Solomon Islands Compendium A Compilation of Guidebook References and Cruising Reports Covering the Solomon Islands, Off the East Coast of Australia IMPORTANT: USE ALL INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT AT YOUR OWN RISK!! Rev 2019.9 – September 20, 2019 We welcome updates to this guide! (especially for places we have no cruiser information on) Email Soggy Paws at sherry –at- svsoggypaws –dot- com. You can also contact us on Sailmail at WDI5677 The current home of the official copy of this document is http://svsoggypaws.com/files/ If you found it posted elsewhere, there might be an updated copy at svsoggypaws.com. Revision Log Many thanks to all who have contributed over the years!! Rev Date Notes 2016.0 01-Nov-2016 Initial version, still very rough at this point!! Info from s/v Field Trip’s blog, Adina’s waypoints, Carina’s 2017.0 04-Apr-2017 write-ups from SSCA newsletter. 2017.1 11-Aug-2017 Info from Screensaver Blog Bits from L’il Explorers. Notes on Gulf Harbor Radio (SSB 2018.1 15-Dec-2018 section) Shango’s notes, Adina waypoints, various stuff from various 2019.1 21-Feb-2019 sources 2019.2 18-Mar-2019 More Screensaver & etc. 2019.3 23-Mar-2019 More Screensaver, Sieling References, etc Updates on checking in, Shortlands, Stirling Island, Vella 2019.4 13-Apr-2019 Lavella, Gizo, and Vonavona Western Province stuff from Lorelei, updates from Soggy 2019.5 17-May-2019 Paws on Russells, Tetepare, Marovo Lagoon, and Honiara 2019.6 13-June-2019 More Honiara info and visa renewals Haulout info for Liapari, Sesape, & Avi Avi, updates on 2019.7 23-June-2019 Munda and Noro 2019.8 07-Aug-2019 Kolombangara updates, many miscellaneous Clearing out of Noro. West Coast of Vella LaVella updates. 2019.9 20-Sep-2019 Indigo II anchorages from south of Honiara. More on tropical sores. Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 9 1.1 ORGANIZATION OF THE GUIDE ............................................................................................................................. 9 1.2 OVERVIEW OF THE AREA ................................................................................................................................... 11 1.2.1 Charts ..................................................................................................................................................... 11 1.2.2 Navigational Cautions ............................................................................................................................ 11 1.3 TIME ZONE .................................................................................................................................................... 11 1.4 WEATHER IN THIS AREA ................................................................................................................................... 11 1.4.1 General Weather Conditions .................................................................................................................. 11 1.4.2 Weather Sources – With Onboard Email ............................................................................................... 12 1.4.3 Weather Sources – Voice ....................................................................................................................... 13 1.4.4 Weather Sources – Internet ................................................................................................................... 13 1.4.5 Tropical Weather & Cruising During Cyclone Season ............................................................................. 14 1.5 CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION ............................................................................................................................... 16 1.5.1 Pre-Arrival – Visa Requirements ............................................................................................................ 19 1.5.2 Pre-Arrival – Pre Arrival Notification Requirements .............................................................................. 19 1.5.3 Immigration ........................................................................................................................................... 19 1.5.4 Customs ................................................................................................................................................. 20 1.5.5 Health .................................................................................................................................................... 20 1.5.6 Stopping Before Officially Clearing In .................................................................................................... 20 1.5.7 Pets ........................................................................................................................................................ 20 1.5.8 Intra-Country Clearances ....................................................................................................................... 20 1.5.9 Clearing Out ........................................................................................................................................... 20 1.5.10 Visas for PNG ..................................................................................................................................... 21 1.6 LOCAL INFORMATION AND CUSTOMS .................................................................................................................. 21 1.6.1 Dress Code ............................................................................................................................................. 21 1.6.2 Security Issues ........................................................................................................................................ 22 1.6.3 Languages .............................................................................................................................................. 24 1.6.4 Betelnut.................................................................................................................................................. 24 1.6.5 Trading ................................................................................................................................................... 24 1.6.6 Malaria .................................................................................................................................................. 31 1.6.7 Eating the Fish (Ciguatera!) ................................................................................................................... 32 1.6.8 Crocodiles ............................................................................................................................................... 34 1.6.9 Malignant Tropical Sores ....................................................................................................................... 34 1.7 YACHTSMEN'S SERVICES - OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................. 35 1.7.1 Money .................................................................................................................................................... 35 1.7.2 Diesel and Gasoline ................................................................................................................................ 36 1.7.3 Propane (Cooking Gas) .......................................................................................................................... 36 1.7.4 Groceries ................................................................................................................................................ 36 1.7.5 Water ..................................................................................................................................................... 36 1.7.6 Boat Parts & Repairs .............................................................................................................................. 36 1.7.7 Medical .................................................................................................................................................. 37 1.7.8 Laundry .................................................................................................................................................. 37 1.8 EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES ............................................................................................................................ 37 1.9 GETTING VISITORS IN AND OUT ......................................................................................................................... 37 1.10 COMMUNICATIONS ......................................................................................................................................... 39 1.10.1 VHF .................................................................................................................................................... 39 1.10.2 SSB Radio Frequencies and Nets ........................................................................................................ 40 1.10.3 Telephones, Cell Phones and Internet Access .................................................................................... 43 1.10.4 Mail.................................................................................................................................................... 47 1.10.5 News .................................................................................................................................................