The Solomon Islands are located in the South Pacific Ocean,
to the east of Papua New Guinea. There are almost 1,000 islands
that make up the nation of just over 500,000 people with the
capital and largest city of Honiara situated on the island of
Guadalcanal. Other popular cities include Aola Bay, Lofung, Noro,
Viru Harbor, Tulagi, Gizo, and Yandina.
Historians believe the islands have been settled by
Melanesian people for thousands of years. The Solomon’s became a
protectorate of Great Britain in 1893 and the islands saw some
fierce battles between the Japanese and Americans during World
War II. The Solomon Islands gained independence from Britain in
1978.
Heading over to the islands for a visit is ideal at any time
of the year due to the nation’s ocean-equatorial climate. It’s
pretty warm all year long, but can also get quite humid at
times. It’s slightly cooler between June and August and the
majority of rain falls between November and April. Most of the
islands contain rain forests with some of them housing dormant
and active volcanoes as well as rugged mountains and coconut
groves. You’ll also find over 230 types of orchids along with
various other tropical flowers to give the landscape some added
beauty.
The islands get their fair share of tourists with many of
them heading over for scuba diving expeditions. There are also
quite a few other activities you can try out, such as hiking,
kayaking, bushwalking, mountain biking, mountain climbing,
fishing, golf, and bird watching. If you want to learn about
local culture, The National Museum and Cultural Centre, located
in Honiara, is an ideal place to visit. For natural beauty, try
checking out Tenaru Falls and The Mataniko, which offer fabulous
waterfalls on Guadalcanal. If you head over to Lake Te'Nggano on
Rennell, you’ll be impressed by the rare flora and fauna that
can be found there.
You can reach the Solomon Islands by plane as there’s an
international airport just a few miles east of Honiara, which
has a population of about 50,000. There are regular flights from
Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu, and several other South Pacific
countries. You can also get there by sea as cruise ships
sometimes stop in at Honiara. Once there, you can rent cars in
Honiara, and take buses, bikes, and taxis to get around.
However, many of the roads are unpaved. To go from island to
island, you need to travel by boat or light aircraft.
For accommodation, there are several guesthouses, bush
lodges, and resorts that fit in all price ranges. The
restaurants serve various local dishes, such as seafood, as well
as international fare.
The islands are home to a combination of cultures, such as
Melanesian, Polynesian, Micronesian, and Chinese. This has led
to the nation’s people speaking dozens of local languages.
However, English is the official language, but most of the
residents don’t speak it. You should have no problems in tourist
areas though. Traditionally, the residents of the Solomon
Islands like to hang on to their customs and they’re passed down
through each generation.
Culturally, music is a big part of the islands as they
feature traditional Melanesian music and singing as well as
panpipe orchestras and bamboo music. Modern island music now
includes reggae and rock. The locals also love their sports,
especially soccer, futsal, beach soccer, and rugby.
The Solomon Islands are an ideal place for adventure and
nature lovers to travel to as they offer an assortment of
activities to enjoy and sites to see.
About the Solomon Islands