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

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Western Province
Western Province General

Made up of eleven main islands including New Georgia, Vella Lavella, Kolombangara, Rendova, Ranongga, Vangunu, and Shortlands.

Attractions: Dubbed Solomon Islands’ tourism mecca, the province boasts magnificent aerial views of verdant islands and azure lagoons; excellent diving and snorkelling at a variety of sites, coral reefs and WWII wrecks including the Toa Maru in Kololuka Bay and Grand Central station near Gizo, Kennedy Island (named after JF Kennedy); Kavachi underwater submarine volcano; Morovo Lagoon, eco-tourism lodges; skilled stone and wood carvers; Megapode birds at Vella Lavella and ancient head hunting and skull shrines.
Marovo Lagoon and Vonavona Lagoons have great productive fishing spots. Some eco-lodges offer spectacular hiking trails and mountain biking.

Provincial capital: Gizo
Airports: Gizo, Munda, Seghe, Viru, Ramata, Gatokae, Ringgi Cove, Barakoma & Balalai.
Seaport: Noro and Gizo main sea point.
 
People & Population
The Province is predominantly Melanesians and Micronesian with a small number of Asians and Europeans scattered on the islands.  The indigenous Melanesians, which is the largest group, differ physically from others in Solomon
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Land
The Western Province is the largest of Solomon Islands nine Provinces with a total land mass of about 5,500sq km.  It consists of the island of Shortlands, 420sq km, Kolombangara, 685sqkm, Vella Lavella, 670sq km, Gizo, 37sq km, New Georgia
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World War I & II
The First World War had little effect on Solomon Islands but the same cannot be said about WWII.  Solomon Islands became a strategic focal point during WWII as the allied forces met and turned back the Japanese advance in the South Pacific. 
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European Contact
The Spanish Explorer, Alvaro de Mendana was the first European to discover Solomon Islands in 1568.  But it was not 1788 that Lieutenant John Shortland, captain of “Alexandar” and “Friendship” stopped at Simbo and passed through what are now
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Religion
Like the rest of Solomon Islands, the Christian religion is prevalent in the Western Province.Missionaries first came to Solomon Islands in the 1840’s.  These were the Catholic Marist priests who were followed by the
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Culture
The Province recognizes the importance of preserving traditional culture and customs of its people as an important part of their identity.  The culture unit within the Provincial Administration organizes cultural activities to ensure these traditions live
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British Solomon Islands Protectorate
Few explorers except the French, landed on the island in the Western Province to actually make contact with local people.Some Europeans, especially the “Black-birders” exploited the islanders.  They kidnapped laborers
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History
The indigenous people of Western Province were notorious for tribal warfare and head hunting before European contact.  Fortress built of coral rock found along the coast and in Roviana and Marovo Lagoons serve as reminders of the head hunting
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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...

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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.

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Is it Safe?

The Solomon Islands is a very 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...

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Major Cities/Destinations

Honiara – CapitalGizo – main tourist resortsAukiMunda

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National specialties/drinks

Specialties: Tapioca Pudding (Cassava pudding)Motu (Local food baked in traditional oven)Taro roots and taro leaf blended in coconut milkSeafoodCoconut crabCrayfish

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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...

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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...

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Emergency Services

information to come

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Currency

The traditional form of currency for Solomon Islands was shell money before the bank notes was introduced. However in some provinces shell money is still used mainly for settling disputes,...

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Departure Tax

SBD $100 for outbound international passengers 12 years and over. Some airlines include this in their ticket prices.

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Observing Customs

The people of the Solomon Island have a rich culture which observes many traditional "kastoms" which vary from province to province.  Please ask about appropriate behaviour and always ask permission...

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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...

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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,...

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Camping

Camping is not encouraged and permission from the village chief or land owner must be sought

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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...

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