Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights.
\n\nYour travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel:
\n\nNo travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the Solomon Islands’ current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in the Solomon Islands set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Solomon Islands Embassy in Belgium.
\n\nTo enter the Solomon Islands, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and at least 2 blank pages for entry stamps.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nYou can visit the Solomon Islands without a pre-arranged visa for up to 30 days. You will be given a visa when you arrive. Contact the Solomon Islands Immigration Department for information.
\n\nTo enter the Solomon Islands, you must have a certificate to prove that you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination, if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the Solomon Islands . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in the Solomon Islands, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nDemonstrations can happen in Honiara during sittings of Parliament, elections and times of political uncertainty. They can turn violent quickly and lead to civil unrest. Avoid protests and political gatherings and be cautious. Be aware that services and supply chains may be disrupted.
\n\nSecurity lockdowns can be announced at very short notice. Monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.
\n\nThe Royal Solomon Islands Police Force has limited resources and police often respond slowly to calls for help.
\n\nRobberies involving violence, handbag snatching, pickpocketing, distraction thefts and harassment happen, particularly around the central market and local beaches. Take sensible security precautions.
\n\nStay alert when walking around Honiara at night. Take particular care in the squatter settlements around Honiara, White River, Lungga Bridge, Sun Valley, Mataniko Bridge, Burns Creek and Henderson (airport) area. Foreign nationals are often the targets of violent attacks. Security incidents in these areas have included:
\n\nTake care in nightclubs, as they rarely have adequate fire precautions in place.
\n\nSwearing is illegal. If you swear at someone, you could face a large compensation claim, or even a prison sentence.
\n\nDress conservatively, with shoulders and knees covered, especially if you’re a woman. Wearing beach clothes away from the beach may cause offence.
\n\nIn certain areas there are ‘tabu’ sites with restricted use and access, for example where only men are allowed. Check with your tour guide or hotel staff.
\n\nLand ownership in the Solomon Islands is an important and sensitive issue. On some hiking trails or on many of the beaches around Honiara, you may need to pay a fee (‘kastom’) to the landowner. Ask local advice before setting off.
\n\nThe possession, selling and use of drugs is illegal in the Solomon Islands and can lead to prison sentences.
\n\nSame-sex sexual activity is illegal, and penalties can include a prison sentence. Showing affection in public is likely to cause offence. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nAccess to banking facilities is difficult in rural areas. ATMs are only available in Honiara, Gizo, Munda and Auki. Only major hotels and restaurants in Honiara accept international credit cards. Make sure that you have several ways to access money.
\n\nThere are dangerous rip tides along reefs and river estuaries. Always follow the warning signs, especially red flags. Where there are no signs, get advice from local residents or guides.
\n\nCoral reefs can cause cuts and scrapes.
\n\nSee water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
\n\nIf you decide to scuba dive, make sure you use a reputable, fully licensed company with up-to-date equipment and necessary safety features. Deaths and serious accidents have occurred because basic safety measures were not in place.
\n\nThe hyperbaric recompression chamber in Honiara – the only one on the islands – is currently out of service due to earthquake damage. Get advice from your dive instructor or dive team.
\n\nCheck local advice before travelling to rural Guadalcanal, taking day trips outside Honiara or visiting the island of Malaita. Tour operators do not always follow safety and maintenance standards.
\n\nFresh and saltwater crocodiles and sharks are common. Visitors have reported seeing large crocodiles offshore at beaches near Honiara. There are also large species of shark, such as bull, hammerhead and tiger, in the coastal waters. Take local advice before entering unfamiliar waters, including lakes.
\n\nBe cautious of local dogs as they can be aggressive.
\n\nThere are unexploded weapons throughout the Solomon Islands. The condition and stability of the weapons is unknown. Get local advice before you travel to:
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in the Solomon Islands, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in the Solomon Islands for up to 4 months. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.
\n\nThere are few roads in the Solomon Islands. Most of these are on Guadalcanal and Malaita. Many roads are heavily pot-holed and some bridges have collapsed. Pedestrians and animals are often on the roads, which are poorly lit and hazardous at night.
\n\nAccidents are frequent, due to speeding, low standards of driving and poor vehicle maintenance. Be especially careful when overtaking, as drivers and passengers in fast-moving vehicles may open the doors to spit betel nut on to the road.
\n\nYou must stay at the scene of a road accident until the police arrive. If it is not safe to wait, drive to the nearest police station.
\n\nBring your own lifejacket when travelling by ferry between islands. Journeys to small and remote islands are usually in small, motorised canoes.
\n\nBefore travelling in any vessel, check:
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nThe Solomon Islands are in the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’, an active zone where earthquakes and tremors are a constant risk.
\n\nThe Solomon Islands authorities issue tsunami warnings by radio. You can also monitor the US Tsunami Warning System. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake and resulting tsunamis.
\n\nThe tropical cyclone season normally runs from November to May. Monitor local news and check World Meteorological Organization and Solomon Islands Meteorological Service for weather reports.
\n\nHeavy rain and flooding can affect the Solomon Islands. Bridges are often washed away as a result. Check local weather forecasts and take care if you are travelling during the tropical cyclone season.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nCall 111 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in the Solomon Islands, including:
\n\nViral infections are common. Take precautions to reduce the risks, such as washing hands and drinking bottled water.
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nHealthcare facilities in the Solomon Islands are very basic. There are limited hospital facilities and medical supplies are not always available. The National Referral Hospital in Honiara frequently runs out of blood supplies and often has limited stock of oral re-hydration salts, paracetamol and basic antibiotics. Wards and units can shut at short notice. Gizo hospital is newly built and has good facilities but can also run short of supplies.
\n\nTake a basic medical kit with you when visiting rural and remote areas. Make sure you have accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation. If you need to get medical treatment in Australia, you’ll need a medical visa to enter the country.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in the Solomon Islands.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nAmbulance: 111
\n\nFire: 988
\n\nPolice: 999
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\n