Solomon Islands Flag
Why visit Solomon Islands?
Ideal for the adventurous experienced off-the-beaten path travelers seeking to enjoy battle sites, canoeing, culture, fishing, history, isolated beaches, jungles, lagoons. marine life, mountains, panpipe music, scuba diving, snorkeling, villages, and waterfalls.
At a Glance
- Souvenirs to Buy: Baskets, postage stamps, shell goods, and wood carvings.
- Local Cuisine to Try: Cassava Pudding (dessert). Kibbie Pie (meat pie). Palusami (stuffed
leaves). Poi (taro root). - Local Drink to Try: Canoe Lager (beer). Chocolate Raspberry Port (wine).
Fun Facts
- Consist of 6 major islands and over 900 smaller islands (Oceania).
- Guadalcanal Island is the largest.
- Formerly called, British Solomon Islands Protectorate.
- Scuba Divers experience submerged World War II (1939 - 1945) history of planes and shipwrecks.
- Has no railways.
- Experienced an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.1 (2007).
- Islanders chew betel nuts.
- Has active and dormant volcanoes.
Special Holidays/Occasions
- Annual Events: (May) Spear Dancing Festival, Wagosia Festival, (July) Festival of Pacific Arts, (August) Shell Money Festival, (September) Good to Go, Honiara Marathon, (October) Dive Festival, Lagoon Festival, Stunned Mullet Fishing Competition, and (December) Surfing Competition.
- Holidays: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Monday, Whit Monday, Monarch's Birthday, Independence Day, and Christmas.
About the Main Islands
- Choisuel Island (aka: Lauru) - The largest island.
- Guadacanal Island - Best known for Central Market and WWII relics Home to the capital, Honiara.
- Malaita Island - The second largest and most most populous.
- Makira Island - Third most populous island.
- New Georgia Island - The 200th largest island in the world.
- Santa Isabel Island - Longest amongst the islands.
Good to Know
- Amongst one of the least visited countries in the world.
- Soccer is popularly played on Saturday.
- Ocean temperatures are known to be the warmest in the world.
- Facial tattoos are common amongst locals.
- Tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and inspections do not commonly occur.
- Do not purchase goods made of dolphin, sea turtle shells, or whale teeth.
- Stepping over a sitting or sleeping person is culturally insulting.
- For the best views of Iron Bottom Sound visit Point Cruz Yacht Club (Honiara).
- Only hyperbaric recompression chamber is on Guadalcanal Island.
- On Malaita Island for taboo reasons do not wear black or red clothing.
- Island of Guadalcanal (Honiara) offers the best panpipe performances at major hotels.
- Lacks infrastructure.
- Traffic moves on the left side of the road.
- Importing or exporting of ammunition, firearms, pornography, military artifacts from World War II and select prescription drugs is not permitted.
- A high speed catamaran operates from Honiara to Auki daily.
- Homeowners may demand money for accessing their property without permission.
- Guadalcanal Island (Honiara) is the only island with paved roads.
- Avoid evening explorations.
- Prevalent Diseases: Dengue & Malaria.
- Ridges of Hell’s Point and Islands of Russel and Tulagi are known to contain unexploded from World War II.
- Betikama Mission School Bamboo Band are popularly known for its blend of bamboo, guitars, and ukulele instruments.
- Avoid public demonstrations.
- Vehicle accidents require drivers to remain on scene until the police arrive.
- A light sweater is recommended year round during the evenings.
- Boat/Charter/Ferry Services connect the island chains.
- Homosexuality is illegal and subject to prison.
- Medical care is considered below our western standards.
- Taxi services are widely available in Auki (Malaita Island) and Honiara (Guadalcanal Island).
- Rain occurs from northwesterly winds between November - April.
- Schools tend to have no access to drinking water or waste relief.
This international destination requires:
- A valid passport with six months of validity and one blank page for entry stamp.
- COVID-19 required and Measles vaccination from select countries.
- Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: 50,000SBD.
Subject to cyclones, earthquakes, humidity, tsunami, and volcanic eruptions.
- Best Time to Visit: July - September
- Coolest Months: June - August
- Hottest Months: October - February
- Peak Season: December & February
Your Must-See & Do
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: East Rennell
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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.
