Solomon Islands is a sovereign state consisting of over 900 islands, lying in between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. The country’s capital, Honiara, is situated on the island of Guadalcanal. After Christmas in Sydney, JJ and I travelled to Honiara and then east to Marau Sound for a tropical mini-break. Set your watches to island time…..

GETTING TO TAVANIPUPU

We left Sydney early on Boxing Day morning for a 5-hour flight to Honiara via Brisbane. Then we caught a smaller plane for a 30-minute flight from Honiara to Marau. On arrival at Marau airstrip, Tavanipupu staff transferred us to the island resort by speedboat.

Tavanipupu is one of the Pacific Ocean’s best-kept secrets. Or at least it was until Prince William and Duchess Kate visited in 2012! Remote and untouched, it’s an authentic Pacific island experience, unlike the more established resorts of neighbouring Fiji. Tavanipupu resort staff paddle to work from the nearby islands in dugout canoes. This tropical paradise is surrounded by the turquoise, crystal-clear waters of the Coral Sea.

TAVANIPUPU ISLAND RESORT

On arrival at the jetty, the resort manager Mereoni, warmly welcomed JJ and I and handed us flower garlands. The 13-hectare island is a former coconut plantation. At any one time, there’s a maximum of 18 guests on Tavanipupu because they only have 7 nimas (bungalows). We’d booked one of the 2 Lagoon View Deluxe Nimas.

Our Nima included a large outdoor deck and comfy interior with a king-sized bed, bathroom and lounge furniture. At the back of the nima, there was a private outdoor shower set in a lush tropical garden. Each of the bungalows is decorated with carvings, seashells and beautiful brightly coloured flowers.

Bungalows have no phones, TVs or aircon, they’re constructed in a similar way to traditional local homes. However, there is complimentary Wi-Fi as long as the generators are operating (usually up until 10 PM).

Resort guests have access to complimentary kayaks, SUP boards and snorkelling gear throughout their stay. On request, the staff can organise excursions to nearby islands as well.

Calm turquoise waters make putting on fins and a mask to explore below the surface irresistible. An impressive coral reef encircles the island and is home to many tropical fish species. Parrotfish, clownfish, triggerfish, lionfish…..you name it we saw it!

Toutounire Massage House at Tavanipupu specialises in traditional lomilomi techniques. Laying face-down on an overwater massage bed, gazing into the clear lagoon below was pure bliss!

FOOD + DRINK

A drumbeat calls guests to the open-air dining pavilion at mealtimes. Two-course breakfasts and lunches, as well as three-course dinners, are created from the finest local ingredients. Seafood from the island’s surrounds features heavily. The menu is set each day, so whatever’s been freshly caught is what you’re served and it’s all delicious.

My favourite dishes were the chilli crab, ceviche served in a coconut and lobster mornay. OMG, my mouth’s watering just writing about the food that we ate on Tavanipupu!

The resort bar has most of the basics covered and we drank pre-dinner G&Ts there every night. There’s not an extensive cocktail list, but beers and spirits with mixers are no problem.

JJ and I would often take our drinks on the jetty to look out for dugongs. We didn’t have any luck seeing the dugongs, but we did spot a pod of dolphins 🙂

During our final evening meal at the resort, a group of local pan pipers visited to showcase traditional Solomon Islands music. Imagine an orchestra, with big bamboo pipes being hammered, smaller flutes providing the melody and rhythmic stomping. The sound was incredible and unlike anything I’ve heard before. I couldn’t stop videoing, it was awesome.

In summary, picture-perfect views, warm seawater, amazing seafood and idyllic seclusion made Tavanipupu so difficult to leave. On our first night, Mereoni said: “You arrive as strangers, become friends and leave as family”. I second that sentiment, we’ll be back fam!

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