Exploring the Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands is a country that consists of six major islands and more than 900 smaller ones in Melanesia, part of Oceania. These islands are located northeast of Australia. Honiara is the capital and largest city of the Solomon Islands on the northwestern coast of Guadalcanal.

The National Parliament is a conical-shaped building that sits on a hill above Hibiscus Avenue. Inside the dome is a rich tapestry of traditional art including frescoes.

Holy Cross Catholic Cathedral is the most prominent religious building in Honiara. It is perched on a hill to the east of the center.

To mingle with the locals visit the vibrant principal food market which covers a whole block between Mendana Avenue and the seafront. The large selection of fresh produce comes from outlying villages along the northern coast and from Savo Island. You’ll also find traditional crafts on sale. At the back is a fish market.

The Solomon Islands National Museum officially opened in Honiara in 1969. The museum consists of a number of buildings each with a gallery. The exhibits include more than two thousand objects among them natural science specimens, archeological specimens, and objects relating to WW II. In 1972, the museum also collected contemporary sculpture and later in 1988 collaborated with Osaka University to record and document the music and dance traditions of the islands.

The US War Memorial is a five-minute taxi ride from the center. The marble slabs bear detailed descriptions of the battles fought during the Guadalcanal campaign. It was unveiled in 1992, the 50th Anniversary of the US beach landings.

Bonegi is located about 12 km west of Honiara. It is enjoyed by sunbathers, snorkelers, and divers. Two Japanese freighters sank just offshore in 1942 and they are enjoyed by scuba divers who refer to them as Bonegi I and Bonegi II. There is a black-sand beach where you can relax and have a picnic.

Vilu War Museum is located about 25 km from Honiara. This is an open-air museum with US, Japanese, Australian, Fijian, and New Zealand memorials. You’ll see four large Japanese field guns, and several US and Japanese aircraft.

Take a 30-minute boat ride from Munda to Skull Island. This is a small islet on Vonavona Lagoon. It is the final resting place of many vanquished warrior skulls.

It is a shrine for the skulls of Rendovan chiefs. The skull house is a small, triangular-shaped casket containing the chief’s clamshell-ring valuables.

Mataniko Falls is an amazing waterfall with water tumbling down from a cliff into the canyon below. You can hike to the falls from Lelei village.

Kolombangara is a cone-shaped volcano rising up toward the horizon on Ghizo Island. A two-day hike will take you to the top and back. You can find logging in the main settlement Ringgi on the south coast.

Auki is the provincial capital of Malaita Province on the northern end of Langa Langa Lagoon on the northwest coast of Malaita Island.

Lilisiana is a fishing village about 1.5 km from Auki. Here you can see traditional-style houses on stilts along the shore. There is a lovely beach with golden sands beside coral shallows.

Gwauunaru’u is a lovely little village with beautiful scenery. It is located about 10 km north of Auki at the mouth of a river where you can enjoy some swimming.

Tenaru Waterfalls are amazing 63 m waterfalls. They can be found after a four-hour walk from the tiny settlement of Tenaru Village.

Riba Cave east of Auki is a wonderful cave with stalagmites, several subterranean chambers, and an underground river. They can be explored by heading deep down underground to see all the spectacular rock formations.

Osi Lake is located on the outskirts of Auki. Langa Langa Lagoon is a nature-lovers spot with colonies of seabirds. It can be explored in a dugout. The beauty of nature is all around,