🇸🇧 Auki,
Solomon Islands
#1918
Nomad Score
3.6
Coords
-8.7706074, 160.6992655
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ESSENTIALS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD). 1 USD ≈ 8.50 SBD. BSP and ANZ banks are available. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; stick to boiled or bottled water like 'Blue Water'. |
| 🔌 Power | 240V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I (Australian standard). Power outages are frequent. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Our Telekom or Bmobile. Available at shops near Auki Market for ~50 SBD. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | BSP (Bank South Pacific) is the most reliable. Cash is king; cards rarely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Guesthouses and small hotels; long-term rentals are arranged via local networking. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | No; strictly a cash-based economy. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Auki Motel or Ross Island Guesthouse (250-500 SBD per night). |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hilltop Guest House (approx. 200 SBD/night). |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Langa Langa Lagoon (nearby) for resorts or Auki town center for logistics. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Town Center for proximity to the Telekom office and banks. |
| 🏙️ City | Auki, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 8,500 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | 5-10 Mbps via Our Telekom 4G; satellite is required for stability. |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | None available; Our Telekom office lobby or hotel rooms are the only options. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Auki Lodge Restaurant; has backup power and relatively quiet tables. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Informal gatherings at the Auki Boat Club or local markets. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Occasional NGO meetups at the R&R Guesthouse. |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | No apps. Local taxis (often white vans) found at the wharf; 10-20 SBD for town trips. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | None; best to negotiate a daily rate with a local motorbike owner (~150 SBD/day). |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Langa Langa Lagoon beaches; accessible by boat (30 mins). |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Solomon Airlines (flights to Honiara take 30 mins). |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Solomon Airlines (via Honiara to Brisbane or Nadi). |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Malaita North/South Road; mostly unpaved and rugged. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Auki Wharf (passenger ferries like 'MV Fair Glory' to Honiara). |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | None; pay per trip in cash on 'minibus' trucks (5-10 SBD). |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Outboard motorboats (banana boats) for coastal travel; approx. 200-500 SBD depending on distance. |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Kilu’ufi Hospital (3km from Auki); basic services only. Evacuation required for serious issues. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | None; outdoor practice at the Langa Langa Lagoon resorts. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic weights at Aligegeo School or informal community field sports. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Most guesthouses offer 'wash and dry' for ~50 SBD per load. |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | None; local takeaway is done in person. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Cassava pudding or fresh skipjack tuna from Auki Market. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Auki Market offers abundant fresh fruits (papaya, bananas) and nuts. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Small bakeries near the wharf selling 'sweet buns' (5 SBD). |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Auki Central Market for fresh produce; bulk items at bulk stores near the wharf. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | None; logistics are handled via Honiara shipping agents. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | None; shopping is done daily at the wet market. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Very limited; Auki Lodge is the primary spot for a cold beer (SolBrew). |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Solomon Breweries (based in Honiara, sold locally). |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | None; wine is rarely available except in high-end resorts. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Fish and chips or grilled 'Motu' (stone oven food) at the market (20 SBD). |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Basic Chinese dishes at local 'Kai Bars' near the wharf. |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Langa Langa Lagoon (Artificial Islands built from coral). |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Cultural demonstrations at the Shell Money Festival (periodical). |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | World War II relics scattered in the bush; guide required. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Augustine's Cathedral; beautiful community focal point. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Malaita Day (August 15th); features traditional dancing and boat races. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The artificial islands of the Langa Langa Lagoon. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | None; traditional storytelling ('Kastom') in villages. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Auki Central Market; the busiest and largest in the province. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Panpipe music groups in Kwara'ae and Lau regions. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Local woodcarvings and Shell Money displays at the market. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Informal lessons at Home-stays in the lagoon. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | None; artisan crafts are sold directly at the Auki Market. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Provincial Government buildings (Colonial era architecture). |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The tradition of 'Shell Money' (Akwa) used for bride price and disputes. |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Fiu River for freshwater swimming (15 mins from town). |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | None officially designated, but primary rainforest surrounds the town. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Walking the coastal road toward Gwaunaru'u Airport. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The 'Hilltop' area overlooking the Auki harbor. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The dense forests of central Malaita; endemic species like the Malaita Fantail. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Most beach areas in the Langa Langa Lagoon (with permission). |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL (via agents in Honiara) or local boat freight. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Small stalls in the market area; limited to basic mobile repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local schools often have outdoor tables available for use. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Informal Pijin lessons via local guides (roughly 100 SBD per session). |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Auki Public Library (limited hours and collection). |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Multipurpose Hall near the playing fields. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | None. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | None; gambling is largely prohibited/regulated. |
BUSINESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | N/A; Land is mostly Customary and cannot be bought by foreigners. |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | N/A; Leasehold agreements only for commercial ventures. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 500,000 SBD for existing structures on leased land. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 300,000 SBD (usually locally built traditional materials). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 800,000 SBD (Permanent material buildings). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 500,000 SBD. |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 30% for resident companies. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% for non-residents. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Territorial/Source-based; income earned in-country is taxed. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 40% for income over 60,000 SBD. |
| 🧾 VAT | 15% (Goods and Services Tax). |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Small land rental fees to the Provincial Government for leased land. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Stamp duty between 0.15% to 4% depending on value. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | None officially; no specific nomad visa or tax breaks. |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING AUKI