Picture yourself amidst the azure waters of the Solomon Islands, where lazy days and lively adventure mix to create the ultimate yachting holiday. Now, picture yourself on the perfect yacht. It’s a match made in heaven or – as in our case – made in the Baglietto shipyard in Italy. The yacht was Mischief 1, and the adventure an Ahoy Club charter. Having visited over 65 countries, this voyage was a long-awaited endeavour both for me and our intrepid crew.

The Solomon Islands, nestled approximately 1,000 nautical miles northeast of Australia, consist of six major islands and over 900 smaller ones. Honiara, the capital, proudly gained independence as a republic in 1978. The region holds a significant place in history, with the famous Battle of Guadalcanal fought between Japanese forces and American troops during World War II. Today, it beckons with the allure of thrilling dive wrecks, including the renowned White Beach, which we had the privilege of exploring.

Our bridge team eagerly anticipated crafting an itinerary that would exceed the expectations of our seasoned charter guests, and so we meticulously planned our route through this Melanesian paradise, utilising a comprehensive toolkit of navigation resources, including everything from Google Earth and the trip-planning app Bon Voyage to notes courtesy of Giles Smith, captain of Helios 3.