Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Travelling from Solomons to Vanuatu by boat Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Solomon Islands
eurigjones 12:52 UTC 03 Oct 2009 | Hi there, Is it possible to travel from Honiara (or anywhere in the Solomons) to Vanuatu by sea (preferably legally with a stamp!)? Thanks, Eurig |
Laszlo 13:39 UTC 03 Oct 2009 | Only if you are VERY lucky to get a ride on a passing yacht or the odd (no doubt very rare) cargo ship - OG once mentioned a church-run boat travels that way every now and then. Basically, be prepared to fly. And the distance here is far too big for illegal local rides (like from PNG to Sols) to be an option, too. | 1
ozziegiraffe 14:16 UTC 03 Oct 2009 | About once every two years, the Church of Melanesia's ship, the Southern Cross, will travel to Vanuatu from Honiara on church business (usually for the use of the Bishops of the northern Vanuatu islands, Banks and Torres, and the bishop based in Luganville, Santo.) It is possible to get a paid passage on this ship. However, be warned, it is small (ferry-sized) and rolls in open ocean in such a way that when the sea is running in a particular direction, everyone on board will get seasick. Believe me, I am a good sailor, but I was sick for 24 hours travelling to Ontong Java on Southern Cross. You will most likely not get cabin space, so be prepared to sleep on deck. The Bishop gets the main cabin, and the few others go to whoever gets there first - there is no other booking order. If you want to know if there is any likelihood of this trip happening, contact the Church of Melanesia, PO Box 19, Honiara. If the trip does happen, the ship is likely to go via Temotu province, and you may be lucky enough to see Tikopia and Anuta. As for cargo ships, they are quite frequent, but almost invariably do not take passengers. | 2
eurigjones 23:31 UTC 03 Oct 2009 | Thanks for the great replies! Looks like the answer for me at least, is a no! | 3
mchovers 08:31 UTC 28 Nov 2009 | hi anyone please please help me ? i want to get to anuta - how can i do it??? please - any information will be good thx meny | 4
ozziegiraffe 11:20 UTC 28 Nov 2009 | The ship mentioned above, Southern Cross, may visit there every two years when the Bishop does his rounds. otherwise, you could wait in either Honiara or Lata (Santa Cruz Island, capital of Temotu province) for a boat for many months. There is generally no schedule. Other than private yacht, these are the only ways to get there. And remember, a visitor's visa to Solomon Islands lasts only 3 months, though you may be able to extend it for one further 3 month period. Search this branch - there is another thread about Anuta. | 5
ozziegiraffe 11:25 UTC 28 Nov 2009 | I suggest you post this as a new thread, in case someone else who didn't contribute to this discussion has more information. | 6
mchovers 12:20 UTC 28 Nov 2009 | thx alot!!!! | 7