Solomon Islands – Guidebook

Airport
Henderson Field Airport is approximately 8km from the capital of Honiara.

Attractions
With a wide variety of sporting activities available from golf, tennis, bush walking and a range of aquatic sports from swimming, sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, snorkelling, game fishing to the world famous diving - Solomon Islands has it all.

Renowned as a scuba diver's paradise - dive enthusiasts can enjoy coral, World War II relics, shipwrecks, giant clams, tropical and game fish.

Business Hours
Normal business hours are: Monday to Friday 8am-5pm for supermarkets and general stores, while most businesses operate Monday to Friday 8am-12 noon and then 1pm-4.30pm. Smaller shops are generally open 7 days a week 7am-12 noon and 1pm-7pm.
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Climate
The Solomon Islands has a tropical climate with an average daytime temperature of around 29 degrees with high humidity. Evenings can be a little cooler and may drop to 19 degrees. There are no defined seasons however November to May are wetter months when squalls and cyclones may occur.

Currency & Banking
The standard unit of currency is the Solomon Island dollar which consists of $50, $20, $10, $5 & $2, while coins are silver $1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c with 1c and 2c brass coins.

Westpac, ANZ and National Bank of the Solomon Islands are open Monday to Friday 8.30am-3pm on the main islands and offer the best exchange rates. It is advised before travelling from Honiara to the outer islands to change travellers cheques at a bank or hotel as it is sometimes hard to make the exchange in smaller towns.

Customs & Dress
Women are required to wear knee length dresses when entering villages, however shorts are acceptable in town centres. Please ask locals before taking any photos of them when visiting villages.
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Departure Tax
International Departure Tax is SI$40.00 and is payable by all visitors, with the exception of children 2 years old and under being exempt.

Drinking Water
When not staying in a hotel or resort, we would recommend you boil water before drinking.

Electricity
Where available, electricity is 240 volts.
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Languages
There are about 65 different native languages spoken in the Solomon Islands, with English being the official language and Melanesian pidgin being spoken by many of the locals.

Location
Located 3526km north of New Zealand, the Solomon Islands are made up of more than 990 mountainous islands and low lying coral atolls which together cover a land mass of 28,000 sq kms. The main islands are Choiseal, Guadacanal, Santo Isabel, San Cristobel, Malatos and New Georgia. The capital of Honiara is situated on the island of Guadacanal.

The islands are covered in tropical rainforest and their steep, hilly slopes are interspersed with swift flowing creeks, waterfalls and peaceful lagoons.

Population
Total population is a little over 320,000 people, 90% being Melanesian with Polynesian and Micronesians found on most of the outlying islands.
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Shopping
The capital of Honiara offers a wide cross-section of goods including local artefacts, from ebony and "kerosene" wood carvings to bowls with mother of pearl, shell jewellery through to souvenirs. Daily markets are held throughout the Solomons.

Tipping
Visitors are asked to refrain from tipping due to Solomon Islanders local customs.

Vaccinations & Health
It is advisable to consult your doctor before visiting the Solomon Islands for Malaria medication as Malaria is a heath risk and appropriate anti-malarial medication is required.
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