The Solomon Islands are a double chain of islands in the Western Pacific stretching from Vanuatu to Bougainville. There are over 900 islands, the main ones being Guadalcanal, Choiseul, Malaita, New Georgia and Santa Isabel.
Many islanders still live in the traditional way.
The authorities are making a determined effort to preserve this way of life and they enjoy the full support of the customary chiefs in their endeavours. This has put some restrictions on the movement of cruising yachts but fortunately there is still a lot to see along the usual cruising route, for which special permission is not needed. One interesting island to visit is Malaita, particularly the Langa Langa lagoon, to savour village life virtually unaffected by the outside world. Another lagoon often visited by yachts for the excellent wood carvings of the villagers is Merovo lagoon in the New Georgia group. In many isolated villages one can trade with the locals to obtain fresh produce, fish, carvings and shells.