Solomon Islands Itinerary: How to Plan a 7-Day Pacific Adventure

pranav

–

September 16, 2026

I arrived in Honiara on a humid Tuesday morning, the air already thick with the scent of the sea and diesel from the port. The city felt like a jumble of colonial buildings, market stalls, and a few modern cafés, all humming with the same laid‑back rhythm you only find on islands that have been left largely to themselves. If you’re thinking of a quick stopover, you’ll be surprised, a week here can feel like a whole season.

Getting There and Around

The cheapest way to reach the Solomon Islands is to fly into Honiara via Brisbane or Nadi; I paid $1,450 for a round‑trip ticket in economy, which included one checked bag. Flights land at Honiara International Airport (HIR) around 10 am, and the customs line is usually short unless you arrive on a weekend.

From the airport, a shared taxi will take you to most downtown hotels for about $10 (the driver will ask if you have a “car” or “room”). I booked a small guesthouse on the waterfront for $78 a night; it included breakfast and Wi‑Fi, though the signal dropped whenever a boat passed.

To hop between islands, I mixed domestic flights and ferries. The Honiara‑Gizo flight with Solomon Airlines is $190 one way and takes 45 minutes; you need to arrive at least an hour early for check‑in. The inter‑island ferry from Gizo to Marovo Lagoon costs $35 per person, departs at 2 pm, and the crossing lasts about three hours.

Round‑trip international flight: $1,400‑$1,600 (depends on season)
Domestic flight Honiara‑Gizo: $190 each way
Ferry Gizo‑Marovo: $35 per passenger
Shared taxi from airport: $10
Travel insurance covering water activities: at least $30

Where to Stay, Balancing Comfort and Authenticity

My first night was spent at the Waterfront Guesthouse, a two‑storey building with corrugated metal roofs and a garden that smelled of frangipani. The rooms are simple, a fan, a mosquito net, and a small balcony that looks out over the harbor. Breakfast was a plate of boiled cassava, fresh mango, and strong coffee for $5.

In Gizo I switched to a beachfront bungalow at the Gizo Dive Resort, costing $115 per night, inclusive of two daily meals and a dive ticket. The bungalow had a private deck, and the reef was visible from the steps. If you’re on a tighter budget, the Gizo Backpackers offers dorm beds for $22 and a communal kitchen.

On Marovo Lagoon I stayed on a family‑run eco‑lodge called “Lagoona”. The price was $140 per night, which covered all meals, a guided kayak, and a night walk with a local guide. The rooms are built from reclaimed wood, and the only “luxury” is a hammock that swings over the lagoon.

Waterfront Guesthouse, Honiara: $78/night, breakfast included
Gizo Dive Resort bungalow: $115/night, meals + dive ticket
Gizo Backpackers dorm: $22/night, shared kitchen
Lagoona Eco‑Lodge, Marovo: $140/night, all meals + activities
Tip: Book at least two weeks ahead in peak season (July‑August)

Day‑by‑Day Itinerary, What I Did in Seven Days

Day 1, Arrival & Honiara Exploration. After settling in, I walked to the Central Market where stalls sold everything from fresh fish to hand‑woven mats. I tried a “prawn toast” for $2 and haggled for a carved wooden bowl, the seller laughed and gave me a 10 % discount.

In the afternoon I visited the National Museum (entry $3) and learned about WWII relics. The museum’s garden has a small WWII gun that still points toward the sea, a reminder of the islands’ turbulent past.

Day 2, Flight to Gizo & Beach Time. The morning flight left at 8 am; I arrived in Gizo with enough daylight to rent a scooter for $15 a day. I rode along the coastal road, stopping at a small beach bar for a coconut water, $1.50 and it was the freshest drink I’ve ever had.

Evening was spent on a sunset sail organized by the resort ($45 per person). The crew sang traditional songs as the sky turned orange, and the water reflected the colors like a mirror.

Day 3, Diving the Coral Gardens. My dive ticket was included in the bungalow rate, but I paid an extra $30 for a night dive. The reef was alive with schools of anthias, a turtle, and a shy reef shark that hovered 10 metres away.

After diving, I ate a plate of “palusami” (taro leaves baked in coconut cream) at a local eatery for $7. The flavors were rich, and the portion was enough to fill me for the rest of the afternoon.

Day 4, Ferry to Marovo Lagoon. The ferry left at 2 pm, and I spent the morning packing snorkel gear and a spare battery for my camera. The crossing was a bit choppy, but the view of the lagoon as we approached was worth the motion sickness.

At Lagoona Eco‑Lodge I was greeted with a welcome drink of kava tea, a mildly bitter brew that locals say “opens the heart”. The guide gave me a quick briefing on safety, pointing out the best snorkeling spots that are sheltered from currents.

Day 5, Kayak & Night Walk. I paddled a wooden kayak through mangroves for $20, spotting mud crabs and a kingfisher perched on a branch. In the evening the guide led a night walk; we saw glow‑worms along a small creek and heard frogs that sounded like distant drums.

Dinner was a grilled fish caught that morning, served with taro chips, $12. The fish was so fresh it still tasted of the sea.

Day 6, Return to Gizo, Cultural Village. I took an early ferry back, arriving just before noon. The Gizo Cultural Village offered a short tour for $25, where I learned how to weave a pandanus mat and tried my hand at a traditional dance.

My last night I stayed at the backpackers, sharing stories with other travelers over a communal pot of “sago pudding”. It cost $5 for a bowl, and the sweet coconut milk was a perfect end to the day.

Day 7, Departure. I caught the 10 am flight back to Honiara, then a connecting flight home. I left the airport with a small wooden carving, a bag of dried mangoes, and a notebook full of scribbles about the places I’d visited.

Day 1: Honiara market, museum ($3 entry)
Day 2: Gizo scooter rental $15, sunset sail $45
Day 3: Dive (included) + night dive $30
Day 4: Ferry $35, kava tea welcome
Day 5: Kayak $20, night walk $25
Day 6: Cultural village $25, backpacker stay $22
Day 7: Flight back, souvenir budget $30

Food, Drink, and What to Try

Solomon Islands cuisine is simple but full of flavor. Breakfast is often just fruit and toast, but I loved the “sago porridge” served at the market for $2. It’s a thick, slightly sweet dish that keeps you full until lunch.

Lunches usually involve fresh fish or chicken cooked in coconut milk. I ordered “fish in lemon grass” at a roadside stall in Gizo; it was $6 and came with a side of boiled cassava. The fish was flaky, the broth fragrant, and the portion generous.

Dinner can be a bit of a splurge. The Gizo Dive Resort’s “seafood platter” cost $28 and included lobster, prawns, and a local shellfish called “biri”. Pair it with a glass of locally brewed “Solomon Stout” (about $5) for a proper island night.

Must‑try dish: sago porridge ($2)
Street snack: grilled banana wrapped in leaf ($1)
Drink: kava tea (free at most lodges)
Alcohol: Solomon Stout $5 a pint
Tip: Bring extra cash for market purchases; many stalls don’t accept cards

Practical Tips, Gear, Money, and Safety

Pack light but bring a good reef‑safe sunscreen, the sun can feel like a furnace even under clouds. I used a $12 SPF 50 lotion that didn’t sting my eyes after swimming.

Cash is king. ATMs in Honiara dispense Australian dollars, which are accepted everywhere, but in the outer islands you’ll need to carry enough local currency (Solomon Islands dollars) for small purchases. I exchanged $200 at the airport for $260 in local notes.

Health-wise, bring a basic first‑aid kit, anti‑malaria tablets (I took one daily for the whole trip), and any prescription meds. The local pharmacy in Honiara has a limited stock, so it’s safer to bring what you need.

Internet can be spotty. The guesthouse Wi‑Fi worked in the evenings, but speeds were around 1 Mbps. If you need reliable connection, consider buying a local SIM card ($12 for 5 GB) and use it for email and navigation.

Reef‑safe sunscreen $10‑$15
Local SIM card $12 for 5 GB data
Cash: $300 in local dollars for island travel
Anti‑malaria tablets: $0.30 per pill
Travel insurance: at least $30 for water activities