What actually happens to travelers here.
Drink bottled or properly treated water. Skip ice at budget venues and street vendors. Brush your teeth with bottled water where tap is questionable.
Routine care is available in major cities; complex trauma, cardiac, or surgery typically requires air evacuation to a regional hub. Travel insurance with $250K+ evacuation coverage is essential.
The system.
System: Government-run public healthcare with very limited capacity. National Referral Hospital in Honiara is the main facility. Provincial hospitals provide basic care. Outer islands have clinics with minimal staffing and supplies. Healthcare infrastructure is severely underdeveloped.
Quality: ★☆☆☆☆ Very Limited
Healthcare is extremely limited. The National Referral Hospital in Honiara is the only facility with reasonable capacity but is often overcrowded and under-resourced. Provincial hospitals are basic. Outer islands have aid posts with minimal supplies. Specialist care is virtually nonexistent. Medical evacuation to Australia is standard for serious cases. English is an official language but Pijin is more commonly spoken.
Not a medical tourism destination. Solomon Islands is a destination for diving, WWII history, and cultural tourism. Travelers should be fully self-sufficient for medical needs.
Where to actually go.
Main hospital in the country. Emergency department available but often overcrowded. Limited specialist equipment. English spoken by doctors, Pijin by most staff.
Church-run hospital near popular dive sites. Basic care only. Useful for Western Province visitors.
Provincial hospital. Basic emergency care. Near popular dive and island-hopping areas.
Finding what you need.
Access: Limited
Hours: Pharmacies in Honiara open 8am-5pm weekdays. Very few pharmacies outside the capital. Hospital pharmacies may have limited stock.
Prescription rules: Prescription enforcement is inconsistent. Some medications available over the counter that would require prescriptions elsewhere. However, stock is very limited so availability is the main issue. Bring all prescription medications from home.
Bring all necessary medications from home. Pharmacy stock is very limited and unreliable. Medications may be expired or counterfeit in informal outlets. Only purchase from hospital pharmacies or licensed pharmacies in Honiara. Insect repellent with DEET is essential for malaria prevention.
Available over the counter
- paracetamol
- ibuprofen
- oral rehydration salts
- insect repellent
- antimalarial medications
- antiseptic cream
- antihistamines
- bandages and wound care
Useful pharmacy phrases
- Mi nidim marasin blong hed
- Bele blong mi i soa
- Mi garem allergy
- Wea nao famasi i stap?
- Mi nidim dokta
Chains you'll see
- Point Cruz Pharmacy — Located near Point Cruz area (Honiara)
- National Referral Hospital Pharmacy — Hospital pharmacy (Honiara)
- Star Pharmacy — Star signage (Honiara)
Common OTC medications by local brand
- paracetamol/acetaminophen → Panadol / Paracetamol
Most commonly available medication. May be sold as individual tablets. - ibuprofen → Ibuprofen / Nurofen
Less commonly stocked. Bring from home if needed. - loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Imodium / Loperamide
May not be available. Bring from home.
What you can't bring in.
Carry a doctor's letter for all prescription medications. Keep medicines in original packaging. Bring a comprehensive travel medical kit as pharmacies may not have what you need.
Deep-dive guides for this country's restrictions: Adderall · CBD · Opioids
Controlled substance. Carry doctor's letter and keep in original packaging.
Illegal. Do not bring any cannabis products.
Strictly prohibited. Carry documentation for ADHD medications.
If something breaks.
Availability: Very limited. Basic dental services at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara. No private dental clinics of international standard.
Cost range: $20-80 USD for basic procedures
Dental care is extremely basic. Only emergency extractions and basic procedures available. No cosmetic or advanced dentistry.
What you actually need.
🛡️ Recommended
Average cost: $30-60/week
Absolutely essential. Medical evacuation to Australia is very expensive and may be the only option for serious conditions. Ensure policy covers medical evacuation with no sub-limits. Diving and adventure sports coverage is important. Remote island travel adds significant risk.
Filing a claim
Pay upfront for all medical care. Facilities may not provide detailed receipts so request itemized documentation. Keep all records. File claims with your insurer after returning home. Communication challenges may require patience when obtaining documentation.
What it costs out of pocket.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Doctor visit (private) | $20-50 |
| ER visit | $50-200 |
| Overnight hospital stay | $100-300 |
| Ambulance | $30-80 |
Costs are approximate and relatively low but facilities are basic. Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD) is local currency. Few facilities accept credit cards.
When local won't cut it.
Primary destination: Brisbane, Australia
Secondary destination: Suva, Fiji or Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Typical cost band: $50,000-150,000
Common providers: Global Rescue, MedJet, International SOS
Medical evacuation is extremely important given the limited healthcare. Evacuation to Australia is the standard for serious cases. Outer island evacuations add complexity and cost. Helicopter or charter plane may be needed from remote areas.
What to get done before you fly.
Required
- Yellow Fever (only if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country)
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Malaria prophylaxis (strongly recommended)
- Japanese Encephalitis (for rural/extended stays)
- Rabies (for extended stays or animal contact)
Malaria is endemic throughout the Solomon Islands, including Honiara. Antimalarial prophylaxis is strongly recommended. Consult a travel medicine specialist before departure. Dengue fever is also present.
The Bali belly prevention guide.
Tap water: Not safe — bottled only — Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in the Solomon Islands. Always use bottled, boiled, or purified water. Even in Honiara, water treatment is unreliable. Bring water purification tablets or a portable filter for outer island travel. Avoid ice unless made from purified water.
Food safety
Exercise caution with all food. Eat freshly cooked, hot food. Avoid raw vegetables and salads unless you can verify they were washed with purified water. Fresh tropical fruit you peel yourself is safe. Fish and root vegetables (taro, sweet potato) are staples. Be cautious with reef fish due to ciguatera poisoning risk in certain areas.
In crisis abroad.
English / international line: Contact your embassy for assistance
English-speaking therapists: Virtually none. Some counseling through NGOs and church organizations.
Mental health services are extremely limited. The National Referral Hospital has a small psychiatric unit. For any serious mental health needs, evacuation may be necessary.
International crisis support: findahelpline.com — crisis lines in 130+ countries.
Getting around with mobility needs.
Accessibility infrastructure is virtually nonexistent. Roads are unpaved outside Honiara. Most buildings lack wheelchair access. The country is extremely challenging for travelers with mobility impairments.
Hospital accessibility: National Referral Hospital has minimal accessibility features. Most health facilities are not wheelchair accessible.
Accessible transport: No accessible public transport. Roads are rough and unsealed. Inter-island travel is by small boats and light aircraft, neither of which are accessible.
The Solomon Islands is extremely challenging for travelers with mobility impairments. Honiara is the most navigable area but still very limited. Contact tour operators well in advance to discuss specific needs.
Entry rules + local status.
Entry requirements: No COVID testing or vaccination requirements for entry as of 2026.
Mask policy: No mask mandates. Some health facilities may request masks.
Testing availability: Limited COVID testing available at National Referral Hospital.
COVID restrictions have been lifted. Health infrastructure remains limited regardless of COVID status.
Solomon Islands travel health, answered.
What we checked.
- US Department of State — travel advisory for this country
- CDC Travelers' Health
- WHO International Travel and Health
- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Smartraveller)
- Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services