Travel Guide
Select your passport to instantly check if you need a visa.

Discover
The most iconic and unmissable experiences this country has to offer.
Marovo Lagoon is widely regarded as the world's largest saltwater lagoon, stretching across the New Georgia Islands in Western Province with crystal-clear waters sheltering extraordinary coral reefs and hundreds of reef-fish species. Divers and snorkellers encounter nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, and vibrant drop-offs, while the surrounding islands are home to skilled woodcarvers whose work is sought across the Pacific. The lagoon is also a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage recognition, underlining its global ecological significance.
East Rennell is Solomon Islands' only UNESCO World Heritage Site, occupying the southern third of Rennell Island, the largest raised coral atoll in the world. At its heart lies Lake Tegano, a 15,500-hectare brackish lake that is the largest lake in the insular Pacific, home to an endemic sea snake, hundreds of diatom species, and numerous endemic birds. The site's remarkable isolation has produced an ecosystem of exceptional scientific value for the study of island biogeography.
Where to Go
Health & Safety
Before you travel check that: your destination can provide the healthcare you may need you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Emergency medical number Call 111 and ask for an ambulance. Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment. Vaccine recommendations and health risks At least 8 weeks before your trip: check the latest vaccine recommendations for the Solomon Islands see where to get vaccines and whether you have
Full health advice (FCDO) →Health information sourced from UK FCDO. Always consult a travel health professional before departure.
Practical Info
Travel Guide
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Solomon Islands page at Yoogo.
The Solomon Islands dollar (SBD) is the national currency. Card acceptance is limited largely to hotels and a small number of restaurants in Honiara, so carrying sufficient cash is advisable, particularly when travelling to outer islands.
Petty crime including pickpocketing and theft is a concern in Honiara, and visitors are advised to remain vigilant, avoid displaying valuables, and exercise extra caution after dark. Unexploded Second World War ordnance also poses a hazard in some rural and coastal areas.
Inter-island travel relies primarily on domestic flights operated by Solomon Airlines and Fly Solomons, which connect Honiara to provincial centres across the archipelago. Boat services, including passenger ferries and small motorised vessels known locally as banana boats, provide a slower but widely used alternative between closer islands.
The dry season from June to September offers lower rainfall, more bearable humidity, and excellent underwater visibility, making it the most popular period for diving and general tourism. April to May and October to November are also reasonable shoulder periods, while the wet season from November to April brings heavy rain and an elevated risk of tropical cyclones.
English is the official language and is used in government and education, though it is spoken fluently by only a small proportion of the population. Solomon Islands Pijin, an English-based creole, serves as the common lingua franca understood by most Solomon Islanders, alongside more than 70 local Melanesian and Polynesian languages.
Malaria is present throughout most of the Solomon Islands year-round, and antimalarial medication is strongly recommended; travellers should consult a travel health clinic well in advance of departure. Hepatitis A, typhoid, and routine immunisations are also widely advised, and a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk.
Tipping is not a customary practice in the Solomon Islands and is generally not expected in restaurants, hotels, or taxis. Appreciation for good service is warmly received, but visitors are under no social obligation to leave a gratuity.
Local SIM cards from Our Telekom and Bmobile are available in Honiara and provide 3G and 4G coverage across the main islands, though connectivity on outer islands is limited. International eSIM plans from providers such as Airalo also offer data coverage for the Solomon Islands, and can be set up before departure for convenient connectivity on arrival.
Iron Bottom Sound lies off the north coast of Guadalcanal and takes its name from the more than 50 diveable wrecks that litter its floor, remnants of some of the most intense naval battles of the Second World War fought between August and December 1942. Ships including the Hirokawa Maru and aircraft such as Japanese Zeros rest at depths accessible to recreational divers, many now encrusted with coral and inhabited by dense schools of fish. The surrounding battlefield landscape, including jungle-hidden tanks and artillery, adds a powerful historical dimension to any visit.
Solomon Islanders observe a range of traditional practices known as kastom that vary between provinces, and respectful behaviour toward local customs is appreciated. Visitors should ask permission before photographing people or entering villages, dress modestly particularly in rural communities, and be aware that trekking through certain land or using beaches near villages may require a small customary fee paid to local landowners.