Length from head to tail can reach up to 81 centimeters. Unlike many skinks which can shed their tail, the Solomon Islands skink has a strong, prehensile tail. This species can easily dangle its entire body hanging from its tail. Body color ranges through many shades of olive green and may include lighter stripes or speckles. This species is highly arboreal.
Territories are well defended and some form of scent marking including a waxy deposit is used.
The juvenile is quite large, being as long as 30 centimeters. Extreme habitat loss on the Solomon Islands greatly threatens this species. Subspecies may exist and may possibly be identified by coloration and pattern although scattered removal by the pet trade and the resulting problematic captive breeding may have made these identifications impossible.