Solomon Islands
Visit for World War II wrecks, coral reefs and lagoons. Most island trips start in Honiara and use small planes or ferries.
The Solomon Islands is an archipelago in Melanesia, north-east of Australia, with six major islands and many smaller ones across 28,896 square kilometers. Honiara, the capital, sits on Guadalcanal, the largest island, and most trips start there. The country is a constitutional monarchy. English is the official language, but Solomons Pijin is the lingua franca most people speak.
Fighting between the Allies and Japan from 1942 to 1945 left wartime sites and wrecks across the islands. The Western Province has lagoons and reefs, and Gizo is the gateway to the New Georgia islands. The country has about 474 coral species, the second-highest coral diversity in the world after Raja Ampat in Indonesia. June to August is the cooler period, while November to April brings more rain, squalls and occasional cyclones. Fresh water is typically available only in Honiara, so carry or treat water outside the capital. Domestic airports have short grass runways suited to small planes, and most islands are reached by ferry from Honiara.
Five things to know before Solomon Islands
- Carry six months on your passport and two blank pages
UK citizens get a visitor visa on arrival for up to 30 days; other governments list other stay lengths, so check yours with Solomon Islands immigration. Your passport needs 6 months of validity and 2 blank pages. Visas and entry
- Take malaria precautions
Malaria is present across the country. Talk to a travel health clinic about tablets before you go, and use repellent and a net, especially around dusk.
- Book domestic flights to Gizo and Munda early
The Western Province is reached by small domestic flights from Honiara, with limited seats and baggage. Schedules can change at short notice, so leave slack before your international flight.
- Ask before visiting custom land
Almost all land and reefs belong to local clans. Ask before you swim, dive or walk on land outside towns, and expect to pay a small custom fee.
- Bring enough cash for outer islands
ATMs are in Honiara and a few provincial towns. Lodges on outer islands may take only cash in Solomon dollars, so bring what you need. Money
Solomon Islands travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Visa on arrival, passport validity and onward tickets.
Read the guideTravel insuranceDiving, malaria and evacuation to Australia.
Read the guideGetting aroundDomestic flights, boats and transfers between islands.
Read the guideMoneySolomon dollars, ATMs in Honiara and cash for custom fees.
Read the guide
Destinations in Solomon Islands
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Wet, cyclone riskJanuaryRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 391 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, cyclone risk
- FebruaryRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°WettestFebruaryRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 382 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- MarchRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Wet, cyclone riskMarchRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 378 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, cyclone risk
- AprilRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°ShowersAprilRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 350 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- MayRain21 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°DrierMayRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 222 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- JuneRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Dry, breezyJuneRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 167 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- JulyRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Dry, breezyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 167 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- AugustRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°DryAugustRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 197 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- SeptemberRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Dry, calmSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 198 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, calm
- OctoberRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Mostly dryOctoberRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 189 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mostly dry
- NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Wet season startsNovemberRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 291 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet season starts
- DecemberRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Wet, humidDecemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 390 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, humid
Average daily high and low in Honiara, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Solomon Islands
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 27°
- Humidity
- 87%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 97%
Honiara
07:36 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°23°97%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Wed31°24°97%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Thu30°24°91%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 91%.
- Fri31°24°90%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Sat30°24°97%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Sun30°23°98%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 98%.
Updated 05:04 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 7.953 SBD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Solomon Islands FAQ
Do I need a visa for the Solomon Islands?
UK citizens get a visitor visa on arrival, for up to 30 days. Other passports may get a different stay or need a visa in advance, so check with Solomon Islands immigration. Carry an onward ticket and a passport valid for 6 months.
Is there malaria in the Solomon Islands?
Yes, across most of the country. Get advice from a travel clinic before you go and protect yourself from mosquito bites.
What is there to do in the Solomon Islands?
Diving World War II wrecks near Honiara and in Iron Bottom Sound, lagoon stays in Marovo and around Gizo, and village visits. Facilities are simple, so plan with your lodge.
How do I get to the Solomon Islands?
International flights land at Honiara, mostly from Brisbane, Nadi and Port Moresby. Domestic flights then reach Gizo, Munda and other islands.
When is the dry season?
Roughly June to September. The wet season from about November to April brings heavy rain and the risk of cyclones.