Solomon Islands
Melanesia · SLB
Editorial Snapshot
Why Go To Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands are a low-volume Pacific destination for travelers who want diving, WWII history, and remote island scenery. It works best as a Honiara base with one or two outer-island or lagoon extensions rather than a full island-hopping circuit.
Popular For
Things To See
- Honiara
- Guadalcanal
- Gizo
- Marovo Lagoon
- Malaita
- Kennedy Island
Best Months
Know Before You Go
- Inter-island transport can be irregular, so keep the route compact.
- Diving operations and lodges are limited, so reserve ahead.
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Flights
Hotels & Accommodations
Compare stays across major booking options
Open hotel and accommodation options for Solomon Islands.
Guidebooks
📚Browse Solomon Islands Guidebooks on AmazonTours & Activities
Country Data
Stats At A Glance
Practical travel, safety, climate, and quality-of-life stats for Solomon Islands.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Honiara
- Population
- 750,325
- Area
- 28,896 km²
- Region
- Melanesia
Languages
- English
Currency
Solomon Islands dollar ($)
SBD
Exchange rate unavailable for USD.
Cost of Living (World Bank)
72.3
Price level index (US = 100)
- Groceries
- 64.8
- Restaurants
- 46.0
- Rent
- 19.5
Monthly Climate Averages
These weather averages are based on data for Honiara (9.43°S, 159.95°E).
LGBTQ+ Friendly
17/100
Traveler LGBTQ score
- Legal protections
- 0/100
- Lived safety
- 48/100
This score blends legal protections with lived-safety context so strong laws alone do not automatically push a country to the top of the ranking.
- Homosexuality legal❓
- Relationship recognitionUnknown
- Adoption recognition❓
- Anti-discrimination laws❌
- Employment protections❓
- Legal gender recognition❓
- Conversion therapy ban❓
Human Development Index (UNDP)
0.584
Medium human development
- 5-year change
- +0.002
- 10-year change
- +0.008
- Trend
- stable
- Data year
- 2023
- Gender Dev. Index (GDI)
- 0.927
- Gender Inequality Index (GII)
- 0.478
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (1)
- 🌿
East Rennell
Inscribed 1998
Natural Beauty (World Bank)
- Protected land area
- 2.4%
- Forest cover
- 90.1%
Source: World Bank.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
- Threatened mammal species (IUCN)
- 24
- Threatened bird species (IUCN)
- 21
Source: World Bank / IUCN Red List. Higher counts indicate richer biodiversity, typically in tropical rainforest, island, and savannah ecosystems.
Food & Cuisine
19/100
Food and dining score
Built from two layers: dining-scene breadth and open prestige signals. We combine restaurant density, cuisine diversity, distinguished restaurants, and gastronomy-city recognitions from open data sources.
Luxury Infrastructure
63/100
Luxury & premium accommodation score
Based on OpenStreetMap luxury hotel density and World Bank international tourism receipts.
US Travel Advisory
Reissued after periodic review with updated risk information. Exercise increased caution traveling to Solomon Islands due to risks to health, unexploded ordinance, crime and civil unrest. Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever are widespread. Medical facilities and clinics outside of Honiara are under-resourced in terms of drugs and medical equipment. Unexploded ordinance (UXO) from World War II remains a significant hazard and may be present on land, in forests, and underwater locations. Many areas have been swept or cleared, however previously undetected UXO continue to be discovered on a regular basis. While some areas are much more dangerous than others, caution is advised, even in areas reported to be cleared. High-risk areas include: Hell’s Point and the ridges behind Honiara New Georgia group of islands Russell Islands Tulagi Island While petty crime is common in some parts of Solomon Islands, Honiara has a higher risk of petty crime, break-ins, robbery, and sexual assault, including incidents targeting foreigners. Travelers should remain vigilant, avoid displaying valuables in public, and be cautious in less populated or poorly lit areas. Other violent crimes are uncommon but can occur. Civil unrest can arise with little notice. Political developments, including Parliament sittings, elections, and times of political uncertainty, may lead to protests or demonstrations, which have the potential to turn violent. Avoid large gatherings and political events. If you decide to travel to Solomon Islands: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for Solomon Islands. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel. Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Read full advisory →Data current as of May 2026 and subject to change. Travel advisory information is sourced from the U.S. State Department and reflects conditions at the time of data collection, not real-time conditions. Do not rely solely on this information for travel decisions. Always check current government advisories for your nationality. Terms of Use · About our data