The capital
Honiara on Guadalcanal is where every international flight lands. It is a busy, unpolished harbour town with the Central Market, the National Museum, Second World War memorials on the ridges above town and wreck snorkelling at Bonegi to the west.
The Western Province
Gizo is the country's second town and its friendliest dive base, with Kennedy Island, Japanese and American wrecks and reefs a short boat ride away. Munda on New Georgia sits on the edge of Roviana Lagoon, with Skull Island, war relics, river trips and the conservation island of Tetepare nearby.
The great lagoon
Marovo Lagoon is often called the largest saltwater lagoon in the world, a maze of forested islands, coral channels and villages known for fine ebony and kerosene wood carving. Stays here are in small island lodges reached by plane and boat.
The most populous island
Malaita is the heartland of custom culture. From the small capital Auki you can visit the Langa Langa Lagoon, where shell money is still made, and see the artificial islands built on the reefs of the Lau Lagoon.
How to combine them
A first ten days often pairs two nights in Honiara with a week split between Gizo and Munda, or between Munda and Marovo. Malaita is an easy add-on by ferry from Honiara. Domestic flights are small and can change, so leave a buffer day before your international flight. Our places to visit list has specific spots for each base, and the free trip planner helps you build a realistic route.