My trip to the Solomon Islands

haley lester
3 min readFeb 8, 2021

My trip to the Solomon Islands was magical. I’m sure most people have not heard of it, despite its beauty. It is recorded as one of the least traveled to tourist destinations in the world, untouched by mass tourism. However there is so much to do here, its flourishing with adventure and new experiences. An important part of the Solomon Island’s culture and history is that brutal battles and wars were fought on this land during World War II. The Japanese and the Allies were fighting over this gorgeous strategic outpost. Today, there are souvenirs of the battles scattered everywhere on the islands. Both in the warm surrounding sea, as well as on land.

The Solomon Islands is also heaven on earth for divers and snorkelers. The islands are scattered with pristine reefs, underwater volcanic peaks, crystal clear water and beautiful, plentiful marine life. The Solomon Islands are home to the worlds second highest fish count, making underwater experiences highly valued and protected. The islanders are extremely eco friendly and you can feel their love for their home and ocean. Not only is the marine life and animals amazing, you can see tons of sunken artifacts from WWII. Including submarines, aircrafts, tanks and ships. Such a unique and special experience!

As amazing as the aquatic experiences in the Solomon Islands, there is still plenty to do on land as well. If you like adventure and exploring, there are lush forests, dense jungles, waterfalls, trails, rivers and wildlife that you can hike and tour safely. If you are looking for something a bit more relaxing, there is local village tours, bird watching, and historical WWII sites that you can visit. Or you could simply lay back on the beach and watch the waves crash. The Solomon Islands is not the best place for you if you are expecting over sized, mega resorts and luxury. It focuses more on smaller locally run establishments woven with adventure, culture, relaxation, and love.

Seafood is a main staple of the Solomon islanders diet. So if you aren't a fan of seafood I recommend doing research before attending a restaurant and take time to view the menu. However if you are a fan of seafood, they are home to the BEST seafood I have ever had! All is locally caught and it is unbelievably fresh. Traveling around the different islands is also fairly easy. You can get around by ferry, sail boat, or a small aircraft. Whatever you prefer is available. Overall, I have little to nothing bad to say about the Solomon Islands and I would recommend this raw, rustic, and authentic travel destination to almost anyone!

Local market in the Solomon Islands!
Birds eye view of the islands

Source:

Schechter March 15, Alex, and Alex Schechter. “A Guide to Traveling to the Solomon Islands.” Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2017, www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/island-vacations/solomon-islands-travel-guide.

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