Why is a trip to the Solomon Islands worthwhile?
The Solomon Islands are an archipelago of 992 islands and atolls that attracts tourists almost exclusively for diving and WWII interest: the Marovo Lagoon is considered the largest double-barrier-reef lagoon in the world, and the «Iron Bottom Sound» off Guadalcanal holds one of the densest concentrations of Pacific War shipwrecks.
The country lies between Papua New Guinea to the west and Vanuatu to the east, and gained independence from the United Kingdom on 7 July 1978. Internationally it is usually simply called «Solomon Islands»; administratively it is divided into nine provinces.
Variable information – safety situation, entry rules, flight schedules – reflects the status as of September 2026.
Sources: Wikipedia
What is the Solomon Islands like as a travel destination?
The Solomon Islands are barely developed for tourism: outside Honiara and a handful of dive resorts, continuous infrastructure is lacking, and many islands are reachable only by small plane or a multi-hour boat trip. Anyone not looking for a developed resort island, but rather reef diving, rainforest and village life away from mass tourism, will find one of the most unspoiled destinations in the South Pacific here.
With around 829,000 inhabitants across 28,896 km² of land area, the country is sparsely populated; a large share of people live off subsistence farming and fishing outside the few urban centres.
Politically, the situation has repeatedly been tense since the early 2020s, with unrest in Honiara around domestic political tensions; for travellers this mainly means checking current news and travel advisories before departure, rather than avoiding the country altogether.
Anyone expecting a tightly scheduled resort holiday with an entertainment programme is in the wrong place in the Solomon Islands; those willing to work around irregular boat and flight schedules experience reefs and culture that are barely touched by tourism.
Sources: Wikipedia · Federal Foreign Office, Germany
Which regions belong to the Solomon Islands?
The nine provinces are grouped touristically into three main areas: Guadalcanal with the capital Honiara and the central WWII sites, the Western Province around Gizo and Marovo with the main diving grounds, and Malaita and the southern provinces of Makira, Temotu and Rennell, which have almost no tourist infrastructure. There are no continuous roads between the provinces; travel is by domestic flight or boat.
Guadalcanal and Honiara
Honiara, the capital, lies on the north coast of Guadalcanal, right on Iron Bottom Sound, named after the large number of ships that sank here during the Battle of Guadalcanal (7 August 1942 to 9 February 1943). On a hill above the city, the American war memorial commemorates the roughly 7,100 fallen US soldiers, while nearby Bloody Ridge (Edson's Ridge), south of Henderson Field, was the site of one of the campaign's costliest battles.
West of Honiara, near Bonegi Beach, lie the easily accessible wrecks of «Bonegi I» and «Bonegi II», two Japanese freighters partly reachable even with snorkelling gear; the Vilu War Museum displays aircraft and gun wrecks from the 1942/43 campaign in the open air.
Western Province: Marovo and Gizo
The Marovo Lagoon in the New Georgia Islands stretches over around 700 km² and, with its double barrier reef, is considered the largest of its kind worldwide; coral coverage of up to 49%, measured in 2014, ranks among the highest values in the Solomon Islands. The provincial capital Gizo is the starting point for further dive sites and for day trips to the offshore Skull Island, a traditional burial site.
South of Gizo lies the uninhabited Tetepare Island, at 118 km² the largest uninhabited island in the South Pacific: descendants of the people who once lived there have managed a 13 km marine protected area with a fishing ban since 2002, and run a small ecolodge that funds conservation projects for over 230 bird and 24 reptile species.
Malaita and the south
Off the west coast of Malaita lies the 21 km-long Langa Langa Lagoon, where a community known as the «saltwater people» has lived for generations on artificially built-up sand islands; traditional shell money made from shell discs is still produced here today. The southern provinces of Makira, Temotu and Rennell have almost no tourist infrastructure; East Rennell, around the inland Lake Tegano, the world's largest raised coral atoll, has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1998, and on the list of World Heritage sites in danger since 2013 due to the threat of logging.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia
What is the best time to visit the Solomon Islands?
From May to October, rainfall, humidity and temperature are at their lowest — the best time for diving and WWII tours. From November to April, significantly more rain falls, while cyclone season runs with its peak between December and March.
Honiara: average daily high and low temperatures and monthly rainfall
| Honiara | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| Low °C | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
| Rainfall mm | 263 | 305 | 277 | 220 | 214 | 143 | 135 | 114 | 107 | 160 | 167 | 221 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station HONIARA (2 km, 56 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
According to the Federal Foreign Office, the entire island area lies in a seismically active zone with earthquakes and undersea quakes as well as resulting tsunamis; cyclones between November and April additionally bring extreme winds, flooding and landslides.
Because of its proximity to the equator, Honiara is warm and humid year-round, with comparatively small seasonal temperature swings; for trip planning, the rain and cyclone season therefore matters more than temperature.
For dive trips, it's also worth factoring in local visibility: after the rainy season, river sediment can cloud the lagoons of the Western Province for weeks at a time, which is why specialised dive resorts clearly prefer the dry season.
Anyone specifically wanting to visit WWII sites such as Bloody Ridge or the Vilu War Museum also benefits from the dry season: unpaved access roads outside Honiara become impassable in places after heavy rain, and viewpoints over Iron Bottom Sound are far more impressive in clear weather.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau
What do you need to enter the Solomon Islands?
Swiss, German and Austrian nationals do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days within 180 days, but do need a passport valid for at least six months on entry. International flights land exclusively at Honiara International Airport; entry by sea is possible only through a few official ports.
Children between 5 and 11 years old travelling without both legal guardians must, according to the Federal Foreign Office, be registered in advance as an «unaccompanied minor». Proof of onward or return travel and sufficient funds is recommended.
The official authorities are the definitive source: Federal Foreign Office, BMEIA, FDFA and the Solomon Islands immigration authority. Check current information before departure.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria
What vaccinations and precautions are needed for the Solomon Islands?
According to the CDC, malaria occurs across the entire country, with a pathogen ratio of around 70% Plasmodium vivax and 30% P. falciparum; a doctor-prescribed prophylaxis with atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine or tafenoquine is recommended for practically every travel route. The CDC also advises hepatitis A and B and typhoid for most travellers.
Other mosquito-borne risks include dengue fever and Zika, plus leptospirosis after contact with contaminated water or soil. Full basic immunisation including measles is recommended for all international travellers, and a yellow fever vaccination only when arriving from a risk area.
The Federal Foreign Office describes medical care as very rudimentary; the nearest modern care is in Australia or New Zealand. Divers should note that the country has no decompression chamber — a reason to choose conservative dive profiles and take out insurance covering emergency evacuation.
Sources: CDC Travelers' Health · Federal Foreign Office, Germany
How safe is the Solomon Islands for travellers?
The Federal Foreign Office describes weak state administrative structures and limited emergency assistance; during parliamentary sessions or political tensions, demonstrations with potential for violence and short-notice curfews can occur, especially in Honiara. Robbery, pickpocketing and burglary occur at markets and beaches, with elevated risk on Guadalcanal and Malaita.
According to the Federal Foreign Office, walks after dark should be avoided, and large crowds and political rallies should be avoided as well. Outside such situations, the general mood toward travellers is considered friendly, with crime concentrated in a few hotspots.
The seismically active setting also means a fundamental earthquake and tsunami risk; warnings from local authorities should be followed during the stay.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany
How do you get to the Solomon Islands?
The only international airport is Honiara International Airport (HIR), with nonstop connections including to Brisbane, Nadi and Port Vila. There is no direct nonstop connection from Europe; travellers from Switzerland, Germany or Austria usually connect in Brisbane, Sydney or Nadi.
| Origin | Airline | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane (Australia) | Solomon Airlines, Qantas, Nauru Airlines | main hub for connecting flights from Europe |
| Nadi (Fiji) | Solomon Airlines, Fiji Airways | connections to further South Pacific destinations |
| Port Vila (Vanuatu) | Solomon Airlines, Air Niugini | island-hopping route through Melanesia |
Within the country, domestic flights run mainly with Solomon Airlines between Honiara, Gizo, Munda and other provincial centres; onward travel to Marovo or Tetepare takes around ten hours by boat from Honiara, or about an hour by small plane.
The country drives on the left, and an international driving licence is mandatory. Outside Honiara, roads are, according to the Federal Foreign Office, mostly in poor condition, with potholes, lack of lighting, and animals on the road as additional nighttime risks.
Sources: FlightConnections · Federal Foreign Office, Germany
How do you pay in the Solomon Islands?
The national currency is the Solomon Islands dollar (SBD), in circulation since 1977 and divided into notes of 5 to 100 and coins from 10 cents to 2 dollars. According to the Federal Foreign Office, credit cards are accepted only in the main tourist destinations of Honiara and Gizo; outside of these, cash is practically mandatory everywhere.
ATMs are concentrated in Honiara and a few larger provincial centres; anyone travelling to Marovo, Tetepare or the southern provinces should bring enough cash for the entire leg of the trip, since neither card payment nor currency exchange is reliably available on site.
Up to 200 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco, and 2 l of alcoholic beverages, may be imported and exported duty-free; goods worth more than 500 SBD, roughly 50 euros, are subject to customs duty.
Sources: Wikipedia · Federal Foreign Office, Germany
Where do you stay in the Solomon Islands?
Honiara offers the widest choice of hotels for business travellers and those passing through, while the actual tourist infrastructure is concentrated in specialised dive resorts in the Western Province around Gizo and Munda. On more remote islands such as Tetepare, you stay in small ecolodges with only a few rooms.
Large international resort chains are entirely absent from the country; the offering ranges from simple guesthouses and family-run lodgings to dive resorts that work closely with local communities.
Anyone wanting to experience both WWII history and diving usually combines a base in Honiara with a second one in Gizo or Munda, since both regions are connected only by flight or a multi-hour boat trip.
What do you eat and drink in the Solomon Islands?
Everyday cuisine relies on root vegetables such as taro, sweet potato and plantain, complemented by plenty of fish and «poi», a mashed root dish. Coconut milk features in many dishes, while imported rice is today an important staple in the towns.
In the Langa Langa Lagoon on Malaita, shell money made from red-dyed shell discs is still produced today, traditionally used for bride price and compensation, and still playing a role alongside the Solomon Islands dollar in some markets.
Restaurants outside Honiara and the larger dive resorts are rare; on island trips, accommodation usually provides meals, often with freshly caught fish and local vegetables.
What festivals and traditions shape the Solomon Islands?
The national holiday is Independence Day on 7 July, celebrating the break from the United Kingdom in 1978. Alongside this, local traditions such as the shell money of the Langa Langa Lagoon, traditional canoe building and panpipe music from the Malaita/Guadalcanal area shape the country's cultural image more strongly than nationwide major events.
On Skull Island near Gizo, stacked skulls recall the region's earlier headhunting traditions; such sites are visited today respectfully, accompanied by local guides, often combined with a small ceremony and a contribution to the village community.
Over 70 indigenous languages alongside Solomon Pijin and English reflect a cultural diversity that varies noticeably from village to village; traditional carving and canoe building remain living craft traditions in many coastal communities.
Sources: Wikipedia
What can you experience in the Solomon Islands?
Among the most memorable experiences are wreck diving in Iron Bottom Sound off Honiara, multi-day boat tours through the Marovo Lagoon, and a visit to the WWII sites around Bloody Ridge and Bonegi Beach. Add to this excursions to the uninhabited Tetepare Island and to the artificial islands of the Langa Langa Lagoon.
Iron Bottom Sound, between Guadalcanal and Tulagi, ranks among the densest wreck fields in the world: destroyers, freighters and aircraft from the 1942/43 Battle of Guadalcanal lie at accessible diving depths, including the easily reached wrecks «Bonegi I» and «Bonegi II» off Bonegi Beach.
In the Marovo Lagoon, multi-day boat tours combine reef snorkelling with visits to villages known for ebony woodcarving; in 2014 the region was among the areas with the highest measured coral coverage in the Solomon Islands.
On Tetepare, naturalist-led tours pass through rainforest with over 230 bird species and four fish species only scientifically described in recent years; income from the small ecolodge flows directly into protecting the island.
How do you travel environmentally consciously in the Solomon Islands?
On Tetepare, the small ecolodge funds a 13 km marine protected area with a fishing ban, managed by descendants of the island's former inhabitants themselves — a model increasingly being adopted by other coastal communities. In the endangered World Heritage site East Rennell, the status at least formally protects forest and bird populations from further logging.
Because many reefs and wrecks lie right off villages, resident communities sometimes charge a small access fee for dive and snorkel trips; this money flows directly into local infrastructure rather than to external operators.
Anyone visiting WWII wrecks should not remove anything: many of the ships and aircraft in Iron Bottom Sound are considered war graves and are under special protection.
Sources: Wikipedia
What can the Solomon Islands be combined with?
The Solomon Islands connect well with Papua New Guinea via Port Moresby, since Solomon Airlines serves this route in codeshare and both countries share similar WWII history and diving grounds. Via Nadi or Port Vila, connections to Fiji or Vanuatu are also available.
Within the country, a combination of Honiara for history and culture with the Western Province for diving and lagoon tours is recommended, since the two regions offer very different tourist focuses.
Who is the Solomon Islands suited to, and who less so?
The Solomon Islands suit divers, WWII enthusiasts and travellers willing to trade basic infrastructure for pristine reefs and culture. The country is less suited to anyone who depends on consistently good roads, reliable nightlife or a large hotel offering outside Honiara.
- Well suited: divers seeking wrecks and reefs away from mass tourism; history enthusiasts focused on the Pacific War; travellers who want to experience village culture directly.
- Less suited: anyone relying on a large hotel and restaurant offering; women travelling alone outside organised tours after dark; anyone planning spontaneous independent travel without pre-booked boat or flight connections.