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Solomon Islands🇸🇧 | landmarksSkull IslandChiefs’ skull shrine, custodians, Vonavona Lagoon, coral-rubble shore | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Skull Island
👌 Worth visitingunique site ranked #7
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

The skulls on Skull Island Beach belong to chiefs and warriors, and the islet sits only about 30 minutes by boat from Munda, so you can see it in a single outing. It lies in the Vonavona Lagoon, in the west of the Solomon Islands. This is not a swimming beach. The shore is a narrow strip of coral rubble and shell under pandanus and low trees, and the shrine is the reason to come. Skip it if you want a long lazy day. Go for an hour or two, because the islet is tiny and the shrine takes minutes to see. Food and beds are cheap back in Munda, not here. The sea is calm and clear, and the shrine’s bleached bone sits in a hush broken only by the boat engine ticking as it cools.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #7 unique site in Solomon IslandsReasons people choose to visit here

Skull Island Beach is a short detour with a big payoff for anyone passing through Munda. The islet holds the shrine of chiefs’ and warriors’ skulls, and that is something you will not see on a resort beach elsewhere in the country. Backpackers stop because the visit fits into a morning, and the half-hour boat ride across the Vonavona Lagoon is a good outing in itself, with green islets and shallow reef passing underneath. It also links neatly with other lagoon stops, so you can string together a lagoon day without planning a big expedition. The social side is low-key. You share the boat, you meet the local custodians, and you learn how the shrine is looked after and what the skulls mean to the families connected to them. Cheap, quick and a real cultural moment, it earns the detour.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. The skull shrine: the reason everyone comes. Skulls of past chiefs and warriors rest in the shrine on the islet, and the custodians explain whose they are and how they are treated. Stay quiet and follow their rules about photos and touching.
  2. The boat ride across Vonavona Lagoon: about 30 minutes from Munda, past mangrove edges, small islets and pale reef flats. The water color changes from green to deep blue as the depth shifts.
  3. Talking with the custodians: local guardians tell the stories behind the shrine and the lagoon’s warrior past. Listen more than you ask, and you will leave with context no sign could give.
  4. Snorkeling the shallows: the clear, calm water around the islet suits a short swim and a look at coral heads and small reef fish. Keep it brief, since the shore is rough with coral
… read more 👉
  1. The skull shrine: the reason everyone comes. Skulls of past chiefs and warriors rest in the shrine on the islet, and the custodians explain whose they are and how they are treated. Stay quiet and follow their rules about photos and touching.
  2. The boat ride across Vonavona Lagoon: about 30 minutes from Munda, past mangrove edges, small islets and pale reef flats. The water color changes from green to deep blue as the depth shifts.
  3. Talking with the custodians: local guardians tell the stories behind the shrine and the lagoon’s warrior past. Listen more than you ask, and you will leave with context no sign could give.
  4. Snorkeling the shallows: the clear, calm water around the islet suits a short swim and a look at coral heads and small reef fish. Keep it brief, since the shore is rough with coral rubble.
  5. The shoreline walk: the whole islet can be circled in a few minutes. Shell fragments crunch underfoot, pandanus and low trees give shade, and you get views across the lagoon to neighboring islets.
For a first visit, the skull shrine with a custodian’s explanation is the one to prioritize.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

  • Dry Season (May to October): The best window for the 30-minute boat ride from Munda, with calmer mornings and less rain. Days run 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F), nights 23 to 24°C (73 to 75°F). Daylight stays near 12 hours all year.
  • Wet Season (November to April): Humid, 30 to 33°C (86 to 91°F), with heavy afternoon downpours and the odd cyclone. Lagoon visibility drops after rain and boat operators cancel in rough weather.
  • Crowds and Prices: Skull Island sees only a handful of visitors a day, mostly from Munda guesthouses and the occasional cruise or dive group. Boat charters cost about the same year-round, roughly US$40 to 80 per boat depending on the operator and fuel.
  • Activities: Snorkeling and kayaking in Vonavona Lagoon are at their best in the dry months, when the water is clearest.
Book your … read more 👉
  • Dry Season (May to October): The best window for the 30-minute boat ride from Munda, with calmer mornings and less rain. Days run 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F), nights 23 to 24°C (73 to 75°F). Daylight stays near 12 hours all year.
  • Wet Season (November to April): Humid, 30 to 33°C (86 to 91°F), with heavy afternoon downpours and the odd cyclone. Lagoon visibility drops after rain and boat operators cancel in rough weather.
  • Crowds and Prices: Skull Island sees only a handful of visitors a day, mostly from Munda guesthouses and the occasional cruise or dive group. Boat charters cost about the same year-round, roughly US$40 to 80 per boat depending on the operator and fuel.
  • Activities: Snorkeling and kayaking in Vonavona Lagoon are at their best in the dry months, when the water is clearest.
Book your boat the evening before and aim for a morning visit, since afternoon showers build quickly.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

Munda is the place to sleep, because Skull Island Beach has no accommodation of its own and sits about 30 minutes away by boat across Vonavona Lagoon. Munda is the main town of New Georgia, with an airstrip, a market, small shops, a bank, and the boat operators who run trips to the islet. Guesthouses and lodges along the shoreline cost roughly US$30 to 80 a night for a simple room, and some have shared kitchens or communal dining where you meet divers, WWII history buffs and the occasional volunteer worker. That makes Munda the most social option in the western province.

Staying near the waterfront … read more 👉
Munda is the place to sleep, because Skull Island Beach has no accommodation of its own and sits about 30 minutes away by boat across Vonavona Lagoon. Munda is the main town of New Georgia, with an airstrip, a market, small shops, a bank, and the boat operators who run trips to the islet. Guesthouses and lodges along the shoreline cost roughly US$30 to 80 a night for a simple room, and some have shared kitchens or communal dining where you meet divers, WWII history buffs and the occasional volunteer worker. That makes Munda the most social option in the western province.

Staying near the waterfront or around the airstrip end keeps you within a short walk of the market and the boat landings, which makes arranging a ride easy. Several lagoon-side stays on small islands nearby offer a quieter, village-style experience with homestays, though they are further from services. For a first visit, I would pick Munda for convenience, then add a night on a nearby island if you want more time on the water.
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👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)How expensive it really is

A day around Skull Island runs about US$90 to 170 per person, and most of that is the boat from Munda. The shrine sits on a small islet in Vonavona Lagoon, so you pay in Solomon Islands dollars for everything, but the figures here are in US dollars.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Boat transferUS$40 to 70Return trip of about 30 minutes each way from Munda, usually chartered. Splitting the fuel and boat hire with others cuts the cost sharply.
Custodian or visit feeUS$5 to 12Paid to the local custodians for access to the shrine. Photography may carry a small extra charge, so carry small notes.
GuideUS$10 to 20Often arranged with the boat operator. A guide explains the chiefs and warriors whose skulls are kept at the shrine.
Accommodation (high season)US$25 to 45Guesthouse or basic room in Munda,
… read more 👉
A day around Skull Island runs about US$90 to 170 per person, and most of that is the boat from Munda. The shrine sits on a small islet in Vonavona Lagoon, so you pay in Solomon Islands dollars for everything, but the figures here are in US dollars.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Boat transferUS$40 to 70Return trip of about 30 minutes each way from Munda, usually chartered. Splitting the fuel and boat hire with others cuts the cost sharply.
Custodian or visit feeUS$5 to 12Paid to the local custodians for access to the shrine. Photography may carry a small extra charge, so carry small notes.
GuideUS$10 to 20Often arranged with the boat operator. A guide explains the chiefs and warriors whose skulls are kept at the shrine.
Accommodation (high season)US$25 to 45Guesthouse or basic room in Munda, the nearest base. Low season rooms are often US$5 to 10 cheaper.
FoodUS$10 to 18Rice, fish and root crops at local eateries and market stalls in Munda. Bring a packed lunch for the boat day.
Snorkel gear or extrasUS$0 to 5Water, snacks and a tip for the boat driver. The lagoon is calm enough for a swim after the visit.
Total Daily BudgetUS$90 to 170Per person, per day, in high season.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

Skull Island Beach is a calm, sheltered spot inside Vonavona Lagoon, so waves and rips are rarely an issue. The shoreline is small, and the water is gentle enough for a short swim or snorkel, though most visits center on the shrine itself. Coral heads near the edge can scrape bare feet, so reef shoes help. Tropical sun is strong all day, and there is little shade, so long sleeves, a hat and reef-safe sunscreen make a real difference. The skulls are sacred. Ask your boatman or the local custodian before approaching, follow their guidance on where to walk, and never move or take anything. Boat trips are the main practical risk. Choose a sound boat with life jackets, and skip the crossing when squalls roll in, which happens more often in the wet season.
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FAQFrequently asked questions about Skull Island

Skull Island Beach is reached by boat from Munda on New Georgia, about 30 minutes across Vonavona Lagoon. Munda has an airport with flights from Honiara, usually about 45 to 60 minutes. A chartered boat from Munda typically costs US$40 to 80 per boat, so sharing with other travelers cuts the price.
Skull Island Beach is better for a quick dip and snorkeling than for surfing, since the sheltered lagoon has no real waves. The water is calm and warm, around 28 to 30°C (82 to 86°F), and coral patches close to shore hold small reef fish. Bring your own snorkel gear, as rentals on the islet are unlikely, and plan on 1 to 2 hours there.
Skull Island Beach is not a formal park, but visitors usually pay a small custom fee to the local landowners or custodians, often around US$5 to 10 per person. Pay it in cash and ask your boatman to arrange it. The main cost is the boat from Munda, roughly US$40 to 80 for the round trip.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Solomon Islander landmarks near Skull Island

Explore more nearby:

  • Marovo Lagoon—Barrier reef passes, ebony carvers, kayak channels, village guesthouses| 101 km away
  • Roderick Bay—House reef, canoe landings, earth-oven meals, Nggela coast| 335 km away

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We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

Skull Island Beach suits curious travelers who like history and culture over sunbathing, and anyone already in Munda with a free morning. I would go with a respectful attitude and a small gift of thanks for the custodians. Skip it if you want a swim-and-lounge beach, and bring a hat for the open sun.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Solomon Islands. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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