Samoa vs Solomon Islands

Samoa or Solomons 21June09- 07July09?
Hey guys,

I just got approval for a little over two weeks of time off. My wife and I are extremely excited about the opportunity to visit either Samoa or the Solomon Islands. We are very adventurous and are avid backpackers. The tenative itineraries would go something like this, just to give you guys an idea of what we are like/the research we have already done:

Samoa: Fly to PPG, transfer to Ofu and hang out at Vaoto Lodge, hike, snorkel a few days.
Transfer back to PPG to APW. 4-6 day kayak with dayhikes around the east and south coast ending at virgin cove for a few days. Maybe catch the ferry to Savaii for a few days at Luisias Lagoon Chalets or splurge at Le Legato. Possible day trips to some of the beautiful waterfalls/ swimming holes on rest days. Then a night in Apia and fly home.

Solomons: Fly ton HIR, on to Sehge, then transfer via boat to Uepi. 2 nights snorkeling or maybe get certified to dive prior to arrival and get in a few dives in. 6 day kayaking trip in Marovo Lagoon staying at various lodges. After the kayak, transfer to Gizo and stay at Sanbis or Fatboys for the week. Dive, explore Gizo, maybe climb Kolombangra if we can pull away from the bar. Fly home.

Both places look amazing, but it looks like the Solomons are around 600 per person more tennatively. We are leaning toward the Solomons, but cant find many reports on how good the kayaking is in Marovo Lagoon (very few trip reports and photos). Also, it seams that Marovo Lagoon does not really have any/many beaches. Anyone know of some great (even if small) beaches in Marovo Lagoon? Anyone have any personal experience that could point us in the right direction? All comments are welcome, thanks for taking the time to read my post. Safe Travels,

Matt

Can't help you with kayaking but many of the yachts who visit Marovo say it was a highlight of their trip. Many keep blogs with useful information. Try googling '...... (place name) anchoring'. Both plans sound amazing. I'd do the 'harder' one first and save the 'easier' one for another time, i.e. I'd pick the Solomons.

thanks for the help, the blogs found on google did have some useful info.

Another one http://exploringsolomons.wikispaces.com/kayakingmarovo and you might find a way to access a pdf file called 'Treks and Adventures in Solomon Islands' which has in-depth information. It was mentioned on this site at sometime, I think. Good luck!

The wiki-space is where I got the idea from. Good info there, I have an email out to Uepi to see if they will rent me the kayaks without a guide, but I doubt I will get the local discout that the folks on wikispace got (18USD per day for kayaks, no guide). Currently they quoted me 130USD per day with guide and village/eco-lodge accomodations.

Correction: the 150SBD/20USD is to have your own kayak transported to Uepi. Dont want to spread mis-information. I dont actually know if they will rent the kayaks without a guide. I have an email out to check into this. I will post with any new info.

I don't know anything about kayaking in the Solomons, but if you are an adventurous couple then I think Solomons wins, hands down. As for trekking, there's a good trek from East Kwaio right across Malaita to Auki, which some of the expats do. Ask around at the yacht club in Pt. Cruz, Honiara.

I'm following this thread with great interest. Do post if you can do the trip without a guide. As a reference, current expedition kayak rentals in Palau are: $45.00 per day. 7-12 Days: $40.00 per day. 13+ Days: $35.00.

As everyone above, I would just place another vote for the Solomons.
Definitely the more adventurous destination - by a VERY long shot!

I have sent you a PM re the Lau Lagoon - some information is also on the Wikispaces site under Lau village stay
Village accommodation with all meals would be about $30 US a night, local food (you would need to carry anything "exotic" you can't live without).
I haven't priced dugout canoe hire, but will be up there in April, and can work something out - I expect it would be a lot less than hiring kayaks in Marovo.
A friend BOUGHT one for about $25 US a couple of years ago. Guide would cost about $10 US a day.

Kayak Solomons will not rent kayaks without a guide. We went ahead and booked with them with a guide, though I already feel like a sellout for spending the extra money. Also we are planning on spending the last 5 days around Gizo diving and resting. Anyone have good ideas on how to kill a day in the area on the cheap? Too late for me, I have already booked rooms/flights, but I hear that the Tetepare (www.tetepare.org) Eco-lodge stay is sweet place to stay a few days.

Wonder if you can visit St Dominic’s Training Centre, a small farm school at Vanga Point, on the north western side of Kolombangara, about 25 km (an hour’s boat ride from Gizo. Farm/school is beside a lagoon with incredibly warm water. We called in there years ago (private yacht) and found the Brothers more than happy to have company and sell us fresh vegetables. Their boat used to take stuff to the market in Gizo quite regularly, they are on the phone so I’m sure you could check.

The market in Gizo operates by the roadside, great FRESH fish and chips somewhere.

Go for a walk? Titiana is a Gilbertese village, 6 km (about an hour’s walk, fairly regular bus service) from Gizo, good surfing apparently. The people occasionally perform at the Gizo Hotel. How they came to be relocated to the area is an interesting story. Paeloge is a Melanesian village, about 8 km (about 75 minute’s walk), more surfing.

If all else fails, shuttle over to Fatboys (about 10 minutes)

Titiana was completely destroyed by the tsunami a year or 2 ago.
I am not sure where the Gilbertese have been relocated, or if they are rebuilding the village.
Since then, many people have been frightened to live by the seaside.