Social ConventionsA casual atmosphere prevails and European customs exist alongside local traditions. Informal wear is widely suitable although women often wear long dresses for evening functions. Men need never wear ties. Women, in general, should dress modestly and appropriately, noting that certain areas may be ’taboo’ and exclusively reserved for men. It is customary to cover thighs. Visitors are discouraged from wearing beachwear and shorts around towns and villages. Swearing is a crime and can lead to huge compensation claims and even jail.
International Travel:Getting There by
AirThe national airline is
Solomon Airlines (IE) (website:
www.solomonairlines.com.au).
Air PassesVisit the South Pacific Pass: valid for a number of airlines operating in the South Pacific, including
Air Caledonie,
Air Marshall Islands,
Air Nauru,
Air Niugingi,
Air Pacific,
Air Vanuatu,
Polynesian Airlines,
Qantas,
Royal Tongan Airlines and
Solomon Airlines. Offering reductions of up to 50% on normal airfares, this sector-based pass allows for flexible island-hopping between the destinations of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu and the more remote Melanesian and Micronesian islands, together with major cities in Australia (Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney) and New Zealand (Wellington). The journey must be started outside the South Pacific and only one stopover in Australia is allowed. A minimum of two coupons must be bought before departure (a maximum of eight coupons can be purchased en route). For details and conditions, contact the
South Pacific Tourism Organization (see
General Info).
Departure TaxSI$40. Transit passengers and children under two years are exempt.
Main AirportsHoniara (HIR) (Henderson Field) on Guadalcanal Island, 13km (8 miles) east of Honiara (journey time – 20 minutes).
To/from the airport: Bus and taxi services are available.
Facilities: Bank/bureau de change, duty-free shops (for scheduled international flights) and car hire.
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Honiara (Guadalcanal Island),
Yandina (Russel Islands) and
Noro (New Georgia). The
cargo line Bank offers a limited number of passenger places. It may also be possible to sail with a
yacht from Australia or New Zealand as part of the crew.
OverviewThe following items may be imported into the Solomon Islands without incurring customs duty for those aged 18 years and above:
200 cigarettes or 250g cigars or 250g of tobacco;
2l of spirits or equivalent;
other dutiable goods up to a total value of SI$400.
Unlicensed firearms or other weapons (without Police Permit) and offensive literature or pictures. Fruit and vegetables other than from New Zealand need an import permit.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirDomestic scheduled and charter services are run by
Solomon Airlines from Henderson Field to most main islands and towns in the Solomons. The
Discover Solomons Pass is a domestic airpass offering up to eight flights within the Solomon Islands over a period of 30 days. Flightseeing tours can also be arranged.
Getting Around by WaterLarge and small ships, including
Malaita,
Ramos,
Western Province and
Ysabel, provide the best means of traveling between islands. Services are run by the Government and by a host of private operators; some of the Christian missions even have their own fleets. Cruises are also available with
World Discoverer.
Getting Around by RoadTraffic drives on the left. There are over 1300km (800 miles) of roads throughout the islands. About 455km (280 miles) are main roads and a further 800km (500 miles) are privately maintained roads for plantation use. Road maintenance is limited and the general condition of the roads is very poor, as are driving standards. Most of the roads are on Guadalcanal and Malaita.
Bus: There are limited services on the islands.
Taxi: Available in Auki and Honiara. It is advisable to agree the fare beforehand.
Car hire: This is available through hotels in Honiara.
Documentation: A national driving license will suffice.
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