Safest cities in Solomon Islands
1 city with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in the Solomon IslandsAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in the Solomon Islands, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Political situation
- Demonstrations can happen in Honiara during sittings of Parliament, elections and times of political uncertainty. They can turn violent quickly and lead to civil unrest. Avoid protests and political gatherings and be cautious. Be aware that services and supply chains may be disrupted.
Crime
- Protecting yourself and your belongingsRobberies involving violence, handbag snatching, pickpocketing, distraction thefts and harassment happen, particularly around the central market and local beaches. Take sensible security precautions.
- Personal safetyStay alert when walking around Honiara at night. Take particular care in the squatter settlements around Honiara, White River, Lungga Bridge, Sun Valley, Mataniko Bridge, Burns Creek and Henderson (airport) area. Foreign nationals are often the targets of violent attacks. Security incidents in these areas have included:
Laws and cultural differences
- SwearingSwearing is illegal. If you swear at someone, you could face a large compensation claim, or even a prison sentence.
- Dress codeDress conservatively, with shoulders and knees covered, especially if you’re a woman. Wearing beach clothes away from the beach may cause offence.
- ‘Tabu’ sitesIn certain areas there are ‘tabu’ sites with restricted use and access, for example where only men are allowed. Check with your tour guide or hotel staff.
- Land ownershipLand ownership in the Solomon Islands is an important and sensitive issue. On some hiking trails or on many of the beaches around Honiara, you may need to pay a fee (‘kastom’) to the landowner. Ask local advice before setting off.
- Illegal drugsThe possession, selling and use of drugs is illegal in the Solomon Islands and can lead to prison sentences.
- LGBT+ travellersSame-sex sexual activity is illegal, and penalties can include a prison sentence. Showing affection in public is likely to cause offence. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
- MoneyAccess to banking facilities is difficult in rural areas. ATMs are only available in Honiara, Gizo, Munda and Auki. Only major hotels and restaurants in Honiara accept international credit cards. Make sure that you have several ways to access money.
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism
- Swimming safetyThere are dangerous rip tides along reefs and river estuaries. Always follow the warning signs, especially red flags. Where there are no signs, get advice from local residents or guides.
- Scuba divingIf you decide to scuba dive, make sure you use a reputable, fully licensed company with up-to-date equipment and necessary safety features. Deaths and serious accidents have occurred because basic safety measures were not in place.
- ToursCheck local advice before travelling to rural Guadalcanal, taking day trips outside Honiara or visiting the island of Malaita. Tour operators do not always follow safety and maintenance standards.
- Dangerous wildlifeFresh and saltwater crocodiles and sharks are common. Visitors have reported seeing large crocodiles offshore at beaches near Honiara. There are also large species of shark, such as bull, hammerhead and tiger, in the coastal waters. Take local advice before entering unfamiliar waters, including lakes.
- Unexploded weaponsThere are unexploded weapons throughout the Solomon Islands. The condition and stability of the weapons is unknown. Get local advice before you travel to:
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive in the Solomon Islands, see information on driving abroad.
- Road conditionsThere are few roads in the Solomon Islands. Most of these are on Guadalcanal and Malaita. Many roads are heavily pot-holed and some bridges have collapsed. Pedestrians and animals are often on the roads, which are poorly lit and hazardous at night.
- Sea travelBring your own lifejacket when travelling by ferry between islands. Journeys to small and remote islands are usually in small, motorised canoes.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- Earthquakes and tsunamisThe Solomon Islands are in the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’, an active zone where earthquakes and tremors are a constant risk.
- Tropical cyclonesThe tropical cyclone season normally runs from November to May. Monitor local news and check World Meteorological Organization and Solomon Islands Meteorological Service for weather reports.
- FloodingHeavy rain and flooding can affect the Solomon Islands. Bridges are often washed away as a result. Check local weather forecasts and take care if you are travelling during the tropical cyclone season.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Solomon Islands, updated 2026-05-26 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 3.73 /100k2008
- Income inequality
- Gini 37.12012
- Human development
- HDI 0.5842023
- Income
- $2,790/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 16.5 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 79/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 60/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 44/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 4.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.66GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 9.8 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- no dataof population · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 0.2 doctors /1k2.7 hospital beds per 1,000
- Malaria
- 224 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only
Natural hazards
- Tsunami
- 7.8/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Earthquake
- 6.9/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Cyclone
- 3.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Drought
- 2.9/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized in Solomon Islands (as of 2025). This describes the law on the books, not necessarily enforcement practice.
How Solomon Islands compares
| Measure | Solomon Islands | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 3.7 /100k | 2.4 /100k | +1.4 /100k — better for World median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 37.1 | 35.2 | +1.9 — better for World median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.584 | 0.763 | −0.179 — better for World median |
| Road deaths | 16.5 /100k | 15.4 /100k | +1.1 /100k — better for World median |
| Rule of law | 60/100 | 52/100 | +8/100 — better for Solomon Islands |
| Corruption perceptions | 44/100 | 39/100 | +5/100 — better for Solomon Islands |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | −9.9 µg/m³ — better for Solomon Islands |
| Natural-hazard risk | 4.6/10 | 3.8/10 | +0.8/10 — better for World median |
| Measure | Solomon Islands | Oceania median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 3.7 /100k | 2.4 /100k | +1.4 /100k — better for Oceania median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 37.1 | 33.8 | +3.3 — better for Oceania median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.584 | 0.835 | −0.251 — better for Oceania median |
| Road deaths | 16.5 /100k | 11.1 /100k | +5.4 /100k — better for Oceania median |
| Rule of law | 60/100 | 76/100 | −16/100 — better for Oceania median |
| Corruption perceptions | 44/100 | 66/100 | −22/100 — better for Oceania median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 6.7 µg/m³ | +3.2 µg/m³ — better for Oceania median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 4.6/10 | 2.8/10 | +1.8/10 — better for Oceania median |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 1 cities, safest first
- Honiara65.8 · #3860 worldwide