Highlights
The Solomons are a world-class diving and snorkelling destination — pristine coral reefs, dramatic drop-offs, and an astonishing concentration of WWII wrecks (planes, ships and submarines) resting in clear water, especially around 'Iron Bottom Sound' off Guadalcanal, where a major naval campaign was fought. Marovo Lagoon, one of the world's largest saltwater lagoons (a UNESCO tentative site), is a labyrinth of islands, reefs and villages perfect for kayaking and diving.
Guadalcanal, and the capital Honiara, are steeped in poignant WWII history — battlefield sites, memorials and relics from one of the Pacific War's fiercest campaigns, moving to explore. Honiara's market and the surrounding villages give a taste of Melanesian life.
The outer islands and provinces — like Western Province's skull shrines and diving, the Langa Langa Lagoon's artificial islands, and remote traditional communities — offer immersive cultural encounters and untouched nature. This is genuine adventure travel: remote, basic and logistically demanding, but for the intrepid diver or explorer, the Solomons deliver pristine reefs and authentic Pacific culture.
When to go
May to October (the cooler, drier season) is the best time — pleasant, drier conditions ideal for diving, WWII sites and island travel, with calmer seas.
The wet season (November to April) is hotter, more humid and carries a cyclone risk, with heavier rain. The Solomons are tropical and warm year-round, tempered by sea breezes; diving is good all year, though visibility peaks in the dry months. For the calmest seas, best diving conditions and most comfortable travel, aim for the dry season, roughly May to October.
Visa & entry
Many nationalities can enter the Solomon Islands with a visitor's permit issued on arrival (effectively visa-free entry) for short tourist stays, with a passport valid six months, proof of onward travel and accommodation required.
Confirm the current entry-permit rules for your nationality with a Solomon Islands mission or official sources before you travel, as details can change.
Health & safety
The Solomon Islands are generally welcoming, and most island and diving areas are safe and remote, but take real care in Honiara, which has experienced periods of civil unrest and rioting and has a notable crime rate — avoid demonstrations, don't walk around at night, secure valuables, and stay informed on the current situation. Elsewhere, village and island areas are typically safe and friendly.
The genuine challenges are practical and natural: remoteness, basic infrastructure and medical care, malaria (present — take prophylaxis), diving/sea safety, and cyclone and earthquake/tsunami risk (know procedures). Respect kastom customs and land ownership. Comprehensive insurance with evacuation cover is essential. Check your government's current travel advisory before departure.
Getting around
Getting around the Solomons means flying and boating between islands. Domestic flights (Solomon Airlines) connect Honiara with provincial airstrips — the practical way to reach dive destinations and outer islands, though schedules can be limited. Boats, from fast ferries and 'banana boats' to arranged transfers, connect islands and lagoons, but sea travel can be weather-dependent and safety-variable, so choose reliable operators.
On Guadalcanal, taxis and minibuses serve Honiara and the road network. Most diving and island travel is arranged through dive resorts and operators who handle transfers. Given the remoteness and dispersed islands, plan internal flights and boat transfers in advance and build in generous buffer time.
Money
The Solomon Islands Dollar is the local currency; the Solomons are very much a cash economy outside Honiara and the main resorts, so carry plenty of cash for villages, transfers, markets and tips, as card acceptance is limited to some Honiara establishments and dive resorts. ATMs are available in Honiara and a few provincial centres but scarce elsewhere, so withdraw before heading to outer islands.
Australian dollars can be exchanged (bring clean notes). The Solomons are moderately priced, though flights and dive packages add up. Tipping is not traditionally part of Melanesian culture but is appreciated at tourist businesses and by dive crews for good service.
Solomon Islands