My Solomon Islands trip info and tips !!

So my friend and I spent 2 wks in the Solomon over New Years. And we had an amazing time !! We are both women and had no prblems with people and we felt really safe. I have written out ( very hastily) a few things we did and where we stayed ect and prices. Be happy if this helps anyone planning to go !!

Any questions feel free to PM me !!

Honiara - Savo- Seghe- Noro - Munda - Gizo - Honiara

Sol Brew- 15-20 SOL most places. $3-4 AUS
Meals - anywhere between 80-200 SOL (especially if you want seafood)
Loaf of bread - 10 SOL $2 AUS

Arrived in Honiara... as stated the cab fare was to the centre of town 70 SOL. Loads of taxis at the airport when you arrive. The first night we were in Honiara we had from Australia arranged to stay the King Solomon Hotel. It was a very nice hotel and great central point in town but for the money we paid for it...we didnt feel satisfied. The room was also dirty on arrival and the staff didnt seem very interested to help us out with our questions on "about town". The next day we ended up checking out and went to the Kitana Mendana litrally around the corner, right on the water, nicer accomodation and they had hot water, and was a fair bit cheaper than the King. The rate also included and all you can eat buffet breakfast. We stayed at here also on return to Honiara for our last night, it is a great hotel. The restaurant is not bad either offering Japanese and Western parts, however on our last night we did the Japanese dining and easily half the food was "not available" or had to be pre-ordered.

We had a few beers at the Point Cruz Yacht Club and it was a nice little spot to relax at on the water. The Lime Lounge next to ANZ bank had great food if you are craving a decent sandwhich or some homemade cakes. Next to the NPF building on the left side there is a couple of food stalls .. if you walk through to the one at the back they sell rice and traditional meats for only 40 SOL and they are huge meals.

Our godsend was the tourist information centre, right near Kitana Mendana on the main street. They sorted us out with a tour to Savo island for the night, the transport, accomodation and also helped us to book some accomodation with a place they recommended called " Matikuri" which was about 20 mins boat ride from Seghe.

On Savo we stayed at "Sunset Lodge" 100 SOL p/nt . Was very basic but affordable accomodation. Just request a room on the top floor as in the evening all the little crabs crawl around on the floor and this includes the lower level accomodation ! But the meals were lovely and cheap as was the accomodation. They also did some great tours and i would highly recommend the "large volcano walk" approz 250 SOL for 2 pax. around 3 hrs return . but a great hike, wear runners and be prepared for a sweat as the higher you get, the steamier it gets. but an amazing walk and so beautiful.

We got the boat from Honiara to Seghe next ( 450 SOL) ( the boat ride was great and met loads of awsome locals and saw some amazing scenery ) and stayed at "Matikuri". This accmomodation can only be booked via the tourist information centre as they only have a radio. We stayed here for 3 nights. Was very peaceful and you litrally have the island to yourself and to "ben & Jilly" and their family. Great oppurtunities for snorkeling and just chilling out in the peace and quiet with a book. We also ate meals here every night and they were amazing. The accom here was only 125 SOL a night for your own little hut right on the water and then 100 SOL a day for your 3 meals.There is nothing on the island or in Seghe to buy water, food ext at so if but in Honiara before leaving. The only downside on this place was the mosquitos, even after laquering on the RID and anything else attainable... we were still eaten alive and once dusk hit spent the time hiding in our netted beds reading.

Next stop from Seghe was Noro ( as the boat didnt stop @ Munda) cost 260 SOL. We had to hitch from the port at Noro into Munda itself as there were no taxis. We found some lovely locals from Munda who were happy to help. We stayed at "Agnes Lodge" and this place was lovely ( and had a bar and restaurant) . 450 SOL a night for a double/ twin room. We did on the last night stay in the dorm accomodation for 125 SOL each and turned out it had only 4 beds in it, so was great value for money in comparison to the twin. Still has it own private bathroom and toilet, kitchen ect. The lodge is right on the water and they also do alot of tours. The meals are amazing but make sure you order in advance and if a crab fan the chilli mud crab was amazing ! We also met Don ( the manager / possible owner ) and he was a great host and happy to help with any questions and also just good for a chat. Agnes lodge also caters for diving and we heard that the diving here was better than the diving at Gizo. We talked to people who did the shark dive from the lodge and they said it was awsome and they saw a big hammerhead !! Whilst in Munda we went to Skull Island, it was really interesting to see but for the 700 SOL they charge for it, and the fact the tour takes a couple of hours, we found this a bit overpriced. We also checked out Lola Island and there was an amazing looking accomodation there right on the water but on the high range price.

If your up for a nice walk once you walk out of the Lodge and up the little hill hit a right at the road and walk through some pretty little villages. Walking left takes you to the hospital and past some houses as well. Also from Agnes lodge they arrange transfers ( 3 times a wk) to Gizo for 160 SOL. The boat ride takes around 2 hrs depending on weather. You have to book this in advance as only certain spots are available.

If you are after internet in Munda the Telecom has one computer there. Be prepared to wait in line and have people hovering behind you whilst your online.

In Gizo we stayed at "Gelvinas Hotel" as we heard it was half the price of Gizo hotel and exactly the same accomodation. And it was !! 400 SOL p/night The only thing it lacked was hot water. But it was half the price. Water view and also had a washing machine ! Kitchen (shared) and balcony. We spent alot of time in the Gizo hotel still drinking and had most meals there.. alot of awsome people here to meet and the meals were amazing here and very well priced. Lots of crayfish !! If you are looking for more cheaper options every afternoon along the main strip the locals sell fresh caught fish for as little as 1 SOl and then you can cook it yourself. Gizo was alot more relaxed and very pretty on the water. We did 2 days of diving with dive Gizo. Danny & Kerry @ the dive shop were lovely ! And Ari and Luke the instructors were awsome too. Our first day we did 2 dives and had an amazing fresh cooked lunch of fish ( all gear inclusive) for $180 AUS. The next day we did the "Tao Marou" a wreck dive. For $80 AUS. This dive was amazing !!! and you got to go into the wreck and its amazing how much you can make out from the wreck still. As far as fish life and coral goes, it was basic but the wreck itself was amazing and probbly the best i have seen. If you do dive with Dive Gizo ask then to show you the "Zero" as well. Its right near the shore of the market, an old plane under about 10m of water. If its raining but you are out of luck, the runoff from the streets goes straight into the water and blinds you.

Friday night we hung out with the locals at Bamboo Bar. This was great fun and good to have a mingle and dance. Try the "Saratogas" !! We also checked out PT 109 which was great and fresh air !! After spending a couple of house in the smoky and hot Bamboo.

Wed and Fri are market days ( however the market are daily these 2 days are the busiest and best purchase days). We tried the market fish and chips which were not bad and also "Mas Mas" which is kinda like a spinach and crushed nut layer. Really different and worth a try as well !

After spending some time in Gizo we took off to Fatboys and spent 2 nights here. This place had an amazing spot. Restaurant and bar on the water, boats coming and going with locals and tourists and everyone sits around and has a great mingle and laugh. It has just been sold by Grant and is now being ran by Chelsea and her partner. Chelsea is really great and it will be interesting to see what they have in store for the place. The accomodation were little traditional built houses on the water, mosquito nets, no aircon as its all open to the water, and loads of lanterns at night make this place feel amazing and like your in your own little world.
During the day you can take a kayak and go to one of the close surrounding islands for a visit or you can snorkel around , have a fish, read a book ect.. Again you have to buy all your food and drink ay Fatboys as there is no shop so bring stuff over from Gizo if you want other stuff. We bought a couple of pineapples over from the markets that were so great !

We had planned to take the Pelican Express back to Honiara on our final morning but bad weather stopped it coming ( dilemma!!) but we had read it was unreliable so we should have known !! We weer told all flights to Honiara were full but went over to the airport anyhow and hung around hoping to squeeze onto a flight and we got one ! $240 AUS .

Spent our final night back in Honiara and our final day buying lots of earings !!! 15-20 SOL ( $3-$4 AUS ) for amazing little shell earings ( great gifts)

Our flight ( Pacific Blue) was still checking in people to the flight when we should have been in the air. Our flight arrived in Brisbane over an hour late and alot of people missed connecting onward flights. We heard flight delays were common so be ready incase.

Have fun !!!!

J

G~r~e~a~t report. Very helpful for future planning, tenk yu tu mas.

Hi valitrash,
Thanks for being so comprehensive. I haven't spent much time in the West, so it may be helpful if I need accommodation there.
I am surprised at your reports of accommodation at both the King Sol and the Mendana - the new rooms at the Mendana must be much better than the old ones. They always did a good buffet breakfast, though.

Hey again !! Yes the King sol had a huge rep which is why we stayed there.. but were not happy. The Mendana did have some "dark rooms " as listed in the the LP but still they were way nicer. We stayed in the new ones in Mendana on our last night and honestly the only difference between the old ones were they were on a second floor and more lit. .. Glad to have helped !

J x

This great report should go in the FAQ at the top of the page.

Terrific report, thanks, I'm copying it for future reference.

Hey can you give some indicative prices of meals at fatboys per day, and the cost of the shuttle transfer from Gizo to Fatboys? I'm trying to budget for my upcoming trip...

Thanks!