In a remote corner of the Coral Triangle, a region renowned for its marine biodiversity and the health of its reefs, lies the Solomon Islands – an archipelago boasting wild landscapes and one of the most richly biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world. Here the wildlife rules much of the archipelago: Only 825,886 people live in the Solomons and just 26,000 tourists visited in 2023. Of the 992 islands that make up the archipelago, nearly half are uninhabited. For those looking to immerse themselves in the wild, there are few better choices.
The rich coastal waters tease the imagination. The Omura’s whale, discovered in 2004, was first described in the Solomons. Recently, a team of researchers accidentally stumbled upon the largest coral colony in the world, a vast group of “shoulder corals” that have linked together to form a sort of hive that now sprawls over 112 feet wide and 105 feet long. It is so big that it can actually be seen from space – yet for over 300 years this colony went undiscovered by scientists.
Nearly half of the Solomon Islands are uninhabited and rarely visited by tourists.
But perhaps what best captures the wild essence of Solomons is the Marovo-Tetepare Complex, a wildlife haven defined by two national treasures: Tetepare, the Pacific’s largest uninhabited island, and Marovo Lagoon, the world’s largest saltwater lagoon. Together, these sites form the Marovo-Tetepare Complex, nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its stunning biodiversity, rich cultural heritage, and untouched landscapes.
Marovo Lagoon
Marovo Lagoon is encircled by uplifted barrier reefs that together have formed a haven for coral and bustling marine life. For scientists, there is no better example of an enclosed reef system in the world, nor is there any larger. The lagoon sprawls over 270 square miles, dropping 400 feet in depth in some of the deepest underwater corridors – some of which hold sunken World War 2 airplanes (a world-class dive site for scuba enthusiasts).
Hundreds of mangrove-clad smaller islands dot the lagoon, many of which hold secluded, shaded beaches with nearby coral reefs perfect for snorkeling. The mangroves are a nursery for numerous fish species. Here, over 900 species of tropical fish are joined by over 1,000 other species, such as dugongs, manta rays, sea turtles, nudibranchs, and even a variety of cetaceans like bottlenose dolphins, orcas, and pilot whales that visit the lagoon via corridors that connect it to the outer ocean.
A floating market in Solomon Islands. © Wayne Sentman
Though you are unlikely to encounter tourists, the indigenous Marovo people have lived at the lagoon for over 30,000 years. For generations, they have sustained themselves on fish from the lagoon, which has significant cultural importance. Young men mark their passage into adulthood by crafting special fishing canoes known as “tomoko.” Entire swaths of the lagoon have been designated as “tabu” – sacred spots, often breeding grounds, that are off-limits for hunting. Even particular fish hold heightened cultural importance. Manta rays are omens of harmony or change. Sharks are guardians, and harming them is forbidden.
Solomon Islands Tourism: Practical Travel Tips
When is the best time to visit? Clear, warm, and calm waters are present all year long. December and January are part of the wet season which experiences brief but heavy showers.
How to get there? Fly internationally to Honiara, the capital of the Solomons, then take a domestic flight to Munda or Seghe (about 1 hour). Arrange local boat rides from Munda or Seghe to Marovo Lagoon or Tetepare Island (times vary based on location).
Looking for the ultimate off-the-beaten-path adventure to the Solomon Islands? Join Oceanic Society on a Solomon Islands liveaboard trip where we will sail to some of the most secluded regions in the Solomons – including the legendary Marovo-Tetapare Complex – where our guides will immerse you in a tropical paradise few others visit.
Tetepare Island
150 years ago, the inhabitants of Tetepare mysteriously disappeared. Some historians believe neighboring head-hunting tribes drove them out. Others believe disease – possibly contracted by international whalers – ravaged the community. Elders tell tales of a sea devil’s magic that caused the exodus of Tetepare. Regardless of how, the island is now the largest uninhabited island in the Pacific (over 46 square miles) – and its descendants have no intention of returning.
Solomon Islands is home to some of the world’s most biodiverse coral reefs. © Wayne Sentman
Today the Tetepare people revere the island as a sacred “spirit island” where their ancestors continue to live. Spurred by the threat of commercial logging on their ancestral island, more than 3,000 of the descendants of Tetepare rallied to form the Tetepare Descendants’ Association (TDA) in 2003. Now the TDA owns the island and leads numerous projects aimed at protecting its environment and vulnerable species, such as leatherback turtles that nest on the local beaches, work that was recently supported by Oceanic Society. With over 12,000 hectares of rainforest and mangroves, Tetepare is one of the few remaining unlogged tropical islands in the world. And offshore, their efforts have resulted in 5 square miles of ocean being designated as a Marine Protected Area (MPA), a permanent “no-take zone” that provides refuge for fish.
Tourism now plays an important role in helping fund the TDA’s conservation efforts, while providing many of the Tetepare people with income. The TDA built an ecolodge on the island where visitors can sleep in the heart of the jungle, learn about Tetepare directly from its descendants, and embark on daily wildlife excursions. On land, three species of sea turtles (including leatherbacks) nest on black sand beaches and rare coconut crabs (the largest land-dwelling crustacean in the world) cling to towering trees, while offshore, thousands of fish swim among dazzling coral reefs, occasionally joined by dugongs, dolphins, whales and countless others.
Explore the Solomon Islands with Oceanic Society
If you are looking to experience the best of the archipelago consider exploring the Solomon Islands by liveaboard. Oceanic Society expeditions to the Solomons are led by cetacean biologists and local guides who have intimate knowledge of the region, ensuring you see all the best sites available, including two full days at both Marovo Lagoon and Tetepare Island.
Oceanic Society travelers will set sail aboard the MV Bilikiki, a luxury liveaboard renowned for its comfort and stability.
When you book a trip with Oceanic Society you support our nonprofit mission to connect people to the ocean and build a movement dedicated to solving the key ocean problems of our time, from plastic pollution to climate change. As a bonus, just by signing up for a trip, you directly sponsor the removal of 200 pounds of ocean plastic, which in 2023 led to the removal of 73,000 pounds of plastic waste.
