One of the things we love to consider when we travel is how a place has changed over time. The Solomon Islands have been inhabited by humans since around 30,000 BC, so they have a long history for a fairly small country.

If you remember the ancient Lapita pottery techniques of the Nakabuta Village in Fiji, then you already know some of the Solomon Islands’ past, too. These Melanesian cultures share a past, some of which continues today.

Thousands of years ago, inhabitants of the Solomon Islands lived in small villages that relied on subsistence agriculture and had a strong sense of community. Outside the capital of Honiara on the main island of Guadalcanal, you’ll still see these villages. Residents gather together in a small market area and collectively tackle chores like washing clothes in rivers and inlets.

We stayed in Honiara just down the road from the airport and rented a car so we could explore Guadalcanal Island. We were eager to see some of the beautiful beaches we’d heard so much about, and we wanted to explore a bit of the country’s World War II history.

As with many colonies around the world, Europe didn’t have the best relationship with the Solomon Islands, particularly during the 1800s. But because of the islands’ strategic location in the Pacific Ocean, the Solomons proved crucial to the Allies winning WWII.

From Wikipedia: “In May 1942, the Japanese launched Operation Mo, occupying Tulagi and most of the western Solomon Islands, including Guadalcanal where they began work on an airstrip. The British administration had already relocated to Auki, Malaita, and most of the European population had been evacuated to Australia. The Allies counter-invaded Guadalcanal in August 1942, followed by the New Georgia campaign in 1943, both of which were turning points in the Pacific War, stopping and then countering the Japanese advance.”

In addition to the Solomon Islands’ location, its residents played a major role in the war. Thousands of Solomons registered for the defense force and the labor corps, and many more served as coastwatchers, providing intelligence data and rescuing Allied servicemen. “The coastwatchers saved Guadalcanal, and Guadalcanal saved the South Pacific,” said U.S. Admiral William Halsey, the commander of Allied forces during the Battle for Guadalcanal.

Today you can see remnants of the Pacific War on and around the Solomon Islands, including the wreckage of the Japanese WWII ship Hirokawa Maru as well as the shell of the Douglas SBD Dauntless, a World War II American naval scout plane and dive bomber, at the Vilu Military Museum.

Aside from the battle scars, the Solomon Islands have lush rainforests, healthy coral reefs, and a plethora of coconuts and fresh cocoa beans, much of which are exported.

Tourism is not a big part of the country’s economy; just under 26,000 people visited the Solomons in 2023. (By comparison, the U.S. had 66.5 million foreign visitors during the same period.)

If you’re planning to travel to the Solomon Islands, we would recommend booking accommodations at one of the resorts in Honiara. We stayed in a local apartment, which was fine for us since we had a rental car, but it would’ve been difficult to arrange for meals, transportation, sightseeing, and other services otherwise.

Driving on Guadalcanal Island is next level. Nearly every road in Honiara was under construction when we visited, and as soon as you hit the city limits, the roads become unpaved and in poor condition. It was like off-road driving, but in a compact sedan with street tires.

You’ll want to get out of the city, though, if you’re interested in beaches, hiking, snorkeling, or visiting any of the WWII historical sites.

If you’re willing to put in the effort, the Solomon Islands can be a fascinating destination.