The Melanesian nation of the Solomon Islands is located 1300
miles north-north east of Brisbane and 600 miles north-north west
of Vanuatu. The country's 100 islands of varying sizes contain rain
forests, mountains, lagoons and deserted coral sand beaches. The
population of almost half a million people are spread throughout
the islands and speak over 87 different dialects. In many ways the
Solomons are very similar to Vanuatu and its people are very much
in touch with their history and culture, so a visitor is offered an
insight into a way of life that has changed very little over the
centuries.
During the 2nd World War, the islands were a scene of ferocious
fighting between the American and Japanese forces, on land, sea and
air. Even today there are still war relics to be found
throught the islands, but the real legacy of this period are the
shipwrecks that are to be found throughtout the waters of the
Solomons. For in the 60 years since the war ended, Mother
Nature hs worked her miracle on the wrecks, turning them into
spectacular artificial reefs, teeming with aquatic
life! They compliment the natural reefs making the
Solomons one of the world's best scuba diving
destinations.
The two main diving centres are Honiara, the country's capital,
on the island of Guadalcanal, where the live-on board cruise boats
operate from, and Gizo, on the north-western island Vellalavella,
where a major dive centre has been developed.
It was on a small island near Gizo that US president John F.
Kennedy was marooned with the crew of his torpedo boat after they
were sunk by a Japanese destroyer. It's worth a visit however
the island is now much smaller than in 1943 due to tidal
erosion, so visit soon before it disappears altogether!
Currently the tourism structure in the Solomons is limited but
evolving, and the hotels that are available are clean, pleasant but
mostly basic. There is 1 brand new hotel that opened in
August 2009, that is more luxurious, The Heritage Park, and
although listing as a 5 star, by western standards it is
probably a 4 star. However, if you are looking for
5-star resort with all the luxuries and top-class service expected
in Europe or the USA, then maybe the Solomons would not be for
you.
If, however, you are into scuba diving or are interested in WWII
battles, or want to experience real Melanesian culture, then a
visit to the Solomons is a must!
Currently, there are no locally based cruise companies offering
cruse itineraries around theSolomon Islands. There are a few
major cruise companies operating the large luxury liners, who
offer itineraries across and around the Pacific that will
visit some of these islands, but they are not frequent or on a
regular basis.
There are live-aboard dive boats, that provide a cruise base for
scuba divers, however, they are not for clients who may just
want to cruise and not dive.