Papua to Solomon is. by boat? + malaria precautions

Hi guys,

1) I am sorry for repeating this question once again as I did about one year ago. I am wondering if here is anyone with fresh experience:

I am still thinking about visiting Solomon Islands from Papua New Guinea. I am considering an alternative way of how to get to your country - traveling by boat / cargo freighter etc. I hear there is a boat link between southern Bougainville in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands (Shortlands). Do you think it is doable? It would be of great convenience since im planning to visit this island group anyway.

So, is there any chance to make it from Papua New Guinea to Solomon Islands by the sea? If so, what immigration procedures on your side would be in such a case?

2) I know, I know I should refer to official recommendation given by doctors or to health information websites, but i would like to know your practice and opinion. Do you take any chemoprophylaxes when in PNG and Solomon Islands? If so, are these drugs readily available for purchase in Port Moresby? The thing is drug stores in my country have commonly very poor selection of these medications...

Thank you for your reaction and information in advance...

jirikoo

You will defininitely need malaria prophylaxis in Solomon Islands, and I think also in PNG. The two most commonly prescribed are doxycycline and malarone and you will need a prescription to obtain them.

Copy of posts from the Solomon Islands foru. Hope this is helpful:
Hanoni Momo Shlomo 18 July 09:08

It suppose to be at tarawa ,but the sweet lady that have the immigration stamp is at buka or out of buka town,but most people at buka will know and help you to find her.you'll have to stamp in at Gizo.

Pattie M Tani 18 July 08:39
Directing you to Mr Christopher Akosawa. Am sure he'll give the right answer to your query.
Brown Onahikeni 18 July 08:21
There is a imigration office in Buka Town (Bougainville) where your passport can be stamped. when entering the solomons i think Gizo or if not you can come over to Honiara and do that...
Ozziegiraffe 17 July 22:00
Tourism question: someone would like to enter the country from Bougainville. Is this possible at present, and where would you get passport stamps leaving PNG and entering SI?

Definitely need malaria prophylaxis for PNG. Take a look at this PNG malaria map:

PNG Malaria

And here's the Solomon Islands malaria map:

Solomon Islands malaria

Edited by: Watsoff

Interesting that they just include the entire country in the Solomon Islands map. There is no malaria in the Reef Islands, though you have to get there via other parts of the country.

I know; that's why one should take information found on the net with a grain of salt. There's no malaria on Rennell or Bellona either, but of course you have to get there from elsewhere. My friend from Bellona was hospitalized with a really serious case of malaria - nearly killed him - which he got in Honiara, but he only fell ill when visiting relatives on Rennell after he had moved back to Bellona.

Sounds like my first week in the Lau Lagoon. There are no mosquitos on the artificial islands - you have to be on the mainland around dawn or dusk to get infected. I must have been bitten before I left Honiara, so spent the first week of my holiday with malaria. At least I had packed medicine.
People from malaria-free areas tend to get it wrse when they do get infected.

So true!

thank you guys