Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES:  While you are traveling in the Solomon Islands, you are subject to its laws.  Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from those in the United States.  Persons violating Solomon Island laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.  In the Solomon Islands, driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs could land you immediately in jail.  If you break local laws in the Solomon Islands, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States.  You can be prosecuted in the United States for engaging in sexual conduct with children or for using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country regardless of the legality of these activities under that country’s laws.  Counterfeit and pirated goods are illegal in the United States and if you purchase them in a foreign country, you may be breaking local law as well. 

Arrest notifications in host country: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate or consular agency if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in that country, others may not.  To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate or consular agency as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Customs information: Solomon Islands' customs authorities enforce strict regulations for importing or exporting firearms and ammunition, sexually explicit material, and certain prescription drugs to or from Solomon Islands. 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.

Natural disasters: Solomon Islands lie in the South Pacific cyclonic trajectory and are vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and sudden tidal movements. The Pacific cyclone season extends from November through March. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Water Sports: Many visitors to Solomon Islands participate in water sports, including scuba diving and snorkeling. Local dive masters may not consider your skill level when they organize a trip. Deaths and serious accidents have occurred in the past because basic safety measures were not taken during diving and snorkeling trips. Remember that safety precautions and emergency responses may not meet U.S. standards. Solomon Islands has only one hyperbaric recompression chamber to provide medical assistance for dive-related injuries. It is located in Honaira.

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers.

LGBT RIGHTS: While same-sex sexual relations are criminalized in Solomon Islands, there are no known incidents of the prosecution, targeting, or harassment of consenting same-sex adults. We recommend that you avoid public displays of affection, which could be categorized by the Solomon Islands penal code as an act of gross indecency, a felony, liable to imprisonment for five years.  For more detailed information about LGBT rights in the Solomon Islands you may review the State Department’s annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.  For further information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) travel, please read our LGBT Travel Information page.

ACCESSIBILITY: While in the Solomon Islands, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from in the United States. There is no law or national policy on persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental disabilities, and no legislation mandates access to buildings for such individuals. In practice, very few buildings are accessible to persons with disabilities.

The road network in Solomon Islands is in poor condition, and foot paths and road crossings in most major towns are congested. Open drainage systems in downtown Honiara limit access and movement for people with disabilities.