Guadalcanal
Travelers come to Guadalcanal for World War II history, rainforest and village life in the Solomon Islands, with Honiara as the base for most trips.
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Guadalcanal is an island in the Solomon Islands, a country of more than 900 islands in the southwest Pacific. Honiara, the national capital, sits on the north coast and is the usual base for a visit. The island is best known for the 1942 to 1943 Battle of Guadalcanal, a major campaign between US and Japanese forces in the Pacific War. Honiara International Airport is built on the former Henderson Field, and war memorials and wrecks from the campaign are spread across the island.
Beyond the battle sites, Guadalcanal has rainforest, inland hills and coastal villages where traditional life goes on alongside the modern town. The trip suits travelers who want history, nature and a slower pace, and who are comfortable with basic services outside Honiara. Plan transport and lodging before you go, since options away from the capital are limited. The dry season, roughly May to September, is the most practical time to visit. Plan several days, with the capital as your base and day trips to the war sites.
Guadalcanal in five
- Check your entry before you flyEntry depends on your passport. Some nationalities need a visa or visitor permit. Check Solomon Islands immigration rules before you book, and confirm them again close to travel.Visas and entry
- Carry Solomon Islands dollars in cashOutside Honiara, plan to pay in cash with Solomon Islands dollars, and bring enough for the whole trip.
- Arrange a transfer from Henderson airportHoniara's international airport is at Henderson, outside the town centre, so you need a taxi or a pre-booked transfer to get in. Agree the price or pickup time with your lodging before you land.Getting around
- Set up data before you leave HoniaraMobile coverage is limited outside the capital, so get a local SIM or an eSIM in town and download offline maps before you go.Phones and eSIM
- Book a local guide for the battle sitesMany wartime sites on Guadalcanal are hard to find in dense bush without a guide. Stay on marked tracks, because unexploded ordnance is still a risk.Tours and tickets
Things to do in Guadalcanal
See all attractions in Guadalcanal
Need to know
- Currency
- Solomon Islands dollar (SBD)
- Entry
- Visa-free or visitor permit for many passports; check Solomon Islands immigration before you fly
- Emergency
- Check police and ambulance numbers with your lodging before you travel
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+11, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryWet, humid
- FebruaryWet, humid
- MarchWet season
- AprilRains easing
- MayDrier season
- JuneDrier season
- JulyDrier season
- AugustDrier season
- SeptemberDrier season
- OctoberWarm, drier
- NovemberRains return
- DecemberWet season
Right now in Guadalcanal
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
20
- Feels like
- 22°
- Humidity
- 87%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 97%
Guadalcanal
07:38 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today28°18°97%Tuesday: Rain. High 28°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Wed23°19°98%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 23°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Thu24°20°94%Thursday: Rain. High 24°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Fri26°20°84%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Sat25°19°95%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 25°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Sun24°18°100%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 24°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Mon25°18°96%Monday: Rain. High 25°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 96%.
Updated 03:51 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 7.953 SBD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Mount Austenby road from HoniaraWartime positions on the ridge above Honiara, best visited with a guide.Read the guide
- Bloody Ridgeby road from HoniaraA ridge south of Henderson Field where fighting was fierce in 1942.Read the guide
- Tulagiby boat from HoniaraThe former colonial capital on the Florida Islands, reached by boat.Read the guide
Before you go to Guadalcanal
Rules for Guadalcanal, checked
- Check entry rules with Solomon Islands immigration before you book your flight, since requirements depend on your passport.
- Ask before photographing people, and before entering a village or a sacred place.
- Dress modestly in villages and churches, covering shoulders and knees.
- Do not touch unexploded ordnance or take relics from battle sites. Report anything you find to the police.
Plan around Guadalcanal
The country, its islands and regions
Read the guideHoniaraThe capital and the usual base for the island
Read the guideGetting aroundGetting from Honiara to the rest of the island
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical costs on the ground
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules and what to check before you book
Read the guideWhere to stayPlaces to sleep in Honiara and near the airport
Read the guideGuadalcanal FAQ
Is Honiara worth visiting?
Yes, for the wartime history and as a base for the island. Plan a few days rather than one.
How do you get to Guadalcanal?
Fly into Honiara International Airport at Henderson, then take a taxi or a pre-booked transfer into town. Boats connect Honiara with other islands.
How many days do you need on Guadalcanal?
Plan a few days to cover Honiara, the nearby battle sites and one day trip. Add more if you want to visit other islands.
Is it safe to visit the battle sites alone?
Go with a local guide. Many sites are hard to find in dense bush, and unexploded ordnance is still a risk off the marked tracks.
Do you need a visa for Solomon Islands?
Some passports enter without a visa for a short visit; others need a permit. Check the immigration rules for your passport before you book.
When is the best time to visit Guadalcanal?
May to September is the drier season. The wet season from November to April brings heavy rain and humidity.