The Real Island Life
Choose your adventure: a holiday can be more than sitting in a hammock or by a hotel swimming pool all day.
The Real Island Life
Choose your adventure: a holiday can be more than sitting in a hammock or by a hotel swimming pool all day.
SURF
Image: Chris McLennan.
No sharks, uncrowded waves, and the same swell that hits Hawaii. It sounds too good to be true.
If you could draw up the ideal surf travel destination, the Solomon Islands would be pretty close. Especially if you’re an Australian or in the Pacific and are lucky to be in such close proximity.
Receiving Hawaii’s swell a week later than they do takes the edge off some of the world’s most hectic breaks, and allows for more accessible waves.
In the East, there’s something for everyone in the province of Malaita. Toi is one of the premier waves in the Solomons, a big right-hander that will give serious surfers plenty of time in the tube. In the same neck of the woods is Charlie’s Right, a right-hander that is as consistent as you’ll get in these parts, while Kofiloco is the perfect longboarder’s wave.
Regular storms mean the period between November and March often brings the best conditions, but many breaks are surfable year-round.
Getting waves is getting waves ... no matter what vessel you find yourself on or in. Image: Chris McLennan.
There are a number of surf camps and operators who can show you where the best waves are, including Vavaghio Guest House, where well-equipped bungalows stand back from the beach in the cool of the mangroves at Vavaghio Guest House on the Santa Isabel, in the north of the islands. Surfing, diving and fishing are all catered for here, where there is a capacity of just 8 guests.
FISH
Photo by Chris McLennan.
FISH
Photo by Chris McLennan.
Given the country is made up of six major islands and over 900 smaller ones, it is no surprise that there is an abundance of fishing to be had.
As well as this, there is great inland fishing to be had at a number of rivers that weave their way through the islands like arteries.
Arguably the best place to base yourself for the fishing adventure of a lifetime is at Papatura Island Resort, Santa Isabel Island, where everything that you need for your trip can be found – including the fish. To be found in Santa Isabel’s pristine waters are sail fish, shark, sweet lip, coral trout and cod, job fish, kingfish, trevally, wahoo, mackerel, barracuda, wrasse and snapper, while mangrove jacks, spot tail bass and ox eye hearing are catchable inland.
Boats and gear can be hired, and there are guides to take you to some of the best reefs, atolls, islands and bommies throughout the South Pacific.
HIKE
The Valley of the Vines. Image: Kelly Irving.
The seductive curves of Mount Rano beckon to you from ground level in Hambere, on Kolombangara Island.
Her mountain peaks (which really do resemble a woman lying down) are framed so perfectly, you could be looking at a painting on the wall. From Gizo in the Western Province, short boat rides are available to Hambere.
Hiking the 1,770 metres to her summit is no cookie-cutter hike; there’s chopping and cutting tracks, clawing through mud and rivers and scrambling uphill. Once you get there though, you’ll be rewarded with Lord of the Rings-worthy views back towards the village. Kick back in a hammock at the end of the day at The View Rano Lodge, a little stay providing, as the name suggests, a perfect ‘view’ of the mountain.
The perfectly positioned View Rano Lodge. Image: Kelly Irving.
DIVE
Image: Chris McLennan.
It’s unlikely there’s a dive location like the Solomon Islands anywhere else in the world.
Being based in the aptly named Coral Triangle, the islands boast some of the most active marine life anywhere in the world, with amazing reefs, fish of every variety and clear waters.
As well as this, it’s been 80 years since the fierce World War II battle for Guadalcanal, where the advance of the Japanese imperial forces across the Pacific was halted by the United States and Allied forces. A number of wrecks from the battle now serve as fascinating dive spots, and important reminders of the past.
In the idyllic village of Munda, Dive Munda deliver Instructor Training as well as customized diving experiences, based upon the needs of each person. Diving, freediving and snorkelling is available here, meeting all skill levels. Best of all, Munda is in close proximity to an array of marine life, wreckages, spectacular underwater walls and more.
Images: Brandon Cole
Share this story
Solomons BITE SIZE FACT
The Solomons are home to the world’s largest raised coral atoll, East Rennell.
Solomon Airlines, the Solomon Islands national carrier, connects the world from their Honiara base direct to Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu, Port Moresby and Kiribati. International connections are available through their main hubs of Brisbane, Australia and Nadi, Fiji and from Honiara onwards to 22 domestic destinations within the Solomon Islands.
Book and find out more at www.flysolomons.com
Solomon Airlines, the Solomon Islands national carrier, connects the world from their Honiara base direct to Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu, Port Moresby and Kiribati. International connections are available through their main hubs of Brisbane, Australia and Nadi, Fiji and from Honiara onwards to 22 domestic destinations within the Solomon Islands.
Book and find out more at www.flysolomons.com