Solomon Islands Short Break — 4 Days Guadalcanal WWII Battlefields & Iron Bottom Sound Snorkeling

Tour Overview

Experience the history and natural beauty of the Solomon Islands on this 4-day short break, from the capital of Honiara on Guadalcanal to the famous WWII battlefields of Guadalcanal, the historic Iron Bottom Sound (with its hundreds of shipwrecks from WWII), and the beautiful coral reefs for snorkeling and diving. The Solomon Islands, a beautiful archipelago in the South Pacific, is famous for its WWII history (Guadalcanal was the site of one of the most important battles of WWII in the Pacific), its stunning coral reefs, its beautiful islands, and its rich Melanesian culture.

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Honiara & City Tour

Arrive at Honiara International Airport (Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands). Transfer to your hotel. Explore Honiara, the capital and largest city of the Solomon Islands, located on the north coast of Guadalcanal, with its beautiful waterfront, bustling markets, museums, and the nearby WWII historic sites. Visit the National Museum of the Solomon Islands (with its exhibits on the history, culture, and natural heritage of the Solomon Islands, including artifacts from the various Melanesian cultures, WWII artifacts, and exhibits on the natural history of the islands). Visit the Central Market of Honiara (a bustling market with its fresh tropical fruits, vegetables, fish, crafts, and local food, a great place to experience the vibrant Solomon Islands culture). Visit the Honiara waterfront and the beautiful views of Iron Bottom Sound. Visit the nearby Parliament House and the various government buildings. Visit the nearby village of White River and the surrounding area. After lunch, visit the nearby WWII historic sites in Honiara, including the American War Memorial (on Skyline Ridge, with its stunning views of Honiara and Iron Bottom Sound, and the memorial to the American soldiers who died in the Guadalcanal campaign), the Solomon Islands Scouts Memorial, and the various other WWII memorials and sites. Visit the nearby Vilu War Museum (approximately 30 minutes from Honiara, a fascinating outdoor museum with its collection of WWII aircraft, tanks, artillery, and other military equipment from the Guadalcanal campaign, including a P-38 Lightning, a P-40 Warhawk, a Japanese Zero, tanks, artillery pieces, and various other artifacts). Explore the museum and learn about the Guadalcanal campaign. Evening welcome dinner with Solomon Islands cuisine including fresh seafood, tropical fruits, root vegetables, and the famous local dishes. Overnight in Honiara.

Day 2: Guadalcanal WWII Battlefields Tour

Full day tour of the WWII battlefields of Guadalcanal. Guadalcanal was the site of one of the most important and bloodiest campaigns of WWII in the Pacific, fought from August 1942 to February 1943 between the United States and its allies and Japan, with over 30,000 casualties on both sides. Visit the famous battlefields and historic sites: visit Henderson Field (the original WWII airfield, the main objective of the Guadalcanal campaign, now the Honiara International Airport), the Lunga Point area (the site of the initial American landings on August 7, 1942), the Tenaru River (the site of the Battle of the Tenaru (Ilu) River, one of the first major battles of the Guadalcanal campaign, where the American Marines defeated a Japanese assault), the Matanikau River (the site of several battles during the Guadalcanal campaign), Mount Austen (the site of heavy fighting during the Guadalcanal campaign, with its stunning views of the surrounding area), the Bloody Ridge (Edson’s Ridge, the site of a famous battle where the American Marines under Colonel Merritt Edson defended the ridge against a Japanese assault), the Hill 73 area, the various other battlefields and historic sites. Visit the American War Memorial on Skyline Ridge for stunning views of Honiara, Iron Bottom Sound, and the surrounding battlefields. Visit the Japanese War Memorial (on Mount Austen, a memorial to the Japanese soldiers who died in the Guadalcanal campaign). Visit the various other memorials and sites. After lunch, visit the nearby village of Bonegi and the beautiful beaches on the north coast of Guadalcanal. Visit the nearby WWII shipwrecks just offshore at Bonegi (there are several Japanese shipwrecks just offshore at Bonegi Beach, including the Hirokawa Maru and the Kinugawa Maru, which are popular snorkeling and diving sites, with the wrecks teeming with marine life). Go snorkeling at the Bonegi wrecks, exploring the shipwrecks and the beautiful coral reefs, with abundant tropical fish, coral, and other marine life. Evening return to Honiara. Dinner with local cuisine and fresh seafood. Overnight in Honiara.

Day 3: Iron Bottom Sound Snorkeling & Diving

Full day snorkeling and diving in Iron Bottom Sound (the body of water between Guadalcanal and the nearby islands of Savo and Florida, named Iron Bottom Sound because of the hundreds of ships and aircraft that were sunk there during the Guadalcanal campaign of WWII, with the wreckage covering the bottom of the sound like iron). Iron Bottom Sound is one of the best wreck diving and snorkeling destinations in the world, with over 50 shipwrecks and numerous aircraft wrecks, including the USS Atlanta, the USS Quincy, the USS Vincennes, the USS Astoria, the HMAS Canberra, the Japanese transports, and many other ships and aircraft. Take a boat trip into Iron Bottom Sound and visit the various shipwrecks and snorkeling/diving sites. Snorkel or dive at the famous wrecks, including the Bonegi wrecks (the Hirokawa Maru and the Kinugawa Maru, just offshore at Bonegi Beach), the various other wrecks in the sound, and the beautiful coral reefs. The wrecks are teeming with marine life, with abundant tropical fish, coral, sea turtles, rays, and other marine life. Visit the nearby islands of the Florida Islands (Nggela Islands), a beautiful group of islands just north of Guadalcanal, with their beautiful beaches, crystal-clear water, and stunning coral reefs. Visit the beautiful beaches and go for a swim and snorkel. Visit the nearby village and meet the local people, learning about their traditional way of life. After lunch, continue snorkeling and diving at the various sites in Iron Bottom Sound and the Florida Islands. Visit the nearby Savo Island (if time permits, a beautiful volcanic island with its hot springs, mud pools, and the famous megapode birds that lay their eggs in the warm volcanic sand). Evening return to Honiara. Farewell dinner with Solomon Islands cuisine and fresh seafood, reflecting on the incredible history and natural beauty of the Solomon Islands. Overnight in Honiara.

Day 4: Honiara & Departure

Morning free for last-minute exploration of Honiara or shopping for Solomon Islands products including traditional crafts, carvings, shell money, jewelry, art, and local products. Visit the Central Market or the craft shops for souvenirs. Visit the National Museum for a final look at the artifacts, or relax at a café overlooking the waterfront. Visit the nearby beaches for a final swim or snorkel. After lunch, transfer to Honiara International Airport for your departure flight. Concluding your 4-day Solomon Islands short break of WWII battlefields and Iron Bottom Sound snorkeling.

What’s Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Driver
• Fuel Cost, Parking Fee, Toll Fee
• Accommodation in selected hotels
• Daily breakfast

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch and dinner)
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses