Logistics · Country Guide
Remote Coral Triangle reefs, WWII wrecks and kastom-managed lagoons
Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.
Honiara International Airport on Guadalcanal is the main gateway. Regular regional services connect Honiara with Brisbane, Nadi, Port Moresby and Port Vila depending on schedule and airline. Munda in Western Province is also positioned as an international-capable gateway and may have direct Brisbane service when scheduled, but most travelers still connect through Honiara. From Honiara, domestic flights, passenger boats, resort boats and liveaboards link the dive regions. Always confirm current flight days before locking a remote lodge or liveaboard.
Honiara International Airport
HIR • AGGH
12 km east of central Honiara • 20 to 40 minutesute drive depending on traffic and hotel location
Primary international gateway on Guadalcanal and the main hub for Honiara wrecks, Iron Bottom Sound, Tulagi transfers, domestic flights and most liveaboard departures.
Transport: Airport taxis, Hotel shuttles, Pre-booked vans, Car rentals
Munda International Airport
MUA • AGGM
2 km or less from much of Munda town • 5 to 15 minutesute vehicle pickup for town stays; longer by boat for island lodges
Western Province gateway for Munda, Roviana Lagoon, New Georgia reefs, some Gizo connections and land-based dive weeks.
Transport: Lodge pickup, Dive operator transfer, Local taxi, Boat transfer
Nusatupe Airport
GZO • AGGN
2 km east of Ghizo Island across the water • Short boat shuttle to Gizo town or nearby lodges
Small island airport serving Gizo, Kennedy Island, Toa Maru trips and Western Province lodge transfers.
Transport: Airport boat shuttle, Resort boat, Pre-arranged operator pickup
Domestic flights are the fastest way to move between Honiara, Munda, Gizo, Seghe and other provinces, but schedules can change and baggage allowance is limited. Passenger boats serve some inter-island routes, while outboard boats are normal for lodges, dive sites and village visits. Honiara has taxis, minibuses and rental cars; outside major towns, transport is usually lodge-arranged. Agree taxi fares before departure and keep cash for minibuses, boats and village fees.
Many tourists can receive a visitor permit or border visa on arrival, but eligibility depends on nationality and current rules. Travelers typically need a passport valid for at least six months, onward or return ticket, blank pages and evidence of sufficient funds. Visa-required travelers should use the Solomon Islands Immigration eVisa process; the official tourist visa page lists USD $100 visa fee plus USD $50 online fee and a 30-day validity on arrival. Rules can change, so verify with Immigration before travel.
Bring critical personal gear: mask, computer, SMB, prescription items, camera spares and any unusual sizes. Rental scuba equipment exists at established operators in Honiara, Munda, Gizo and Uepi, but selection may be limited. Nitrox availability is operator-specific. Pack light for domestic aircraft, pre-book excess baggage and carry batteries according to airline rules. A 3mm suit is enough for most divers, but photographers doing long dives may appreciate extra thermal protection.
Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD)
Solomon Islands is cash-heavy. Major Honiara hotels, larger shops and some operators may take Visa or Mastercard, often with surcharge, but outer-island lodges, markets, taxis, village fees and boat payments commonly need SBD cash.
ATMs and banks are concentrated in Honiara, with limited provincial coverage. Withdraw before leaving Honiara or major hubs such as Gizo and Munda, and carry small notes in waterproof storage.
230V • 50Hz • G, I
Type I is common, with Type G also reported. Boats and lodges may have limited outlets, generator hours or charging stations, so bring a compact adapter, power bank and multi-port charger. Follow airline battery rules for camera, torch and computer batteries.
Communications
Mobile and internet coverage is usable in major towns but patchy in smaller towns, lagoons and remote islands. Buy a local SIM or data plan if you need connectivity, and ask lodges about Wi-Fi before booking. Liveaboards and remote ecolodges may have no reliable signal for long periods.
Language
English is the official language, but Solomon Islands Pijin is widely used and local languages vary by province and village. Learning basic Pijin greetings helps, and guides are valuable for kastom etiquette, permissions and cultural context.
Insurance
Carry comprehensive travel insurance plus dive accident and medical evacuation cover. Many operators require proof of dive insurance. Policies should cover remote boat evacuation, recompression treatment, international evacuation, missed domestic flights and weather disruption.
Packing list
Pack light for domestic flights and protect gear from rain and salt. Bring a personal mask, SMB, dive computer, reef-safe sun shirt, insect repellent, anti-malarial plan, modest village clothing, dry bags, waterproof copies of documents, motion sickness medication, headlamp, reusable bottle and spare batteries within airline rules.