The largest of the Solomon Islands and the site of the capital
city Honiara, Guadalcanal is sure to be the first port of call for
foreign visitors to the pristine archipelago. First 'discovered' by
European navigators in 1568, the island enjoyed a relatively quiet
and peaceful history until World War II, when fierce fighting
between Allied and Japanese troops broke out.
Since then, despite suffering severe tsunami damage in 2007,
life on Guadalcanal has returned to its relaxed and peaceful pace,
as the vast majority of its 90,000-strong population continue to
make ends meet through subsistence fishing and farming
practices.
Guadalcanal Island is either home or provides easy access to
most of the Solomon Island's best tourist attractions. The moving
US and Japanese Peace Memorials are worth visiting, especially for
those interested in historical sites, while several old
battlefields such as Red Beach, Alligator Creek, and Bloody Ridge
can also be visited for a sobering reminder of the devastation that
was brought to the island during World War II.
It is also possible to make a few exciting excursions from
Guadalcanal. The best of these are to the Tenaru Falls, a lovely
waterfall complex that is reached after a long walk through dense
tropical forest; Skull Island, where mounds of human skulls (the
relics of head-hunting raids) are proudly displayed; and Kwaio
Island, where sensitive visitors will be allowed to observe a
community that has rejected modern life, choosing instead to live
by the traditions of their ancestors.
Jewellery made from seashells is a popular Solomon Islands
souvenir, and tourists can either visit the folk art enclave of
Betikama to watch this jewellery being produced, or else simply
visit the Honiara Central Market to pick some up. The Central
Market is the best place to shop in the Solomon Islands, largely
consisting of stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables and an
incredible selection of fish and seafood.
However, the Solomon Island's greatest tourist attraction
remains the diving and snorkelling opportunities available to
visitors. The area off the coast of Honiara is known as Iron Bottom
Sound, and tourists will have the unique chance to dive amongst
sunken transport ships, submarines, and even fighter-planes. For
those seeking a luxurious getaway, the nearby beach resort of Uepi
Island is the archipelago's most lavish, and provides drop-off
diving sites that rival the very best in the world.
There is a lot to see and do on Guadalcanal Island, and tourists
looking for that rarest of holiday experiences (an
off-the-beaten-track tropical island getaway) should seriously
consider making a trip to the Solomon Islands.
