Logistics · Destination Guide

Tulagi and Florida Islands

Remote wrecks, reef pinnacles, and living WWII history across Iron Bottom Sound

Updated Apr 26, 2026 • 20 sources

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Logistics

Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.

Quick Facts

Primary airport: Honiara International Airport (HIR)
Typical transfer: Taxi or minibus into Honiara, then scheduled passenger boat, private boat, dive center pickup, or liveaboard transfer when arranged.
Entry requirement: Check Solomon Islands Immigration before booking.
Getting around: There is no ridesharestyle transport network to rely on.

Getting There

Most visitors fly into Honiara International Airport on Guadalcanal, then use Honiara as the logistics base for day diving, liveaboard embarkation, or boat transfer to Tulagi and the Florida Islands. International service is centered on Honiara, with connections from Brisbane, Nadi, Port Moresby, and Port Vila. From Honiara, book a passenger boat, private transfer, dive boat, or tour boat to Tulagi. Seas, fuel, minimum numbers, and weather can affect departures, so avoid same-day international flight plans after returning from Tulagi.

Airports

Honiara International Airport

HIR • AGGH

12 km to Honiara waterfront; roughly 42 km by sea to Tulagi routes • Taxi or minibus into Honiara, then scheduled passenger boat, private boat, dive center pickup, or liveaboard transfer when arranged.

The main international gateway for Solomon Islands, located east of Honiara on Guadalcanal. Use it for Tulagi, Florida Islands, Honiara day diving, and liveaboard embarkations.

Transport: Taxi to Honiara, Hotel transfer, Dive center pickup, Passenger boat to Tulagi, Private boat charter, Liveaboard embarkation transfer

Getting Around

There is no rideshare-style transport network to rely on. In Honiara, use taxis, hotel transfers, dive center pickups, or pre-arranged drivers. For Tulagi and the Florida Islands, use scheduled passenger boats, private charters, or operator boats. Village visits, snorkeling stops, and reef access should be arranged through guides who can handle permissions and safe landing points.

Entry Requirements

Check Solomon Islands Immigration before booking. The current Immigration tourist-visa page lists a tourist visa validity of 30 days on arrival, with extensions available before expiry, a USD $100 visa fee, and a USD $50 online lodgement fee when applying through the eVisa portal. Visitors generally need a passport valid for at least 6 months, a return or onward ticket, sufficient funds, and any onward-country visa required. Entry conditions can change, so verify your nationality-specific rules close to departure.

Gear Logistics Checklist

Bring personal life-support gear, computers, lights, spares, exposure protection, and camera parts. Honiara operators can provide tanks, rentals, Nitrox, and in some cases Trimix or technical training, but availability should be confirmed before travel. Tulagi and island stops have limited gear redundancy. Carry your certification cards, insurance details, and a conservative no-fly plan.

Practicalities

Currency

Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD)

Solomon Islands is cash-heavy. Larger Honiara hotels and some dive operators may accept cards or bank transfer, but Tulagi boats, village visits, small guesthouses, tips, and local fees often need SBD cash.

ATMs and banks are concentrated in Honiara, with limited access in the provinces. Withdraw small notes before going to Tulagi or the Florida Islands.

Electricity

220V to 230V • 50Hz • G, I

Type I is common and Type G may also be encountered according to international plug references. Bring a universal adapter and keep chargers protected from humidity and salt spray.

Communications

Mobile and internet service can be limited away from Honiara. Confirm whether your accommodation or boat has reception, share a float plan, and do not rely on continuous data coverage during Florida Islands transfers.

Language

English is the official language, and Solomon Islands Pijin is widely used. A friendly greeting, patience, and local guide support go a long way in villages and boat logistics.

Insurance

Carry travel insurance that explicitly covers scuba diving, technical diving if applicable, evacuation, recompression, missed transfers, and remote medical transport. DAN or equivalent dive accident coverage is strongly recommended.

Packing list

Pack light but self-sufficient: personal dive gear, SMB, spares kit, reef-safe sun protection, insect repellent, dry bag, conservative clothing for villages, cash in small notes, seasickness medication, and backup chargers. A 3mm wetsuit or full suit is usually enough for repeated warm-water dives.

Trip Planning

External Booking Partner

Choose your trip style for Tulagi and Florida Islands

This destination works either as a land-based plan or as a longer liveaboard itinerary. Use the guide for local planning, or compare boats if the remote circuit is the priority.

DiveJourney may earn referral revenue. Booking is handled by the partner and operator under their terms.