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Solomon Islands 🇸🇧

backpacking Oceania Solomon Islands 🇸🇧WWII wrecks, lagoon canoes and guesthouses on solar power.

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Backpacking Solomon Islands in 2027

A complete guide including when and where to go, costs, transport, itineraries, and practical travel advice.
What a trip here is really like

Backpacking Solomon Islands
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 23, 2026

Backpacking the Solomon Islands means trading comfort for access. The places that make the trip, the lagoons of Western Province and the reef islands off Malaita, sit far from Honiara, and the guesthouses there often run on solar panels or a generator that hums for a few evening hours. In return, the country sees only tens of thousands of foreign visitors in a typical year, so the reef below your jetty is often yours alone.

What pulls you in is the water. In the lagoons the coral looks within arm’s reach from a dugout canoe, and WWII wrecks rest in shallows where Japanese and American fleets fought in 1942. On land you get betel-red grins, bamboo panpipe bands and smoked fish piled high at Honiara’s Central Market. The hard parts are plain: malaria, slow and irregular connections, high prices for basic comfort, and a capital that saw riots in 2021.

Vanuatu is easier to organize, and Papua New Guinea is bigger and rougher. The Solomons sits between them. It suits patient divers and anyone happy with a bucket shower, and frustrates travelers who need tight schedules.

👉 Get the 📖 Travel Guide of Solomon Islands

Guadalcanal (Honiara, Mataniko Falls, Bonegi)

Honiara is hot, dusty and loud, with betel-nut spit staining the sidewalks red and the Central Market thick with the smell of smoked fish and ripe pawpaw. The Mataniko Falls walk from Tuvaruhu is roughly two hours of slippery river crossings and mud before the cool spray hits you. Bonegi’s wartime wrecks sit about 30 minutes west by minibus, close enough to snorkel from the beach. It suits WWII history fans and divers finding their feet.

Western Province (Gizo, Munda, Marovo Lagoon)

Flights from Honiara take about an hour to Munda and an hour and a half to Gizo, then everything moves by outboard boat, salt spray in your face and fuel fumes behind you. Marovo Lagoon means village stays, paddling dugout canoes and the steady tap of carvers working kerosene wood. Skull Island in Roviana Lagoon holds ancestral skulls under a small shrine. Divers and slow travelers get the most here: warm water, clear reefs and evenings with no engine noise.

Malaita (Auki, Langa Langa Lagoon, Lau Lagoon)

Malaita is the most populous island in Solomon Islands and the most rooted in kastom. Ferries from Honiara reach Auki in 3 to 5 hours, and the roads beyond are rutted, slow truck rides. In Langa Langa Lagoon, families drill and string shell money by hand, and the Lau Lagoon islands were built by stacking coral rock in the shallows. Expect basic guesthouses and permission requests. You get culture lived daily, with no performance staged for visitors.

Central Province (Tulagi, Savo Island, Florida Islands)

Banana boats from Honiara reach Savo in about an hour and a half, and larger boats get you to Tulagi, the old British capital, in around two. On Savo, the volcano steams, hot springs bubble into the sea and villagers dig megapode eggs from warm black sand at dawn. Tulagi’s harbor hides wartime wrecks for experienced divers. It suits travelers short on time who want rough island life without a flight.
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Why go?Why Solomon Islands is worth visiting

Beach life

Beach life in the Solomon Islands centers on the water rather than on sun loungers. Coral often starts … read more 👉
Beach life in the Solomon Islands centers on the water rather than on sun loungers. Coral often starts right below a guesthouse jetty, and the sea is as warm as bathwater, so you can drift over giant clams before breakfast and again at dusk. Nightlife means a handful of hotel bars in Honiara and Gizo, then frogs and generators. Bring your own mask and reef shoes, because rental gear is limited and stonefish are real. Swim in shorts and a T-shirt near villages, and stay out of river mouths and mangroves, where saltwater crocodiles live.

People

Walk any village path in the Solomon Islands and you’ll hear “Moning!” from verandas, then quiet giggles … read more 👉
Walk any village path in the Solomon Islands and you’ll hear “Moning!” from verandas, then quiet giggles as children trail a few meters behind. People are reserved at first, eyes down and a soft handshake, but after a few minutes of talk the jokes and stories begin, often punctuated by betel-red smiles. Strangers will walk you to the right boat or share a smoked fish wrapped in leaves. Learn a little Pijin, such as “tanggio tumas” (thank you very much) or “iu go wea?” (where are you going?), and sit for a while at a market stall; that’s where conversations open up.

Uniqueness

Most of the land in the Solomon Islands, roughly 85 percent, is held under customary ownership by clans, … read more 👉
Most of the land in the Solomon Islands, roughly 85 percent, is held under customary ownership by clans, which shapes everything a visitor does. That waterfall, reef or wreck belongs to a family, and a small kastom fee paid to the right person is part of the visit. It makes exploring feel personal: you meet the owners, hear the story of the place, and often have it to yourself apart from the hum of insects and a distant outboard. Arrange outings through your guesthouse or the village chief, and always ask before swimming, fishing or photographing someone.

Scenery

Scenery in the Solomon Islands shifts from jagged volcanic peaks to flat coral atolls within one flight. … read more 👉
Scenery in the Solomon Islands shifts from jagged volcanic peaks to flat coral atolls within one flight. Guadalcanal’s interior climbs to Mount Popomanaseu, the country’s highest point at about 2,335 meters, with ridges cloaked in cloud and rainforest that steams after each downpour. Out west, lagoons fade from jade to deep indigo, with forested islets floating on the surface like moss. Head out early, since clouds tend to build by midday and afternoon storms roll in fast, especially from December to March. Look up from a canoe at dawn, when the water is glassy and the reef shows through.

Wildlife

The Solomon Islands lie within the Coral Triangle, and surveys have recorded close to 500 species of … read more 👉
The Solomon Islands lie within the Coral Triangle, and surveys have recorded close to 500 species of hard coral, so even a casual snorkel turns up anemonefish, turtles and reef sharks patrolling the drop-off. Spinner dolphins often travel the channels in noisy pods, and dugongs graze the seagrass beds in quiet bays. On land, the forests hold dozens of bird species found nowhere else, along with the prehensile-tailed skink, a large lizard that lives high in the canopy. Hire a village guide for dawn birding, when the forest echoes with calls before the heat sets in.

⭐ HighlightsUnmissable destinations

  • Bonegi Wrecks: West of Honiara, two Japanese transports sunk in November 1942 lie just off a dark volcanic beach. You wade in over warm gravel, and within a few kicks a hull looms out of the blue, crusted with coral and swirling with fusiliers. Snorkelers see the upper structure clearly, and divers can explore deeper.
  • Skull Island, Roviana Lagoon: A canoe ride from Munda brings you to a tiny islet where a coral-stone shrine holds the skulls of chiefs and warriors from the headhunting era. It is quiet apart from lapping water, and you notice the white shell rings, once a measure of wealth, left among the bones.
  • Langa Langa Lagoon: Off Malaita, families live on artificial islands built from stacked coral, and the lagoon is known for shell money. The tick-tick of hand drills and the scrape of grinding stones lead you to women shaping tiny red, white and black discs that are strung into lengths still used in bride price.
  • Tetepare Island: This is often called the largest uninhabited island in
… read more 👉
  • Bonegi Wrecks: West of Honiara, two Japanese transports sunk in November 1942 lie just off a dark volcanic beach. You wade in over warm gravel, and within a few kicks a hull looms out of the blue, crusted with coral and swirling with fusiliers. Snorkelers see the upper structure clearly, and divers can explore deeper.
  • Skull Island, Roviana Lagoon: A canoe ride from Munda brings you to a tiny islet where a coral-stone shrine holds the skulls of chiefs and warriors from the headhunting era. It is quiet apart from lapping water, and you notice the white shell rings, once a measure of wealth, left among the bones.
  • Langa Langa Lagoon: Off Malaita, families live on artificial islands built from stacked coral, and the lagoon is known for shell money. The tick-tick of hand drills and the scrape of grinding stones lead you to women shaping tiny red, white and black discs that are strung into lengths still used in bride price.
  • Tetepare Island: This is often called the largest uninhabited island in the South Pacific, and its rainforest is protected by the descendants of its former inhabitants, who also run a simple eco-lodge. Turtles nest on the black-sand beaches. At night the forest drips and clicks, and in the morning the reef is alive with parrotfish.
  • Kennedy Island: Near Gizo, this speck of sand and palms is where John F. Kennedy and his crew swam ashore after PT-109 was sunk in 1943. Local scouts Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana later carried a message carved on a coconut husk. You can walk around the island in minutes, with soft sand underfoot and turquoise water on every side.
  • Marovo Lagoon: Off New Georgia, this huge lagoon is framed by a double barrier reef and dotted with forested islands, and village carvers shape ebony into figures and canoe ornaments. Stay in a village guesthouse and snorkel the reef walls on the outer edge.
Off the map, look into Lake Tegano on East Rennell, the turtle beaches of the Arnavon Islands and the hike up to Kolombangara’s crater rim.
Spotted a mistake or missing a highlight? Contact us.
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🧭 RoutesSuggested travel routes through Solomon Islands

The 5-Day Western Lagoons Route

Five days spent entirely in the Western Province, mostly in the water and on short boat rides. It suits divers and snorkelers who want coral, wartime wrecks and island villages without long transfers.
  • Munda’s reefs and the Roviana Lagoon
  • The skull shrine of the Roviana chiefs
  • Kennedy Island and its PT-109 history
  • Gizo’s waterfront market and dive boats

👉 explore this 5-day route

The 10-Day Wrecks and Reefs Route

Ten days that start among Guadalcanal’s battlefields and the old colonial capital of Tulagi, then head out to the barrier reefs of the Western Province. History, a jungle hike and lagoon days get roughly equal time.
  • Snorkeling Japanese transport wrecks at Bonegi
  • The cave waterfall at Mataniko Falls
  • Tulagi’s deep wartime wrecks
  • Three nights on Uepi in the Marovo Lagoon

👉 explore this 10-day route

The 15-Day Deep Solomons Route

Two weeks at a slow pace through four provinces, from Honiara’s war memorials to a tiny Choiseul capital and an island nobody lives on. … read more 👉

The 5-Day Western Lagoons Route

Five days spent entirely in the Western Province, mostly in the water and on short boat rides. It suits divers and snorkelers who want coral, wartime wrecks and island villages without long transfers.
  • Munda’s reefs and the Roviana Lagoon
  • The skull shrine of the Roviana chiefs
  • Kennedy Island and its PT-109 history
  • Gizo’s waterfront market and dive boats

👉 explore this 5-day route

The 10-Day Wrecks and Reefs Route

Ten days that start among Guadalcanal’s battlefields and the old colonial capital of Tulagi, then head out to the barrier reefs of the Western Province. History, a jungle hike and lagoon days get roughly equal time.
  • Snorkeling Japanese transport wrecks at Bonegi
  • The cave waterfall at Mataniko Falls
  • Tulagi’s deep wartime wrecks
  • Three nights on Uepi in the Marovo Lagoon

👉 explore this 10-day route

The 15-Day Deep Solomons Route

Two weeks at a slow pace through four provinces, from Honiara’s war memorials to a tiny Choiseul capital and an island nobody lives on. It suits travelers who want remote places and long stays.
  • Taro Island and Choiseul Bay
  • Megapode egg fields and steaming vents on Simbo
  • Rainforest and untouched reef on Tetepare
  • The Marovo Lagoon’s double barrier reef

👉 explore this 15-day route

🌤️ When to go?A month-by-month overview

The best time for backpacking Solomon Islands is June to September, when the southeast trade winds bring the driest, least humid weather, calm lagoon crossings and no cyclone risk, while prices stay flat year-round because tourist numbers are tiny. Regionally there is one big exception: Guadalcanal’s south coast, the aptly named Weather Coast, catches those same trade winds against its mountains and gets its heaviest rain mid-year, while Honiara, the Western Province and Malaita are at their driest.
  • Dry season (May to October): Highs around 30°C, lower humidity, breezy afternoons. Ferries and banana boats run more reliably, Marovo Lagoon and Gizo diving is at its clearest, and treks on Guadalcanal’s north side are muddy rather than impassable. Australian school holidays (late June to July, late September) fill the few lodges in Munda and Gizo first.
  • Transition months (April and November): Showers come in bursts, trade winds swing, and cyclone risk is low but present. Quiet and easy to book.
  • Wet and cyclone season (December to March): Hot, sticky, 250 to 300 mm of rain a month in Honiara, with cyclones possible. Roads wash out and boats get cancelled, though north-swell surf peaks. December is the odd one out: it’s busy, as Solomon Islanders head home for Christmas and domestic flights and ferries sell out.
Book Solomon Airlines domestic legs well ahead for December and July, and pack a proper dry bag for every boat ride.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: good for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
solomon-islands- -gilly-tanabose-o7oV-rGy53Y-unsplash

💰 Costs (as of 2026)Prices, expenses, and money tips

Backpacking Solomon Islands costs a budget traveler about US$60 to 100 a day. That is more than Fiji and roughly level with Vanuatu, because there are almost no hostels and most food is imported.
You pay in Solomon dollars, and cash runs everything once you leave Honiara. ATMs are scarce outside the capital and Gizo, so carry enough cash for your whole stay in the provinces.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$25 to 70 per nightTrue dorm beds hardly exist here. In Honiara, a basic guesthouse room runs US$35 to 70. A village leaf-hut stay in Marovo Lagoon costs US$25 to 50 per person, and that price usually includes three meals, which makes it the best value in the country. Fiji, by comparison, has Nadi dorms at US$15 to 25.
MealsUS$10 to 25 per dayAt Honiara Central Market, a parcel of fried fish with cassava or sweet potato costs US$2.50 to 5, and fresh coconuts are under US$1. Supermarket food is all imported and priced like it, so self-catering saves less than you would expect. A restaurant main in Honiara costs US$12 to 25.
Local transportUS$1 to 40 per day (flights extra)Honiara minibuses charge a flat US$0.35 to 0.50 per ride. The ferry from Honiara to Auki on Malaita
… read more 👉
Backpacking Solomon Islands costs a budget traveler about US$60 to 100 a day. That is more than Fiji and roughly level with Vanuatu, because there are almost no hostels and most food is imported.
You pay in Solomon dollars, and cash runs everything once you leave Honiara. ATMs are scarce outside the capital and Gizo, so carry enough cash for your whole stay in the provinces.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$25 to 70 per nightTrue dorm beds hardly exist here. In Honiara, a basic guesthouse room runs US$35 to 70. A village leaf-hut stay in Marovo Lagoon costs US$25 to 50 per person, and that price usually includes three meals, which makes it the best value in the country. Fiji, by comparison, has Nadi dorms at US$15 to 25.
MealsUS$10 to 25 per dayAt Honiara Central Market, a parcel of fried fish with cassava or sweet potato costs US$2.50 to 5, and fresh coconuts are under US$1. Supermarket food is all imported and priced like it, so self-catering saves less than you would expect. A restaurant main in Honiara costs US$12 to 25.
Local transportUS$1 to 40 per day (flights extra)Honiara minibuses charge a flat US$0.35 to 0.50 per ride. The ferry from Honiara to Auki on Malaita costs US$30 to 45 economy, and deck class to the Western Province runs US$60 to 100. Flying from Honiara to Gizo or Munda costs US$200 to 300 one way. A chartered banana boat starts around US$60 per trip, so share it.
ActivitiesUS$5 to 200 per activityThe biggest cost here is diving. A two-tank dive from Gizo or Munda costs US$150 to 200, about the same as in Vanuatu. Expect to pay kastom fees of US$2.50 to 12 at WWII wrecks, beaches and village sites, and US$40 to 80 for a guided battlefield tour around Honiara.
MiscellaneousUS$5 to 15 per dayA SIM card costs US$3 to 6, plus US$5 to 15 for a data bundle. Honiara’s tap water isn’t safe to drink, so you’ll spend US$1.50 to 2 per 1.5-liter bottle unless you carry a filter. Foreign cards often pay US$3 to 5 per ATM withdrawal.
Total Daily BudgetUS$60 to 100Spending US$60 to 70 a day works if you split your time between village stays with meals included and market food in Honiara. Paying for guesthouses, a dive or a boat charter pushes you to US$100. A flight or a dive day can add US$150 to 300 on top. Papua New Guinea’s Port Moresby costs more, and Fiji costs less.
The biggest saving is time. Long village stays in Marovo or on Malaita bundle your bed, meals and guiding into one nightly fee. Every night in Honiara eats into your budget fast.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutSolomon Islands Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
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The digital guide (145 pages) contains:
✅ 33 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 5, 10 & 15-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to base yourself

True dorm-style hostels are rare in the Solomon Islands, so budget travel here usually means simple family guesthouses and church-run lodges at roughly SI$300 to 600 (US$35 to 70) a night for a room, with traditional leaf-hut ecolodges taking over in the provinces. In Honiara, Point Cruz puts you closest to the Central Market, the museum and the few bars that stay open late, but it gets congested by day and is best avoided on foot after dark, while the hillside streets of Lengakiki and Vura are quieter and cooler at the cost of a bus or taxi ride into town. Outside the capital, Gizo has the widest … read more 👉
True dorm-style hostels are rare in the Solomon Islands, so budget travel here usually means simple family guesthouses and church-run lodges at roughly SI$300 to 600 (US$35 to 70) a night for a room, with traditional leaf-hut ecolodges taking over in the provinces. In Honiara, Point Cruz puts you closest to the Central Market, the museum and the few bars that stay open late, but it gets congested by day and is best avoided on foot after dark, while the hillside streets of Lengakiki and Vura are quieter and cooler at the cost of a bus or taxi ride into town. Outside the capital, Gizo has the widest spread of budget guesthouses near the dive shops and waterfront, and Munda offers lagoon-side lodges that are very quiet with almost no nightlife.

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

Best hostels in Solomon Islands


Best quality hotels in Solomon Islands

🚌 Getting aroundPublic transport and other ways to get around

Timetables in Solomon Islands are loose: ships leave when cargo is loaded and the swell allows, and domestic flights get rerouted or cancelled at short notice. Book Solomon Airlines seats two to four weeks ahead for June to September and December, but buy ship tickets a day or two before departure at the wharf offices in Honiara.
  • Solomon Airlines domestic flights: Expect roughly SBD 1,500 to 2,800 (US$180 to 330) one way from Honiara to Munda, Gizo or Seghe. Flights take 1 to 1.5 hours in small Dash
… read more 👉
Timetables in Solomon Islands are loose: ships leave when cargo is loaded and the swell allows, and domestic flights get rerouted or cancelled at short notice. Book Solomon Airlines seats two to four weeks ahead for June to September and December, but buy ship tickets a day or two before departure at the wharf offices in Honiara.
  • Solomon Airlines domestic flights: Expect roughly SBD 1,500 to 2,800 (US$180 to 330) one way from Honiara to Munda, Gizo or Seghe. Flights take 1 to 1.5 hours in small Dash 8 or Twin Otter planes, booked online or at the Honiara office. Baggage limits are tight, often 16 kg, and airstrips like Gizo’s sit on a separate island, so a boat transfer waits at the end. You get a view of green islands ringed by turquoise reef that no ship can match.
  • Inter-island ships and fast ferries: The fast ferry from Honiara to Auki on Malaita runs about SBD 250 to 450 (US$30 to 55) and takes 3 to 5 hours. Slower cargo-passenger ships to the Western Province cost around SBD 400 to 700 (US$50 to 85) and take 20 to 30 hours, with diesel fumes, crowded decks and stacked sacks of rice. Pay at the wharf in cash. Bring a mat, food and a dry bag, and you’ll watch villages come down to the jetty at every stop.
  • Banana boats: These fiberglass boats with outboard motors are the taxis of the lagoons. Shared seats on set runs cost around SBD 50 to 200 (US$6 to 25), while charters run SBD 500 to 2,500 (US$60 to 300) depending on fuel and distance. Life jackets are often missing, so bring your own or ask, and don’t cross open water late in the day when the wind picks up. The ride is wet and loud, and fast past mangroves and reef edges.
  • Honiara minibuses: Fares are SBD 3 to 5 (under US$1) per ride. Destinations appear on the windscreen, a conductor takes coins, and you shout “stop” or knock the roof to get off. Rides are hot and packed, but they run the coast road all day and put you at the Central Market, where the fish and betel nut stalls are.
Fly one way and sail the other. Fly from Honiara to Gizo, island-hop by banana boat through the Western Province, then take the ship back east, which saves days of backtracking and a second airfare.
Honiara International Airport (HIR), the main gateway to the Solomon Islands, sits about 11 km (7 miles) east of central Honiara, and the cheapest reliable way into town is a public minibus from the main road just outside the terminal.
  • Public minibus (eastern route toward Kukum and Point Cruz) (25 to 45 minutes, about SI$5 to 10 / US$0.60 to 1.20): walk out to the Kukum Highway and flag down any bus heading west into town, paying the conductor in small Solomon dollar notes, and expect services to thin out around dusk (roughly 6 to 7pm).
  • Taxi (20 to 30 minutes, about SI$100 to 150 / US$12 to 18): taxis wait outside arrivals with no meters, so agree on the fare before you load your bag and have cash ready since cards are rarely accepted.
  • Guesthouse or hotel pickup (20 to 30 minutes, free to about SI$150 / US$18): many places in Honiara will meet your flight if you email ahead with your arrival time, which is the easiest option for a first visit.
If you land after dark, skip the roadside bus and either prebook a pickup or take a taxi straight from the terminal, because street lighting is sparse and walking with luggage at night is not advisable.
⚠️ Prices and routes can change, so take this as a rough guide and ask for local advice when you arrive.
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🔒 Safety (risk Level: low)Staying safe while traveling

Safety for solo travelers, including women and LGBTQ+ individuals
Solomon Islands is generally safe for solo travelers, and most visitors meet friendly, welcoming people, especially in villages and the Western Province. In Honiara, petty theft, drunken harassment and occasional unrest do happen, so avoid walking alone at night and take taxis after dark. Women traveling solo should dress modestly and avoid isolated areas at night, as unwanted attention and harassment can occur. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal under Solomon Islands law, and although prosecutions are rare, LGBTQ+ travelers should be discreet and avoid public displays of affection.


Full official government travel advisory (live updates)
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✈️ VisaDo you need a visa to visit?

Most visitors, including citizens of the US, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand and other Commonwealth countries, do not need to apply for a visa in advance for Solomon Islands and receive a free visitor’s permit on arrival, usually valid for up to 90 days within a 12-month period. You need a passport valid for at least six months, a confirmed onward or return ticket and proof of sufficient funds. Nationals of countries that require a visa must apply in advance through the Solomon Islands Immigration Division or the nearest Solomon Islands diplomatic mission before traveling.

source: immigration.gov.sb
⚠️ Visa requirements can change over time, so always check the latest visa requirements with the official embassy or government website before you travel.

🎒 What to pack?A practical packing list

Solomon Islands is hot and humid all year, with heavy downpours especially from November to April, so pack light, quick-dry clothing and a proper rain jacket. You’ll spend a lot of time in banana boats and on ships, which means dry bags, sun protection and reef shoes for coral and slippery jetties matter more than hiking boots. Village life here is conservative and Christian, so bring loose clothes that cover your knees and shoulders, and a sarong works well for women, especially on Sundays. Mosquito protection is a must because of malaria, and pack a basic first-aid kit since pharmacies are scarce outside Honiara.

Apart from this country specific advice, I have also crafted a general packing list that should help on any trip. authorOver the years, I've learned the importance of packing minimally. It's so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you're headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.

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🙋 FAQQuick answers to practical concerns

Trip Planning

Planning a backpacking route through Solomon Islands can be tricky — you need to balance must-see places, travel times, budget, and how long to stay in each destination. Our free personalized Solomon Islands itinerary planner creates a route based on your travel style, trip duration, and interests, so you can spend less time researching and more time exploring.



Personal tip: I normally search on good rating for atmosphere (for meeting people) and location (for easy exploring). Cleanliness as a bonus.


Travel Essentials

No vaccinations are required for Solomon Islands unless you arrive from a yellow fever country, in which case a yellow fever certificate is needed. Make sure your routine vaccinations (including measles and tetanus) are up to date, and hepatitis A and typhoid are recommended for most travelers, with hepatitis B advised for longer stays. Malaria is present across most of the country, including Honiara, so antimalarial medication is strongly recommended, along with strict protection against mosquito bites, which also spread dengue. See a travel clinic four to six weeks before departure.


vaccination requirements
When I first started traveling, I often spent part of my first day in a new country hunting for a local SIM card. While this can still be slightly cheaper, it also takes time and planning.

These days, it's much simpler to install an eSIM before leaving home. Once you arrive in Solomon Islands, you can activate it immediately and have mobile data from the moment you land — which is especially useful for ordering transport or navigating away from busy airports.

There are many providers nowadays, and price differences are usually small. I personally go with Holafly, as it offers excellent network coverage throughout the country and strong global coverage, so you can manage multiple countries from a single app.


HolaFly eSim

Culture & Customs

In Solomon Islands, nearly all land, reefs and beaches belong to clans or families under customary ownership, so always ask permission before swimming, snorkeling, fishing or entering a village, and expect to pay a small “custom fee.” Dress modestly in villages and towns, covering knees and shoulders, and women should wear a skirt or sarong rather than shorts. Sunday is for church in most communities (Saturday for Seventh-day Adventists), so avoid noisy activities, swimming near villages and heavy work on those days. Ask before photographing people, don’t touch someone’s head, and don’t take shells, plants or carvings from a site without asking. In parts of Malaita and elsewhere, strict customs separate men and women, so women should follow local guidance on where they may walk or sit. Public affection is frowned upon for everyone, and LGBTQ+ travelers should keep a low profile.
Trying traditional food is always a great way to experience the culture. Here are some must-try dishes for Solomon Islands.
  1. Motu (earth oven feast): Root crops, fish, pork or chicken are wrapped in leaves and slow-cooked on hot stones under banana leaves. It is the centerpiece of weddings, church events and community gatherings, and the smoky, tender result is the taste of village celebration.
  2. Slippery cabbage in coconut milk: A dark leafy green (bele) simmered in fresh coconut cream, often with fish or tinned tuna. It is an everyday staple served with rice or root crops and is valued as a nutritious garden vegetable.
  3. Cassava or taro pudding: Grated cassava or taro is mixed with coconut cream, wrapped in leaves and baked in a motu until dense and sticky. It is a classic feast dish and is often shared as a gift between families.
  4. Fish cooked in coconut: Freshly caught reef fish grilled over coals or stewed in coconut milk with greens. In a coastal nation where most people live by the sea, this is the most authentic daily meal you will find.
  5. Ngali nuts: Rich, buttery tree nuts sold fresh or roasted at markets and often baked into puddings. They are a traditional food linked to the harvest season and a popular snack.
  6. Kumara with rice and tuna: Sweet potato, white rice and locally canned tuna make the typical plate at Honiara market stalls and roadside kitchens. It is cheap, filling and shows how the islands mix garden food with modern staples.
Tap water in Solomon Islands is not safe for travelers to drink, even in Honiara, where supply is treated but unreliable and can be contaminated after heavy rain. Many locals drink rainwater from tanks or boiled water, but it is recommended that you stick to bottled, boiled or filtered water. A filter bottle or purification tablets are a smart choice for islands and villages where bottled water is hard to find.
The main language in Solomon Islands is Solomon Islands Pijin. Backpacking is way more rewarding if you know a bit of the local language, so I'd suggest brushing up on the basics just in case your Solomon Islands Pijin skills have become a bit rusty.

Want to understand locals better?
The complete Travel Guide for Solomon Islands includes 52 essential words and phrases — greetings, thank-yous, ordering food, transport, numbers, and common local expressions you'll actually hear.

Get your local basic phrases 👉

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English is the official language of Solomon Islands and is used in government, banks, hotels and resorts in Honiara, Gizo and Munda, so you can handle logistics without trouble there. Younger people and anyone working in tourism usually speak it well, but in rural villages many people, especially older ones, speak little beyond basics. Solomon Islands Pijin is the language that helps most, since it links speakers of the country’s 70-plus local languages. Learn a few phrases like “halo” (hello), “tanggio tumas” (thank you very much) and “hamas?” (how much), because a little Pijin goes a long way at markets and on boats.

Money & Payments

The local currency of Solomon Islands is SBD ($).
The currency in Solomon Islands is the Solomon Islands dollar (SBD), roughly SBD 8 to 8.5 to US$1, and cash runs almost everything. ATMs from ANZ and BSP are reliable in Honiara, with a few in Gizo, Auki and Munda, but there are none in rural areas, so withdraw enough before heading out to the islands. Expect a local ATM fee of around SBD 15 to 30 (US$2 to 4) per withdrawal on top of your home bank’s charges, and withdrawal limits are often low. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at larger hotels, resorts, dive shops and Solomon Airlines, usually with a 3 to 5 percent surcharge, but markets, buses, boats and village guesthouses take cash only. US dollars and Australian dollars are the easiest foreign currencies to exchange, while euros get poorer rates. Change money at banks in Honiara or the exchange counter at the airport rather than with individuals.
Tipping is not customary in Solomon Islands, and prices in restaurants, taxis and guesthouses already include everything you are expected to pay. In local culture, gifts can create a sense of obligation, so a tip may cause confusion rather than gratitude. At resorts and dive operators, a contribution to a staff fund is appreciated, and rounding up a fare or leaving small change is always fine.

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We 💚 feedbackFinal notes for travelers

Come to the Solomon Islands with spare days and a relaxed attitude, because boats leave when the weather and the skipper decide, not when you planned. The upside is huge: reefs and villages that still feel lived-in rather than staged. The downside is fatigue, from humidity, sandflies and long waits in the heat. It suits divers, slow travelers and anyone curious about WWII or Melanesian culture. It frustrates people on a short holiday, beach-party seekers and anyone who needs reliable wifi each night.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Solomon Islands. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

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