat of the sun as well as plenty of water. If you are planning to go hiking make sure you wear comfortable shoes that offer protection.If you are planning to take pictures make sure to have spare batteries with you as shops are few in rural areas and with so many great places to see you don't want to miss out on capturing it all!If possible, it is also advised that you sleep under a mosquito net at night. 

Many villagers would welcome their picture taken, however some villagers would prohibit taking pictures of their sacred (taboo) monuments and other cultural artifact and so it is always courteous to ask permission from the elders/chiefs in the village before taking pictures.

Normal business hours are: Monday-Friday 8.00am-4.30pm  Saturday 9am-12pm

Most of the WWII historical sites in Solomon Islands are located in and around Honiara and Western Province. To get to the war sites you can hire a taxi, get a rental vehicle or join/organise a day tours or excursion offered by one the major tour operators DestSolo and Guadalcanal Foundation Tours in Honiara. In the Western Province, the main historical sites are located in Gizo, Munda, Treasury Island and Balalae. The tour operators for the Western Province are Go West Tours and Adventure Sports.