Honiara
Travelers come to Honiara for Guadalcanal's World War II sites, then use the city as a base for markets, the waterfront and onward island travel.
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Honiara is the capital of the Solomon Islands, a country in the Southwest Pacific northeast of Australia. The city sits on the north coast of Guadalcanal, and its international airport is the country's main air link. Its history is tied to World War II. In 1942 and 1943, Guadalcanal was the scene of a long campaign between Allied and Japanese forces. The airstrip built there, Henderson Field, is now part of Honiara International Airport. Wartime sites and memorials are spread across the island.
The city itself is compact, and the central area is easy to walk, with a market, a waterfront and basic shops and services. Services are basic compared with larger Pacific cities, so plan ahead for transport and food. A stay of two to three nights covers the main war sites and city sights, and a longer trip makes sense if you plan to travel on to other islands. The dry months, May to October, suit sightseeing and outdoor visits best. Honiara suits travelers who like history and a slower pace. It is not a resort town.
Honiara in five
- Get a local SIM before you leave townMobile data outside Honiara is unreliable, so a local SIM from Our Telekom or Bmobile is the practical choice for maps and bookings. Bring your passport, since SIM registration asks for ID.Phones and eSIM
- Book your pickup from Honiara airportHoniara International Airport is at Henderson, outside the town center. Arrange a pickup with your lodging or a taxi before you land, and agree the fare before you leave the airport.Getting around
- Carry Solomon Islands dollars in cashCards work at some hotels and larger shops, but the central market, taxis and small guesthouses often want cash. Change money in town before you travel out to the villages or other islands.
- Stock up before SundayMany shops close on Sundays, so buy water, snacks and any medicine you need on Saturday. Plan Sunday around a rest day, a church service or a walk near your lodging.
- Ask before you photograph peopleAsk first at the central market and in villages. Dress modestly in town and around churches, with shoulders and knees covered.
Things to do in Honiara
See all attractions in Honiara
Need to know
- Currency
- Solomon Islands dollar (SBD)
- Entry
- Visa-free or visa on arrival for many passports; check first
- Emergency
- Call the police; ask your lodging for ambulance and fire numbers
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+11, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain, humid
- FebruaryHeavy rain
- MarchRain, humid
- AprilRains easing
- MayDry season starts
- JuneDry, breezy
- JulyDry, breezy
- AugustDry, breezy
- SeptemberDry, breezy
- OctoberDry, warm
- NovemberRains return
- DecemberWet, humid
Right now in Honiara
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 27°
- Humidity
- 87%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 97%
Honiara
07:38 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°23°97%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Wed31°24°97%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Thu30°24°91%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 91%.
- Fri31°24°90%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Sat30°24°97%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Sun30°23°98%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 98%.
Updated 05:04 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 Austen ridgeabout 15 to 30 min by taxiThe ridge above town, a key position in the 1942 to 1943 Guadalcanal campaign.Read the guide
- Savo Islandabout 1 to 2 hours by boatA volcanic island with hot springs, reached by boat from Honiara.Read the guide
- Tulagiabout 1 hour by boatA former colonial capital across the sound, reached by boat.Read the guide
Before you go to Honiara
Rules for Honiara, checked
- Check entry requirements with Solomon Islands Immigration before you fly, since visa-free and visa-on-arrival rules differ by passport.
- Dress modestly in town and around churches, with shoulders and knees covered.
- Ask before you photograph people at the central market or in villages.
- Many shops close on Sundays, so buy water, food and medicine before the weekend.
Plan around Honiara
The wider country, its islands and entry basics
Read the guideGuadalcanalThe island Honiara sits on, with WWII sites
Read the guideGetting aroundTaxis, buses and boats from Honiara
Read the guidePhones and eSIMLocal SIMs and data for the islands
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and guesthouses by area
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules to check before you fly
Read the guideHoniara FAQ
Is Honiara worth visiting?
Yes, for the WWII history, the central market and as a base for boats to nearby islands. It is a small capital, so it suits trips that combine the town with the wider Solomon Islands.
How do you get from the airport to Honiara?
Honiara International Airport is at Henderson, outside the town center. Arrange a pickup with your lodging or a taxi, and agree the fare before you leave the airport.
How many days do you need in Honiara?
Two to three days cover the central market, the waterfront and the Mount Austen ridge from the Guadalcanal campaign, plus a boat trip if you have time.
Do you need a visa for the Solomon Islands?
Many passports enter visa-free or get a visa on arrival, but the rules differ by country. Check the entry requirements on the official government site before you book.
What language is spoken in Honiara?
English is the official language, and Pijin is the common language in the streets and markets. A few words of Pijin are welcome.
Can you reach other islands from Honiara?
Yes, by domestic flight or boat, and Honiara is the main gateway. Schedules change, so check the carrier or boat operator before you plan a day trip.