| Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 | ![]() |
Best place in South Pacific for two monthsCountry forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea | ||
Hi, | ||
Solomon Islands is one of the least commercialised, but easily accessible, countries in the Pacific. It is a relatively big country, with lots of possible destinations. | 1 | |
Hi Jute, you may like to try the Ha'apai group in Tonga. It sounds pretty much perfect for what you want. There is very cheap beach or town accommodation on Lifuka, Uoleva, Ha'ano and Uiha, hardly any tourists, great snorkeling and diving and you might just about slip into the right season for whale watching/swimming (starts in July). There are lots of deserted islands around that you can camp on (bring your own tent): Luahoko, Tatafa, Hakauata, Luangahu , Nuku'pule, Meama, Lofanga or,Uanukuhahake, but you would need to be pretty self sufficient. A touring kayak would be a good way to travel between islands. If you would rather stay in local guesthouse than the average price here is around USD $15/night, so very affordable. Ha'apai is the least commercial of all Tonga and accomodation is cheaper here that elsewhere in the Kingdom. If you would like more info, then you can click on the link in my signature or write me a PM. | 2 | |
When "cheap prices" are mentioned, it will have to be Fiji, Tonga, Samoa or the Solomons. Of these, I have seen the best beaches in the Solomons - but FAR off the beaten track and hard to get to. Samoa has only a few islands and only one beach I'd call really good (and that is busy!). Tonga (where I haven't been) sounds like a good bet, but with good beaches mostly concentrated in the Haapai group. Fiji is huge and diverse like the Solomons, but easier to get around. With 2 months on hand, you should certainly be able to find several great beaches there, though many of the busiest ones on Viuti Levu are pretty average (to put it kindly). | 3 | |
Hey Laszlo, | 4 | |
Solomon Islands has my vote, hands down. Some great beaches on Bellona Island - Ahanga and One are my favs - not too difficult a walk from wherever you might stay if you go to Bellona. Bellona is a couple of hours by air from Honiara. | 5 | |
I particularly meant a small uninhabited island in the Shortland group near Bougainville (PNG) - check! Not sure quite how far that is by your definition, but it is fair to say it is further than most tourists to the Solomons get. | 6 | |
I'll second the beauty of the Solomon's beaches. I don't know what it is like now, but I was there just post the tsunami late 2007 and it was still being cleaned up. Lovely spot though and warm people. | 7 | |
There is a perfect white beach on Ulawa in Makira/Ulawa province of Solomon Islands, and if you are up for adventure, it may be worth considering. Definitely way off the tourist path, but you can get there by plane (and canoe or tractor) or ship (about 24 hours by creaky ferry) from Honiara. | 8 | |