Solomon Islands Visa for Indians 2026
Complete Guide to 90-Day Free Entry, Fiji Transit Route, Marovo Lagoon & WWII Shipwreck Scuba Diving
90-Day Free Visitor Permit for Indian Citizens
Scattered across nearly 1,500 kilometers of the southwestern Pacific Ocean east of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands is one of the most culturally intact, untamed, and marine-rich archipelagos on Earth. Comprising nearly 1,000 tropical islands, rugged volcanic peaks, and luminescent coral atolls, the nation offers travelers a tranquil world far removed from mass commercial cruise ships. For Indian passport holders, the Solomon Islands grants an exceptionally generous 90-day Visitor Permit upon arrival at Honiara International Airport (HIR) at zero consular cost ($0 USD fee).
The crown jewel of the nation's marine topography is Marovo Lagoon in the Western Province. As the world's largest saltwater double-barrier reef lagoon, Marovo encompasses over 700 square kilometers of tranquil turquoise waters sheltered by outer coral barrier reefs and punctuated by hundreds of densely forested volcanic islands. Famous for swimming with manta rays, reef sharks, and sea turtles, the lagoon is also home to traditional Melanesian master carvers who sculpt intricate figures from dark kerosene wood inlaid with luminous mother-of-pearl shells.
For history enthusiasts and scuba divers, the waters surrounding Guadalcanal—known historically as Iron Bottom Sound—represent one of the world's greatest underwater museums. During the pivotal six-month Guadalcanal campaign of 1942, nearly 50 warships and hundreds of aircraft were sunk here, creating awe-inspiring artificial reefs teeming with soft corals and pelagic fish.
Smart Flight Routes: The Zero-Visa Fiji Connection
Reaching the Solomon Islands from India requires routing through an international Pacific gateway:
| Transit Hub | Airlines | Visa Rules for Indian Passport Holders | Recommendation Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nadi, Fiji (NAN) | Fiji Airways, Solomon Airlines | 100% Visa-Free: Indian citizens enter Fiji visa-free for up to 120 days. Zero transit paperwork needed. | Highest (Easiest & No Visas) |
| Brisbane, Australia (BNE) | Qantas, Solomon Airlines | Requires pre-arranged Australian Transit Visa (Subclass 771) even for airside transfers under 8 hours. | Moderate (requires Australian online visa) |
| Port Moresby, PNG (POM) | Air Niugini, Solomon Airlines | Requires PNG Transit Visa or pre-arranged electronic visa. | Specialized regional route |
The Effortless "No-Visa" Flight Path
Book flights from India to Singapore (SIN) on Air India or Singapore Airlines, connect to Fiji Airways from Singapore directly to Nadi (NAN), and take the 3-hour connecting flight from Nadi to Honiara (HIR) on Fiji Airways or Solomon Airlines. Because both Fiji (120 days) and the Solomon Islands (90 days) are visa-free for Indian citizens, you require zero transit visas for the entire trans-Pacific journey!
Entry Requirements at Honiara Airport
When presenting your passport at Honiara International Airport (HIR) on Guadalcanal, provide:
- Original Indian Passport: Must possess at least six (6) months of validity remaining beyond your intended departure date, with at least two blank visa pages.
- Confirmed Return or Onward Flight Ticket: Unalterable e-ticket showing departure from the Solomon Islands within 90 days.
- Confirmed Accommodation Booking: Hotel or dive resort reservation in Honiara, Gizo, Munda, or Uepi Island.
- Proof of Sufficient Funds: Approximately $50 USD per day of stay, demonstrated via international cards or cash.
- Completed Passenger Arrival Form: Distributed aboard inbound flights, requiring full customs and biosecurity disclosures.
Scuba Diving, Wrecks & Melanesian Island Culture
The Solomon Islands offers an extraordinary underwater wilderness and living cultural traditions:
Scuba Diving in Iron Bottom Sound & Bonegi Beach
Just a 20-minute drive west of Honiara lies Bonegi Beach, where the Japanese transport ship Hirokawa Maru (Bonegi 1) lies directly off the black sand shoreline, starting in just 3 meters of water and sloping down into deep blue abyss. Snorkelers and divers can swim directly from the beach to explore coral-encrusted guns, engine rooms, and swirling schools of trevally.
Gizo, Kennedy Island & Skull Island
The Western Province capital of Gizo serves as the gateway to world-class coral atolls. A short boat ride across Blackies Strait brings visitors to Kennedy Island (Kasolo Island), where Lieutenant John F. Kennedy swam ashore with his surviving crew after their patrol boat PT-109 was rammed and sunk by a Japanese destroyer in August 1943. Nearby lies the sacred Skull Island (Kundukundu), a traditional coral shrine housing the ancestral skulls of ancient Roviana headhunting chiefs.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The 90-day Visitor Permit granted upon arrival at Honiara International Airport is completely free of charge ($0 USD / SBD 0 fee) for Indian passport holders.
Solomon Airlines operates scheduled domestic flights using Twin Otter and Dash 8 aircraft connecting Honiara (HIR) to Gizo (GZO), Munda (MUA), Seghe (Marovo Lagoon), and Santa Cruz. Inter-island passenger ferries also operate weekly.
The drier months from May to October offer the best conditions for scuba diving, boat cruising, and hiking, with lower rainfall and calmer seas.
Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at major dive resorts and hotels in Honiara and Gizo. However, cash (Solomon Islands Dollars) is indispensable for village markets, domestic water taxis, and island entry custom fees.
Throughout the Solomon Islands, land and marine reefs are customary clan property. When visiting specific beaches, waterfalls, caves, or dive wrecks, travelers are asked to pay a modest customary fee (kastom fee, usually SBD $20 to $50) directly to the traditional village landowners.
A Yellow Fever vaccination card is required only if arriving from or transiting through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. It is not required for travelers arriving directly from India, Fiji, or Australia.
Yes. Visitors holding a valid driving license in English can drive rental vehicles in Honiara. Driving is on the left side of the road, exactly as in India.
Our Telekom and Bmobile operate 4G mobile networks. Prepaid tourist SIM cards can be purchased at Honiara International Airport or in downtown Honiara by showing your passport.