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Honiara International Airport
HIR • AGGH
8 km to central Honiara • 20 to 30 minutesute drive in normal traffic
Logistics · Destination Guide
A remote Coral Triangle liveaboard route of jungle cuts, fish-choked walls, village anchorages, and World War II wrecks
Updated Apr 26, 2026 • 27 sources
Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.
Most international travelers fly to Honiara International Airport (HIR) on Guadalcanal. Regular regional gateways include Brisbane, Nadi, Port Moresby, and Port Vila, with Solomon Airlines and partner carriers forming the backbone of access. Classic liveaboards usually embark in Honiara, while some special itineraries may start or end in Munda. Build at least one buffer night before the boat because flight schedules, weather, and domestic connections can change.
Honiara International Airport
HIR • AGGH
8 km to central Honiara • 20 to 30 minutesute drive in normal traffic
Primary international gateway and the normal liveaboard embarkation hub. It sits east of Honiara, close enough for hotel transfers, provisioning, and cruise pickup logistics.
Transport: Liveaboard pickup, Hotel shuttle, Taxi, Pre-booked private transfer
Munda Airport
MUA • AGGM
2 km or less to many Munda waterfront bases • Short hotel or boat transfer depending on lodge
Western Province gateway for Munda diving, Roviana Lagoon, some liveaboard itineraries, and connections toward Gizo, Seghe, and Marovo Lagoon.
Transport: Hotel pickup, Dive operator transfer, Small boat transfer, Taxi or local vehicle
Nusatupe Airport
GZO • AGGN
2 km by water to Gizo area • 10 to 20 minutesute boat transfer depending on conditions
Gizo's airport sits on Nusatupe Island, so arrivals continue by boat to Gizo and nearby resorts. It is useful for Gizo diving, Vonavona Lagoon, and Kennedy Island extensions.
Transport: Airport boat shuttle, Resort boat, Private boat transfer
Honiara has taxis, minibuses, hotel transfers, and rental vehicles, but cash is important. Outer islands use small boats, domestic flights, resort transfers, and local vehicles. Roads can be rough, schedules can change, and many operators only accept cash. For dive travel, the biggest land-transport issue is not distance, but coordination between international arrivals, domestic flights, luggage limits, and boat pickup windows.
Many tourists, including citizens of the United States, most Commonwealth countries, and many European countries, can receive a visitor permit on arrival if they hold a passport valid for at least 6 months and an onward or return ticket. Visa-required travelers should use Solomon Islands Immigration guidance; the Tourist Visa page lists a USD $100 visa fee and a USD $50 online fee, with 30 days on arrival and a maximum stay framework shown by Immigration. Always verify your nationality-specific rule before booking.
Liveaboards and major dive operators usually provide tanks, weights, compressors, and rental options, but remote inventory is limited. Confirm tank valve compatibility, nitrox pricing, rental computer availability, camera charging space, and whether M26 regulators need an adapter. Domestic flights can have tight baggage limits, so ask about gear storage, freight options, and whether your boat includes airport or hotel transfer. Bring spare o-rings, straps, charging bricks, and a full save-a-dive kit.
Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD)
Use SBD for taxis, markets, village visits, ferries, small lodges, and outer-island spending. Some liveaboards, hotels, and dive operators price in USD, AUD, or another foreign currency, but local cash is still useful.
ATMs and banking services are easiest in Honiara, with some services in provincial centers such as Gizo and Auki. Do not assume reliable ATM access once you leave a main town or board a vessel.
220-240V • 50Hz • I, G
Most chargers for cameras, laptops, and lights are dual-voltage, but check before travel. Bring a Type I adapter for Australian-style outlets, a Type G adapter as backup, and a compact power strip if your liveaboard allows it.
Communications
Mobile and internet coverage is reasonable in major towns but patchy in smaller towns, lagoons, and liveaboard anchorages. Buy a local SIM or data plan if you need connectivity before boarding. Do not assume liveaboard Wi-Fi, and tell family or work that remote days may be offline.
Language
English is the official language, but Solomon Pijin is widely used and many islands have local languages. A friendly Pijin greeting and patient communication help in markets, villages, taxis, and boat transfers.
Insurance
Carry travel insurance and dive accident insurance that explicitly covers scuba, remote evacuation, recompression treatment, missed connections, and expensive medevac. Confirm depth limits, liveaboard coverage, and whether your policy handles evacuation to Australia or New Zealand.
Packing list
Pack for heat, humidity, rain, and remote repairs. Bring a 3mm suit or full-length skin, reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, dry bag, spare mask, SMB, torch, dive computer, save-a-dive kit, camera o-rings, small SBD cash, and modest clothing for village visits. Keep medications and critical electronics in carry-on.
Expedition Planning
External Booking PartnerThis destination is usually planned around a liveaboard itinerary rather than a local day-boat base. Compare departures and routes with our external booking partner.
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