Honiara Travel Guide: What to See, Eat & Experience
pranav
–
September 16, 2026
I touched down in Honiara on a humid Tuesday afternoon, the air already thick with the scent of seaweed and diesel. The city feels smaller than the map suggests, but the streets pulse with a rhythm that’s hard to miss.
Getting There and Getting Around
The international airport sits just a kilometre from the waterfront, and a shared taxi will scoop you up for about 2 Solomon Islands dollars (roughly 25 cents). They don’t run on a schedule; the driver will wait for a few passengers before heading into town.
If you prefer a bit more privacy, a private sedan costs about 15 SI$ for the 10‑kilometre ride to the city centre. Expect the driver to chat in Pijin, pointing out the old war memorial as you pass.
Airport taxi: 2 SI$ per person, shared, 10‑15 min ride.
Private hire: 15 SI$ flat, can be booked at the arrivals desk.
Local bus (bus‑scooter): 1 SI$ per hop, routes are informal.
Car rental: 30 SI$ per day, 4‑wheel drive recommended for outskirts.
Where to Stay
I stayed at the Rove Hotel, a modest three‑storey building on the edge of the market. The room cost 45 SI$ a night, air‑conditioned, with a ceiling fan that whirred louder than the ocean wind.
For a beach vibe, the Honiara Backpackers Lodge sits a short walk from the shoreline. Beds are bunk style, shared bathroom, and you’ll pay 20 SI$ for a pillow‑top mattress that feels surprisingly firm.
Rove Hotel: 45 SI$ per night, central, AC, Wi‑Fi (slow).
Backpackers Lodge: 20 SI$ per night, dormitory, beachfront.
Airbnb rooms: 30‑60 SI$, often include kitchen access.
Camping sites: 5 SI$ per night at Lawson’s Bay, bring your own mat.
Must‑See Sights
The National Museum sits on a hill overlooking the harbor; the entrance fee is a polite 2 SI$ and you get a half‑hour guided tour that mentions the World War II relics scattered around. The exhibits are a mix of traditional artefacts and photographs that feel like a family album.
A short walk from the museum is the Central Market, a maze of stalls where you can barter for fresh fruit, woven baskets, and the occasional shark‑tooth necklace. The best time to go is early, before the heat makes the tarps sag.
Don’t miss the WWII Memorial at the waterfront; the bronze statues are weathered but still striking. It’s free, and you can climb the steps for a decent view of the harbor, especially at sunset.
National Museum: 2 SI$, 30‑min tour, open 9 am‑4 pm.
Central Market: free, best before 11 am, bring small change.
I tried a plate of “po’e” at a roadside stall, a sweet banana‑taro pudding wrapped in banana leaves. It cost just 1 SI$ and was warm enough to melt the sugar on top.
For a heartier meal, head to the “Kahuna” restaurant near the harbour. Their fish grill is fresh; the catch of the day was a snapper, seasoned with lemon myrtle and served with coconut rice for 12 SI$.
If you’re a coffee lover, the “Munda Brew” café on Mendana Avenue serves locally roasted beans for 3 SI$ a cup. The barista will pour a small story about the farm in Guadalcanal that supplied the beans.
Po’e (banana‑taro pudding): 1 SI$, street stall, best hot.
Snapper grill at Kahuna: 12 SI$, includes sides.
Munda Brew coffee: 3 SI$, beans from Guadalcanal.
Local beer (Solomon Lager): 2 SI$ per bottle, widely available.
Outdoor Activities
A half‑day trip to Stone Town Beach is worth the 10 SI$ bus fare each way. The sand is powdery, the water clear enough to see a school of barracuda swimming near the reef.
For a bit of hiking, the Seven Mile Creek trail starts just outside the city limits. The path is unpaved, takes about two hours round‑trip, and you’ll pass a small waterfall where locals wash clothes.
If diving is on your list, the dive centre on the north side of the harbour offers a two‑tank introductory dive for 80 SI$. The dive site is a wreck of a Japanese patrol boat, now home to moray eels and schools of jacks.
Stone Town Beach: 10 SI$ round‑trip bus, swim, snorkel.
Seven Mile Creek hike: free, 2‑hour loop, bring water.
Kayak rental: 15 SI$ per hour, launch at the harbour.
Practical Tips & Etiquette
Currency is the Solomon Islands dollar; ATMs are scarce, so I withdrew 200 SI$ at the airport and used the rest for small purchases. Credit cards work at a few hotels and larger restaurants, but expect a 3 % surcharge.
The climate is tropical; pack a lightweight rain jacket and plenty of insect repellent. Mosquitoes are most active at dusk, so a screened room or a mosquito net makes a big difference.
Pijin is the lingua franca; a simple “Gutpela dei” (good day) goes a long way. When visiting a village, ask permission before taking photos, locals appreciate the respect and often smile wider for the camera.
Cash: withdraw early, small denominations.
Power: 230 V, UK‑type plug, bring a spare adapter.
Safety: keep valuables in a hotel safe, avoid isolated streets after dark.
Honiara isn’t a polished tourist hub, and that’s part of its charm. The city’s pace, the warm smiles, and the occasional hiccup with a busted water pipe make every moment feel lived‑in, not staged.
