Solomon Islands

Get in

thumb|375px|Yellow: visa on arrival; green: visa free access

See

thumb|300px|Children in Tuo Village, Fenualoa

Highlights include the lovely and huge Lake Te'Nggano, dramatically surrounded by high cliffs, once the reefs around this old lagoon.

Even more famous is the Langa Langa Lagoon, whose waters are brown rather than bright blue, life here is slow and peaceful, with locals working on their traditional handicrafts and classic canoes making their silent way through the water.

It's also one of the places where you can see the artificial islands this country is known for. Some date back to the 16th century, but new ones are created even now, using stones and coral materials.

Follow the slightly challenging but beautiful path to the bubbling mud of the Reoka hot springs or, for serious hikers, consider a 2-day hike to the top of the volcano Kolombangara. Easier but more beautiful is the path to the Mataniko Falls, with underlying caves that served as a hide-out for soldiers in World War II, and the Tenaru Falls. They are close to Honiara, the country's capital, and also home to the National Museum and Culture Centre.

East Rennell is the largest raised coral atoll in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Skull Island is a tiny islet is accessible from Lola Island, which is one of the most sacred areas in the Solomon Islands. It is visited by tourists, and offers an insight into the history of headhunting. It also has a shrine which houses the skulls of vanquished Rendovan chiefs.

The Solomon Islands were used as a battlegrou…

Eat

Allow SI$35 for a meal in the basic restaurant. Tips are not customary.

The archipelago's food differs little from that of other South Pacific islands. There's poi, fermented taro and the usual tropical fruit mix. An important source of starch is cassava. The tuna caught here, also an important export product, is often served with chillies and pasta or rice. Especially in the shops in the country you often only find canned spam or tuna.

Drink

The local brewery is Solbrew, which is made near the capital.

Stay safe

thumb|300px|Coral reef by Gizo

Earthquakes

The Solomon Islands are located along the Pacific "Rim of Fire" and prone to earthquakes—including some rather large quakes! An 8.1 magnitude quake in 2007 off Ghizo Island (in the New Georgia Islands) resulted in a tsunami up to 12 m, killing 52. An 8.0 magnitude quake in 2013 near the Santa Cruz Islands resulted in a 1 m tsunami (fortunately, the epicenter was deep enough underground that a large tsunami wasn't generated) that killed fewer than 10 people. Quakes above a magnitude 7.0 occur rather frequently (every year or two). Should you experience an earthquake, immediately seek higher ground.

Crime

While not as bad as neighbouring Papua New Guinea, crime rates in the Solomon Islands are high. Travel after dark is dangerous, especially in Honiara. Muggers have been known to target tourists at the Japanese War Memorial on Mt Austin even in broad daylight.

Ethnic tension between Guales (residents of Guadalcanals) and Malaitans, as well as between Islanders and the Chinese, continues to simmer. Australian troops have been in place since 2003 to keep things in check, but this did not prevent violent rioting in Honiara in 2006 from destroying large parts of the city.

Stay healthy

Malaria is the biggest health issue in the Solomon Islands. Travellers to the area should take anti-malarial pills before, during and after their stay.

Saltwater Crocodiles are relatively common (in comparison to other islands in the South Pacific) in the Solomon Islands and great care should be taken while in or near any body of water. Knowledge is the best defense for yourself and for the protection of the crocs themselves. While by no means anywhere even close to crocodile levels in Northern Australia and New Guinea, the population is still considered relatively healthy on the Solomons in comparison to much of the species' Southeast Asian range. This is especially true of the islands closest to New Guinea, which hold the highest populations in the Solomons.

Visitors are advised not to drink the water straight from the tap. Boil it first or drink bottled water.

Connect

There are 2 cellular providers on the island Our Telekom and Bmobile. More info here. Since it's a nation of islands all internet is routed through satellite making connections slow. There is Wi-Fi at some hotels and restaurants.