The Solomon Islands is a tropical paradise located in the South Pacific, home to a wealth of natural wonders and rich cultural history. From breathtaking waterfalls and World War II sites to surfing and world-class diving, there are endless opportunities to experience the beauty and adventure of this stunning archipelago. Here at Spacifica Travel we have a range of packages to help get you there, or you can contact our expert team to build a tailored itinerary just to suit your outdoor escape. To get the travel inspiration flowing, we’ve made a list of some of the BEST (in our opinion!) activities in the Solomon Islands for lovers of the big beyond.

Hiking

The Solomon Islands are home to some of the most lush and scenic forests in the world, and hiking is one of the best ways to explore them. Mataniko Falls and Borare Cascades are two of the most popular drawcards on the island of Guadalcanal. The best time of year to see them can be June to September where there is lower rainfall and it’s not too humid.

Mataniko Falls are a thundering waterfall that races off to a canyon lying below, providing quite a memorable experience! You will need a guide from Lelei village to escort you along the walk, which is roughly four hours return. When you start in the village there is a steep ascent, however this is followed by rolling hills along the ridge which makes the middle section slightly easier going before a muddy descent to the canyon floor. If you want to swim or go tubing here (which is a popular option) travel outside of the dry period mentioned above as you’ll need some more water flow.

The Borarae Cascades are a moderate level hike just outside of Honiara which can be done in around 3 hours return, following an old logging trail. While it isn’t a gruelling journey you can get wet, and the ground slippery, from the cascades so take your time and proceed with some caution. A local guide from the village will show you to the walking track around 8km from their location. Perfect for a refreshing swim, you may want to leave a few hours in your schedule to enjoy the surroundings before trekking back.

WWII Sites

The Solomon Islands played a crucial role in World War II, with numerous battles fought between Allied and Japanese forces. Today, visitors can explore some of the most significant battle sites, including Bloody Ridge and the American War Memorial. These sites offer a unique perspective on the events that took place during the war and are a must-visit for history buffs. Any fans of the movie ‘Thin Red Line’ may also recognise some of the stories and locations in the hills surrounding Honiara. To see our range of Battlefield and WWII Tours be sure to check out our touring page.

Surf breaks

The Solomon Islands offer some of the best surfing in the world, thanks to its consistent swells and crystal-clear waters. For seasoned surfers the breaks here offer minimal crowds, both north and south swells, incredible marine biodiversity, and the ever important bragging rights. On the south side, cyclones and tropical lows off of the Queensland coast can make the Western Province around Gizo and Skull Island well worth a visit. Sanbis Resort, Fatboys Resort, and Orovae Cottage are all popular accommodation options in the area. About 20 minutes from Gizo you can find yourself on the fast and hollow right hand break of Paelongge, a sharp and shallow reef. Even closer to base is goofy footed Titiana, a consistent surf that can be reached by a short paddle from the beach but only for those boardriders with some years under their belt.

Diving wrecks and reefs

The Solomon Islands are renowned for their world-class diving, with an abundance of diverse marine life and plethora of wrecks to discover – and they are some of the most accessible sites in the world! Reef dive enthusiasts must see the Mbulo Caves, a crowning jewel in the Marovo Lagoon featuring impressive coral formations and a variety of sea creatures. If reef dives are your thing then also consider visiting the coral gardens and sheer drop-offs off of Uepi Island, and the impressive 600m wall dives out of Munda with pelagics aplenty.

The Solomons are spoiled for choice when it comes to wreck dives, given the sheer amount of relics behind from WWII. Each of the wrecks offer their own unique history and experience in an underwater landscape. Here are some of the most popular wrecks:

• The Hellcat Wreck, in only 9m of clear water sitting upright and intact near Gizo
• Douglas SBD Dauntless, an American dive bomber and naval scout aircraft, near Munda
• The Toa Maru wreck, off of Gizo, is a sunken Japanese transporter vessel and is the biggest wreck at recreational dive levels in the country
• Iron Bottom Sound off of Guadalcanal is home to a swath of 111 shipwrecks and 1,450 downed aircraft from WWII – some sites are only accessible by technical divers, but wrecks such as Bonegi 1 and 2 and the Boeing B-17 Bomber can be accessed recreationally

The untouched landscapes of the Solomon Islands

From hiking to World War II sites and surfing to world-class diving, the Solomon Islands offer endless opportunities to experience pristine beauty and adventure in stunningly untouched landscapes. Whether you're seeking thrill and excitement or relaxation and nature, the Solomon Islands are the perfect destination for your next outdoor adventure. Our team can help you plan your tailored itinerary so why not call us today on 1800 800 822.

Photos Courtesy of Klaus Obermeyer, Dive Munda