A glimpse of
the enchanting Solomon Islands

Nearly 1000 islands surrounded by beautiful reefs and lagoons make up this archipelago nation. Here, culture and lifestyles have been shaped by an intimate relationship with the Ocean.

Within the Melanesian region of the Pacific, just south of the Equator, there is a cluster of alluring islands. Here, an incredibly diverse and charming population continues to nurture a culture that has changed little over the years. These are the Happy Isles… or Solomon Islands. Best known to outsiders for its fascinating WWII history, volcanic activity, and incredible diving, Solomon Islands deserves to be on everyone’s ‘bucket list’ for many more reasons.

I was fortunate enough to spend over 1 year living and working in the small town of Gizo in the Western Province. I prefer traveling to remote and off-the-beaten-path places, but I have never been anywhere quite like the Solomons. No matter which island you are on, of the 1000+ islands that make up the archipelago nation, you are guaranteed to feel worlds away from everything you’ve ever known. And it’s wonderful! While there is obvious tropical paradise-like beauty all around you (above and below the sea), the people are what makes the Solomons such a unique and unforgettable nation. With their sunny smiles and friendly ways, it’s hard to imagine that their recent descendants were fierce warriors and headhunters.

Today, Solomon Islanders get around in the same dug-out canoes and tell the same fishing God stories as their ancestors. And despite the diversity of the population (over 70 local languages are spoken!) Solomon Islanders all continue to have one thing in common: the ocean sustains them. Their culture and lifestyles have been shaped by the intimate relationship they have with their marine environment … which has existed for thousands of years. In many rural communities the moon is still used as a calendar, since associated changes in tide and fish activity/behaviour is what matters most. The day of the week means nothing.

Emerald-coloured lagoons; vibrant coral reefs teeming with life; children being children; the sound of laughter and angelic singing; markets full of fresh, cheap, organic deliciousness; island time and the absence of stress; a hammock in the shade of a coconut tree; a full moon lighting up the night in a way you probably can’t imagine. It’s impossible to paint a full picture of what it’s like to visit the Solomon Islands. You simply need to go and find out for yourself!

A tranquil lake reflects the image of a distant mountain under a broad expanse of cloudy skies.

A group of individuals engaged in a card game, with a focus on the hands and cards on a wooden surface.

A person carries a blue basin on their head while walking on a dirt path next to a house and dense vegetation.

A person sitting at the bow of a boat, facing a sunset over the Solomon Islands with mountains in the distance.

A person walks down a paved road surrounded by tall palm trees.

A serene tropical seascape with clear turquoise waters, a small island in the distance, and overhanging branches from shoreline trees against a blue sky.

A person dives from a tall, makeshift diving platform into a calm body of water with a cloudy blue sky overhead and a treeline in the distance.

A scenic view of a tropical landscape with lush greenery, palm trees, and a thatched-roof structure, overlooking a calm sea in the distance.

Lush green foliage covers a mountainous landscape under a cloudy sky.

A small boat with two occupants paddling near an island silhouette under a cloudy sky at dusk.

Photo Gallery: Aerial view of a coastal barrier island with shallow turquoise waters and scattered clouds casting shadows on the sea.

A young child with sandy hair and dirt on their face looks directly at the camera, their hand resting by their mouth. they appear to be standing in a wooden structure.

Laundry hanging on a line to dry next to a traditional thatched-roof hut on a sunny day with lush greenery around.

A small boat with a person aboard floats near the shoreline of a tropical island with lush palm trees under a partly cloudy sky.

A young child with curly hair smiling at the camera, surrounded by lush greenery.

A group of children play on and around an abandoned car in a rural setting with lush greenery in the background of the Îles Salomon.

Aerial view of a small, lush island surrounded by coral reefs in a vast, blue sea with a larger, forest-covered landmass visible in the distance.

Two children with joyful expressions sitting under a shelter, with a chain-link fence in the background.

A glimpse ofthe enchanting Solomon Islands

Nearly 1000 islands surrounded by beautiful reefs and lagoons make up this archipelago nation. Here, culture and lifestyles have been shaped by an intimate relationship with the Ocean.

A glimpse of
the enchanting Solomon Islands