Shortland Islands
Islands Remote Solomon Islands group with World War II history
Located in the Solomon Islands’ Western Province, the Shortland Islands comprise wartime wreck sites, dense rainforest and Melanesian villages; visitors come for diving, World War II history and remote island communities, usually by charter boat.
The Shortland Islands are an island group in the far northwest of the Solomon Islands, close to the border with Papua New Guinea’s Bougainville. They form a scattered archipelago of dozens of small islands and islets that are low-lying and heavily vegetated.
The island group offers isolated village settlements, sheltered lagoons and coral reefs. Marine channels between the larger islands are used for local transport and fishing; there are no large towns on the islands.
During World War II the Shortland Islands were occupied and used for naval and air facilities, and they were targeted by Allied operations in the Pacific campaign. After the war the islands returned to local administration and have remained sparsely developed.
Geographically the Shortland Islands sit at the northwestern extremity of the Solomon Islands chain, immediately southeast of Bougainville Island (Papua New Guinea). They are remote from the national capital of Honiara and are part of the Western Province maritime zone.
- Access: Access is primarily by small boat from other islands in Western Province; there are no commercial airports on the group.
- WWII and diving highlights: Contains multiple World War II sites and wrecks; some reefs and inshore waters are of interest to divers.
How to Get to Shortland Islands #
Access is by boat from the main Solomon Islands hubs; Shortland Islands lie off the western tip of the country near Bougainville. Travelers typically fly into Honiara then arrange local boat charters or inter-island connections; schedules are irregular and weather-dependent.
Tips for Visiting Shortland Islands #
- If traveling between islands, check inter-island boat schedules in advance - services can be infrequent and weather-dependent.
- Bring insect repellent and malaria prophylaxis advice from a travel clinic; health services are limited on the islands.
- Hire a local guide for cultural orientation: Shortland Islands villages have specific etiquette - ask before photographing people or sacred items.
Best Time to Visit Shortland Islands #
Best visited during the dry season (April-October) when sea travel between islands is more reliable and outdoor activities are safer.
Weather & Climate near Shortland Islands #
Shortland Islands's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 24°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (3530 mm/year), wettest in July.
January
January is the hottest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 25°C. Heavy rain (263 mm).
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February
February is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 24°C. Heavy rain (272 mm).
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March
March is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 24°C. Heavy rain (354 mm).
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April
April is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 24°C. Heavy rain (281 mm).
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May
May is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 24°C. Heavy rain (243 mm).
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June
June is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 24°C. Heavy rain (290 mm).
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July
July is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 24°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (446 mm).
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August
August is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 24°C. Heavy rain (351 mm).
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September
September is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 24°C. Heavy rain (296 mm).
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October
October is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 24°C. Heavy rain (268 mm).
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November
November is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 24°C. Heavy rain (249 mm).
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December
December is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 24°C. Heavy rain (217 mm).
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