Packing list for the Solomon Islands, travel insurance for the Solomon Islands, and taking your belongings

What to take to the Solomon Islands: brief

To check and pack:

• Documents: a passport valid for at least another 6 months, a return or onward ticket, and any accommodation and bank details. For many travelers, a visa for a short tourist stay is not required in advance but can be purchased locally. Always check the current rules for your nationality.
• Money: the Solomon Islands dollar (SBD). You can withdraw cash in Honiara, but outside of it, cash quickly becomes important. On some islands, the nearest ATM is literally a boat ride away.
• Personal care: sunscreen with a high SPF, lip balm, and mosquito repellent. The combination of tropical heat and high humidity puts a lot of strain on your skin.
• Outdoor gear and handy items: a dry bag, a reusable water bottle, and a good flashlight or headlamp. On some islands, street lighting is the exception rather than the rule.
• Clothing: light clothing for warm weather, supplemented with something with long sleeves to protect against mosquitoes and the sun.
• Shoes: water shoes are handy for reefs and coral beaches. Lightweight walking shoes can come in handy when exploring the interior.
• Medicines and travel first-aid kit: a comprehensive first-aid kit with ORS, plasters, painkillers, disinfectant, and personal medication. Medical facilities are often limited outside Honiara.
• Mosquitoes and sandflies: DEET or Picaridin is not a luxury. The Solomon Islands are among the few countries in Oceania where malaria still occurs.
• Technology and equipment: a Type I travel adapter and a power bank for remote areas.

To consider:

• Snorkeling or diving gear.
• Binoculars for bird watching.
• A water filter or water purification products if you are traveling to very remote areas.
• Travel detergent as clothes dry quickly in the tropics.
• A little extra flexibility. Travel schedules are sometimes more of a guideline than a promise.

What knowledge is useful when traveling to the Solomon Islands?

• Knowledge of malaria prevention is more important here than on many other islands in the Pacific Ocean.
• Additionally, it is interesting to know something about the enormous cultural diversity. More than seventy different languages ​​are spoken in the Solomon Islands.
• Moreover, the islands played an important role during the Second World War. Many historical sites and shipwrecks can still be found, especially around Guadalcanal.
• Also good to know: island life is peaceful. Things often happen when they happen, and not necessarily when you hoped they would.

Are there mosquitoes in the Solomon Islands?

• Yes, and they can transmit various diseases. The Solomon Islands are one of the few destinations in Oceania where malaria still occurs.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in the Solomon Islands?

• Yes. Especially along beaches, river mouths, and mangrove areas.
• They can be quite annoying, especially around sunrise and sunset.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Can you buy DEET or other mosquito repellents in the Solomon Islands?

• Yes, usually in Honiara and larger towns.
• If you are going to remote islands, that is not always the case, and it may be useful to bring your own supply.
• See also DEET mosquito repellents and the percentages.

Can you buy a joint or weed in the Solomon Islands, or bring it to the Solomon Islands?

• Cannabis is illegal in the Solomon Islands.
• Use, possession, sale, and import can result in fines or imprisonment.