SolomonsTravel hints

(Last updated April 2010)

The Solomon Islands have warm tropical climate with high humidity year-round. The tropical wet season is predominant from January to March. Air temperature is generally between 28°C and 32°C. The best time to travel and dive is from April to December.

With all travels into tropical climate you should have an active immunisation against tetanus and a current polio protection.

The Solomons are a malaria zone. Anti malarial precautions are highly recommended.
The illness is transmitted by a special type of mosquitoes. Avoidance of mosquito bytes (e.g. by wearing long sleeved shirts and trousers at dusk and dawn) is part of a risk minimisation strategy. Areas with swampy grounds are more prone to harbour the disease then dry, urban areas like the airport in Honiara.

Please check with your physician or a doctor with experience in tropical diseases on the type of prophylactic you should use and ask: Is it compatible with diving? What are the known side effects?

There are a number of drugs in the market which reduce the risk of infection. Still, there is no known way to exclude the risk 100%. When you see the doctor, you can ask them about some popular treatments:

Doxycycline - sometimes in combination with Maloprin is widely prescribed by doctors in Australia.
Malarone - This drug is very effective and more expensive but so far we are not aware of any major side effects reported.
Lariam - was very popular as prophylactic in the 90s. It should be avoided as it has been proven to create severe side effects.

Medical Kit suggestions
- Analgesic
- Insect repellent
- Anti-seasick medicine
- Sun tan lotion
- Sunburn Cream
- Band aids (some large ones)
- Ear Drops- alcohol / vinegar base. Daily use will prevent outer ear infections.
- Antibiotic ointment for coral cuts. See your physician.

The currency of the Solomon Islands is the Solomon Dollar. International credit cards are accepted in major hotels and dive resorts but not generally in small towns or on local markets.

There is a departure tax of SBD $100 per person payable for outbound international passengers at Honiara International Airport. Some airlines may include this fee in their ticket price. There is no departure tax on domestic flights. However, please note that airport fees can be introduced or changed at any time without prior notice.

The current is 240 volts and outlets take 3 pins (as in Australia and New Zealand). Electricity is not available on all islands and supply may be erratic.

Please remember to bring your certification card with you. All certified divers must present their certification cards in order to dive.

Dive operations in the Solomons offer the possibility to hire dive equipment at extra cost. Please email us for advice. Tanks, weights and air fills are included in all pre-purchased packages.

Please note that the Solomon Island dive operations have INT tank fittings. If you have DIN fittings on your regulator, make sure you bring an adaptor.

All dive operators promoted by Diversion Dive Travel adhere to very high standards for safety and equipment. However, due its remote location, dive operators in the Solomons insist that all divers have current Diver Evacuation & Accident cover. For a nominal yearly membership fee, the DIVERS ALERT NETWORK (DAN) provides year-round diver evacuation and accident cover. For more details on membership and insurance options, please contact your regional DAN office according to your area of residence:

North America: www.diversalertnetwork.org/
Europe: www.daneurope.org/
South-East Asia/Australia/Pacific: www.danasiapacific.org/

Honiara has a DAN approved hyperbaric chamber. So treatment, in the unlikely event of a diving accident, is available within the Solomon Islands.

In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled travel arrangements, Diversion Dive Travel strongly recommends that suitable travel insurance is purchased at the time of booking. A comprehensive Travel Insurance policy covers any losses suffered as a result of cancellation due to medical circumstances, related medical expenses incurred whilst abroad and cover against loss or damage to baggage and personal items.

Casual & comfortable clothing including a light jacket is recommended, as evenings can get cool and liveaboards usually keep their air-conditioning high in all indoor areas. Please keep sun protection in mind and be advised to respect local customs by not wearing swimsuits, short shorts, or other inappropriate clothing in towns, villages or public places.

This is a very personal decision, tips are your ways of expressing satisfaction. On boats it is customary to give the tip to the Skipper and ask it be distributed amongst the crew. In resorts you leave the tip with the manager as they usually run Christmas Clubs and other community collections.

The Solomons Islands are a beautiful are of the South Pacific. Like any other place in the world it has its downsides as well. The travel advisories of some countries do warn to take extra caution if you travel to the Solomons because of the risk of criminal activity. The Solomons are not a dangerous place to visit, and all that is needed is a bit of common sense and respect for local advice. As a rule of thumb, you are very safe in your resorts, on your dive boats, in hotels and with your tour guide. Use normal caution around airports and in bigger cities, avoid being out at night alone, especially in bigger towns. No problems in resorts or villages.