Honiara Memorials and Landmarks
Honiara’s sights fall into three groups: places of remembrance from the Guadalcanal campaign, a pair of civic buildings, and a museum. The first group needs the most care. The fighting of 1942 and 1943 left many dead, and live munitions remain near some sites, so go quietly, stay on cleared ground and follow your guide. Fees are in Solomon Islands dollars (SBD) and are usually paid in cash.
Places of remembrance
Skyline Ridge
The Guadalcanal American Memorial was dedicated in 1992 and is managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission. Reach it by taxi or car along Skyline Drive. It is free to enter. From the ridge you look across Honiara, the Mataniko area and Iron Bottom Sound. A site phone number is posted on the commission’s page, which is the place to confirm opening hours: abmc.gov/Guadalcanal .
Bloody Ridge, also called Edson’s Ridge
Here, from 12 to 14 September 1942, Edson’s Raiders and the Parachute Battalion faced Kawaguchi’s brigade. The ridge became the country’s first national park in August 2017, and in May 2025 it was renamed Bloody Ridge National Historical Park, after squatters were cleared. The Japanese embassy placed a wreath on 16 September 2025. A guide is recommended, since unexploded ordnance remains in the area.
Vilu Military Museum
Drive west from town for under an hour, then walk about 1 km along a track that leaves West Guadalcanal Road. Nothing marks the turn on the road. Fred Kona started the collection in 1975, and a family now looks after it. Fragments of a Wildcat, a Corsair, a Lightning, a Dauntless, a Betty bomber and a Duck are shown, along with Japanese howitzers, an anti-aircraft gun and a tank turret. Plaques recall Japanese, American, New Zealand, Australian and Fijian dead. Live shells lie on the grass, so look but do not touch. Ask about the fee on arrival.
Mount Austen and the Japanese Peace Memorial
A memorial park for Japan’s dead stands on Mount Austen, a separate hill from Skyline Ridge. Visit with a guide and speak quietly.
Alligator Creek
US Marines called the Ilu River by this name, and the fight there is also known as the Battle of the Tenaru because of a map error. A pillar for the Americans and another for the Ichiki Regiment stand beside the road. Behind the sandbar is a tidal lagoon where crocodiles live, so do not enter the water.
Civic buildings
National Parliament Building. The United States paid about US$5 million for it as a gift, and it first sat in November 1993. A conical concrete roof combines Temotu and Guadalcanal designs. See it from outside, and do not expect to be shown around.
A museum
National Museum, Mendana Avenue. One room covers dance, shell currency, weapons and archaeology. A 2016 listing gave weekday hours from about 9:00 to 16:30, plus Saturday morning, with entry free against a donation. Check ahead before walking over.
Safety on the road
Never touch rusted metal. Keep valuables out of sight near the central market and local beaches. The UK government safety advice names the places where visitors need extra care.
Finding a guide
For museum, market and waterfront sights, a driver or guide can be arranged through your hotel, or compare general tours on Viator .
Read more: On foot in Honiara and the Solomon Islands 2-day itinerary .