The main port of entry into the Solomon Islands is at Henderson International Airport on the island of Guadalcanal. Situated approximately 15 minutes drive from the airport is the capital, Honiara.  The town is on the northern coastline and incorporates a small picturesque sea port at Point Cruz. Visitors will enjoy the hustle and bustle of Honiara and there are many things to do and see.

Getting Around in Honiara

Restaurants

Shopping

Honiara town centre is level, shady and interesting, with a bustling air and interesting shops, some specialising in local handicrafts, others in duty free goods. The range of products however is limited. Here also is the centre of commerce, banks, postal service, Telekom, restaurants, tourist information centre and local tour operators. The outdoor markets around town are a wonderful opportunity to mix with the locals. Here you will find an interesting array of local goods and produce, from fresh fish and vegetables, fruit, peanuts and betel nuts, to carvings, basket ware, calico lava-lavas and shells.  Solomon Islands has some of the finely handcrafted Art and Craft, from the brown streaked carvings with its inlaid mother of pearls to pandanus baskets, bays and trays with amazingly minute pattterns.

Clubs

The Point Cruz Yacht Club and Honiara Golf Club, situated in Honiara, welcome overseas guests for drinks and light or main meals. For those looking for something more upbeat, there are several nightclubs in Honiara, The Warehouse, Club Marimba, Paradise Club, and VIP Club featuring DJ's and/or local and overseas bands.

Other activities include regular dances, film nights, sailing, boating, fishing and golf tournaments. Several casinos in Honiara cater for both the casual and serious punters who enjoy Baccarat, Blackjack, Roulette and the famous Pacific Poker.

WWII Tours

Here in 1942, World War II's bloodiest battles and longest campaign saw the loss of nearly 38,000 lives and the turning point of the war in the Pacific. Names like Bloody Ridge, Red Beach, Skyline Ridge and Henderson Field will live long in the memories of both sides.

There are many battle sites and relics of the war to be found not only here but throughout the islands. Ask locally for directions or better still, for an excellent commentary and to cover all points of interest, engage the services of a local tour guide. (See Battle of Guadalcanal for more information).

Worth Visiting

The National Parliament building, opened in 1993, is a distinctive conical building overlooking the main town centre. A tour of the entire building can be arranged with the Sergeant at Arms.

The Melanesian Cultural Village on Mendana Avenue (across from the Central Bank) features traditional leaf "haus" from the different provinces of Solomon Islands. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the gardens down to the sea. Craft markets are held here regularly and locally prepared food is always on sale.

The National Museum, also located in the town centre, is open daily with displays of dance and body ornamentation, traditional currencies, weaponry, and archeology. The Central Bank of Solomon Islands is a large modern building containing some interesting displays of red feather money, shell money, other local currencies and very fine wood carvings. Further up the Mendana Avenue, is the Botanical Gardens and herbarium with a display of local orchids, and a selection of bush plants and trees, mostly typical of rainforests in the country.

The Honiara Central and Kukum markets are the country's food markets where produce comes in from outlying villages, and is worth visiting for the atmosphere alone.

Both the US Memorial atop Skyline Ridge, bearing a detailed description of the battles fought during the Guadalcanal Campaign and the Japanese Peace Memorial, with its four white monoliths on Mt Austin offer panoramic views of the capital, Iron Bottom Sound and the Florida Islands.