Transportation in Solomon Islands

Island-hopping in the Solomons is done by boat and prop-plane, not by road. The workhorses are the open fiberglass "banana boats" that dart between the main islands, cheap, wet, and the only way to reach most villages. For longer hops, Solomon Airlines' domestic web of Twin Otters and Islanders is the reliable splurge. Book early because seats fill with locals and the schedule flexes with weather. On the few paved stretches of Guadalcanal and Malaita, minibuses run when full and stop anywhere you wave. Fares are pocket change but expect to share with produce and chickens. First-timers should know that "next boat" is a flexible concept, cargo and passengers travel together, so build slack into your itinerary. Bring small bills for boat fares and a dry bag for everything you value. Don't bother with rental cars. The sealed ring road around Honiara is short and taxis are plentiful. Skip the touts at the wharves, buy tickets directly from the boat operator or the shipping office to avoid inflated "tourist" rates. From Honiara's Henderson International, the cheapest ride into town is the shared minibus that waits outside the gate, look for the one already half-full of locals. If you're loaded with bags or arriving after dusk, the official taxi queue is the safer bet. Agree the fare before you load up, as meters aren't used.