Frequently Asked Questions - Solomon Islands
General Questions about
Emperor Divers Solomon Islands
Yes. For your financial security, all payments made by credit card are held in a client account until your Solomon Islands diving holiday takes place. This gives you complete peace of mind when booking with Emperor Divers.
No. Emperor Divers does not pass on any credit card fees when you book a Solomon Islands diving holiday. The price you see is the price you pay.
We accept Visa and MasterCard payments for Solomon Islands liveaboard bookings. All prices are charged in US Dollars, so you should check with your bank regarding any international transaction fees or exchange rate charges.
The best currency to bring to the Solomon Islands is the Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD).
Foreign currency can be used onboard, but only notes with a value of US$50 or higher are accepted.
Please note that American Express is generally not accepted in the Solomon Islands. Visa and Mastercard are the international bank cards most commonly accepted.
Before travelling to the Solomon Islands, you should check the latest entry requirements and visa information with the relevant authorities or your airline.
Generally, citizens of the United States and most (British) Commonwealth and European Union countries do not need a visa. If you have a valid passport (minimum 6 months validity from planned date of entry) and a return or onward ticket, you can acquire a visitor’s visa valid for three months on arrival.
There are some exceptions and it is upon the traveller to check for themselves what is required. The Solomon Islands Immigration Service – (+677) 22179, 22194 or 22199 or [email protected] – will be able to help.
Flying from Australia
Direct flights from Brisbane to Honiara operate four times per week, with both Solomon Airlines and Qantas serving the route. The flight time is approximately three hours.
Flying from North America
The most direct route is usually via Nadi, Fiji, although Brisbane is also a popular connection point. Most travellers depart from Los Angeles, but flights are also available from San Francisco, Honolulu, Dallas and Vancouver.
Because of the International Date Line, travellers from North America should normally book flights departing two days before their intended arrival date.
Flying from other destinations
For most international travellers, flying via Brisbane is the most convenient option. Air Niugini also offers routes from Singapore, Manila and Hong Kong to Honiara via Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. There is also a weekly Air Niugini service between Honiara and Port Vila in Vanuatu.
All qualified divers and anyone taking part in a PADI course in the Solomon Islands must complete an RSTC Medical questionnaire.
If you have, or think you may have, any of the medical conditions listed on the form, you will need written clearance from a doctor that is valid within 12 months of your planned trip.
To avoid delays, additional costs or missing diving activities, we strongly recommend arranging any required medical clearance before you travel and bringing it with you.
For anyone under the age of 18, all paperwork must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Yes. Comprehensive dive insurance and travel insurance are mandatory when diving with Emperor Divers in the Solomon Islands. You must bring proof of your insurance cover with you and present it when checking in.
Emperor Divers cannot be held responsible for financial losses caused by circumstances beyond our control, including weather conditions, acts of nature or changes made by local authorities.
You are responsible to check that these include:
- Dive Injury Insurance: covering all risks, costs and expenses likely to be incurred as a result of a diving injury, including but not limited to re-compression chamber treats, air evacuation, and loss or damage to possessions. This insurance should cover all scuba diving or water sports activities that you are likely to undertake during your trip, and
- Medical Evacuation Insurance: covering all risks, costs and expenses likely to arise from a diving or non-diving injury requiring your evacuation to a place of specialist care, including but not limited to low altitude air evacuation; specialist treatment and direct; and indirect losses; and
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance: valid at the time of booking to cover any pre-departure cancellations should you have to cancel your trip for an insured reason such as illness or serious accident, any changes or cancellation to your travel plans, loss or damage to your luggage and contents.
You must be satisfied that your insurance fully covers all your personal requirements including pre-existing medical conditions, cancellation charges, medical expenses and repatriation in the event of accident or illness, diving injuries and medical evacuation.
Should diving insurance not be obtained prior to your departure, it can be arranged on arrival with Dive Assist. Pricing information can be found on the relevant product price list, or contact us at [email protected].
If you choose to travel without adequate insurance cover, Emperor will not be liable for any losses howsoever arising, in respect of which insurance cover would otherwise have been available.
The Solomon Islands is a year-round scuba diving destination with a tropical climate and warm water throughout the year.
Conditions are generally sunny, with occasional tropical rain showers. Humidity can be high on the larger islands but is typically lower on smaller islands and aboard liveaboards.
The wettest period is usually at the start of the year. For this reason, Emperor Bilikiki does not operate during January and February, when annual maintenance and crew leave take place.
Emperor Divers Honiara remains open throughout the year.
The Solomon Islands is renowned for its exceptional marine biodiversity and some of the healthiest hard coral reefs in the world.
Divers can explore dramatic walls covered in giant sea fans, caves and swim-throughs illuminated by spectacular light beams, and reefs packed with colourful tropical fish. Large schools of fish are common, along with sharks, tuna, trevallies, mackerel and shoals of fusiliers.
The Solomon Islands is also an excellent destination for macro photography, with frequent sightings of nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, coral hermit crabs, octopus, cuttlefish and crocodile fish.
Water temperatures in the Solomon Islands remain consistently warm throughout the year and generally range between 28°C and 30°C.
Both air and water temperatures vary by only a few degrees annually, with the slightly cooler period typically occurring between June and August.
Most divers are comfortable wearing a 3mm wetsuit or Lycra suit when diving in the Solomon Islands.
However, if you plan to complete four or five dives per day, additional thermal protection is recommended, even though both the air and water temperatures are warm throughout the year.
All tanks are fitted with 232-bar DIN/Yoke convertible valves.
Divers using M26 regulators should be aware that M26 valves and adapters are often unavailable outside Europe. These adapters are not readily available in Africa, Asia or the Pacific, and Emperor Divers does not have any available for hire.
No. Emperor Divers does not currently offer underwater camera rental in the Solomon Islands.
Most diver training agencies recommend waiting at least 24 hours before flying after scuba diving.
For your safety, Emperor Divers requires all guests to leave a minimum of 24 hours between their last dive and their flight.
Yes. If you are travelling alone, a dive buddy will be allocated onboard or in resort.
All divers are expected to dive within the limits of their certification and experience. You are responsible for your own safety and that of your buddy, and should always plan your dive, use a personal dive computer and begin, conduct and finish each dive together.
Yes, in many cases. If you are certified through PADI or SSI, we can usually verify your qualification through their online databases.
Yes. You can still dive in the Solomon Islands if you have lost your dive logbook, provided you can show proof of your diving certification.
Depending on your certification level, estimated experience and when you last dived, we may ask you to complete a scuba review before your arrival or on your first day.
There is no single answer, as it depends on your certification level, diving experience and how long it has been since your last dive.
For safety reasons, Emperor Divers recommends following the guidance of your training agency. Many agencies recommend a Scuba Review if you have not dived for more than six months.
If you are joining a Solomon Islands liveaboard, any refresher training should be completed before boarding.
Regardless of certification level or experience, all guests complete a check dive on their first dive at a sheltered dive site. Our experienced guides will then provide advice and feedback to help ensure you get the most from your diving holiday.
Divers in the Solomon Islands are generally free to plan their own dive profiles within the limits of safe diving practices, their certification level and experience.
Your maximum diving depth will depend on your training, experience and insurance cover. It is your responsibility to ensure that your insurance policy covers the depth you intend to dive before travelling.
Dive times are generally flexible and are not normally restricted. However, on occasions where there is a long journey to the next dive site, dive durations may be limited to approximately 60 minutes.
We offer four dives per day, plus a night dive where conditions allow.
Emperor Divers is committed to protecting the marine environment and asks all divers to follow responsible diving practices.
Please do not touch, feed, chase, ride, catch or harass marine life, and avoid damaging the reef. We also ask divers not to use gloves or carry knives unless specifically required.
For safety reasons, divers should return to the boat with at least 30 bar remaining, avoid ascending or descending close to the reef or along mooring lines, and use good buoyancy control at all times, particularly when using cameras.
Solo diving and decompression diving are not permitted.
Following these simple rules helps protect the marine environment and ensures everyone enjoys a safe and memorable dive experience.
Our dive professionals are always available to provide guidance when required, and a full dive briefing is provided before every dive to explain the site and any specific considerations.
Questions about
Emperor Solomon Islands Liveaboards
Boarding for Emperor Solomon Islands liveaboards normally begins at around 16:00 on the first day of your trip.
Disembarkation is usually around 08:00 on the final day.
Our departure schedules are designed to work alongside incoming and outgoing international flights, so overnight stays are not normally required.
On the final day, most guests have time to explore Honiara before their airport transfer, with many choosing to visit one of the fascinating World War II history tours around Honiara and Guadalcanal. If you would like help or guidance with where to go please just ask our team.
Depending on your chosen flight schedule and departure city, overnight accommodation may occasionally be required.
Yes. An Emperor Solomon Islands representative will meet you at the airport on arrival.
If your flight arrives before boarding time, we will transfer you to a nearby hotel where you can relax until it is time to board the liveaboard.
Yes. Complimentary airport transfers are included if you arrive or depart within three days of your liveaboard trip.
Our team will arrange transfers between the airport and your liveaboard, helping to make your arrival and departure as smooth as possible.
Yes. At Honiara International Airport (HIR), taxis and mini-buses can be found immediately outside the main entrance.
Yes. We collect guests from their hotels and transfer them to the boarding point at approximately 16:00 on embarkation day.
Emperor Solomon Islands offers a dive schedule typically built around five dives per day. This normally includes four daytime dives and a night dive, allowing guests to make the most of the exceptional diving conditions throughout the trip.
The Solomon Islands can offer some of the easiest and most enjoyable diving conditions in the world, with warm water, generally mild currents and excellent visibility.
Most dives are conducted using our tenders, known locally as “tinnies”, which shuttle divers directly to and from the dive sites. Divers are collected where they surface and returned straight to the liveaboard.
The entry and exit process is straightforward and is often particularly suitable for guests with mobility concerns. Our crew handle equipment loading, unloading and tank filling, allowing guests to focus entirely on diving.
All guests must hold a minimum certification level of Open Water Diver or equivalent.
No. Specific dive sites cannot be guaranteed on any Solomon Islands liveaboard itinerary.
During a seven-night trip, we normally visit the Russell Islands, Mary Island and the Florida Islands, as well as a local village to experience traditional customs, singing and dancing.
On trips of nine nights or longer, we also visit the spectacular Marovo Lagoon region in Western Province.
Most trips include four daytime dives and a night dive each day, but there is no fixed itinerary.
Weather conditions, sea conditions and local circumstances may require changes to the planned schedule. In these situations, the captain and dive guides will decide which sites can be visited safely.
If dive sites are changed or missed because of weather or other unforeseen circumstances, refunds or compensation will not be offered.
Yes. Certain PADI courses are available onboard, but they must be arranged and booked before your trip.
Please contact our reservations team to discuss the courses available during your chosen departure.
Emperor Solomon Islands liveaboards accommodate a maximum of 20 guests.
There can be up to four dive guides onboard, depending on the number of guests travelling on each trip.
The languages spoken onboard vary depending on the staff roster for each trip.
However, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese are commonly spoken by members of our team.
The dive tenders (“tinnies”) have ample storage space for your equipment and a spares box is available onboard.
We recommend bringing:
• Mask
• Snorkel
• Fins
• Boots
• Wetsuit
• Regulator
• BCD
• SMB with a minimum of five metres of line
• Dive computer with spare batteries
• Torch for night dives
The average water temperature is approximately 29°C and most divers are comfortable in a 3mm wetsuit or shortie.
Equipment rental is available through Emperor Solomon Islands and should be reserved before arrival to guarantee availability. To prepare correctly sized equipment, we require your height, weight, shoe size and usual clothing sizes.
For safety reasons, all divers must use a dive computer and SMB on every dive, as well as a torch for night dives.
The Solomon Islands is widely regarded as one of the easiest places in the world to enjoy spectacular diving.
Warm water, generally mild currents, excellent visibility and the support provided by Bilikiki’s experienced dive crew make the diving suitable for many novice divers.
Most dive sites are appropriate for beginners, although any sites requiring additional experience will always be clearly identified by our dive team.
Yes. The Solomon Islands offers outstanding snorkelling, with many dive sites featuring spectacular shallow reefs and abundant marine life.
Snorkellers are welcome to join regular dive excursions and benefit from the same tender service used by divers, making access to snorkelling locations both easy and enjoyable.
All snorkellers must complete a Snorkel Medical before boarding and a Snorkeller Self-Assessment before entering the water. Snorkelling is only permitted when a guide is available, conditions are suitable and the crew are aware of your location.
A private snorkelling guide can also be arranged before arrival for an additional charge.
Yes, but only over the age of 12. Emperor Solomon Islands does not accept bookings for children under the age of 12.
Yes. Emperor Solomon Islands liveaboards can cater for most vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian and allergy-related dietary requirements when notified in advance.
Meals are usually served buffet-style and include a variety of local and international dishes.
To ensure our chefs can prepare appropriately, please advise us of any dietary requirements before travelling. As ingredients are sourced locally, there may occasionally be limitations on the availability of certain specialist products.
Yes. Emperor Solomon Islands liveaboards are equipped with Starlink internet, providing reasonably fast and reliable WiFi throughout the trip. There is no charge for using the service.
However, available bandwidth is limited, so guests are asked to use streaming and large downloads responsibly to ensure a good experience for everyone onboard.
Yes. Alcohol is available to purchase onboard Emperor Solomon Islands liveaboards.
A local beer typically costs around USD 5 and local wines start from approximately USD 25 per bottle.
Guests are also welcome to bring their own duty-free alcohol onboard.
Questions about Emperor Divers Honiara
Please arrive at the dive centre at 07:45 on your first day of diving in Honiara.
You are also welcome to visit the dive centre before your diving day if you have any questions or would like to arrange equipment hire in advance.
The dive centre is normally open between 08:00 and 16:00.
When diving with Emperor Divers Honiara, you should bring your towel, swimwear, sun cream, logbook, certification card and any personal diving equipment you own.
Having these items with you will help ensure a smooth check-in process and allow our team to verify your certification and diving experience where required.
A typical day of diving in Honiara includes two dives.
Additional dives may be available on request, depending on schedules, conditions and availability. If you are interested in arranging extra dives, please speak to our team at the dive centre or contact us before your trip. Night dives may also be available on request, subject to conditions and guide availability.
Email us on [email protected] to ask any questions.
A typical day of shore diving in Honiara consists of two morning dives.
We meet at the dive centre at 07:45 and aim to depart at approximately 08:00. After travelling to the first dive site, guests complete their first dive before enjoying refreshments. The second dive is usually conducted at a different site, with a return to the dive centre in time for a late lunch.
For boat diving, guests also meet at 07:45. Lunch is included between the two dives and we normally return to the dive centre during the middle of the afternoon.
Most dive sites around Honiara are suitable for beginner and novice divers, although suitability will always depend on weather conditions, sea conditions and visibility on the day.
If you are unsure which sites are most suitable for your certification level or diving experience, our team will be happy to provide advice before your trip.
Yes. Non-divers are welcome to join Emperor Divers Honiara boats for snorkelling.
For safety reasons, snorkellers must either wait until a member of the diving staff has returned to the boat before entering the water, or be accompanied in the water by a certified diver.
All snorkellers are required to wear a flotation aid while in the water.
While every effort will be made to accommodate snorkellers and guests wishing to try scuba diving, some dive sites or itineraries may not be suitable for safety reasons.
There is no difference in cost between divers and non-divers joining the trip.
Yes. Children aged 12 years and above are welcome to join Emperor Divers Honiara diving trips.
Any child who is too small to use a standard adult lifejacket must bring an appropriately sized lifejacket with them.
A full range of scuba diving equipment is available for hire through Emperor Divers Honiara.
Equipment can be pre-booked before arrival in your preferred currency. Equipment arranged locally is subject to a 10% sales tax.
All rental equipment is washed and returned to the dive centre after each diving day, and a spares box is available onboard.
For safety reasons, all divers must use a dive computer on every dive. An SMB is required for all boat dives, and a torch is required for night dives.
If you have any questions about equipment rental, our team will be happy to help before your trip.
Most diving equipment can be stored securely overnight at the dive centre.
Items that require charging or downloading, such as dive computers, cameras and torches, should be taken back to your hotel each evening.
Our instructors and dive guides in Honiara primarily speak English and German.
If you have any specific language requirements, please contact us before travelling and we will be happy to advise on availability.
General Solomon Islands Questions
Yes. However, many nationalities are eligible for a Visa on Arrival (VOA), including citizens of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada and most European Union countries.
Visa requirements can change, though, and eligibility varies depending on the passport you hold. You are responsible for checking the latest requirements with the Solomon Islands Immigration Service before travelling. They can be contacted on (+677) 22179, 22194 or 22199 or [email protected].
To visit the Solomon Islands for a diving holiday, you must have a passport that remains valid for at least six months after your arrival date and contains at least two blank, unstamped pages.
All visitors must also hold a return or onward flight ticket.
If your nationality is not eligible for a Visa on Arrival, please contact our team at [email protected] and we will do what we can to help guide you through the application process.
Vaccination against measles is required for entry into the Solomon Islands.
Most travellers will already have received a measles vaccination during childhood and proof of vaccination is not normally required on arrival.
The vaccinations recommended for your trip may vary depending on your age, medical history and country of residence. We recommend consulting a healthcare professional before travelling to determine which vaccinations are appropriate for you.
Vaccinations commonly recommended for travellers to the Solomon Islands include:
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
• Hepatitis A
• Tetanus
• Rabies
• Yellow Fever (where applicable)
If you are planning to scuba dive during your trip, be sure to tell your healthcare provider, as some medications are not recommended for divers.
Port fees, marine park fees and fuel surcharges are included in the price of your holiday under Emperor Divers’ No Hidden Extras guarantee.
A sales tax applies to purchases made from the onboard bar and shop. These charges will be included in your final onboard account.
The Solomon Islands operates on Solomon Islands Time (SBT), which is GMT+11 throughout the year. The country does not observe daylight saving time.
The official currency of the Solomon Islands is the Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD).
As a general guide:
• £1 is approximately 10-11 SBD
• US$1 is approximately 7-8 SBD
• €1 is approximately 8-9 SBD
Please note that exchange rates fluctuate and this should be used as a guide only.
The best currency to use in the Solomon Islands is the Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD).
Foreign currency can be used onboard, but only notes with a value of US$50 or higher are accepted.
Please note that American Express is generally not accepted in the Solomon Islands. Visa and Mastercard are the international bank cards most commonly accepted.
The Solomon Islands primarily uses Australian-style three-pin electrical outlets with a power supply of 240V and 50Hz.
Onboard Emperor Solomon Islands liveaboards, the dedicated charging room also provides American-style 110V, 60Hz outlets for charging cameras, strobes, dive lights and other electronic equipment.
These 110V outlets are intended for charging purposes only. If you plan to use items such as hairdryers, shavers or other personal appliances, you should bring the appropriate travel adapters with you.