Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands is third largest archipelago in the South Pacific, comprising 992 islands ranging from large landmasses with rugged mountains and virgin forests, to low lying coral atolls. They are scattered in a double chain of islands covering 1.35 million sq km of sea and extend for 1.667k, in a south-easterly direction from Papua New Guinea. The country's capital, Honiara, is situated on the north-west coast on the island of Guadalcanal.
There are 87 indigenous languages including Melanesian Pidgin English which is used predominantly. English is used and understood throughout the Solomon Islands.
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 before taking pictures of people or places.
Images courtesy of Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau
In the Directory
Photos
- The real clown
- ANZAC war memorial
- Sunset Cruising
Climate
Tropical, with average daytime temperatures around 29 degrees and high humidity. Evenings may be as cool as 19 degrees. There are no defined seasons but November to May are wetter months and squalls and cyclones may occur.
Underwater Recommendations
Mother Nature weaves her watery spell amongst the wrecks of World War II. You will experience an extraordinary array of differing structures and bio-assemblage; including Shallow and deep coral gardens with magnificent drop-offs, ledges and gutters, sharks, all manner of light game fish and an enormous range of reef fish. Turtles and, mantas and eagle rays are common sights, together with friendly Hammerheads. Solomon Islands diving has gained an enviable world-wide reputation that's unsurpassed. Throughout these magic islands is an endless variety of dive sites to suit all tastes and levels of experience.
Getting There
Solomon Airlines is the Solomon Islands national airline and operates one nine-passenger Islander aircraft and two bigger Twin Otters on its busy domestic services. Solomon Airlines also flies to international destinations, linking Honiara with Australia, Vanuatu, Fiji and New Zealand.