Tucked into the South Pacific, the Solomon Islands are an adventure waiting to happen. But not the kind that requires a death wish or a six-month training plan. This is adventure experience at its best—real, raw, and immersive, yet accessible to anyone with a pulse and a curiosity for the unknown.
Think of it as the antidote to overdeveloped tourist hotspots. No sprawling resorts. No themed attractions. Just the kind of travel where you trade the predictable for the authentic. From kayaking through mangrove mazes to diving in WWII wrecks, hiking volcanoes, or paddling between jungle-clad islands, the Solomons are about experience, not spectacle.
Untouched, Unrushed, Unforgettable
The Solomon Islands are one of the last frontiers of the Pacific. A chain of nearly 1,000 islands, only 147 are inhabited. That means vast stretches of pristine nature—empty beaches, untouched coral reefs, and rainforests that haven’t been cut into submission. If you want to step off the grid but still have an adventure that doesn’t require a survival manual, this is your place.
Forget five-star luxury; here, the five-star rating comes from the experience itself. The locals are warm, the landscapes wild, and the adventures as thrilling or as mellow as you want them to be.
Surfing in the Solomon Islands
While the Solomon Islands has a reputation for world class diving, from the months of November to April when the northern Pacific swells sweep in having done their dash with Hawaii, the destination’s extensive reefs and north-western facing islands come alive with some of the most perfect – and best of all uncrowded – waves to be found anywhere on the planet.
While the two best-known regions are currently Gizo in the Western Province and Santa Isabel Province, and to a lesser extent, the Florida Islands and North Malaita – there are still literally dozens of secret spots throughout this archipelago of 992 islands, the locations of which are closely guarded by a handful of hard travelling board riders.
Perhaps the most easily reached region is Gizo with daily Solomon Airlines’ Dash-8 and Twin Otter flights from Honiara to the Nusa Tupe airstrip. The area offers surfers a good choice of accommodation from village homestays to eco-lodges, hotels and resorts. The Hotel Gizo is also a popular hang for surfers.
As for the waves, a few minutes by boat from Gizo township is Palonggi, a long, shallow right that’s well exposed to swell. It works best on bigger swells when the wave’s sections join up and it can get hollow. Palonggi breaks in front of a village where a handful of friendly local surfers reside and have helped set up a beachside home stay.
But surfers beware of the reef – many an unwary surfer has come a cropper at Palonggi with many departing the country wearing what the locals laughingly call a ‘Palonggi tattoo’ aka nasty coral cuts.
For those who like to go left, nearby Titiana’s is a goofy’s paradise, again a long shallow ride which when showing a bit of size allows surfers to loop through section after section with an easy paddle back. Truth be told Gizo is not the best place for beginners – you need to know what you are doing.
While Gizo area offers some great breaks – and when the swell is running breaks pop up all over the area – a great place to visit, stay and surf is Zipolo Habu on remote Lola Island in the heart of the Vono Vono Lagoon. The name means ‘good luck fishing’.
The best places for surfers to stay are the dedicated surfing camps, particularly in Santa Isabel, all of which package accommodation, boats, meals and most importantly of all, easy access to those all-important surf breaks.
And the jewel in the surfing crown is Papatura Island Retreat located on Papatura Island.
Papatura Island Retreat is without doubt one of the best surfing set-ups to be found anywhere in the South Pacific. Managed by Australian expats Pete and Margie Blanche and their children, the resort sits on a beautiful sandy beach facing the main island of Santa Isabel, and is protected from the ocean winds.
On the seaward side of the island several good surf breaks, rights and lefts, lie just minutes away – Anchovies, PTs, Kummas, Zolis, Donuts and Tarzans, the latter offering a perfect a-frame with barrels going in both directions, a true surfer’s dream.
Kayaking Through Untamed Waters
If adventure should come with a paddle in hand, the Solomon Islands deliver. Kayaking here isn’t about dodging crowds or following a pre-set route. It’s about moving at your own pace, island-hopping between remote beaches, and pulling up to traditional villages where you’re more likely to be met with curiosity than commerce.
The Marovo Lagoon—one of the largest saltwater lagoons in the world. Glide over glassy waters, past tiny atolls, and alongside coral reefs teeming with life. You can stop to snorkel in places where you won’t see another soul or navigate the mangrove forests, where the silence is broken only by the dip of your paddle and the call of unseen birds.
For example www.kayaksolomons.com
World-Class Diving Without the Crowds
If you’re a diver, you’ve heard of places like the Great Barrier Reef and Palau. But the Solomon Islands? This is the diving destination that’s still flying under the radar.
Crystal-clear waters, untouched reefs, and a solid mix of marine biodiversity make it a dream for soft adventure divers. But the real kicker? The wrecks.
During WWII, the Solomon Islands were a major battleground, and the seabed still holds the ghosts of that era. Sunken warships, fighter planes, and submarines lie scattered beneath the waves. You don’t have to be a technical diver to experience it—plenty of wrecks sit at accessible depths, offering an eerie but fascinating glimpse into history.
For a dive site that blends both nature and history, Bonegi Beach is a winner. Just off the shore, two Japanese transport ships from WWII sit encrusted with coral and patrolled by reef sharks. It’s a surreal mix of war relics and marine life, making it one of the most unique underwater experiences in the Pacific.
For example https://www.visitsolomons.com.sb/things-to-do/scuba-diving/
Hiking with a View (and a Story)
Adventure doesn’t have to be soft on the legs. The Solomon Islands have jungle-clad mountains, dormant volcanoes, and rainforest trails where every step feels like a journey back in time.
Kolombangara Volcano is one of the best hikes in the country. It’s an extinct volcano with a near-perfect cone, wrapped in dense rainforest. The hike itself takes a couple of days if you want to summit, but there are shorter routes that still deliver a good dose of adventure. The payoff? Views over the islands that are as untouched as they come.
Or for something with a bit more history, trek the Guadalcanal battlefields. This is where some of the fiercest fighting of WWII took place, and remnants of that era still sit scattered through the jungle. Walking these trails isn’t just about the scenery—it’s about stepping through history in a way that feels real, not just something out of a textbook.
For example http://www.wildernesssolomons.com
Fishing Where the Big Fish Still Exist
If you’re the kind of adventurer who prefers a rod to a hiking pole, the Solomon Islands serve up some of the best sportfishing in the Pacific. And here’s the best part—you don’t have to head 50 miles offshore to find action.
Giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, wahoo, and sailfish are all on the menu. The waters here are rich, and the pressure from commercial fishing is minimal, meaning big fish still roam in numbers that are disappearing elsewhere. Whether you’re popping for GTs or trolling for yellowfin tuna, the Solomons give you the kind of fishing that people used to talk about in the “good old days.”
Fro example https://www.visitsolomons.com.sb/things-to-do/fishing/
Culture You Can’t Fake
Adventure isn’t just about the landscapes; it’s about the people. The Solomon Islands aren’t just another island chain—they’re a cultural experience that’s still very much alive.
Here, traditions run deep. Villages operate much the way they have for centuries, and tourism hasn’t bulldozed the authenticity out of daily life. If you want an experience that feels real, spend some time in a local village. Watch woodcarvers create intricate masterpieces, learn the art of spearfishing from islanders who’ve been doing it since childhood, or sit around a fire and hear stories that aren’t in any guidebook.
The Solomon Islands aren’t the easy choice. They’re not for people looking for an all-inclusive buffet and a crowded beach. But that’s exactly why they’re worth it.
Here, adventure still feels like adventure. You won’t have to battle hordes of tourists for a slice of paradise. You won’t find pre-packaged “experiences” designed for mass consumption. What you will find is an island nation that’s as real as it gets—a place where nature still rules, where history isn’t just something in museums, and where adventure is whatever you make it.
So, if soft adventure means more to you than just a marketing term—if it means discovery, experience, and getting away from the predictable—the Solomon Islands should be on your radar. Because this is adventure, untouched.
