Published: August 11, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Solomon Islands Travel Advisory and Solomon Islands Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Honiara
Blums Building, by the Port of Honiara, Honiara, Guadalcanal
Tel: +677-23426
After-hours Emergency: +675 7200-9439.
The U.S. Embassy in Honiara does not currently provide routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens. Such services are provided by U.S. Embassy Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The Regional Security Office at U.S. Embassy Port Moresby is also responsible for Solomon Islands.
OSAC Country Chapters
There is no OSAC Country Chapter in Solomon Islands.
Contact OSAC’s Asia team with any questions.
Solomon Islands Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise increased caution when traveling to Solomon Islands due to risks to health, unexploded ordinance, crime, and civil unrest.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Honiara as being a HIGH-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Solomon Islands.
The crime emergency line in Solomon Islands is 999.
Yacht-related robberies can occur, usually at night while occupants are asleep. Most criminals are not deterred even when boats are anchored offshore. Visiting yachts should be wary of allowing strangers onboard and boaters should take precautions when leaving the vessel to go ashore.
Pickpocketing and petty thefts are the most common crimes. Crimes of opportunity, pickpocketing and petty theft do not specifically target a particular group, nor do most involve weapons. Traveling with a group or guided tour is typically safer than traveling alone, particularly after dark.
The risk of sexual assaults against children & adults alike is a serious problem in Honiara.
Due to perceived wealth, criminals target expatriates for home and vehicle break-ins. Home invasions, burglaries, and violent crime typically increase in the months approaching the Christmas holiday season. To lower the threat of vehicular break-ins significantly, ensure that no valuables (especially phones and other electronics) are visible, and park in a secure location. If living permanently in the Solomon Islands, use alarms, gates, locks, walls, and other security measures at your residence to significantly lower the risk of home break-ins.
Credit card fraud and the use of card skimming devices have occurred.
Land ownership is an important and volatile issue within the Solomon Islands. Landowners may demand money if you enter their land, including some World War II monuments, without permission. Before traveling to specific areas, ensure that you have the proper paperwork and permissions to access the indicated site. Land issues can quickly escalate to violence if not correctly addressed.
Petty theft in Honiara is most prevalent near the various World War II Memorials that dot the landscape. Avoid traveling alone to these sites. Instead, use guided or group tours.
Gang-based criminal activity has increased in and around the Burns Creek area in East Honiara, including in the nearby Ranandi industrial center.
There are reports of criminals robbing expatriates at knifepoint on beaches in and around Honiara. These robberies often occur at night and/or after large sporting events. Heavy alcohol use may play a role in these more brazen attacks. Exercise caution when using beaches at these times.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Solomon Islands.
There is minimal risk from kidnapping in Solomon Islands. There were no reports of disappearances by or on behalf of government authorities.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Honiara as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for the Solomon Islands.
Transnational terrorism is unheard of in the Solomon Islands. Outsiders do not easily blend into the culture; therefore, transnational terrorists would find it relatively difficult to plan attacks or conduct violence discreetly.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Honiara as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Solomon Islands. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Solomon Islands is a constitutional multiparty parliamentary democracy. The constitution provides citizens the ability to choose their government in free and fair periodic elections held by secret ballot based on equal and universal suffrage.
The country held a peaceful general election in 2024, in which Jeremiah Manele became prime minister.
Protests & Demonstrations
The constitution provides for the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, and the government generally respects these rights. Demonstrators must obtain permits, which the government generally grants.
Demonstrations occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, during international events, or during other cultural events that attract large crowds.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
There is no Anti-U.S./Anti-Western sentiment.
Law Enforcement
The Royal Solomon Islands Police is responsible for internal and external security and reports to the Ministry of Police, National Security, and Correctional Services; per a series of bilateral agreements, elements of foreign police forces play an active and essential role in domestic policing, are more resourced, and may command more influence that can affect domestic policing. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces.
Police Response
The ability of local police to assist victims of crime is limited due to a lack of response vehicles, roads conditions, and lack of communication and other police equipment. Outside of Honiara, there is an extremely limited or no police presence.
Local customary law is still observed in Solomon Islands, especially in rural areas. Disputes based in customary law generally resolve through a compensation-based settlement mediated by law enforcement or local government officials.
Arrested or detained U.S. citizens should request to speak to a U.S. Embassy American Citizen Services (ACS) representative in Port Moresby or a U.S. representative at the U.S. Embassy Honiara. All consular services for Solomon Islands are handled from Port Moresby.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Solomon Islands, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Solomon Islands.
While the law provided criminal penalties for corruption by officials, the government implemented the law inconsistently.
Although a 2018 law established an Independent Commission against Corruption tasked with preventing official corruption and provided it with investigative and prosecutorial powers, it is still not operational. The Office of the Ombudsman is responsible for investigating public complaints of government maladministration.
Taskforce Janus, operated by the police and Ministry of Finance and Treasury, works to identify corruption in the civil service.
The Public Accounts Committee is a permanent parliamentary committee established in the constitution with a mandate to examine public accounts and report to parliament.
Corruption was widely held to be pervasive in the government, especially with respect to the forestry, mining, and fisheries sectors.
Cybersecurity
Solomon Islands has made advances in its cybersecurity roadmap. The country participated in the inaugural Pacific Cyber Security Operational Network (PaCSON) event in 2018 funded by the Australian government to enhance cyber resilience in the region. Australia funded and completed the Coral Sea Cable linking Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands in 2019, which now delivers improved connectivity to the country. Australia is also underwriting a proposed Cyber Security center.
Exercise normal security precautions when using public computers.
Import/Export Restrictions
Solomon Islands’ Customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning import/export of items such as firearms, ammunition, sexually explicit material, and certain prescription drugs. Other items may be subject to quarantine regulations or import duty. The Solomon Islands Government prohibits the export of military artifacts from World War II. Contact the Solomon Islands Mission to the United Nations for specific information regarding customs requirements.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
