Solomon Islands

Understand

History The Solomon Islands are believed to have been inhabited by Melanesian people for thousands of years. It is believed that Papuan-speaking settlers began to arrive around 30,000 BC. Austronesian speakers arrived circa 4,000 BC, bringing cultural elements such as the outrigger canoe. It is between 1,200 and 800 BC that the ancestors of the Polynesians, the Lapita people, arrived from the Bismarck Archipelago with their characteristic ceramics. The first European to visit the islands was the Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira, coming from Peru in 1568. The people of Solomon Islands were notorious for headhunting and cannibalism before the arrival of the Europeans. Missionaries began visiting the Solomons in the mid-19th century. They made little progress at first, because "blackbirding" (the recruitment of labourers through coercion, deception, or kidnapping for plantations in Queensland or Fiji, where they were paid poorly, if at all) led to a series of reprisals and massacres. The evils of the labour trade prompted the United Kingdom to declare a protectorate over the southern Solomons in June 1893.

Fierce fighting between the Americans and the Japanese took place in the Solomon Islands during World War II, including notably the Battle of Guadalcanal. Some of the most bitter fighting of World War II took place on the islands between 1942-45. The impact of the war on islanders was profound. The destruction caused by the fighting and the longer-term consequences of the introduction of modern materials, machinery and western cultural artefacts, transformed traditional isolated island ways of life. The reconstruction was slow in the absence of war reparations and with the destruction of the pre-war plantations, formerly the mainstay of the economy. Signif

See

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 battleground between Japanese and American forces during the Pacific War. Most of its war relics can still be seen on land and underwater, including tanks, plane wrecks, shipwrecks and guns.

Buy

Money

The currency of the country is the Solomon Islands dollar, denoted by the symbol "SI$" (ISO currency code: SBD). The currency is divided into 100 cents. Banknotes are issued in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100, and coins issued in denominations of 10, 20 and 50 cents, $1 and $2, with only the 5 cent coin being absent. ATMs are available in Hon

Getting there

Entry requirements

Everyone needs a passport, onward ticket, and sufficient funds to cover their stay in the Solomon Islands. Since October 2016, EU citizens do not require a visa. Citizens of the following nationalities can get visitor's visas on arrival: American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Cook Islands, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Fiji, French Polynesia, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guyana, Iceland, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Montserrat, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Saba, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna. Citizens of China (mainland only) may visit the Solomon Islands without a visa for up to 30 days, and may spend no more than 90 days in total in the Solomon Islands in any 180-day period. Citizens of other countries except Belarus, Burundi, Ethiopia, Ghana, Montenegro, Palestinian Territories, Serbia, South Africa, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Vatican, Zimbabwe can obtain a visa on arrival if they have a confirmation that a visa has been approved before departure. If you have a visitor's permit, you are not allowed to engage in work, business, religious vocations, or professional research. If you wish to do any of those things, you must get a business

Getting around

Auki Ferry This runs most days from Honiara Wharf to Auki on the island of Malaita across the Slot from Honiara. In 2012 the fare as SI$300 one way or SI$580 return. The ferry travels through the Florida Islands channel which is worth seeing and there's a high chance you'll see plenty of flying fish if you look off the front or sides of the boat. The catamaran ferry is a former Auckland Harbour ferry so is not designed to be ocean-going. This means that when it's rough, it's rough so be prepared. The ferry has plenty of comfortable seating, air conditioning and a big flat screen which shows films during the journey. You can buy drinks and snacks on the ferry although it's best to buy this on the way out from Honiara as supplies run low once the boat is heading back. There is a toilet. Boarding is at 07:30 for an 08:00 departure. Buy your ticket from a vehicle parked outside the jetty gate in the wharf car park. It'll be the one swamped with people getting tickets at 07:30. Boat stops in Tulagi (09:30) in Florida Islands and leaves ten minutes later for Boromole (arr. 10:30) which has a beautiful beach and water. It reaches Auki at 12:30 and leaves to return to Honiara via the same route at 14:00 (boarding from 13:30). Return to Boromole is 15:30 and Tulagi at 04:30 before arrival in Honiara at sunset or around 18:00.

Fly Solomon Airlines offers numerous flights around the islands.