Photo: Stefan Krasowski, Wikimedia Commons
Pacific
Solomon Islands
Roderick Bay - wreck of MS World Discoverer reef and bungalows. Savo Island volcano hike and dolphins.
Plan it right
Before you book the flight
Quick checks that decide whether a Solomon Islands trip actually works on your dates.
Find it on the map
Open Solomon Islands in Google Maps and drop a pin on your base before you lose signal.
Open in Google MapsCheck the visa policy
Rules for Solomon Islands change with your nationality and current advisories. Confirm before booking anything.
Read entry rulesGet help with a visa
A reputable visa service can handle paperwork and invitation letters if you'd rather not deal with the consulate.
Compare services- 1 EUR ≈ 9.12 SBD
- 1 USD ≈ 7.98 SBD
- 1 GBP ≈ 10.70 SBD
Exchange Rates Updated Daily. Last updated on 11/Jul/2026.
No McDonald's benchmark available.
Use local café / fast-food meal prices instead.
Approximate McDonald's Big Mac® price where available. Prices vary by city, branch, tax, delivery channel, and date checked. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by McDonald's.
Source: Countries with McDonald's restaurants reference
No reliable McDonald's/Big Mac benchmark found; likely no official McDonald's presence
Prices Researched at May 2026
Where to stay
8+ rated stays near Solomon Islands
Booking.com opens filtered to an 8+ guest score so you can compare photos, prices and recent reviews before choosing a base.
When to go
Best: May-Oct. Relatively drier/cooler trade-wind season; tropical showers still occur.
Avoid: Nov-Apr wetter/cyclone risk
Why it is difficult
Status, May 2026: politically stable; geopolitical tug-of-war between China and US/Australia. Tourism volumes low; infrastructure rough but rewarding for slow travel.
Why it is worth visiting
Roderick Bay - wreck of MS World Discoverer reef and bungalows. Savo Island volcano hike and dolphins. Western Province’s diving (Munda, Gizo, Marovo Lagoon). Malaita’s artificial-coral-island villages and shell money workshops. WWII Pacific theatre - Guadalcanal’s Henderson Field, Iron Bottom Sound, Bloody Ridge.
Practical travel notes
Currency: Solomon Islands dollar (SBD). ATMs in Honiara, Gizo, Auki; bring SBD cash elsewhere. SIM: Our Telekom or Bmobile. No hot water and inconsistent wifi outside Honiara. Best time: May-October (dry).
Access and logistics
Honiara (HIR): Solomon Airlines (BNE, NAN, POM), Fiji Airways, Virgin Australia codeshare. Domestic: Solomon Airlines DHC-6 Twin Otter to Western Province; Auki Express catamaran for Malaita.
Safety considerations
The main risk is logistical fragility: limited flights, ferry delays, weather disruption, and thin local infrastructure can strand tight itineraries.
Visa or permit notes
Visa-on-arrival USD 30/SBD 250 for most nationalities, 90 days. Onward ticket, hotel booking sometimes asked.
Local guides, drivers and fixers
These contacts may help with guiding, transport, permits, logistics, translation, or local arrangements. Always confirm prices, availability, safety conditions, and exact services before booking.
Patrick Sara (Roderick Bay)
Lodge OwnerSolomon Islands
Excellent communication
Email: roderickbay094 gmail com
Bernard Kemakeza (Savo Sunset Lodge)
Lodge OwnerSolomon Islands
Eventually responds, organizes Savo volcano hike
Email: sunsetlodgesavo gmail com
Silas (Auki, Malaita)
Local GuideSolomon Islands
Good local guide, SBD 300-400/day
Serah's Lagoon Hideaway
Lodge (Langa Langa Lagoon)Solomon Islands
Beautiful lagoon lodge
Chester Resthouse (Honiara)
AccommodationSolomon Islands
Shared 330SBD / AC 750
Email: mbhches solomon com sb
Auki Express
Ferry CompanySolomon Islands
Catamaran Honiara-Auki
Email: shipping franjti com sb
Thomas Tego (Visa)
Visa OfficerSolomon Islands
Email: Thomas.Tego commerce gov sb
Z. Alufurai (Visa)
Visa OfficerSolomon Islands
Email: ZAlufurai mof gov sb
On the ground
10 practical tips
The decisions that separate a smooth trip from a stranded one.
Choose the strongest season
Use May-Oct as the first planning window for Solomon Islands, then check weather, access and local conditions again before booking.
Avoid the hardest months
Be cautious about Nov-Apr wetter/cyclone risk, because the wrong season can make transport, outdoor access and backup plans much harder.
Confirm entry rules first
Verify current entry rules through official channels before booking; recent planning notes suggest Visa-on-arrival USD 30/SBD 250 for most nationalities, 90 days, but this should not be treated as final.
Plan the access route
Build the itinerary around the real access route: Honiara (HIR): Solomon Airlines (BNE, NAN, POM), Fiji Airways, Virgin Australia codeshare.
Control budget drift
Price accommodation, transfers, tours and meals before committing to Solomon Islands, because the expensive parts are often the hardest to change later.
Plan cash and payments
Carry a realistic payment backup for Solomon Islands, especially for drivers, small hotels, local fees and situations where cards or ATMs may not work reliably.
Secure scarce accommodation
Book key accommodation early for Solomon Islands, because small markets, peak periods and transport-linked stays can sell out or become disproportionately expensive.
Use local support selectively
Pre-book local support for the hard parts of Solomon Islands, such as boats, outer-island transfers, specialist hikes or regulated wildlife areas.
Build in buffer days
Treat 3 to 14 days, depending on route and budget as a planning range for Solomon Islands, but add buffer time if the route depends on flights, boats, permits, road conditions or security checks.
Decide if the trade-off fits
Choose Solomon Islands for Roderick Bay — wreck of MS World Discoverer reef and bungalows, but only if you are comfortable with the main trade-offs: remote access, few reliable transport options, limited infrastructure.
Good to know
Solomon Islands FAQ
Honest answers, including the ones that might change your plans.
Can tourists visit Solomon Islands?
Tourism may be possible in parts of Solomon Islands, but conditions can change quickly. Check current government travel advisories, embassy guidance, local contacts, and recent traveller reports before booking.
What visa do you need for Solomon Islands?
Visa and permit rules vary by nationality and can change without much notice. Use this guide as a starting point, then confirm current requirements with official government, embassy, or consulate sources.
What is the best time to visit Solomon Islands?
The usual planning window is May-Oct. Weather, access, holidays, security conditions, and transport schedules can still affect the final route.
How long do you need for Solomon Islands?
A realistic first plan is 3 to 14 days, depending on route and budget. Add buffer days for permits, route changes, weather delays, and unreliable transport.