Solomon Islands Reiseguide
Viktig reiseinformasjon — nødnumre, sikkerhet, valuta, visum, skikker og hvordan komme seg rundt.
Solomon Islands is generally a welcoming, low-violent-crime destination for tourists, and most visits are trouble-free. The main risks are petty crime (theft, pickpocketing) in Honiara, occasional civil unrest, and natural hazards. Political tensions have at times led to rioting in the capital, most seriously in 2006 and again in November 2021, when parts of Honiara's Chinatown were looted and burned; such events are unpredictable but localized. Outside Honiara, the provinces are very peaceful, though basic infrastructure, limited medical care, and remoteness mean self-reliance is important.
Solomon Islands dollar (SBD)
Type I (three flat pins, as in Australia/New Zealand); 220-240V, 50Hz
Tipping is not customary or expected, and in some contexts can be considered unusual. Service is provided as a matter of hospitality. At high-end resorts a small tip or a contribution to a communal staff fund is appreciated but never required. Rounding up or leaving small change is fine.
The two main mobile providers are Our Telekom (breeze) and bmobile-Vodafone. Buy a local prepaid SIM and data bundle at Honiara's airport or in town (bring your passport for registration). Coverage is decent around Honiara and provincial centers but patchy to nonexistent on remote islands; mobile data is the main way to get online. Speeds have improved with the Coral Sea Cable, but expect slower, pricier internet than in larger countries.
Many visitors receive a visitor's permit on arrival (commonly up to 3 months) for tourism, and citizens of numerous countries do not need a visa in advance; you must hold a passport valid at least 6 months, an onward/return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds. Rules vary by nationality, so confirm current requirements with a Solomon Islands diplomatic mission or immigration before travel. A departure tax may apply if not included in your ticket.
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There is no rail network. In Honiara, shared minibuses run set routes along the main road for a low flat fare (signal the driver to stop); they are the cheapest way around the capital. Taxis are widely available in Honiara and are unmetered, so agree the fare before getting in. Outside Honiara, public transport is minimal and walking, trucks, or boats are common.
Travel between islands is mainly by domestic flights and boats. Solomon Airlines operates flights from Honiara's Henderson International Airport to provincial airfields (e.g. Munda, Gizo, Auki, Kirakira, Santa Cruz); schedules are limited and subject to change. Inter-island passenger ferries and cargo-passenger ships connect Honiara with major islands but can be slow, crowded, and weather-dependent. Small 'banana boats' (open fiberglass dinghies with outboards) are the workhorse for short hops between islands and villages; agree fares and fuel costs in advance and insist on life jackets and not overloading.
- • Wantok system: A deeply rooted social network of obligation to one's clan, language group, and extended family. The word comes from Pijin 'one talk' (people who share a language). Expect locals to prioritize family and community obligations, and understand that reciprocity and generosity are central values.
- • Always ask permission before entering a village, walking on land, swimming at a beach, or taking photographs. Most land in Solomon Islands is held under customary ownership, not by the government, so even beaches and reefs often belong to a specific clan or family.
- • Custom fees (kastom) are commonly requested for visiting sites, snorkeling certain reefs, diving WWII wrecks, surfing breaks, or hiking to waterfalls. These are legitimate and should be paid respectfully; agree on an amount beforehand.
- • Greet people warmly and unhurriedly; a relaxed, polite manner is valued and rushing or showing impatience is considered rude. Handshakes are common, sometimes lingering, and a soft handshake is normal.
- • Dress and behave modestly, especially women. Bikinis and swimwear are for resorts and dive boats, not villages. Removing one's shirt in town or covering thighs is expected in rural and conservative areas.
- • Use the right hand or both hands when giving or receiving items, particularly food. Pointing with a finger can be impolite; people often point with a nod, pursed lips, or the whole hand.
Modest, lightweight clothing suited to a hot, humid tropical climate. In Honiara and villages, both men and women should keep shoulders and knees covered; women especially should avoid short shorts, low necklines, and tight clothing. Swimwear is fine at resorts and on dive boats but cover up when entering villages or towns. A sarong (lavalava) is versatile for both sexes. Bring quick-dry clothes, a sun hat, reef shoes, and a light rain layer.
Solomon Islands is overwhelmingly Christian (around 90 percent+), spanning Anglican (Church of Melanesia), Roman Catholic, South Seas Evangelical, Seventh-day Adventist, and other denominations. Sunday is widely observed as a day of rest and worship, with many shops, services, and transport reduced or closed; in Seventh-day Adventist areas Saturday is the Sabbath. Dress modestly if attending or visiting a church, remove hats inside, and ask before photographing services. Respect grace before meals and a generally devout, conservative outlook on alcohol and behavior.
Football (soccer) and futsal — Football is the national passion, and Solomon Islands punches above its weight in futsal (indoor football): the national futsal team, the Kurukuru, are perennial Oceania champions and have repeatedly qualified for the FIFA Futsal World Cup, making them a genuine source of national pride. Rugby and beach volleyball also have followings. Beyond organized sport, the islands are a world-class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling among WWII wrecks and pristine reefs, and surfing (notably around Gizo, Munda, and remote breaks) draws a small but devoted crowd.
July 7
Independence Day
The national day marking independence from the United Kingdom in 1978. Celebrated with parades, military and police displays, traditional dancing, feasts, and cultural performances, most prominently at Lawson Tama and around Honiara, and in provincial centers across the country.
Second Saturday in June (varies)
Queen's/King's Birthday (observed)
A public holiday observing the British monarch's official birthday, reflecting the country's status as a Commonwealth realm. Marked with official ceremonies and a day off; the exact date is set by proclamation each year.
December 25-26
Christmas and Boxing Day
As a deeply Christian nation, Christmas is the biggest religious and family festival of the year, with church services, hymn singing, communal feasting, and village celebrations. Many people travel back to their home islands, so transport is busy.
Varies (annual)
Gizo / Western Province cultural festivals
Provincial festivals featuring traditional dancing, panpipe music, canoe races, custom ceremonies, and local food. Western Province events around Gizo and Munda showcase Melanesian heritage and are a colorful window into village culture.