Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for the Solomon Islands depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for the Solomon IslandsEmergency Numbers
- Police
- 999
- Ambulance
- 999
Currency
- Name
- Solomon Islands Dollar
- Code
- SBD
- Symbol
- SI$
ATMs in Honiara. Cash preferred on outer islands. AUD and USD can be exchanged at banks. Cards only at main Honiara hotels.
Power Outlets
- Outlet type
- Type I
- Voltage
- 230V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
SBT (UTC+11) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
April–September is drier — best for diving the WWII wrecks (Iron Bottom Sound holds some of the Pacific War's greatest naval losses), Marovo Lagoon (UNESCO tentative — the world's largest saltwater lagoon), and Rennell Island (another UNESCO site). Cyclone risk November–April.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | Not always expected |
| Dive guides | $10 USD per dive | — |
| Village guides | $10–15 USD per day | — |
Dress Code
- Modest dress throughout — Melanesian culture and strong Christian values
- Cover up when leaving beach areas
- Swimwear only at designated swimming areas
Social Etiquette
- The Solomons are Melanesian — kastom (custom) governs village life
- WWII is part of living memory in many communities — the Battle of Guadalcanal (1942–43) was one of the Pacific War's pivotal campaigns
- Skull shrines on Malaita and other islands are sacred ancestral sites — approach only with a local guide and with great respect
- Marovo Lagoon's communities practise traditional woodcarving — buying directly from carvers is significant income for villages
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- LGBTQ+ activity is illegal
- Drug offences carry severe penalties
- Photography of skull shrines and sacred sites requires permission from village elders
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Solomon Islands Pijin) | Halo! / Gudmoning! | HAH-loh / GOOD-morn-ing |
| Thank you (Pijin) | Tenkyu | TEN-kyoo |
| How are you? (Pijin) | Yu orait? | yoo oh-RITE |
| No problem (Pijin) | Nomoa | NOH-moh-ah |
| It's beautiful (Pijin) | Hem nais tumas | hem NICE too-MAHS |
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