Honiara Activities at a Glance

October 31, 2026

The simplest way to plan Honiara is by distance from the centre. A few things sit on the waterfront, some are a short taxi ride away, and the best ones need half a day and a local guide. The town stretches along one coast road, so travel time matters more than the number of stops. Costs are in Solomon Islands dollars (SBD).

Within reach of the waterfront

Honiara Central Market stands beside the harbour. It trades from Monday to Saturday, from about 6:00 until 18:00, and shuts on Sunday. Stalls sell vegetables, fish, betel nut and crafts. Thieves target bags and phones here, so carry little, keep it hidden and shop in daylight.

National Museum, on Mendana Avenue, is one room of dance, shell currency, weapons and archaeology. A listing from 2016 shows weekday opening from about 9:00 to 16:30, plus Saturday morning, with donations in place of a fee. Ring or ask your hotel before walking over.

A short taxi ride

Honiara Botanic Gardens are at Rove, about 2 km west of the centre, behind Rove Prison. Opened in 1965, the 19 hectares hold a good number of Solomon orchids, and the Rove River crosses the grounds. Maintenance has slipped and a master plan was written in 2023. Ask at the gate about the entry fee, and stay away from the riverbank.

Betikama SDA Mission lies near Henderson. Its small museum shows wartime aircraft pieces, mostly American, plus two Japanese anti-tank guns. Henderson is on the UK government’s list of areas for extra care, so go by taxi, keep the visit short and keep belongings out of sight.

Half a day with a guide

Bonegi wrecks lie about 12 km west along the coast road. The Hirokawa Maru and Kinugawa Maru were driven ashore in November 1942, and you wade in from the beach. Snorkelers use the shallower Kinugawa Maru. The deeper Hirokawa Maru, with one listing of 5 to 50 m, is for divers. Reef shoes are essential, and you pay a cash kastom fee to the landowners. Large crocodiles have been seen off beaches near the capital, so ask local people about the water before going in. The only recompression chamber in Honiara is out of service after earthquake damage, so divers must ask their operator about emergency cover. Treat the wrecks as war graves.

Mataniko Falls are visited on a guided trek only. Lonely Planet says the guide comes from Lelei, and the Honiara tourist office can arrange it. The trailhead is near Lili village, behind New Chinatown. Plan 1 to 2 hours on the trail, with river crossings and a risk of flash floods, so skip it after rain.

Rules that apply everywhere

Land belongs to local custom owners, so budget a small cash fee for any trail or beach and ask your guide or hotel.
Dress with shoulders and knees covered. The city is strongly Christian.
Do not touch rusty metal or anything resembling a shell, since unexploded weapons remain around old battlefields.
Use repellent against malaria, dengue and Zika.

Check the UK safety advice for Solomon Islands before you arrive.

Booking

Guided half-day outings can be found on GetYourGuide , and health guidance sits on the UK health page .