Santa Ana Cruise Visit Sparks Cultural Pride & Economic Boost

In the lead-up to the annual Wogasia Festival in Santa Catalina, the people of Santa Ana have graciously welcomed passengers on board the Silver Seas Cruise Lines’ Silver Cloud which visited on 26 May.

The 250 passengers on board the ship vessel were treated to a traditional welcome ceremony, dancing and music before being accompanied on a number of tours showcasing the local culture.

These included visits to the Santa Ana Airstrip, a Kastom Haus at Natagera Village, and the Wairafa and Wai Piapia freshwater lakes.

Given the ship was anchored at Santa Ana for close on 10 hours, the passengers also had time to enjoy the environment, some snorkelling and shopping for the various local handicrafts – wood and stone carvings, traditionally woven artefacts and jewellery – on offer.

Tourism Solomons Acting CEO, Dagnal Dereveke said the visit by the cruise ship offered its passengers a very rare and authentic opportunity to engage directly with the Santa Ana community and experience first-hand a unique insight in the Solomon Islands’ culture, traditions and way of life.

“The benefit of these cruise ships’ visits and the positive impact they have for local communities is immense,” Mr Dereveke said.

“Not only do they help keep alive those traditional practices which have been handed down from father to son and mother to daughter for hundreds of years, just as importantly, these visits generate much-needed revenue for those local communities involved.”

While in Solomon Islands waters, Silver Cloud also visited Nendo island in Temotu and Gizo, Njari Island and Kennedy Island in the Western Province.

Her visit formed part of a 13-day cruise from Darwin, Australia, to Lautoka, Fiji, the ship’s itinerary also encompassing Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.

Underlining the ever-growing popularity for cruise itineraries encompassing the Solomon Islands in 2025, several more cruise ships are scheduled to visit local waters later this year.

These include Hapag-Lloyd’s Hanseatic Spirit, Silver Seas Scenic Eclipse, and Ponant’s Paul Gauguin and Le Soleal.