If you’ve never heard of the Solomon Islands, you’re not alone.
Until recently, the South Pacific country has remained largely off the radar for travelers. But at a time when consumer travel bucket lists are overflowing with untouched locales, the island nation is gearing up for its moment to step onto the tourism stage.
According to the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office, there was a total of 28,548 international arrivals in 2025, reflecting a 13.6% increase over the 25,130 arrivals recorded in 2024.
Know Before You Go
Traveling to the Solomon Islands is not for the faint of heart. But for the right client, it can be a real adventure.
The Solomon Islands features miles of undisturbed coastline.
Credit: 2019 Emma Weissmann
Like most islands in the South Pacific, the Solomons have an abundance of picturesque beaches, crystal-clear waters and plenty of opportunities for local interaction. However, it’s imperative that travel advisors qualify their clients before sending them here; tourism infrastructure is far from developed, and the country is a stark contrast to heavily touristed South Pacific neighbors such as Tahiti and Fiji.
Of the more than 900 islands that make up the Solomon Islands, many are uninhabited. Visitors will likely arrive first to the island of Guadalcanal (home to the country’s international airport and the capital city of Honiara) before venturing to the five other main islands: Choiseul, Santa Isabel, New Georgia, Malaita and Makira (also known as San Cristobel).
However, what’s lacking in infrastructure on land is offered in rich abundance underneath the surface of the South Solomon Sea. It’s the reason why — up until recently — the destination has been known primarily for attracting divers who are lured to its depths with the promise of unspoiled reefs and unexplored World War II-era shipwrecks. In addition to diving, Tourism Solomons recently began promoting sportfishing, surfing and bird-watching, along with on-land thrills for WWII buffs. (Pro tip: Suggest visitors head to the World War II Guadalcanal American Memorial or to Kennedy Island, located 15 minutes off the coast of Gizo in the Western Province).
And if a true digital detox is what clients are after, they’ll find it easy to unplug here: In the rare instances when hotels do offer Wi-Fi access, it will likely be spotty, as will cellphone service.
Tourism Solomons’ Ellison Kyere poses on Kennedy Island, which was named after former U.S. president John F. Kennedy, who served here during his naval career.
Credit: 2019 Emma WeissmannGetting to the Solomon Islands
Fiji Airways operates connecting service from Los Angeles to Honiara via Fiji’s Nadi International Airport and Qantas Airways operates connecting flights from Los Angeles with layovers in Australia.
Additionally, there is a weekly direct flight from Brisbane, Australia, to Munda.
The main island of Guadalcanal will likely serve as a hub for clients and offers most of the country’s standard hotels and resorts (such as popular accommodation options Heritage Park Hotel and Coral Sea Resort). Meanwhile, inter-island travel is largely conducted via motorboat or Solomon Airlines’ Twin Otter aircraft.
As the islands’ national carrier, Solomon Airlines operates a fleet of three Twin Otter aircrafts (which account for all of the country’s domestic travel), one Dash-8 that operates at four of the country’s airstrips and one A320 for international routes to Brisbane; Nadi, Fiji; Port Vila, Vanuatu; and Tarawa, Kiribati.
Editor’s note: This article was first published on Oct. 14, 2019. It was last updated on June 15, 2026.
