History | visitsolomons.com.sb

Awaiting You

come and experience a world unhurried and unspoiled in every way. With such a diverse range of activities there is something for everyone.

Simple hospitality...

it may not always be fancy but you'll always get a smile. Village life is simple and unhurried with a focus on subsistence living

Take a deep breath...

and let your self slip into 'Solomon Time'. Enjoy the tranquillity and literally feel the burdens of a busy life dissolve before your very eyes.

Underwater adventure...

explore the silent underwater world full of life and extraoridnary creatures like this napping nurse shark

Exotic cultures...

many still practised today. Traditional shell money in Malaita and Red Feather money in Temotu are still in circulation.

Soak up the romance...

away from the crowds. Experience the spledour of a tropical sunset while enjoying a glass of wine on your own private island

Surfing...

Be the first to surf new breaks in one of the world's last surfing frontiers. Uncrowded surf perfection in a pristine natural and cultural environment.

Get away...

with 300+ days of sunshine and some of the world's most beautiful places at your fingertips you won't want to leave.

Fishing...

the waters of the Solomons are renowned for big game. Whether you want go game fishing, surf fishing or even try your luck at spear fishing you will definitely see some action

Cruise...

the waters of the Solomons and experience the islands at close range with the opportunity to dive, snorkle and visit beautiful remote areas too difficult to reach by plane

Home

History

ABOUT

History

Archaeological and linguistic evidence shows that Solomon Islands was settled between 4000 – 5000 years ago by people from Southeast Asia. From here, a group continued the east and south migration, settling in what is now known as Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji and the Polynesian islands of Tonga and Samoa. It was not one way though, as archaeologists point to a return migration of mainly Polynesians sometime later. Their descendants now live in atolls that border Solomon Islands’ northern and eastern boundaries.

It was not until the 16th Century that the European world came to learn of Solomon Islands. Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendana made the first contact in 1568. When he discovered alluvial gold on Guadalcanal, he thought he had found the source of King Solomon’s great wealth and named it the Isles of Solomon. It was through his influence that many of the islands in the archipelago bear original Spanish names. After Mendana, others – mainly Dutch and French explorers – made forays into the group. Then it became the turn of the Germans and British.

The islands of New Georgia, Guadalcanal, Makira and Malaita became a British protectorate in 1893 with Tulagi proclaimed the protectorate capital in 1896. The islands of Santa Cruz, Rennell and Bellona were included between 1898 and 1899. The Shortlands, Choiseul, Santa Isabel and Ontong Java were not roped into the protectorate until 1900.

Japanese aggression turned the islands into a theatre of war during World War II. Both the Japanese and Allied Forces suffered huge losses in land, sea and aerial battles. Over 60 years later, the archipelago is littered with war wrecks and some of the country’s infrastructure today, like airstrips and roads, owe their existence to the war.

Solomon Islands gained independence from Britain on July 7, 1978. Twenty years later in 1998, tribal rivalries erupted into armed hostilities on Guadalcanal, which prompted Australia and its Pacific Islands neighbours to launch RAMSI, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, in July 2003. Hostilities have ended and the nation is back on track with an elected government in power.

TRANSLATE

Visas & Passports Citizens of the (British) Commonwealth, United States and most European Countries do not need visas. If you have a valid passport and return ticket or onward ticket, you can acquire... Read More...	Dress Code Informal lightweight attire is appropriate for both day and evening wear alongside comfortable footwear. Occassionally, a light sweater may be handy for those rare cool nights. Bikini and other beachwear... Read More...	What should I buy? Purchases for local artifacts, souvenirs, clothes, local food and other beverages can all be done in Honiara town (Guadalcanal Province), and few stores/markets in Gizo town (Western Province), Taro town... Read More...	Major Cities/Destinations Honiara – CapitalGizo – main tourist resortsAukiMunda Read More...
Customs The items that may be imported into the Solomon Islands without incurring customs duty are:200 cigarettes or 250g cigars/225g of tobacco2litres of wine/spiritsOther dutiable goods up to a total value... Read More...	Getting here By Air: Honiara International Airport (on Guadalcanal Island) is the main hub of the country. It is located 7 miles east of Honiara. Currently 5 airlines fly into Honiara on... Read More...	Departure Tax SBD $100 for outbound international passengers 12 years and over. Some airlines include this in their ticket prices. Read More...	Health Main public hospital is in Honiara with smaller facilities in major provincial centres. Private clinics are also found in Honiara. Malaria medication is recommended; insect repellent and sleeping under a... Read More...
Credit cards/ATMs/Travel Checks Credit cards (Visa, Master cards and Cirrus) as well as travel cheques (to avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travel cheques in Australian Dollars or Pounds... Read More...	Bookings Make bookings early and with plenty of time to avoid disappointment. Many of the larger resorts get booked out well in advance so if you are particular about the places... Read More...	Shopping Details The general shopping hours for Solomon Islands during the weekdays (Mon-Fri) is 0800-1630 and on Sat: 0800-1200. The Central Market (Honiara) opens 0800-1700 Mondays to Saturdays. Read More...	Emergency Services information to come Read More...
Post Airmail to European countries takes approximately 14 days, and to Australia it takes 1 day. The general Post Office hours (in Honiara): Mon-Fri 0800 – 1630 & Sat 0800-1200. Read More...	Nightlife Major hotels provide entertainment with cultural performances on certain nights of the week. Clubs like Point Cruz Yacht Club and the Captains Bar in the Pacific Casino Hotel, in Honiara,... Read More...	Banks The 3 major banks in the Solomon Islands are Westpac, ANZ and Bank of the South Pacific (BSP). Read More...

ABOUT

TRANSLATE

Visas & Passports

Dress Code

What should I buy?

Major Cities/Destinations

Customs

Getting here

Departure Tax

Health

Credit cards/ATMs/Travel Checks

Bookings

Shopping Details

Emergency Services

Post

Nightlife

Banks