Solomon Islands FAQs

While we are happy to welcome divers of all levels on board, due to depths and strong currents, some of the dive sites are not suitable for entry-level or inexperienced divers.

For most itineraries, Advanced Open Water certification is recommended with a mandatory requirement of at least 40 logged dives.

For Wreck Week itineraries, Advanced Open Water is a mandatory requirement with a minimum of 75 logged dives.

The Solomon Islands offer a fantastic mix of dives which include pinnacles and drop-offs, caverns and swim-throughs, unspoilt reefs and a variety of wrecks. Diving conditions vary based on the season, currents and time of day. 

Most of the reefs start close to the surface then drop off gradually allowing divers to explore extensively at relatively shallow depths. There are many wall dives, often in close proximity to a reef, making them excellent for multi-level dive profiles.

Some sites are subject to strong currents, which makes for exhilerating dives with lots of pelagic action, but also can be challenging for some divers. The majority of wrecks included on Solomons Master itineraries are within recreational limits, with maximum depths of 30-40 metres (98 – 130 feet)

Average visibility ranges from 25 to 40 metres (75 to 125 feet). However, the Solomon Islands waters are rich in nutrients, which means visibility can be significantly less on some dives. In other cases visibility may be reduced simply because of all the abundance of fish!

You can find out more in our blog: Solomon Islands Diving. What you need to know

While the Solomon Islands and Truk Lagoon were key strategic locations for the Japanese during WWII, the battles that were fought, and the wrecks that remain as testament to those, are significantly different.

The ‘Ghost Fleet’ of Chuuk consists of around 60 wrecks in close proximity to each other within the confines of the lagoon. This sheltered location has resulted in a unique and well preserved collection of Japanese WWII wrecks and artefacts that appeal to both recreational and technical wreck diving enthusiasts from all over the World.

By comparison, the are far more wrecks in the Solomon Islands, spread across a vast area mostly between Guadalcanal and the Florida Islands, referred to today as Iron Bottom Sound. Comprising US, NZ and Japanese vessels and aircraft, some wrecks are almost completely intact while others are broken into pieces. The majority of the diveable wrecks are within recreational depth limits although some are deeper and only suitable for technical divers. 

Generally, medical care in Solomon Islands is very basic and medical supplies are limited. There are only 8 public hospitals in the entire country although there are also a few church-funded medical facilities, nurse-stations, and clinics on many of the islands.

The largest and most modern facility is the National Referral Hospital in Honiara. However, it is often at capacity and overstretched. In the event of a medical emergency requiring hospitalisation, it is possible that evacuation to Australia may be necessary. It is therefore vital that travellers have adequate insurance to cover all related costs.

The official language of the Solomon Islands is English. An estimated 70 other indigenous languages are spoken in the country, with Pijin being the binding local language.

The majority of Solomon Islanders (approximately 92%) follow Christian beliefs with the main denominations being the Anglican Church of Melanesia (32%), Roman Catholic (20%), South Sea Evangelical (17%), United Church (10%) and Seventh Day Adventist (12%). Another 5% of the population adheres to traditional Animistic beliefs.

The culture of the Solomon Islands is a vibrant blend of tradition and modernity. Many aspects of the islanders’ lives are influenced by spiritual beliefs that precede their Western-influenced religious beliefs. This spirituality evokes a respect for the land and sea that sustains them, while also honouring ancestral rites of passage.

Their traditional culture is deeply rooted in the customs and practices passed down through generations with each island and community having its own distinct traditions, often influenced by their unique geographical and linguistic backgrounds. Despite contemporary influences, the concept of kastom remains central, emphasising the importance of traditional values and practices in a changing world.

The local currency is the Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD or SI$). Banknote values are $5, $10, $20, $40, $50 and $100; coin denominations are 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, $1 and $2.

In Honiara, there is a currency exchange desk at the airport or cash can be obtained from ATMs in town. However, in Munda there are no currency exchange facilites, so you will need to visit one of the banks or an ATM in town to withdraw cash.

We suggest carrying a small amount of SBD to make purchases when we visit villages or local markets.

Larger hotels, resorts, shops and restaurants may accept Visa and Mastercard, usually with the addition of a surcharge, although smaller establishments generally only accept cash payments.

The traditional currency of the Solomon Islands is known as Shell Money, which is laboriously handmade exclusively by village women, and still used for trading and as wedding dowries on some islands.

International SIMs will not work in the Solomon Islands so, should you wish to have phone or internet coverage on the islands, you will need to be purchase a local SIM card and data package. However, cell service is very limited throughout the country and there are many areas where the signal is very weak or not available at all.

Local sim cards can be purchased in Honiara at most major hotels or from one of the Our Telekom or BMobile offices. Each provider has their own coverage area which will be available for about 30% of the time on board Solomons Master. When purchasing a local SIM you will need to ensure that you ask for a SIM card that is ‘data compatible’ and set up you card/phone to test it before leaving Honiara.

The Solomon Islands have an equatorial climate which is roughly divided into two seasons. While it is hot and humid all year, the drier months tend to be a little cooler and less humid, although it ca.

Temperatures remain fairly consistent throughout the year with daytime averages of around 31°C (88°F). While evenings are also quite warm at 22-23°C (72-74°F) we advise bringing some warm clothing for the cooler temperatures.

The ‘wet’ season is generally from November to April with average monthly rainfall of around 270 mm (11 inches). However, the region is not monsoonal so poor weather is rarely prolonged and rain can also occur during the dry season. 

There is very little variation in water temperatures across the islands, which average around 28°-30°C (82°-85°F) throughout the year.

There is a volunteer operated hyberbaric chamber located in Honiara. Depending on where the vessel is at the time, a light aircraft or helicopter may be required to evacuate the patient from Solomons Master to Honiara. Should the chamber be unavailable for any reason, patients may need to be evacuated to Australia for treatment.

Guests are strongly urged to ensure their insurance covers emergency air evacuation as well as recompression treatment costs.

The use of drones is permitted in the Solomon Islands but it must be authorised and regulations adhered to. Further information can be found here: CAASI – Unmanned Aerial Vehicles