Logistics · Destination Guide
Remote wrecks, reef pinnacles, and living WWII history across Iron Bottom Sound
Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
External Booking Partner
Compare liveaboard routes, boats and dates with LiveAboard.com. Boarding points vary by itinerary.