15 places that must visit before they disappear

SOLOMON ISLAND, SOVEREIGN

Reason to visit

The smaller outer islands in the Solomon Islands are already seeing devastating impacts of the rising sea level. The impact of climate change is already affecting the rural population of Solomon Islands, an archipelago of eight bigger islands and hundreds of small, mostly uninhabited islands.

The ocean is part and parcel of the livelihood of 500,000 people of this country situated just north of Australia. But the ocean is turning against the very people it is supposed to serve and is destroying their coastal areas and homes.

Away from the international conferences and negotiations, climate change is a matter of life and death here. Taro, the staple root crop in Ontong Java atoll, is dying due to salinity of the swamp and sandy soil. And graves at the Tuo village cemetery, an island in the eastern Solomons have been exposed by eroding waves.

Location

A collection of thousand islands in Oceania that form a sovereign country are called the Solomon Islands covering a land area of 28,400 square kilometres. These islands lie about 2033 kms to the east of Papua New Guinea.
The country of Solomon Islands is in the Oceania continent and the latitude and longitude for the country are 8.9389° S, 159.5305° E.

The neighboring countries of Solomon Islands are:
Maritime Boundaries

country
Australia
Papua New Guinea
Vanuatu
New Caledonia

Ways to go there

Sea

Yacht

The Solomons is a favourite spot for yachties who take refuge in the lagoons during cyclone season. Along with Honiara, Korovou (Shortland Islands), Gizo, Ringgi, Yandina, Tulagi Island and Graciosa Bay are official ports of entry where you can clear customs and immigration. There's a S$100 fee for sailing in Solomon waters.

'Crew wanted' notices are posted at the Point Cruz Yacht Club (22500) in Honiara.

Air

The Solomons' only international airport is Henderson Airport (code HIR), 11km east of Honiara.

There are few direct flights to the Solomons - only Brisbane and Port Moresby currently have services to Honiara, and flights from these destination are expensive.

Qantas no longer flies to Honiara. Solomon Airlines no longer has any aircraft other than its small domestic fleet. Air Nauru was flying Brisbane-Honiara four times a week with connections to Fiji, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands, but it had its solitary Boeing 737 confiscated by US authorities after reneging on financial arrangements.

At the time of research Air Nauru was looking to renegotiate leasing arrangements on aircraft and fly these sectors again.

Solomon Airlines has offices in Nadi (722 831), Fiji; and Port Moresby (325 5724), PNG. It also has sales agents in Suva (315 889), Fiji; Noumea (28 66 77), New Caledonia; and Port Vila (23838), Vanuatu.

Asia

The most direct route to/from Asia is via Port Moresby in PNG or Nadi in Fiji, though it may be simpler and cheaper and connections may be more frequent going via Brisbane.

Australia

Solomon Airlines (www.solomonairlines.com.au;in Brisbane 07-3407 7266, in Sydney 02-9244 2189, in Melbourne 03-9920 3872) sells the Brisbane- Honiara sectors (one way/return A$780/1040 plus A$190 tax) on Air Vanuatu flights to Port Vila every Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday, returning the next day.

Fiji

Air Vanuatu (www.airvanuatu.com) connects Honiara with Nadi, routed via Port Vila, on Monday. The one-way/return fare is A$890/1110 including tax. The Fiji sales agent is Air Fiji (679-672 3822).

Papua new guinea

Air Niugini (www.airniugini.com.pg) flies from Port Moresby to Honiara on Monday and Friday. One-way/return fares are A$920/1090 including tax. Contact the Port Moresby main sales office on 675-325 9084.

Vanuatu

An Air Vanuatu plane operated by Solomon Airlines (www.solomonairlines.com.au) flies from Port Vila to Honiara return on Thursday. One-way/return fares are A$650/1270 including tax. To book, contact Air Vanuatu (the Solomon Airlines agent) in Port Vila on 678-23838.

Things to do

Stepping out from the usual path into the islands of the Solomons is a totally unique and richly rewarding experience. Here amongst 1,000 islands and a friendly and culturally sensitive people, you will find the true meaning of the term 'ecotourism'. Without doubt, this is one of the few remaining, truly un-spoilt tourist destinations of the world. Trekking, birding, waterfalls and village visits and rich WW2 history is great above the water. But once in the water you'll be amazed. The surfing, fishing, diving and sea kayaking are world class. We can tailor make an ultimate holiday package to suit your favourite activities.

Scuba diving
Many visitors head to the Solomon Islands for it's awesome diving. A combination of spectacular coral reefs and hundreds of WWII wrecks makes diving and snorkelling attractive options.

With hundreds of islands and coral reefs, the Solomon Islands are a world renowned scuba dive location. The water temperatures in the island group are among the warmest in the world with visibility as good as 30m (100 ft). It boast abundant marine life including pelagic and all kinds of fish, sharks, manta rays, dugongs dolphins and whales.

The Solomons is an ideal place to learn how to dive, with it's many internationally certified dive schools and qualified trainers There are also some serious challenges for the advanced diver, try the Toa Maru or one of the many other WWII wreaks.

Fishing
If you like to fish you'll love the Solomons. The waters of the Solomon islands are renowned for big game, reef and lagoon fishing. The action is unparalleled and the waters are virtually unspoiled by commercial fishing.

Troll for Skipjack, Yellowfin Tuna, Spanish Mackerel, Wahoo, several Trevally species, Barracuda, Rainbow Runner, Mahi Mahi, Red Bass, Green Jobfish, shark, Sailfish, Dogtooth tuna, Coral Trout, Blue, Black and Striped Marlin and many other species.

Fish the sand and coral flats in Marovo Lagoon for bonefish, tarpon, milkfish, barracuda, queenfish, GTs, blue, golden, Papuan and diamond trevally.

Hunt Spot-tail Bass and Mangrove Jack on the upper reaches of the rivers.

You can fish from most resorts or lodges however for those that want to fish most of their holiday we recommend........... Wilderness Lodge andMavo Lodge if staying in the Marovo area. Zipolo Habu Resort near Munda and Sanbis Resort if staying in the Gizo area or Papatura Island Retreat if you want to step off the map and visit Santa Isabel.

Mavo Lodge


Grant’s morning catch from Papatura	A Sailie caught about 6 miles off shore from Gizo with a Rotarian volunteer.	catching mud crabs

Bird watching
The Solomon Island hosts one of the highest rates of avian endemism on Earth, with individual species and races unique to individual small islands. You have rainforest, coastal and oceanic habitats overlapping, providing a vast array of species in a very concentrated area. Every inch of land is covered with forest.

Surfing the Solomon Island
If your want uncrowded surfing the Solomons is it. Warm clean water, untouched reef breaks and constant swell makes this Pacific Island chain a surfers dream holiday. All Gizo hotels and resorts offer great surf packages also Maravagi lodge in the central island group. However if you want to get barrelled and surf some of world most remote waves Check out the village stay options at Surf The Earth.

Sea kayaking
Marovo Lagoon is the world’s longest island-fringed salt water lagoon. Come on a voyage of discovery and adventure in the ”land that time forgot“.Camping on secluded uninhabited islands, which are surrounded by spectacular coral formations and white sand beach, the waters shimmering in every shade of blue, turquoise.…

White sandy beaches surrounded by swaying coconut palms. Swimming and snorkelling among exquisite coral reefs. Forget waiting for hours in busy supermarket lines, you catch it, we will cook it!

Cultural visits to the villages where you can meet the real people of the Solomon Islands. Smiling, friendly, happy people who welcome you to their villages.

Today, we can paddle our Kayaks into the heart of the head hunters’ country and experience the sacred sites. It is still possible to see the trophies (skulls) from the head hunting days.