The province of Malaita has a lovely provincial town called Auki. In the 1920s the town had a perimeter fence to keep the hostile locals away from the nervous Europeans. Relations have improved considerably, and the town, with a population of around 4000 people, is the most photogenic of the main towns in the country. In Auki you can shop and eat well, and from the town you can journey to lagoons featuring artificial islands, and witness the ancient practice of shark calling.

On Guadalcanal there are a range of natural attractions, in addition to points of interest in the capital, Honiara. Many visitors report that their first impression of Honiara is of a dusty, uneventful town. With diving tours, cruises and WWII sightseeing outings all departing from the capital, there is a sense of bustle that may only become apparent after time spent in the villages. When the tourists have set off for their day of sightseeing, you can browse the handicraft shops, or enjoy the cafés, restaurants and bars.Point Cruz is the local travel hub of Honiara. Reputedly the point where Spanish explorer Mendaña raised a cross, it is now the place where copra boats and passenger ferries load and unload passengers, and is alway busy and colourful. Also of interest are the Parliament, National Museum and Cultural Centre, Botanical Gardens, the nearby Water Pump Village and the colourful, vibrant Chinatown.

For the best combination of scenic beauty and rich traditional life, the Western Province is unbeatable. Visit the proposed World Heratage site at Marovo Lagoon which is now an eco-tourist village. Supporting this endeavour might encourage less logging in the future by providing locals with a viable source of income. Western Province also boasts excellent diving, the 1770m (5800 ft) high Kolombangara Volcano, the Megapode skull shrines, a crocodile farm and custom dances at Mbangopingo.

Two hours by foot from Honiara on Guadacanal is the spectacular double-sided Mataniko Falls. The falls thunder into a cave full of stalagmites and swooping swallows and bats. During WWII, the cave was a hide-out for Japanese soldiers trying to avoid capture by the Americans. Start out on the 2.5 km (1.5 mi) road from Chinatown to Tuvaruhu. Cross the river at Tuvaruhu, and proceed along the top of the ridge. The trail is often steep, and you might do better with a guide after Tuvaruhu. The guide will charge about S$10 (a touch over US$2); well worth it.