Makira, Ulawa and their seven small neighbors are sometimes called the Eastern Solomons, although Temotu Province is further east. The main island of Makira is 3,188 sq km with other islands within 32 km of its shores except for Ulawa, 75 km distant. The province with a population of 28,000 people is well known for it's preservation of ancient traditions with dancers in Star Harbour, Santa Ana, Santa Catalina, an Ulawa, being particularly skilled. The province's first inhabitants, the Lapita, settled on Makira Island from about 1400 BC where pottery has been found and although much of their past was violent there were also long periods of peace.

During such times ceramics were made and trade flourished between Makira and Ulawa and large canoes came annually from Temotu Province.  Two thirds of the Makira island's 22,500 pure Melanesian people live on the northern coast leaving much of the steep southern shore sparsely populated. Makira has more swamps than any other islands in the country.

Visitors will find the two-island province, lying somewhat south of Malaita or south east of Guadalcanal, full of surprises. Some cultural practices are unique to Makira and Ulawa like ancient fishing methods, crocodile wrestling and the shark hole underneath a church altar at Suholo village in Ulawa. Witnessing the island’s annual land crab harvest should a highlight.

Provincial capital: Kira Kira
Airport:
Seaport: