Solomon Islands Collection

This morning we fly from Brisbane, crossing the Coral Sea to the Solomon Islands. Step into the warm, fragrant air of the tropics and feel the pace of everyday life begin to fall away. Honiara’s airport stands on the site of Henderson Field, the airstrip Allied forces fought so hard to hold in 1942, during one of the most decisive battles of the Pacific War, and from the moment you land the island’s remarkable story begins to reveal itself. From the airport it is a short drive to the Coral Sea Resort, set right on the water’s edge, where your waterfront villa awaits and the afternoon is yours to settle in, cool off in the pool and watch the boats drift across the sound. As the sun goes down, meet your fellow travellers and crew for a welcome dinner by the sea, an evening of new friendships and the first experiences that await.

Overnight: Coral Sea Resort, Honiara

Today we set out with our guide on a full day exploring the island’s wartime past. In 1942 and 1943, Allied and Japanese forces fought for months over Guadalcanal, and the battles that unfolded here changed the course of the Pacific War. We begin by travelling west along the coast to Dolphin View Beach for morning tea overlooking the sea, a peaceful moment to take in the beauty of this northern shoreline. From there, we visit the Vilu War Museum, an open-air collection set among tropical gardens, where aircraft, guns and relics from both sides rest quietly beneath the palms. Returning to Honiara, we pause for lunch at a relaxed local cafe in the heart of town, where island flavours and the freshest local seafood are served with a view. Through the afternoon, look out across the waters known as Iron Bottom Sound, where so many ships lie beneath the surface, and hear the stories of courage and sacrifice that give this place its quiet power. It is a day of quiet reflection, spent standing where history was decided.

Overnight: Coral Sea Resort, Honiara

This morning, set out with a local guide to discover the colour and character of the Solomon Islands’ capital. Wander the bustling Central Market, where fresh fruit, fish, flowers and handmade crafts spill out in every direction and the island’s daily rhythm plays out before you. Continue to the National Museum to uncover the art, traditions and rich cultural heritage of these islands, then climb to Skyline Drive and the Guadalcanal American Memorial, where sweeping views stretch across the city to the sea and the stories of the campaign are set in stone. At midday, we gather for lunch at the elegant Heritage Park Hotel, set on the site of the former Governor-General’s residence, where photographs of the 2012 royal visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge take pride of place. Return to the resort for a relaxed afternoon by the pool, before dinner together as the sun sets over the water.

Overnight: Coral Sea Resort, Honiara

After a leisurely morning in Honiara, we fly west to Gizo, the gateway to the Western Province. Below, emerald islands and turquoise reefs stretch to the horizon as we follow the waters of New Georgia Sound, the channel wartime sailors called The Slot. Gizo’s tiny airstrip sits on its own island, Nusatupe, so your arrival begins in true island style, stepping from the plane straight onto a boat. A short ride across the lagoon brings us to Fatboys Resort on Mbabanga Island, a small and welcoming hideaway with views out to Kennedy Island and the towering peak of Kolombangara. Spend the afternoon settling into your bungalow, wading into the shallows or enjoying a cold drink as the island pace takes hold. As evening falls, gather for dinner in the overwater restaurant, where the lagoon glows beneath you and the last light fades over the water.

Overnight: Fatboys Resort, Gizo

Today the waters of the Western Province are yours to explore. This morning, we cruise across the lagoon to a nearby island, where white sand meets water so clear it feels weightless. Slip in from the beach and drift over coral gardens alive with colour, where tropical fish dart through every channel, before relaxing over morning tea in the shade of the palms. On the journey back, look out across the water to Kennedy Island, the tiny speck of sand where a young John F. Kennedy and his crew swam ashore after their patrol boat was sunk in 1943, a reminder of the remarkable history that lies quietly across these islands. Return to Fatboys Resort for lunch and an afternoon at your own pace, perhaps paddling a kayak across the calm lagoon or simply resting in the shade. As the sun goes down, enjoy dinner in the overwater restaurant, with the reef glowing softly below.

Overnight: Fatboys Resort, Gizo

Today offers one of the most rewarding experiences of the journey, a guided walk through the village on Mbabanga Island, home to a warm and welcoming community where traditional customs remain an important part of everyday life. Stroll along sandy paths shaded by coconut palms, meet the families who call this island home and see how daily life unfolds, from tending the gardens to fishing the surrounding reefs. Your local guide shares stories of custom, faith and community, offering a rare and genuine glimpse into island life far from the well-trodden path. We may also have the opportunity to visit the local school, where the laughter and curiosity of the children are sure to leave a lasting impression. It is an experience built on connection, and it is the faces and voices of Mbabanga, more than any view, that you will remember most. Return to Fatboys Resort for a relaxed afternoon to swim, kayak or simply savour the view, before a final evening in the overwater restaurant as the sun sets over the lagoon.

Overnight: Fatboys Resort, Gizo

Enjoy a slow morning at Fatboys Resort, with time for one last swim or a final stroll along the sand before lunch overlooking the lagoon. This afternoon, we farewell Gizo and take the short flight east to Seghe, gliding in over a scattering of forested islands to land on its grassy airstrip at the edge of Marovo Lagoon. Here a boat awaits to carry us across sheltered waters, past quiet villages and rainforest that tumbles down to the shore, to Uepi Island. With just six beach houses tucked between rainforest and reef, Uepi feels like discovering a secret the rest of the world has yet to find. You are welcomed into what the resort fondly calls the Uepi family, and the evening is yours to settle in before a dinner of fresh local produce as night falls softly over the lagoon.

Overnight: Uepi Island Resort, Marovo Lagoon

Wake to birdsong and the gentle lap of the lagoon outside your door. Uepi sits on the outer edge of Marovo Lagoon, the largest saltwater lagoon in the world, where sheltered turquoise waters meet the deep blue of the open ocean. This is a place celebrated for some of the finest snorkelling and diving in the Pacific, and the reef begins just steps from the shore. Slip into the water and drift over vibrant coral teeming with life, from shimmering schools of fish to coral walls that fall away into the depths. At midday, lunch is served on the veranda of your beach house, a private and unhurried moment with nothing but the sound of the water for company. For those who prefer to stay dry, the island’s rainforest trails and quiet beaches offer their own rewards through the afternoon. Over dinner, as we share the stories of the day, choose your activities for tomorrow, and the Uepi team will take care of the rest.

Overnight: Uepi Island Resort, Marovo Lagoon

Today unfolds just as you chose it over dinner last night. Snorkel over the reef where coral gardens give way to the deep blue, swim in the warm, clear waters just steps from your beach house, or paddle a kayak along the sheltered shoreline as the island drifts quietly by. For those keen to see more, a boat trip across the lagoon reveals the beauty of Marovo from the water. Or simply settle into the shade with a good book and the gentle sound of the sea for company. Uepi has a way of slowing time, and by now you will have well and truly found its rhythm. As the afternoon softens into evening, gather for a final feast on the island, with fresh local seafood and seasonal produce prepared by the resort’s kitchen. Beneath a sky thick with stars, with only the hush of the lagoon beyond the lamplight, it is an evening that belongs entirely to Uepi.

Overnight: Uepi Island Resort, Marovo Lagoon

Savour one last morning on Uepi as the soft light of the lagoon welcomes the day. There is time for a final swim over the reef, a quiet walk along the sand or a few more precious hours in the resort’s main lodge, where the bar and relaxed seating look out across the water and invite you to stay just a little longer. After a relaxed lunch, we say goodbye to the Uepi family, whose warmth and care have made this island feel like home. A boat carries us back across the sheltered waters of Marovo Lagoon, past forested islands and quiet villages, to Seghe, where we board our flight to Honiara. As the islands fall away beneath you, there is time to reflect on all you have seen, from the battlefields of Guadalcanal to the reefs of Gizo and the beauty of Marovo. Arriving in Honiara, we return to the comfort of the Coral Sea Resort for dinner together and a restful night, the colours of the lagoon still vivid in your mind.

Overnight: Coral Sea Resort, Honiara

Today we journey into the hills of Guadalcanal to Hotomai Cultural Village at Malango, for a joyful and hands-on celebration of Solomon Islands custom. Welcomed by the village community, discover the traditional skills passed down through generations, from making fire without matches to the art of basket weaving, and be invited to join in the rhythm of traditional dances and chants. Along the way, there is the chance to sample some of the local food, a delicious taste of island life. It is a warm, spirited and deeply authentic experience, and a chance to connect with the living culture of these islands in a way few visitors ever do. Return to Honiara by late morning for a relaxed afternoon by the pool. As evening falls, we gather together for our celebration dinner, raising a glass to the places we have seen, the stories we have heard and the friendships made along the way.

Overnight: Coral Sea Resort, Honiara

Enjoy a final leisurely breakfast overlooking the water, then spend the morning at your own pace, perhaps taking a stroll into town to soak up the colour and bustle of Honiara one last time, or simply relaxing by the pool. At midday, we come together for a farewell lunch, a chance to share our favourite moments and say goodbye to the friends made along the way. This afternoon we transfer to the airport for our flight home to Brisbane, taking with us far more than photographs: the quiet reverence of Guadalcanal, the brilliant reefs of Gizo, the warmth of island villages and the unforgettable beauty of Marovo Lagoon, a place and a people that few travellers ever come to know.