Attraction in Solomon Islands
Iron Bottom Sound
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.
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Airalo eSIM
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Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Solomon Islands
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.