Solomon Islands
What to see and do in the Solomon Islands
Culture Activities Accommodation
Boatcharters in the Solomon Islands Diving in te Solomon Islands Fishing in the Solomon Islands
Just a few other suggestions

Treks and Adventures in the Solomon Islands (March 2007)
A free 67 page guide to the Solomon Islands covering

  • Bushwalking in and around Honiara
  • Savo volcano
  • Village stays on the Weathercoast
  • Trekking & biking in Guadalcanal
  • Trekking & biking in Malaita
  • Kayaking & trekking in Western Province
  • Kayaking in Isabel
  • Exploring Arnavon Islands and South Choiseul
  • Biking in Rennell
  • Surfing in Makira and around the Solomons

Compiled by :Harry Greenwell, Matt Swainson, Radha Etheridge, Alan McNeil, Dan Raymond, Graham Teakle, Rhona McPhee, Tanya Rad and Dave Pattison

Sea Kayaking

Visit and experience the world's longest island-fringed salt water lagoon on a Sea Kayaking expedition. It is an activity any reasonably fit person can participate in. Paddling your own kayak is one of the best way to expose yourself to the untouched enviroment without interfering with existing ecosystems.
Two Kayak Companies operate in the Marovo Lagoon, and are always happy to show you around.

Cannibal Coast Kayak Adventures
Ph: 61 2 65850073  Fax: 61 2 65850078
Email:
adventure@ccka.com.au     www.ccka.com.au

Kayak Solomons
Ph: 61 3 9787 7004   Fax: 61 3 9787 5904
Email:
info@kayaksolomons.com     www.kayaksolomons.com

Kennedy Island.

Named after John.F Kennedy, a young US Navy Lieutenant during WWII, he and his crew of his rammed and sinking PT 109 boat swam to the island in August 1943. Located near Gizo, the island now features an annual Kennedy swim attracting overseas and local open water swimmers. Well know underwater explorer Dr. Robert Ballard under a National geographic sponsorship located some remains of the boat in 2002.

World Heritage Listing.

As the world’s largest uplifted coral island, Rennell is home to numerous plants and animals that are endemic to the island. Lake Tenggano is found there, the largest fresh water lake in the south pacific, and home to about 200 islands. The lake is also host to a number of rare orchids.

Head Hunting Shrines

Solomon Islands are notoriously known for its head hunting marauding tribes with those in western province the most feared. Signs including shrines of this deadly habit still remain to this day. Quiet famous for is the island of Skulls near Kundu point and the sacred Dog stone. Across Munda on Roviana island, once home to ferocious head-hunter Ingava.

Mataniko Falls and Tenaru Falls (Honiara)

The spectacular double-sided Mataniko fall thunder into a cave full of stalagmites, swooping, swallows and bats. During WWII, the cave was a hide-out for Japanese soldiers trying to avoiding capture by the Americans. The trail on the way is often steep, and you might do guide after Tuvaruhu.
Tenaru Falls is an hour’s drive from Honiara. Hike through the rainforest past local villages which takes about 2 hours each way.

National Museum & Culture Centre (Honiara)

Located in Honiara’s town centre, this museum focuses on traditional culture and houses displays on dance, body ornaments currency, weaponry and archaeology. Behind it are eight traditionally constructed houses, each from a different province.

Panpipe Music.

A visit to the Solomon Islands is never complete without exposure to the poignant sound of panpipe music. The sound comes from blowing into a bundle of different sizes of thin bamboo tubes, open at both ends or closed at the lower end. The player moves his head to blow different tubes with the pipe stationary. ‘Are ‘Are’ pan pipers of Malaita are famous for their pan pipers and a CD of their music will be a treasured gift. Link to pan pipe is the bamboo string band that is common in the islands.

Rare Art & Craft

The wide array of art and craft makes Solomon Islands a collectors dream come true. Crafts come in brown streaked or black ebony hardwood, and common in the Nguzunguzu, the figure head of war canoes. Stone carving of sea and plant life in additional to pandanus baskets, bags and trays, some with amazingly minute patterns. Ancient currencies like Malaita finely crafted shell money can be purchased as souvenirs as they are still in circulation for traditional rituals like bride price and reconciliation ceremonies. Temotu has its own red feather currency.

World War 2 monuments and Wreckages

Japanese aggression turned the islands into a theatre of war during World War 2. 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 on land and underwater.
Both the US Memorial, atop Skyline Ridge, bearing a detailed description of the Guadalcanal Campaign and the Japanese Peace Memorial, with its four white monoliths on Mt Austin offer panoramic views of the capital, Iron Bottom Sound and the Florida Islands. There are guided Tours available for other important WW2 landmarks such as Bloody Ridge, Alligator Creek and Red Beach.

Island Hopping

Stepping out from the usual path into the islands of the Solomons provinces is a totally unique and richly rewarding experience. Here amongst 1,000 islands and a friendly and culturally sensitive people, you will find the true meaning of the term ‘ecotourism’. Without doubt, this is one of the few remaining, truly un-spoilt tourist destinations of the world. There are Village Stay Lodges around each province of the Solomons.

South Pacific Tourism