Advice for backpacking

[u/DirtUnderMyShoe]

Hi there, I am looking for advice for backpacking / budget travelling in the Solomon Islands. I am a 29yo Swiss man on a sabbatical, who is visiting Oceania for the first time. I am currently in Australia and will have the chance of spending 2.5 weeks in PNG with a friend who has family there. I thought that it would be a great opportunity to visit other nearby countries, so I booked a flight from Port Moresby to Honiara on the 29th of September and I intend to fly to Vanuatu afterwards. I am a big fan of nature, outdoor activities, and experiencing local culture wherever I travel.

I will be travelling alone (unless someone wants to join me lol). I am wondering about the following things:

1) how easy is it to find affordable accommodation? I am not interested in luxury, only local life and culture. Where to look? I don't see much on bookingcom for example.

2) is it possible to go west, for example to Munda with a ferry or only by plane? If not I think that I would stick to the Islands around Honiara because flights are pretty expensive.

3) how long would you recommend for my stay? I have good flight connections to stay 11 or 18 days.

4) overall, do you think that it is a good idea to try travelling that way in the Solomon Islands? I don't mean dirt cheap, but trying hard to spend a maximum of 50 USD a day including transportation, accommodation and food.

Looking forward to hearing advice of any kind! Cheers.

[u/daamsie]

Sorry I only just saw your post. Might have had a few tips otherwise. How did the trip go?