Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Solomon from PNG by boat Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
zefiro 05:40 UTC 15 May 2008 | Hello, I was told some months ago that getting to Solomon Islands from PNG by boat was likely. Im approching there now (PNG) and really need to know how likely is it. Does anyone have good information on how to do this? In the event that I found a boat willing to take me, is it legal? or, how to make it legal...? Thanks a lot |
ozziegiraffe 09:58 UTC 15 May 2008 | It is possible, provided you make sure you get registered by immigration as soon as you arrive. You can cross from Bougainville to Mono or Shortland, or from Tasman Island to the Ontong Java atoll (much more remote). The person who knows about this is Laszlo, and he was somewhere around th Papua/PNG border today, so unless he returns to an internet cafe tomorrow, you may not hear from him for a while. It is safer doing this now than it has been for years - no ethnic or border tension problems. | 1
Laszlo 10:01 UTC 16 May 2008 | I am back online - just. When did this, it was illegal from the PNG side, but the Solomons authorities did not mind. More info on the PNG link in my signo. Note that things may have changed - the issue being mot so much safety, but the attitude of SI authorities. Last year they arrested some Westerners theoritically for making this crossing, though in practice more likely for hitting their nose into something they should not have. | 2
ozziegiraffe 10:50 UTC 16 May 2008 | Those people arrested were implicated in an on-going problem about the smuggling of war relics - they were also travelling on their own yacht, and I think the authorities may have been on the look-out for them, as they rarely pick up yachties travelling through the Pacific. I still don't know which side of the war relic controversy they were on, and there are several internal views, apart from any foreigners may have. It may be wise for the OP to check at the Solomon Islands High Commission in Port Moresby, before attempting the crossing. | 3
zefiro 08:50 UTC 22 May 2008 | Thanks a lot guys. I am sure that this information will be helpful quite soon. Ill give it a try, from PNG to Solomon.I hope that its ok to go with the bicycle. Thanks indeed. | 4