Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands are a scattered nation of six large islands and several hundred smaller ones in the southwest Pacific, east of Papua New Guinea. Tourism is small-scale. Expect village guesthouses, eco-lodges and a few resorts rather than big hotels. Most visitors come for diving and snorkelling, reef lagoons, rainforest and Second World War history. It suits independent, flexible travellers who accept simple facilities and changing boat and flight schedules.
The capital, Honiara, sits on Guadalcanal. From August 1942 to February 1943 the island was the scene of the Guadalcanal campaign, one of the key battles of the Pacific War. Wrecks, war relics and memorials are still found on land and under water. You can see them at the US War Memorial above the city and the open-air Vilu War Museum west of Honiara. Further afield, the Western Province has lagoons and dive sites. Remote Lake Tenggano on Rennell Island is part of the East Rennell UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has been on the List of World Heritage in Danger since 2013.
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Money & payments
The Solomon Islands are largely a cash economy. Only major hotels and some larger businesses in Honiara accept international cards. Outside Honiara, card payment is rare.
- ATMs are at Honiara's airport and at the main banks in Honiara. In the provinces they are few or absent, so bring enough cash before you leave the capital.
- Carry small notes for markets, minibuses, boat rides and village fees.
- Prices for imported goods are high. Local produce at markets is cheap.
Tours & Activities
Solomon Islands — Map
Tipping
Tipping is not part of local culture, and nobody will expect it in restaurants, taxis or shops. Some resorts and dive operators keep a staff box, where a small contribution is welcome but optional. A small gift or a contribution to a village project is often appreciated more than cash handed to one person.
staff box at resorts
small amount for good service
Electricity
Most outlets take the Australian-style plug, so travellers from Australia and New Zealand usually need no adapter. Power outside Honiara and the main towns can be limited to generators or solar for a few hours a day.
Language
English is the official language, but few people use it in daily life. The common language between islands is Pijin, an English-based creole. More than 70 local languages are also spoken. In Honiara, hotels and tour operators speak English. In villages, a few Pijin words are useful and welcomed.
Staying connected
- SIM cards: buy a local prepaid SIM with data in Honiara, for example at the airport or in town. The two networks are Our Telekom and bmobile.
- Coverage: mobile data works in Honiara and the main provincial towns. It is patchy or absent on many outer islands and in remote lodges. Tell family you may be offline for days.
Safety & emergencies
Violent crime against visitors is rare, but take normal care in Honiara. Avoid walking alone after dark, use taxis arranged by your hotel, and keep away from demonstrations. Petty theft and drink spiking happen, and poor-quality home-made alcohol can be dangerous.
- War relics: unexploded bombs and shells from the Second World War are still found on Guadalcanal and other islands. Never touch them, and report finds to the police.
- Boats: small boats and ferries are often overcrowded and may lack life jackets. Check the weather and the safety equipment before you go.
- Nature: the cyclone season runs from November to May. Earthquakes are frequent, and Savo Island is an active volcano.
- Customary land: almost all land is owned by local clans. Owners may ask a small fee to visit a beach, waterfall or wreck. Ask before entering, and pay the owner directly.
Health
- Mosquitoes: malaria and dengue occur across the country all year. Ask a travel doctor about malaria tablets, and use repellent and a net.
- Water and food: do not drink tap water. Use bottled, boiled or filtered water. Some large reef fish can cause ciguatera poisoning.
- Vaccinations: make sure routine vaccines, including measles, are up to date.
- Medical care: facilities are very limited, even in Honiara. Serious cases need evacuation to Australia, so take travel insurance that covers medical evacuation.
- Pharmacies: there are a few in Honiara but little elsewhere. Bring enough of any regular medicine and a basic first-aid kit, including something for cuts and coral scratches.
Visas & entry
Most visitors, including citizens of the EU, the UK, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, get a visitor visa on arrival. It is valid for up to 30 days and is issued once per calendar year. At the border you may need to show:
- a passport valid for at least six months, with blank pages
- a return or onward ticket
- proof of enough money for your stay
For longer stays or other nationalities, apply in advance through the Solomon Islands Immigration Division.
Visa and entry requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with the official immigration authority or your country's embassy before travel.
Etiquette
- Dress: in town and in villages, cover your thighs to the knee and your shoulders. Swimwear is fine at resorts but not in villages.
- Photos: ask before you photograph people, villages or sacred sites.
- Customs: traditions differ between provinces and villages. Follow your host's lead, and ask before you swim, fish or walk on someone's land.
- Sunday: most people are church-going Christians. Sunday is a quiet day, and some villages ask visitors to avoid noisy activities.
- Tone: people are relaxed and friendly. Stay patient and calm. Public anger causes loss of face.
Holidays & opening hours
On public holidays, government offices, banks and most shops close, and transport may run less often. Each province also has its own holiday, which can close local offices.
In Honiara, shops usually open Monday to Saturday, and many close on Sunday. Outside the capital, small stores keep irregular hours.
Getting around
- By air: Solomon Airlines flies from Honiara to about 20 domestic airstrips, including Gizo, Munda, Seghe and Auki. Planes are small, the luggage limit is low, and weather delays are common.
- By boat: passenger ships link Honiara with Auki, Tulagi and Gizo. Local boats and chartered motorboats reach smaller islands and lagoons.
- In Honiara: public minibuses are cheap and run along the main road. Taxis have no meters, so agree the fare before you get in.
- Planning: the Tourism Solomons – How to Get Around page lists transport options and operators.
Driving
- Side of the road: traffic drives on the left.
- Where to drive: sealed roads exist mainly around Honiara and along the north coast of Guadalcanal. Most islands have few or no roads, so a car is useful only on Guadalcanal and parts of Malaita.
- Licence: bring your home licence. Many nationalities also need an International Driving Permit, so check before you go. Rental cars are available in Honiara.
- Road conditions: roads are in poor repair, with large potholes. Pedestrians, dogs and livestock are often on the road, and street lighting is rare. Avoid driving at night.
- Tolls: there are no road tolls.
- Parking: use your hotel's car park or a guarded space overnight, and never leave valuables in the car.
- Fuel: petrol is sold as ULP (unleaded petrol) and diesel as ADO (automotive diesel oil). Service stations are mainly in Honiara. On outer islands, fuel comes in drums and costs much more. Fill up before a longer drive, and carry cash.
Food & drink
Everyday food is simple and fresh: fish, root crops such as taro, cassava and sweet potato, green vegetables, and coconut. In villages, food is often wrapped in leaves and baked in an earth oven with hot stones. Rice and tinned tuna are common in towns. Main meals are usually eaten at midday and in the evening.
Honiara Central Market is the best place to see local produce, fruit and cooked snacks. Resorts and Honiara restaurants serve international and Asian food, and seafood is the highlight. The local beer is Sol Brew. Many people chew betel nut, and you will see its red stains on streets and walls.
Where to explore
Guadalcanal and Central Province
- Honiara: the capital and main gateway. Visit the Solomon Islands National Museum and Holy Cross Cathedral.
- Guadalcanal: war sites along the coast west and east of Honiara, and rainforest walks such as the trek to Tenaru waterfalls.
- Tulagi: the former British capital, a boat ride from Honiara across Iron Bottom Sound. Nearby you can dive or snorkel on Kikuzuki, a Japanese destroyer sunk in 1942.
Western Province
- Gizo: the provincial capital and a base for diving, and for Kennedy Island, where John F. Kennedy and his crew swam ashore in 1943.
- Munda: WWII wrecks and reef dives on New Georgia, with direct flights from Brisbane.
- Marovo Lagoon: a huge double-barrier lagoon with village stays, carving and diving.
Other islands
- Malaita: the most populated island, with Auki as its main town. Nearby Langa Langa Lagoon is known for its shell money.
- Rennell: the world's largest raised coral atoll. Lake Tenggano is a large brackish lake with endemic species. Access is difficult and needs planning.
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