As with many Pacific islands, the greatest attraction for visitors to the Solomon Islands is diving. A combination of spectacular coral reefs and hundreds of WWII wrecks makes scuba diving, skin diving and snorkelling all attractive options. For technical divers, the Solomons is one of the three best spots in the world, though there are still plenty of options for the beginner. The water temperatures in the island group are among the warmest in the world, and visibility is commonly as good as 30m (100 ft). Beware crossing offshore reefs, as the ocean currents can be unbeatable, and - as always - keep local property customs in mind when bringing anything to the surface with you.

Other popular outdoor activities could keep you busy for months. There's bushwalking, canoeing, mountain and volcano climbing, swimming, surfing, fishing, shell-collecting, bird-watching, caving and mountain biking, enough to keep even the most dedicated adventurer sated.

If you're based in or moving through Honiara, there's a couple of big celebration days that are well worth checking out. Whit Monday falls on the eighth Monday after Easter and features a parade of war veterans and general festivities. The second Friday of June is the Queen's Birthday holiday. Again there is a march - this time it's the police - which is followed by sporting events and custom dancing. July 7 is Independence Day, the biggest holiday on the calendar. Once again, it's a time for parades (the military get the nod here), sports and dancing.

Each province has its own Provincial Holiday, and this provides another oportunity for visitors to see traditional dances and ceremonies. March in Santa Catalina sees the yam-increase festival, while at the end of May mock clan wars and week-long marriage ceremonies take place in a celebration called Wogasia.