Solomon Islands in December for Christmas and New Years

Hey Solomon Lovers and fellow travelers......Me and a friend of mine are planning a trip to Solomon Islands in December for Xmas and New Years.
I am just starting my research on the islands and have read a few posts which are invaluable information.

We have 2 and a half weeks to spend our time on the islands.

Would anyone recommend some must do's and things which we need to keep in mind for planning our trip.

I am a Vegetarian and don't know what the food availability is like, but reading some past posts on here, I would say pretty grim! Would you recommend that I carry Ready to Eat food packs with me for the entire travel to the islands?

Also I would like to get a PADI certification while there and explore the beautiful corals and the wreck sites.....is there a particular place which is recommended and what would be the price range?

In terms of accommodation, I was thinking like getting our own private villa on the beach, but it seems un realistic.

What would be our best chances to get accommodation during Xmas?

Getting Visa prior to travel has been a struggle of sorts but I am hoping the island and the people are a lot more friendly and welcoming.

Any advice on the above would be much appreciated.

Enjoy Travels Amigos!

A private villa on the beach is not an option, there aren't any. Travelling around Solomons at Christmas will be a bit difficult as everyone is on the move over the holiday period and I suspect that accommodation will be difficult to find at that time.

Do a Google for Padi certificates in Solomon Islands, a few relevant places pop up so take your pick. You can get your open-water certificate in Honiara if you don't have time to get off to another island - any hotel in town should be able to tell you exactly where. It's a small town.

As to being a vegetarian, if you manage to find a place with cooking facilities (shared) you can easily live off fresh veggies from the market. It's the cheapest way to eat as well.

Ozziegiraffe has more up-to-date information about travelling around Solomons during the Christmas holidays. Hopefully she will 'pop' in with some good information for you.

Thanks mate for your advice.

By the sounds of it, i really need to do my research well.....

Also i was wondering how about village stays where atleast we have a cottage to ourselves with decent views of the water....

Also in terms of getting around the islands, which islands would you suggest and are the flights expensive, as i have read the boats could be long trips and quite tiresome, besides being irregular.

I do realize this will be an epic trip, that's for sure!

A village stay usually mean you stay in a villager's home with them, or they might have a leaf hut designated for visitors. No such thing as cottages, and most village houses are 'leaf' houses. Check this out: village stays

Flights are relatively expensive and beware, they can be cancelled on occasion and strand passengers for a day or more. There is a fast ferry to Auki on Malaita Island, from Honiara. The Western Province is the area that sees most of the tourist traffic and where most of the divers go, although I prefer Malaita. Another island worth visiting, IMO anyway, is Bellona, a Polynesian outlier in Renbel Province. But that requires a flight.

As I haven't been back there since 2002 I'm no longer the expert ... SI experts, where are you? :-)

Ozzieg responded, but on the wrong thread :-) Here's a bit of info,.

Your biggest problem at that time of year is getting around. Inter-island ships are full with locals travelling home for the summer holidays, and the cheaper ccommodation places in Honiara are often booked out well in advance. You will need to book all your accommodation and travel before you arrive. Honiara is also an issue at Christmas, with people waiting for boats (eg students returning from overseas).

Two places I would recommend where you might find a village stay to suit you:
Langa Langa Lagoon in Malaita: http://www.welkamsolomons.com/places/malaita/serahkei/index.html
This article will give you an idea of what to expect. You can get to Auki quickly and easily on 360 Discovery but will need to book well in advance. Contact Silent World shipping: http://www.silentworld.com.au/solomon-islands
At that time of year, ths ship is usually booked out well in advance.
Isabel:I have friends who have a homestay on a white beach near a waterfall. However, this may be full of family over Christmas and New Year. If you thnk you may be interested, I will enquire if it is available.

Thank you all for taking time out and sharing your views and tips.

I am quite keen on getting into a village stay or having a leaf house...don't mind being away from the town and secluded.

I would rather be away from the crowd than be doing the touristy stuff.....

Can anyone let me know the average price per night for accommodation?

Also How much would PADI certificate cost me? I am really excited to get to Solomon Islands.....

Also about alcohol....can I buy it there or do you recommend to carry it from Australia?

Also any places which you would recommend which are must see or must do or must stay!

Fatboys looks like a nice place....any views on the property!

re Alcohol, nything but the local beer (Solbrew) is expensive. However, there is a limit (2 litres, I think) onhow much alcohol you can bring in from overseas.
I'm afraid I can't help re PADI or Fatboys, I am not a diver, and don't usually stay in resorts.

HI Ozzie,

thanks for recommending the village stays.

COuld you check with your friend in Isabel about accommodation for maybe 3 nights around the 24th-27th of Dec or whenever they have availability.

Also what is the best way to get from Honiara to Isabel?

If you could let me know and the price, we can look at making a reservation.

Thanks

Hi Praful
Honiara to Isabel I recommend 2 options:
1. www.papatura.com (fly from Honiara to Suavanao airstrip). A remote clean and attractive beach resort. Second to none fishing & diving.
2. Fly Honiara to Fera and catch a boat to Buala. Stay at (677) 749 5066 Brent..very nice man.

HI Metalfish,

The resort looks absolutely stunning! I have written to them to check for availability and rates.

Can anyone suggest an itinerary for us, I am not sure how best to plan the trip.

The thought for the moment is for the below itinerary:-

21st:- Arrive Honiara - go into town and market - overnight stay in Chester House
22 - Explore Honiara - Botanical Gardens, WW2 sites, organize travel to Munda etc..... OverNight Chester House
23 - Honiara - Munda
24th - Munda
25th Munda - Gizo for xmas
26th- Gizo - accommodation ?
27th- Gizo - accommodation ?
28th - Gizo - Honiara - overnight in chester house
29th - Isabel / Savo / Malaita / Tevenappu any of these islands, which one would you recommend
30th
31st new years Eve, need to be in a nice place
1st -
2nd
3rd
4th
5th Return to Honiara
6th - depart Honiara

Given the time of 2 weeks, is it worth going to Gizo? I would like to see as much as possible near Honiara and would love to see Volcanoes, waterfalls, nature walks, snorkel etc, and don't want to unnecessarily make inter island travel hectic due to the irregularity and over crowded nature of the ferries.

I hope im covering all the aspects....any recommendations to the above plan are welcome.

I think Gizo should be left in as it is. Best you check Solomon airlines regarding the 28th, 29th as it looks tight.

There is a flight to Papatura (Suavanao airstrip ex Honiara) 5-6 days a week with Solomon airlines. Please recheck. The flight from Honiara is about 50mins. Papatura is about 5 mins on a boat from the Suavanao airstrip. They will come and wait for you at the airstrip.

Given you only have two weeks, I suggest you leave off Malaita and Tevenepupu. Trip to Savo you can do easily from Honiara (Chester rest house) say no more than 2 days visit.

All the best.

Hi there,

I am planning the same trip, just a shorter one: Brisbane - Honiara - Munda, maybe something else, have only around 10 days (from December 21-22 to January 1).

So, my thoughts (so far) are:

• budget accommodation in Honiara/Munda;
• how often/reliable are the flights Honiara-Munda?

Cheers,
Katya

Edited by: katyamatya

Praful I have only just seen this. Have you checked whether Chester has availability - it is absolutely necessary to book before you get to Honiara, esecally for the two weeks over Christmas and New Year. I regularly meet people who have come in by plane wthout a booking and have nowhere reasonably priced to sleep.
Any transoprt out of Honiara just before Christmas will also be booked out early, as will anything back to Honiara just after New Year.
Some transport options especially ships, do not travel between Christmas and New Year.
Basically, your options will be limited to wherever has vacancies, and what transport is available.
Planes also need to be booked well in advance, and there is no guarantee the plane will actually go, or that you won't get "bumped" if the plane is overbooked.

HI Ozzie,

Yes I have checked with Chester and they have accommodation.

Is my itinerary looking alright or do I need to amend or drop a few island visits which I was planning on doing.

Cheers

Your itinerary is only possible if you fly, and you need to book in advance, not wait until you arrive in Honiara. Savo is different, as transport there is by outboard from Vila village on the North-West Guadalcanal coast, and Tavanipupu has its own transport, though it is very expensive.
Maravagi on Gela is another posibility, also accessed by boat from Honiara.

Hello Praful,
I have heard form my friend who has just returned from Honiara from Isabel. They are already expecting 7 visitors in January. They will have most of the extended family home for Christmas and New Year, but could possbly manage one visitor who wished to partcipate in village actvities over Christmas and the New Year. Not sure they could manage two.
If you still might be interested, please send me your email and I will forward it to her.

HI Ozzie,

We are 2 and would need accommodation for 2.

Thanks for all your effort.

Cheers

the Discovery 360 was sold 6 months ago. Silentworld shipping is not the owner but their website still is up.