Most travelers skip the Solomons and book a poolside holiday in Fiji instead. But be honest, are you really going to remember that fourth spa cocktail?
Or will you remember hiking through rainforest to a jungle waterfall on Kolombangara, snorkeling over coral gardens at Imagination Island, or paddling a dugout canoe through a mangrove forest to a remote village in Rendova?
That’s why I visited the Solomon Islands, and that’s why I’ve put together this itinerary.
It’s adapted from the exact trip I took through the Western Provinces, and if you’re a regular reader of We Seek Travel, you already know what to expect: it’s fast-paced, packed with adventure, and includes both the iconic highlights and the lesser-known spots you won’t find on most blogs.
Of course, even if you’re not going that deep, this itinerary should give you plenty of ideas to shape your own Solomon Islands adventure.
Solomon Islands Itinerary Overview
This itinerary focuses on the Western Province, easily the most rewarding region for travelers in the Solomons. It’s where you’ll find the country’s best dive sites, clearest lagoons, and most accessible islands. More importantly, it’s the only region with anything resembling consistent tourism infrastructure, though even that’s still pretty raw.
Here’s what to expect from this itinerary:
- Island-hopping by boat across Munda, Gizo, Kolombangara, Simbo, Rendova & more
- Jungle hikes to remote waterfalls and volcanic craters
- World-class snorkeling and SCUBA diving, including Njari Island and Kennedy Island
- Authentic cultural experiences in small villages like Ughele and Simbo
- WWII history, including Skull Island and the Peter Joseph Museum
- Eco-lodges and rustic beachfront resorts, all locally owned and community-focused
Don't Miss: Guide to Where to Stay in the Solomon Islands
Travel Logistics
The most convenient way to explore the Western Province is to fly in and out of Munda, which has direct flights from Brisbane and domestic connections to Honiara. Munda is compact and walkable, with boat access to many nearby islands, making it a perfect jumping-off point for this itinerary.
Tip: We did this itinerary in just one week, but I’ll be honest... it was fast-paced. If you’ve got the time, I’d recommend stretching it out to two weeks to properly soak up each location and slow the pace a little. That said, it’s absolutely doable in one if you’re short on time (like we were), especially if you keep transfers efficient and skip a rest day.
You can also adjust this plan easily, spend more time at places like Fatboys or Titiru, and cut or shuffle stops depending on your interests.
Day 1: Arrival in Munda
- Visit: Peter Joseph WWII Museum, Roviana Lagoon sunset cruise
- Stay at: Qua Roviana Guest House or Agnes Gateway Hotel
Fly into Munda Airport (MUA). This is the most convenient entry point to the Western Province with direct flights from Brisbane and regular connections from Honiara. You’ll land right by the water, and it’s less than five minutes on foot to Qua Roviana Guest House or Anges Gateway Hotel.
These offer a great base for your first night and is what I used as a launchpad for my itinerary through the Western Provinces. Both are right near the village pier and ideal for a short stop.
After dropping your bags, head to the Peter Joseph WWII Museum, a private collection just outside Munda town. The owner, Barney has collected hundreds of relics from the jungle and reefs, weapons, helmets, even aircraft fragments!
Barney is a great storyteller and overall great person. He shared some really interesting stories you won’t find online and I love to see someone so passionate about their interests, it's really infectious.
In the late afternoon, if you have time, I recommend joining a sunset cruise on Roviana Lagoon, which you can book through Agnes Gateway Hotel. The boat departs from the waterfront deck and cruises past scattered islands and local villages.
If you’re short on time, simply grab a beer and watch the sunset from Agnes' open-air restaurant. They also serve some of the best seafood I've tried in the Solomons (go for the coconut fish), and have the best atosphere in Munda.
Just don't get sucked into the Karaoke because day 2 of this Solomon Islands travel itineary involves an early start!
Day 2: Kolombangara Island & Journey to Imbu Rano
• Visits: Miles Falls hike, Kolombangara rainforest, birdwatching
• Stay at: Imbu Rano Lodge, Kolombangara Island
Start the day early with a boat transfer from Munda across to Kolombangara Island, a perfectly round volcanic island dominated by dense rainforest and mist-covered ridges. Boats usually depart from the Munda town pier and land at Ringi Cove, the main dock on the island.
From here, it’s a rugged 4WD ride (around 45 minutes) inland to Imbu Rano Lodge, perched high on the slopes of the extinct volcano. The road climbs steadily through logging tracks and jungle, with stunning views toward the crater rim.
Imbu Rano is one of the most unique places you can stay in the Solomons, a quiet eco-lodge run by Kolombangara Island Biodiversity Conservation Association (KIBCA). You’ll sleep in a timber cabin surrounded by untouched forest, with panoramic views of the valley below.
You can contact them directly to book via the KIBCA website here, or ask Agnes Gateway Hotel or Qua Roviana Guest House to help arrange it in advance. It’s not on most travel radars, but it's one of the most worthwhile stops on this itinerary.
After arriving and settling in, relax on the deck with a coffee or lunch, the lodge usually serves simple, hearty meals. In the afternoon, ask your guide to take you on a short hike through the rainforest. You can walk down to the nearby river or continue on to Miles Falls, a series of waterfalls about 2 hours' hike downhill from the lodge.
This is a great area for birdwatching, especially in the early evening. Kolombangara is home to several endemic species, including the Kolombangara white-eye and the incredibly rare Roviana rail. Even if you're not a birder, the forest here is pristine and completely quiet — perfect for just sitting back and taking it in.
Return to the lodge before dark for dinner and a night completely off the grid, no reception, no traffic, just the sounds of the forest. Easily one of my favorite experiences in the Solomon Islands.
Day 3: Gizo, Imagination Island & Fatboys Resort
• Visits: Gizo town, snorkeling at Imagination Island Resort
• Stay at: Fatboys Resort, Gizo
Leave Imbu Rano early and take the boat back to Gizo, passing volcanic peaks, reef-fringed islets, and classic Solomon views along the way. This stretch is one of the most scenic legs of the itinerary, keep your camera out.
On arrival, stop for lunch at Imagination Island Resort, just a few minutes by boat from Gizo harbor. This tiny manmade island is built entirely over the reef, and if you have time for only one snorkel in Gizo, this is the spot.
The reef here is surprisingly vibrant, we spotted reef sharks, large schools of fish, and bright red fan corals growing right beneath the overwater restaurant deck. Totally unexpected. You can jump in straight from the jetty, and there’s even a small beach for sunbathing between swims.
After lunch and a snorkel session, take a short boat ride into Gizo town for a quick look around. Walk through the market, pick up a carved souvenir, or grab a cold drink at PT-109 Bar. It’s worth a visit, but you won’t need long.
From town, transfer by boat to Fatboys Resort, set on a private island just across the water. This was easily my favorite place to stay in the Solomon Islands. The overwater bungalows, laid-back vibe, and panoramic reef views make it the perfect spot to slow down after a few high-energy days.
Spend the afternoon relaxing in your bungalow or, if you’re still feeling adventurous, ask the team about renting a polycraft boat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard to explore the surrounding reefs and islets.
If you can, ask them about doing a “wine down” sunset session, a short boat trip to a nearby sandbar for drinks as the sun dips below the ocean. It’s a casual but epic way to finish off the day.
Dinner is served back at the main deck restaurant, and like everything at Fatboys, it’s laid-back, local, and exactly what you want after a long day in the tropics.
Day 4: Kennedy Island, Diving & Snorkeling Adventures
- Visits: Kennedy Island, wreck dive (The Tao Maru), Gizo reef system
- Stay at: Fatboys Resort, Gizo
Wake up at Fatboys and take full advantage of your location, this is hands down the best base for snorkeling and diving in the Western Province!
If you're short on time, make today count.
Start the morning with a trip to Kennedy Island, just a short boat ride from the resort. This is a historic island where John F. Kennedy and his crew swam ashore after their patrol boat, PT-109, was rammed and sunk by a Japanese destroyer during WWII.
You’ll see a basic sign explaining the story, but the real highlight is chatting with Joel, the island’s caretaker, he’ll happily walk you through the full story.
You can snorkel straight off the beach or go for a shallow scuba dive here, the reef is healthy, full of life, and ideal for beginners or those easing back into the water.
If you're certified and feeling confident, don’t miss a dive at the Tao Maru, a massive 140-meter Japanese transport ship sunk during WWII just outside Gizo. This was easily one of the best dives of the entire trip, coral-encrusted superstructure, swim-throughs, and tons of marine life.
Conditions are usually calm, and the visibility was excellent when we went.
Even if you're not diving, Fatboys can arrange snorkel trips to nearby reef sites with crystal-clear water and incredible coral.
Back at the resort, you can spend the afternoon however you like. There’s kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, polycraft rentals, or just grab a hammock and relax over the water with a drink in hand.
Dinner is served at the overwater restaurant, where you’ll likely end up sharing dive stories with other guests as reef sharks circle below the deck lights.
Day 5: Zipolo Habu, Skull Island & Vonavona Lagoon
• Visits: Skull Island, Vonavona Lagoon, fishing or a bushwalk
• Stay at: Zipolo Habu Resort, Lola Island
From Fatboys, take a morning boat transfer west through the reef system and into the Vonavona Lagoon ,a calm, mangrove-lined waterway surrounded by small villages and untouched jungle. After about an hour boat trip through some of the most picturesque waterways I've ever seen, you’ll arrive at Zipolo Habu Resort, located on Lola Island, just across from the village of New Georgia.
Zipolo Habu is laid-back and low-key, with timber bungalows set among tropical gardens and a breezy open-air restaurant overlooking the lagoon. It’s a favorite among game fishers, divers, and yachties, but still under the radar for most travelers.
You can arrange your stay directly or have Fatboys help coordinate the boat transfer and booking.
After lunch, organize a short boat trip to Skull Island, just five minutes from the resort. This sacred site is home to dozens of human skulls placed in traditional shrines, a powerful reminder of the Solomons’ headhunting past.
Entry requires a small fee and a local guide, both of which the Zipolo team can arrange. It’s one of the most unique and culturally significant sites in the Western Province.
In the afternoon, you’ve got options. Head out on a fishing trip with the Zipolo crew, walk the short bush trail behind the resort, or just chill in a hammock with a cold beer. The resort is surrounded by jungle, and the water is calm enough for a swim right off the beach.
Dinner is served at the restaurant, usually something freshly caught, and the vibe is super relaxed. After four big days, this is a great place to slow the pace before heading to Rendova.
Day 6: Titiru Eco Lodge & Cultural Encounters
• Visits: Ughele Village, Lubaria Island, Rainbow Beach
• Stay at: Titiru Eco Lodge, Rendova Island
Take a boat transfer from Zipolo Habu across Vonavona Lagoon and Blackett Strait to Titiru Eco Lodge, tucked into a mangrove-lined cove on Rendova Island.
Titiru isn’t a resort, it’s a locally run eco-lodge offering something much rarer: connection to place and people. When we arrived, we were welcomed with a full cultural demonstration by members of the local community.
I’m not sure if this is standard for all guests, but if you get the chance, don’t miss it. It was honestly one of the most engaging cultural experiences I’ve had anywhere.
Over 14 different stations, locals demonstrated everything from traditional cooking methods and storytelling to weaving, carving, and even how they make toys from jungle materials. It really felt like a real effort to share their knowledge and way of life. It stuck with me more than any museum ever has.
After lunch, join the lodge’s Coconut Palm & Forest Bush Walk, which takes you through the rainforest to Ughele Village. Your guide will show you how local plants are used for food, medicine, and tools, it’s practical knowledge, passed down for generations.
Later in the afternoon, take a boat ride out to Lubaria Island, an off-grid spot with ties to the WWII John F. Kennedy story. On the return trip, stop at Rainbow Beach, a quiet bay with soft sand and vibrant reef just out from the Mangroves. Great for a relaxed snorkel to end the day.
Dinner is served back at the lodge, and the atmosphere here is peaceful and real. No generators, no Wi-Fi — just the sounds of the forest and the feeling that you’ve truly arrived somewhere special.
Day 7: Mangroves, Dugouts & Return to Munda
• Visits: Optional activities from Titiru Eco Lodge
• Stay at: Qua Roviana Guest House or Agnes Gateway Hotel, Munda
After a packed week, Titiru is the perfect place to slow down. Spend the morning unwinding or pick from a handful of low-key activities, just speak with the team at the lodge and they’ll sort it out for you.
You can go crabbing in the mangroves, paddle a traditional dugout canoe, take a guided medicinal plant walk, try hand-line fishing, or just go for a kayak and explore the coastline. There’s also a forest trail behind the lodge if you feel like stretching your legs one last time.
If you're tight on time, you’ll want to leave in the late morning or early afternoon for a boat transfer back to Munda, around 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the route and sea conditions.
For your final night, stay at either Qua Roviana Guest House or Agnes Gateway Hotel — both are close to the airport, making it easy for an early flight out. Most international routes will take you via Honiara, with onward connections back to Brisbane or other hubs.
Whether you're flying home or continuing your island travels, a final sunset by the lagoon is the right way to wrap up the trip.
My Final Thoughts About Adventure Travel in the Solomon Islands
I had a genuinely great time exploring the Solomon Islands. It was a refreshing change of pace, raw, real, and completely different from anywhere else I’ve traveled in the Pacific. Even after a fast-paced week bouncing between islands, it left me wanting more.
If I did it again, I’d stretch this itinerary out to two weeks to give each place a bit more breathing room. But whether you follow this plan closely or just use it for ideas, I hope it’s helped you get a feel for what’s possible — and I hope you fall in love with the Solomons like I did.
Taggio tumas!