Taro Island

Taro Island is a tiny, low-lying island off the northern tip of Choiseul, and the administrative capital of Choiseul Province (sometimes called Lauru) in the northwest of the Solomon Islands. Despite its capital status, Taro is a small and remote place — a single settlement on a flat coral island set within the wide, scenic sweep of Choiseul Bay, framed by the mountains of the much larger Choiseul Island across the water. It is the gateway to one of the least-visited corners of the country, a province with few roads, where boats and canoes do most of the work of getting around.

Taro is the seat of the provincial government and the main arrival point for the region, with a market, jetty, and the modest services that come with being a provincial centre. Its appeal lies less in attractions on the island itself than in its role as a launching pad for the wider Choiseul Bay area: clear waters for swimming and snorkelling, nearby villages where customary dances and handicrafts can be seen, mangrove channels, and the wartime and natural sites of northern Choiseul. Low-lying and exposed, Taro is also notable as one of the places in the Pacific most discussed in relation to sea-level rise.

The climate is hot, humid, and tropical year-round. The drier months from roughly May to October generally bring calmer conditions and easier boat travel, while the wetter season from November to April is rainier and carries cyclone risk. As across the rural Solomons, infrastructure is basic and malaria precautions are advised.

By Plane

Taro is served by Choiseul Bay Airport (IATA: CHY), with domestic flights linking it to Honiara and other provincial centres operated within the Solomon Islands. Schedules are limited and subject to change, so confirm timings in advance. The airstrip is the main reason most visitors can reach the province at all.

By Train

Not relevant — there are no railways in the Solomon Islands.

By Car / Road

Not relevant — Taro is a small island reached by air or sea; Choiseul Province has very few roads.

Beyond flying, Taro and Choiseul Bay are reached by sea. Inter-island cargo and passenger boats call along the route between Honiara, the Western Province, and Choiseul, though crossings are long and infrequent. Local boats connect Taro with the mainland of Choiseul Island and surrounding villages.

Taro Island itself is small enough to cross on foot. To go anywhere else — the mainland of Choiseul, nearby villages, beaches, or reefs — you travel by small boat or outboard canoe. There are very few roads and almost no vehicles in the province, so boats, canoes, and walking are the primary means of transport. Arrange boat hire locally and agree the fare before departing.

• Taro Village Market — The island's social and commercial heart, where fresh fish, coconut, root crops, and handmade items are traded; a good place to take the pulse of provincial life.

• Taro Jetty and Wharf — The main arrival point and gathering place for fishermen and boat crews, busy whenever vessels come and go.

• Choiseul Bay — The broad, sheltered bay surrounding the island, with clear water and the dramatic backdrop of the Choiseul mainland mountains.

• Snorkelling and swimming — The clear waters of Choiseul Bay and nearby reef pockets are good for snorkelling straight off the island and on short boat trips.

• Village day trips — A short boat ride reaches mainland Choiseul villages where kastom dances and handicrafts can be experienced.

• Mangrove and reef excursions — Explore the mangrove channels and low-key beaches around the bay by canoe or boat.

• Birdwatching and nature — The forests and waters of the wider Choiseul area support rich birdlife for those venturing inland with a guide.

Food is simple and local: fresh fish and seafood, root crops such as taro, cassava, and sweet potato, rice, coconut, and tropical fruit, much of it sold at the market. There are no formal restaurants; meals are arranged through guesthouses or hosts. Self-caterers should provision where possible, as supply can be irregular. Vegetarian eating relies on the local staples.

specific named eateries and price tiers not verified — confirm locally.

Treat or boil local water, or use bottled water where available. Fresh coconut is plentiful. The national SolBrew beer may be sold in trade stores but supply is irregular this far from the capital. Nightlife is minimal and informal.

Accommodation is limited to basic guesthouses and arranged homestays on or near Taro, offering simple rooms and shared facilities at modest rates. There are no resorts or upscale hotels in the province; book or arrange in advance, as options are few.

specific property names and nightly rates not verified — confirm current options ahead of travel.

Shopping centres on the Taro market and basic trade stores selling tinned food, rice, and essentials. Local handicrafts — carvings, woven items, and shell or shell-money trinkets — can sometimes be found at the market or in villages. Carry cash in Solomon Islands dollars, as banking and card facilities are extremely limited.

• Sasamungga (south down the coast of Choiseul Island) — the main coastal settlement on the mainland, a hub for villages and church activity.
• Choiseul Bay area (immediately surrounding) — beaches, reefs, mangroves, and villages reached by short boat trips.
• Wagina Island (southeast, in Choiseul Province) — a Gilbertese-settled island community with its own distinct culture.
• Gizo (south, in Western Province) — the main tourism centre of the western Solomons, with dive resorts and connections.
• Honiara (by air, on Guadalcanal) — the national capital and main transport hub.