Solomon Islands: entry and exit regulations
Formalities, visas
Citizens of the Commonwealth, the US and the EU do not require a visa. All others can apply for visas through the UK consulates.
The maximum length of stay for tourists is three months, which is noted in the visitor’s permit that is issued upon entry.
You also need a valid passport and an onward or return ticket. If you want to stay longer, you can apply for a visa extension at the Immigration Office in Honiara.
You can stay in the Solomon Islands for a maximum of six months. The extension of the first three months is free of charge, every additional month after that must be paid for with SI $ 33.
Departure fee
The island nation’s exit fee is 40 SI $.
Import and export of goods
The import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives is strictly prohibited. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result in severe penalties. Goods over SI $ 500 must be cleared through customs.
Duty-free
Two liters of hard alcohol or its equivalent, 200 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco.
Solomon Islands: Getting There and Transport
How do you get to the Solomon Islands?
Getting there is not that easy.
Airplane
Salomon Airlines flies to Honiara twice a week from Brisbane (Australia), Nadi (Fiji) and Port Vila (Vanuatu). Air Niuginei flies to the islands twice a week from Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea).
Yacht or canoe
You can arrive individually with private yachts or take the traditional canoe routes from Papua New Guinea. Either from Otong Java in Malaita Province or from Nukumanu in Papua New Guinea.
Entry fee for boats: Those who enter with their own yacht must pay an entry fee of 100 SI $ and an additional 10 cents per tonne of the weight of the ship for the use of beacons and buoys.
Travel in the country
Bus and trucks
Because of the lack of roads, people use trucks and minibuses to get around. Or you can go on foot.
Roads
There are 1,360 km of roads in total, of which only 34 km are tarred, the rest is gravel.
Rental
cars Cars can only be rented in the capital Honiara.
Ferry connections
Almost every island can be reached by ship. The ships on the main routes from Honiara to Auki and Gizo operate frequently and regularly. Port cities of the Solomon Islands are: Aola Bay, Honiara, Lofung, Noro, Viru Harbor, Yandina.
Flight connections
The flights within the islands are relatively cheap and frequented accordingly. They should therefore be booked in advance if you do not intend to stay longer than two weeks. Salomon Airlines flies from Honiara to the following locations: Auki, Ballalae, Bellona, Choiseul Bay, Fera/Buala as well as Gizo, Kirakira, Mono, Munda, Parasi, Rennell, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz, Seghe and Yandina.
International license plate
According to Abbreviationfinder, the Solomon Islands international license plate is:
| SLB |
Tourist office
Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau
Mendana Avenue, Honiara, Solomon Islands
:
PO Box 321
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Tel: 00677 – 22442
Fax: 00677 – 23986
Email: visitors@solomon.com.sb
www.visitsolomons.com.sb
Solomon Islands: Travel Medicine, Vaccinations and Warnings
Infectious Diseases
In the Solomon Islands, the following diseases, which are rarely or rarely widespread in Germany or Central and Northern Europe, are to be expected:
- Malaria, the risk of becoming infected with malaria is extremely high, around 30% of the population is infected. Around 60% of the infections occur with the most severe form, malaria tropica, the rest with malaria tertiana.
- Cholera, there is a low risk of infection for those who may come into contact with infected and contaminated water or food.
- Dengue fever disease
- Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoebas, lamblia, salmonella, shigella, worm infestation and all kinds of viruses and bacteria.
- Polio, polio
- tetanus
- Rabies, a low risk of infection exists in high-risk travelers who can come into contact with the vector animals.
- Typhoid, there is a low risk of infection only for those who may come into contact with infected and polluted water or contaminated food.
Recommended vaccinations
when traveling to the Solomon Islands are recommended vaccinations against the following diseases:
- Diphtheria, a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist, also in the home country.
- Hepatitis A and B
- Polio, polio
- Tetanus, a vaccination against tetanus should always exist, also in the home country.
- Rabies, only in high-risk travelers who can come into contact with the vector animals.
- Typhoid, only in travelers who may come in contact with infected and polluted water or contaminated food.
Malaria prophylaxis
When traveling in the country, it is strongly advised to undergo malaria prophylaxis. If the side effects seem questionable to you, you should at least have a “stand-by product” with you.
Vaccination requirements
For all persons older than 1 year and coming from a yellow fever infection area designated by the WHO, there is a compulsory vaccination against yellow fever.
Who pays for vaccinations in Germany?
Most people in Germany are vaccinated against a number of infectious diseases at an early age. However, the vaccination protection only lasts up to 10 years, in some cases even shorter. Therefore, before traveling abroad, you should carefully consider against which infectious diseases a vaccination is necessary or useful in the country concerned and whether the vaccination protection, if applicable, was not too long ago.
Most statutory health insurances have been reimbursing the costs for the following vaccinations since June 2007.
There is even no 10 € practice fee – but the insured usually have to pay the statutory co-payment, which is 10% of the vaccine price – that is at least 5 € and a maximum of 10 €. Under these conditions, the following vaccinations are free of charge:
- cholera
- diphtheria
- Early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE)
- Yellow fever
- Hepatitis A and B
- Meningococcal meningitis
- Pneumococci
- Polyo (polio)
- Tetanus (tetanus)
- rabies
- typhus
Some health insurance companies also reimburse the cost of malaria prophylaxis.
As a rule, private health insurance companies (inquire beforehand) also cover the costs mentioned.
Warning notices
Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany
Citizens Service
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000
Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 51000
www.auswaertiges-amt.de
Solomon Islands: Currency, Exchange Rate and Shopping
The local currency is the
Solomon Dollar (SI $)
The following banknotes are valid and in circulation in the country:
- 50 SI $
- 20 SI $
- 5 SI $
- 2 SI $
Coins are available as 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 cent pieces and as 1 SI $ coins.
Exchange rate
You can find a currency converter here:
www3.forium.de
Banks and opening times
The main banks are Westpac, ANZ and the National Bank of the Salomon Islands (NBSI). The NBSI is represented almost throughout the country.
The opening times are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. They offer the best exchange rates.
In the capital Honiara there are some cash machines (ATM machines).
Credit cards and travelers checks are rarely accepted outside of the hotel complex!
Shop
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Solomon Islands: Diplomatic missions
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Solomon Islands embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
Representations of the Solomon Islands in Europe
Embassy of the Solomon Islands:
Avenue Edouard Lacomble, 17
1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: 0032 – (0) 2 – 732 7085
Fax: 0032 – (0) 2 – 732 6885
Email: siembassy@compuserve.com
www.commerce.gov. sb
German representations in the Solomon Islands
Embassy
The Federal Republic of Germany does not have its own embassy in the Solomon Islands, but is only represented by an honorary consul. The embassy in Canberra, Australia is responsible.
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Canberra
119 Empire Circuit
Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Tel: 0061 – (0) 2 – 6270 1911
Fax: 0061 – (0) 2 – 6270 1951
Email: info@canberra.diplo.de
http: // www. canberra.diplo.de
The German embassy in Canberra is still responsible for:
- Nauru
- Papua New Guinea
- Vanuatu
Honorary Consul in Honiara
:
PO Box 114
Honiara
Solomon Islands
Tel: 00677 – 21 402
Fax: 00677 – 23 887
Email: tradco@solomon.com.sb
Austrian representations in the Solomon Islands
Embassy
Austria does not have its own embassy in the Solomon Islands. The embassy in Canberra, Australia is responsible.
Embassy in Canberra
12 Talbot Street
Forrest, ACT 2603
:
PO Box 3375
Manuka, ACT 2603
Tel: 0061 – 2 – 6295 1533
Fax: 0061 – 2 – 6239 6751
Email: canberra-ob@bmaa.gv.at
www.aussenministerium.at/canberra
www.austria.org.au
The Austrian embassy in Canberra is still responsible for:
- Fiji Islands
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
Swiss representations in the Solomon Islands
Embassy
Switzerland does not have its own embassy in the Solomon Islands. The embassy in Canberra, Australia is responsible.
Embassy of Switzerland in Canberra
7, Melbourne Avenue
Canberra, Forrest, ACT 2603
Tel: 0061 – 2 – 6162 8400
Fax: 0061 – 2 – 6273 3428
can.vertretung@eda.admin.ch
http: //www.eda.admin. ch/australia
The Swiss embassy in Canberra is still responsible for:
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Nauru
- Papua New Guinea
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
