Solomon Islands🇸🇧 | best villagesTop-Rated villages in Solomon Islands

How many villages to visit: I advise three to five villages on a trip of two to three weeks. Each stay needs time to settle in: arriving by dugout canoe or banana boat, being welcomed, eating and listening to the evening hymns drift across the water. Fewer, longer stays give you conversation, fishing, and walks through gardens. More than that and you spend the trip in wet boat seats rather than in villages.Choosing the kind of village: Match village type to your style. Lodge-style coastal villages in Western Province suit first-timers and divers, with private huts and easier boat access. Kastom villages on Malaita suit culture seekers who want carving, shell-money traditions and long talks, but expect fewer comforts. Remote outer islands such as Makira or Temotu suit experienced backpackers … read more 👉

How many villages to visit: I advise three to five villages on a trip of two to three weeks. Each stay needs time to settle in: arriving by dugout canoe or banana boat, being welcomed, eating and listening to the evening hymns drift across the water. Fewer, longer stays give you conversation, fishing, and walks through gardens. More than that and you spend the trip in wet boat seats rather than in villages.Choosing the kind of village: Match village type to your style. Lodge-style coastal villages in Western Province suit first-timers and divers, with private huts and easier boat access. Kastom villages on Malaita suit culture seekers who want carving, shell-money traditions and long talks, but expect fewer comforts. Remote outer islands such as Makira or Temotu suit experienced backpackers who can live with rain, bucket washing and uncertain transport. The reward is quiet, with reef sounds, birdsong and no engines at night.What it costs: Budget US$35 to 70 a day (about SBD 300 to 600) including a village stay and food. Simple village accommodation typically costs SBD 100 to 250 per person per night, with meals adding SBD 50 to 150 a day. Community entry or visitor fees run about SBD 50 to 200 per person, local guides SBD 150 to 400 a day, and boat charters SBD 500 to 2,000 or more, depending on fuel and distance. Share boat costs when you can. Carry small notes, since villages rarely have change.Safety and cultural considerations: Always ask permission before arriving, ideally through the host or a local contact, and never wander onto land, reefs or sacred sites uninvited. Many sites are tabu, and a guide or elder will tell you where not to go. Dress modestly: women wear a knee-length skirt or lavalava, and men keep shirts on in the village. Ask before taking photos. Swim and snorkel only where hosts say it is safe, as saltwater crocodiles live in some areas and currents run hard through reef passes. Malaria is present, so bring prophylaxis, repellent and a net. Bring water treatment, a headlamp and dry bags. Keep alcohol out of the picture, as many villages ban it. Tipping is unnecessary, but gifts such as rice, tea or school supplies are appreciated and make a village stay feel balanced.