Pacific
Map
General
Information
 The Solomon Islands
archipelago is scattered in the southwestern Pacific,
east of Papua New Guinea. The group comprises most
of the Solomon Islands (those in the northwest are
part of Papua New Guinea), the Ontong Java Islands,
Rennell Island and the Santa Cruz Islands, which
lie further to the east. The capital, Honiara, is
situated on Guadalcanal Island, which also has the
highest mountain, Mount Makarakombu, at 8028ft (2447m).
Guadalcanal, Malaita, Choiseul, New Georgia, San
Cristobal and Santa Isabel are the main islands.
 There are 87 different
languages and a wide variety of different traditions.
The Solomons have over 350,000 people most of whom
live in small villages. These beautiful islands
were the scene of ferocious fighting during World
War 2 and relics of that horrible event litter the
sites of conflict. Guadalcanal is where some of
the most vicious fighting took place, but today
is peaceful and beautiful. Honiara, the capital,
has about 35,000 people. It was built after the
war near the American base whose quonset huts still
occupy the peninsula.
The Solomon Islands are a newly discovered Mecca
for scuba divers, with hundreds of islands and coral
reefs, many of which have never seen a diver. The
enormous variety and numbers of marine species,
along with sunken WW II ships and aircraft, have
made this region one of the world's top dive locations.
Some of the sites can be dived from the shore, while
many others are reached from well-appointed live-aboard
vessels operating in the islands. The 82-85F (28-30C
) water temperatures, along with stable weather
patterns contribute to excellent diving all year
round.
Dive
Centers & Accommodations
Getting
There
Air Travel
The international airport, Henderson, is 11 km (7
mi) east of Honiara. It is small, but has car rental
and foreign exchange facilities. The lack of direct
flights to the Solomons contributes to the trickle
of tourists, however regular flights depart from Brisbane,
Australia (three flights a week) and a handful of
South Pacific neighbours. Round-the-World travellers
from Europe, North America and Asia can pick up regional
passes - check with your travel agent. There is a
US$8.50 airport tax payable on arrival.
From Australia: Solomon Airlines and Air Vanuatu operate
a joint service from Brisbane to Honiara three times
a week (Boeing 737).
From Fiji/Vanuatu: There are two flights a week from
Nadi via Port Vila.
From New Zealand: Air New Zealand and Air Pacific
services from Auckland connect with Solomon Airlines
at Nadi. Flying via Australia is another option.
From Papua New Guinea:Air Niugini operates from Port
Moresby twice a week (Fokker F28 jet).
Entry Requirements
Commonwealth, US and most EC visitors do not need
visas. Others may obtain visas through British Consulates.
However a visitors permit not exceeding three (3)
months may be obtained on arrival in the country after
meeting minimum requirement s of a valid passport
and a return or onward ticket.
Duty Free/Departure Tax
200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, 2 litres of
spirits or equivalent. Goods in excess of SI$500.00
are dutiable. Departure Tax is SI$40.00.
Health
Like many other tropical countries, malaria can be
a problem in the Solomon Islands. Appropriate malarial
medication should be taken and it is wise to consult
your doctor a few weeks before leaving home. Water
is normally safe in the major resorts, but precautionary
boiling is recommended in other areas. If in doubt,
ask.
Travel Tips
Getting Around
Island-hopping by air is a great way to get around.
Planes fly at about 2000m (6500 ft), so the views
are great. Solomon Airlines and the smaller Western
Pacific Airlines service over 20 airfields in all
provinces. The flights vary in price from US$10 to
US$100, depending on the distance, and both airlines
have a 16kg (35lbs) baggage limit.
Sea travel is the mainstay of islander trade and transport,
but can also be unpredictable; timetables are rare.
In addition to the larger, passenger-oriented vessels,
copra and cargo boats nearly always have room for
passengers. Shipping fares vary, so shop around. Car
rentals are available in Honiara, but obviosly it
is not well suited to travel between islands. Taxi
hire is a better option for a short stay. In Honiara
you'll also find minibusses.
Getting to Uepi Island
From Honiara, visitors to Uepi travel by light plane
(70 minute flight) to Seghe on the south east tip
of New Georgia. Visitors should be prepared for the
fact that Seghe is a small grass airstrip with only
a few private houses on the edge of the strip.
On arrival at Seghe, visitors will be transported
approximately 12 km across the lagoon in open 22 foot
outboard engine powered canoes - standard transport
in the area. Be prepared for the chance of getting
a little wet from spray on the way to the island!
Travel Tips
Climate
Tropical, with average daytime temperatures around
29 degrees and high humidity. Evenings may be as cool
as 19 degrees. There are no defined seasons but November
to May are wetter months and squalls and cyclones
may occur.
Language
There are 87 indigenous languages including Melanesian
Pidgin English which is used predominantly. English
is used and understood throughout the Solomon Islands.
Dress
Informal light attire is appropriate for both day
and evening wear. Pack a sweater for the occasional
cool evening. Bikini's and swimming briefs should
be confined to resort pool areas.
Time
11 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
Electricity
240 volts. Available to Honiara and other major resort
areas.
Currency/Banking
The standard unit of currency is the Solomon Islands
Dollar. Westpac, ANZ and the National Bank of the
Solomon Islands (NBSI) open Monday to Friday 9:00am
to 3:00pm, and offer the best exchange rates. There
are ATM's available at several locations in Honiara.
Credit cards and travellers cheques are not usually
accepted beyond the main resort areas. NBSI offers
full banking services throughout most parts of the
country.
Telecommunication
24 hour international telephone, fax, telex and telegram
service is available through Telekom from Honiara,
provincial centers and all major hotels and resorts.
There is also an internet cafe in the NPF Plaza, Mendana
Avenue, Honiara.
Observing Customs
The people of the Solomon Island have a rich culture
which observes many traditional "kastoms"
which vary from province to province. Please ask about
appropriate behaviour and always ask permission before
taking pictures of people or places.
Tipping
As with much of Melanesia and Polynesia, tipping is
not on the agenda. Tipping imposes an obligation that
the receiver must return, so a smile and a 'thank
you' are sufficient recompense for services rendered.
Bargaining, too, should be avoided, however it's becomming
more common now to ask for a 'second price' on handicrafts.
Inflated prices in rural areas are usually due to
isolation: people just don't know what the going price
is for services. Sometimes food will be accepted as
payment.
Other Activities
Other than diving and snorkeling, there's bushwalking,
canoeing, mountain and volcano climbing, swimming,
surfing, fishing, shell-collecting, bird-watching,
caving and mountain biking.
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