Accommodation:The accommodations on the Solomon Islands range from standard hotels to budget guesthouses and eco-lodges. Accommodations in the capital, Honiara, range from tourist hotels to backpacker facilities. Western Province is the tourism hub of the country and has a choice of resorts, budget accommodations, and even village stays. Other provinces offer budget accommodation and village stays, ideal for off-the-beaten-track tourists and adventure seekers.
CurrencySolomon Islands Dollar (SBD) is the base currency. There are three main commercial banks: ANZ Banking Group, Bank of South Pacific, Pan Oceanic Bank and Bred Bank. ANZ Bank Bank of South Pacific and Bred bank also operate ATM machines in selected points in Honiara. Some hotels and resorts around the country accept American Express, MasterCard, and Visa credit cards.
Solomon Islands dollar (SBD) is the base currency.
Notes available in $100, $50, $40, $20, $10, $5
Coins in $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c.
As at 15 October 2018:
AUD$1 = Approx S$5.87 ; US$1 = approx S$8.26
Solomon Post and Solomon Islands Terminal Services operate currency exchange facilities at Honiara International airport. All commercial banks in Honiara, Auki and Gizo handle exchange transactions. Western union agencies will be found in all BSP branches and Solomon Post’s main office as well as Number 1 Currency in Honiara. Most hotels and resorts will provide currency exchange services for
Australian and US dollars. Some overseas airports and banks may exchange Solomon Islands currency, however you should plan on exchanging currency when you arrive in the Solomon Islands.
MasterCard and Visa accepted at some tourist facilities and restaurants. A surcharge normally applies. American Express is accepted in major hotels in Honiara. Generally speaking, smaller guest houses will only accept cash.
ElectricitySolomon Islands standard electricity is 220-240 volts. For 110 volts, you’ll need a converter.
Australian 3-pin style plug with 220-240 voltage cycles are standard. For 110 volts, ask or buy a voltage converter. If your electrical appliances are other international plugs, we recommend you bring an adapter with you.
Communication & InternetThe country has a modern telephone network and major hotels in Honiara offer IDD telephones in their rooms. Fax and Internet services are readily available. Solomon Telekom offers pay telecard payphones around Honiara and major centers around the provinces.
Honiara also has a number of Internet cafes. Our Telekom has a modern telephone network in Honiara offering IDD telephones in major hotels. Public phones in Honiara and rural centres are accessible to international calls. You can easily purchase phonecards through Our Telekom or BeMobile through agencies located throughout the Solomon Islands. Similarly wifi cards can be purchased and major hotels have wifi hotspots. Sim cards for mobile phone and internet use are also available. Solomon Telekom and BeMobile also have roaming arrangements with a number of phone providers. Please check with your phone service provider prior to see if they offer mobile roaming in the Solomon Islands.
The customs requirement for duty free is 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco and/ or 2 liters of spirit of equivalent. Other dutiable goods ought not to exceed S$600 in value.
200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, and /or 2 litres of spirit or equivalent. Other dutiable goods ought not to exceed S$1500 for gifts or S$3000 for personal items.
Bikini and other beachwear are acceptable at hotels/resorts but not when out shopping or visiting villages.
Lightweight (cotton), casual clothing, and comfortable footwear are the usual dress worn. Occasionally, a light sweater may be handy for those rare cool nights. Bikini and other beachwear are acceptable at hotels/ resorts but not when out shopping in towns or visiting villages.
Getting ThereSolomon Airlines, Air Pacific, Air Niugini, and Air Vanuatu provide international flights to the Solomon Islands with direct flights to Brisbane (Australia), Nadi (Fiji), Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea), and Port Vila, Espirito Santo (Vanuatu).
The national carrier Solomon Airlines, fly to Honiara 4 times a week from Brisbane to Honiara; 4 times from Nadi, Fiji and weekly from Port Vila, Vanuatu and Port Moresby, PNG. Virgin Australia have twice weekly flights from Brisbane; Air Pacific fly in weekly from Nadi and Port Vila and Air Niugini have 3 weekly flights from Port Moresby.
HealthThe main public hospital is in Honiara with smaller facilities in major provincial centres. Private clinics are also found in Honiara. Malaria medication and prevention is recommended; insect repellent and sleeping under a mosquito net is highly recommended, especially in remote areas. As a precaution, always boil tap water before drinking it. Bottled water is available in shops throughout the Solomon Islands.
It is recommended that you are up to date with immunisations before traveling to the Solomon Islands. Please consult your doctor in advance of your trip. We recommend you take out comprehensive health and travel insurance for your visit, to cover any unforeseen circumstances.
LanguageThere are 87 indigenous languages including Melanesian Pidgin English, which is used predominantly. English is used and understood throughout the Solomon Islands.
The are 90 distinct languages spoken in the Solomon Islands. The lingua franca is Solomon Islands Pidgin, although English is the official language and widely spoken and understood.
Honiara International Airport is your getaway into the Solomon Islands. The domestic terminal is adjacent to the international airport. A departure tax of S$40 is collected upon check-in for outbound international passengers 12 years and over. The domestic airline is Solomon Airlines. Most of the islands around the Solomon Islands have airstrips that are serviced by Solomon Airlines.
There are ferryboats servicing some islands for more adventurous. Most international island ships leaving Honiara depart from the Point Cruz wharf area. This is generally the best place to find out when boats are leaving. There is a daily fast cat service between Honiara and Auki (Malaita), whilst other passenger services generally depart once or twice a week to other provinces. Daily services by canoes powered by outboard motor are cheaper and are available to Tulagi. See ‘Getting Around’ under each province.
Taxis, public buses, rental cars are available for trips around Honiara. Roads are only limited to very few places.
Citizens of the Commonwealth, United States, and most European countries do not need visas. It is a requirement that visitors hold a valid passport and a return or onward ticket in order to acquire a visitor’s permit valid for three months on arrival.
If you have a valid passport (minimum 6 months validity from planned date of entry) and a return or onward ticket, you can acquire a visitor’s visa valid for three months on arrival. Tourist visas are usually issued for 30 days on arrival. There are some exceptions, so do check with the Solomon Islands Immigration Service on (677) 22179, 22194 or 22199.
E: immdir@commerce.gov.sb or owen.rove@commerce.gov.sb; www.commerce.gov.sb
The climate in the islands is summer all year around with average temperature around 84°F. Lightweight cotton and casual clothing is the usual mode of dress. Occasionally, a light sweater may be needed for those rare cool nights.
The Solomon Islands has a tropical climate with a year round average temperature of about 29°C. Drier months are May through to October.
Annual average rainfall is around 2520mm.
Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau
Address: Mendana Avenue, Honiara, Solomon Islands
Tel: (677) 22 442
Fax: (677) 23 986
E-mail: info@tourismsolomons.com.sb
Website: www.visitsolomons.com.sb
