Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Honeymoon at Uepi and Australia

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea

I am planning on going to Australia (I live in the U.S.) for my honeymoon next November and then tack on a week to go to Uepi Island. However, it seems like going to the Solomons on a tight schedule is not advisable because Solomon Airlines domestic flights are not reliable. Is that correct? I don't want to get stuck in the Solomons for several days after I've been to Uepi. Any insight into what it's like getting from Brisbane to Uepi Island (and back!) would be appreciated.

Regards,

Daniel

In my experience, it was their domestic flights that were (very) unreliable, international ones seem to go on time.

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There is a new airline Skyairworld offering cheaper flights from Brisbane to Honiara from the beginning of March, and possibly Virgin Blue as well by November.
However, internal flights are a problem. There is a new board now trying to deal with the chaos in Solomon Airlines, and hopefully, this will be better by November, too.
The problem is the closest airfield to Uepi is a small one called Seghe, which frequently gets closed. There is an alternative the resort uses, but it is a longer boat ride.
There have been recent problems, resulting in 1 or 2 day delays, so I would take the precaution of allowing 2 or 3 days
in Honiara on the end of your trip (there are interesting things to do in or near Honiara), before your scheduled flight out.
There is now a move to make Munda airport in Western Privince an international airport too, which could improve the situation. Keep a eye on this site - I will try to post
any transport updates reported in Solomon Islands media.

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Oh, thank you everyone. I appreciate it. I think I will just stay in Australia for my honeymoon, and go to the Solomons in a year or two. And I will leave myself 2-3 days in Honiara as a cushion in case of travel delays.

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Virgin flying to the Solomons could really increase tourist arrivals there.

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Daiel, I tried to reply to your PM, but you're not accepting PM's. If you fix it, I can reply to you

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