Visit WWII battle sites on Guadalcanal$80–150
The site of a pivotal Pacific campaign, with preserved memorials, museums, and battlefield remnants offering direct historical context.
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Things to do in the Solomon Islands
A WWII Pacific battleground turned world-class wreck diving destination, hundreds of islands still largely untouched by mass tourism, and a headhunting history now preserved through respectful cultural storytelling.
Explore Solomon Islands on the map →Budget$$
Best for9-11 days
CapitalHoniara
VisaVisa-free entry for up to 90 days for US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders.
CurrencySolomon Islands dollar (SBD)
LanguagesEnglish (official); Solomon Islands Pijin widely spoken alongside 70+ Indigenous languages
InternetGood in Honiara, very limited on outer islands
Typical lodging$35–$95/night
Driving sideLeft
Power & voltage230V / 50Hz (Type I plug)
Time zoneUTC+11
Emergency numberConfirm with your accommodation on arrival.
Dialing code+677
★★★★★ Adventure★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Wildlife
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled water recommended on smaller islands. Not customary.
The waters around Guadalcanal and the wider Solomon Islands, site of some of the most intense naval and land battles of WWII's Pacific theater, now hold one of the highest concentrations of accessible shipwreck and aircraft dive sites anywhere in the world, an area historically nicknamed 'Ironbottom Sound' for the sheer number of vessels lost there. The islands' pre-colonial headhunting history, once genuinely practiced across parts of the archipelago, is now preserved and explained through respectful cultural tourism and museum interpretation rather than romanticized or hidden.
When to go
Dry seasonMay–October
The most popular and comfortable window nationally, with lower humidity and better diving visibility.
Wet seasonNovember–April
Warmer and more humid with regular rain, including the Pacific cyclone risk window.
Cyclone risk windowDecember–March
The highest tropical cyclone risk period, monitor forecasts closely if traveling in this window.
Transition periodsApril, November
Shoulder months balancing decent weather with fewer crowds between the two main seasons.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
10Visit a traditional village on Malaita island
Malaita maintains some of the most distinct traditional customs in the Solomons, including artificial islands built by the Lau people, visited respectfully through community tourism.
Explore the artificial Lau Lagoon islands
Communities on Malaita built entirely artificial coral islands centuries ago to escape mainland conflict and malaria, a genuinely unique settlement pattern still inhabited today.
Visit the Vilu War Museum on Guadalcanal
An open-air collection of WWII wreckage, including downed aircraft and artillery, offering a tangible look at the Pacific campaign's scale.
Visit the Vatican-founded skull shrine at Rendova Island (respectfully, where accessible)
Historic sites connected to the region's pre-colonial headhunting era are preserved and explained through respectful cultural tourism rather than active practice.
Explore Honiara's Central Market
The Solomon Islands' capital market, offering a genuine slice of everyday commerce and the archipelago's diverse produce and craft traditions.
Visit a traditional shark-calling ceremony (where practiced, respectfully)
Certain Solomon Islands communities maintain a traditional practice of calling sharks using ceremonial rattles, a genuinely rare living cultural tradition.
Visit the National Museum in Honiara
A modest but meaningful museum documenting the Solomon Islands' pre-colonial culture, WWII history, and path to independence.
Watch traditional panpipe orchestra performances
The Solomon Islands has a distinctive bamboo panpipe musical tradition, recognized internationally and performed at cultural events.
Explore the WWII Peace Memorial Park on Guadalcanal
A Japanese-funded memorial park honoring all who died during the Guadalcanal campaign, offering a reflective counterpoint to the region's wreck-diving tourism.
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Adventure & outdoors
4Dive the WWII wrecks of Ironbottom Sound$80–150
Waters around Guadalcanal hold one of the highest concentrations of accessible shipwreck and aircraft dive sites in the world, a legacy of intense Pacific theater naval battles.
Snorkel or dive the reefs of the Western Province
The Solomon Islands' western reefs are considered among the most pristine and least-visited in the Coral Triangle region.
Dive the Bonegi Beach wrecks near Honiara$80–150
Two Japanese transport ship wrecks accessible directly from shore, among the most convenient wreck dives in the Solomon Islands.
Climb Mount Popomanaseu, the Solomon Islands' highest peak
A demanding, rarely climbed mountain on Guadalcanal offering a genuine off-the-beaten-path trekking challenge for experienced hikers.
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Food & drink
3Eat poi and cassava pudding, Solomon Islands staples
Root vegetable-based dishes form the backbone of traditional Solomon Islands cuisine, reflecting the archipelago's agricultural traditions.
Try Solomon Islands' ngali nut dishes
A native nut used in various traditional dishes, reflecting the archipelago's distinct Melanesian food traditions found in few other Pacific nations.
Try Solomon Islands' motu, fish cooked in coconut milk
Fresh fish simmered in coconut milk with local greens, a genuine everyday Solomon Islands dish reflecting the archipelago's coastal food traditions.
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Nature & scenery
1Snorkel the Marovo Lagoon, one of the world's largest saltwater lagoons
A vast, biodiverse lagoon system in the Western Province, recognized for its combination of coral reef, rainforest, and traditional island communities.
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Wildlife
2Explore the rainforest of Kolombangara Island
A near-perfectly circular volcanic island with dense rainforest and hiking trails to its central peak, offering a quieter island alternative.
Snorkel the Tetepare Island rainforest-to-reef reserve
The largest uninhabited island in the South Pacific, community-managed as a conservation area combining rainforest and reef ecosystems.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for the Solomon Islands?
Most Western passport holders, including US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens, can enter visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism.
▾Why is the diving around Guadalcanal so significant?
The area was the site of intense WWII naval and land battles, and the surrounding waters, nicknamed 'Ironbottom Sound,' now hold one of the highest concentrations of accessible shipwreck and aircraft dive sites anywhere in the world.
▾Is the Solomon Islands' headhunting history still practiced?
No. It was genuinely practiced in parts of the archipelago before colonial contact, and is now preserved and explained through respectful cultural tourism and museum interpretation rather than an active tradition.
▾How many days does the Solomon Islands need?
9-11 days lets you combine Guadalcanal's WWII history and diving with time in the Western Province's islands and reefs, given inter-island travel typically requires small boats or domestic flights.
▾Is the Solomon Islands affected by cyclones?
Yes, particularly December through March, the peak Pacific cyclone risk window. Check current forecasts if traveling during this period.
▾How much does it cost to visit WWII dive and wreck sites?
There's no government entrance fee, but most WWII wreck diving around Guadalcanal and the Iron Bottom Sound is arranged through local dive operators, typically running $80-150 USD per dive trip depending on the site and number of tanks. Village-managed sites sometimes ask for a small community contribution on top.