🇸🇧Solomon Islands

The easiest overall dive window is May to October, when humidity and rainfall are usually lower and most routes are more comfortable. Water remains warm around 27°C to 30°C, so exposure protection is simple. The trade-off is that southeast winds can still make exposed crossings choppy, especially to points, passages and liveaboard sites. April and November are useful shoulders with possible calm spells. December to March can still produce good dives in sheltered lagoons, but rain, runoff, thunderstorms and tropical-low risk make buffers more important.

Both work, but they serve different travelers. A liveaboard is best if you want the Russell Islands, Mary Island, Florida Islands, remote village anchorages and a broad reef-wreck mix without constant domestic transfers. Land-based diving is better for slower travel, non-diver partners and cultural days. Munda is the most versatile land hub, Uepi is the strongest small-resort reef base, Gizo is good for wrecks and island trips, and Honiara is best for a short WWII wreck module. A first trip often pairs one land base with a liveaboard or Honiara add-on.

Yes, but beginners should choose the region carefully. Sheltered reefs around Uepi, Gizo, Munda lagoon sites and some Honiara shore or boat dives can suit Open Water divers when conditions are calm. The country also has deep wrecks, current-fed walls, overhead swim-throughs and remote liveaboard sites that are not beginner territory. New divers should avoid pushing depth, current or wreck penetration and should tell operators their true comfort level. A 3mm suit, computer, SMB and conservative no-decompression profiles are good baseline choices.

Uepi and Marovo Lagoon are the best all-around snorkel bases because the reef, lagoon, kayaks and guided access are close to the lodge. Munda and Roviana Lagoon add shallow reefs, aircraft wrecks and mixed scuba-snorkel days. Gizo is strong for Kennedy Island, shallow WWII remains and resort boat trips. Honiara has historic shallow wreck options, but it is less of a classic beach-snorkel base. Wherever you go, use local guidance because customary ownership, boat traffic, crocodile-sensitive mangroves and visibility after rain all matter.

There is no single national dive tag that covers the whole country. Instead, fees vary by region, operator and customary ownership. Munda operators may list a marine kastom fee per diver per day, Uepi-area reefs may have owner-negotiated custom fees per dive, and liveaboards may collect marine, park, port or local fee packages. Village landings, beaches, trails and cultural sites can also require cash fees. The safest rule is to book operators who clearly include or itemize fees and who arrange permissions before you visit a reef or village.

Most travelers arrive first at Honiara International Airport, then connect domestically. Munda uses Munda International Airport, usually with a short vehicle or boat pickup. Gizo is served by Nusatupe Airport, followed by a short boat transfer to town or lodges. Uepi and many Marovo Lagoon stays use Seghe Airport, then a resort boat transfer across the lagoon. Domestic schedules and baggage limits can change, so confirm flight days, excess luggage, boat pickup times and weather buffers before paying for remote accommodation.

It can be safe with the right planning, but it is not a casual mainstream destination. The main issues are remote evacuation, limited provincial medical care, currents, wet-season weather, small-boat exposure and WWII unexploded ordnance. The Honiara dive chamber improves local options, but divers should still verify current status, carry DAN-style dive accident insurance and plan conservative profiles. Use reputable operators, follow tide guidance, carry an SMB, avoid untrained overheads and do not touch wreckage or suspicious metal objects on land or underwater.

Yes. Saltwater crocodiles occur in parts of Solomon Islands, especially around mangroves, river mouths, estuaries and remote coastlines. This does not mean every reef is unsafe, but it does mean swimmers, snorkelers and freedivers should never assume a random beach or lagoon is fine. Ask local guides, lodge staff or village leaders before entering the water, especially near mangroves or murky areas. Established dive and snorkel operators choose sites with local risk knowledge and can explain where swimming is appropriate.

Non-divers should choose a base with real activities, not just a dive dock. Uepi offers snorkeling, kayaking, island walks and village visits. Munda combines Skull Island, Roviana culture, WWII museums, markets and lagoon trips. Gizo works for Kennedy Island, shallow wreck snorkeling and short boat outings. Tetepare is best for conservation-minded travelers who want ranger-led turtle, forest and reef experiences. Honiara is useful for markets, waterfalls and Guadalcanal WWII sites. Ask lodges which trips require cash fees, permissions or minimum numbers.

Water is warm year-round, commonly around 27°C to 30°C, so many divers use a 3mm suit, skins or rash protection. Visibility depends heavily on site type and rainfall. Offshore reefs, walls and Western Province sites may deliver 25 m to 40 m on excellent days, while Honiara shore wrecks, mangrove-influenced lagoons and post-rain sites can be much lower. Wet-season rain and river runoff are the main visibility concerns near larger islands.

Carry more cash than you would for a polished resort destination, especially in small SBD notes. Honiara has the best ATM and card coverage, while provincial lodges, markets, taxis, boats, village visits and customary fees may be cash-only. Cards may work at major hotels or some operators, often with surcharges. Before leaving Honiara, pay what you can in advance, confirm which fees are included, and keep separate cash envelopes for tips, local fees, emergency transport and small purchases.

Yes, especially if you include Tetepare, Rendova or the Arnavon Islands with the right operator or conservation program. Arnavon is famous for hawksbill nesting, with peak activity from May to December, while Tetepare and nearby Rendova support leatherback and green turtle monitoring through much of September to April. These are not entertainment encounters. Visits should be ranger-led, low-impact and respectful of nesting rules. Do not use lights, approach nesting turtles or handle hatchlings unless trained staff explicitly direct conservation work.