A Daytime Walk Around Honiara

October 31, 2026

Walking in Honiara comes with conditions. The town is a ribbon of road with long gaps between sights, the heat is strong, and crime near the centre is a real concern. A brief daytime stroll works, and the longer walks all need a guide.

The central stroll

Four stops make a sensible short walk in daylight: the National Museum on Mendana Avenue, the Point Cruz waterfront, the Honiara Central Market and the Parliament building. The museum is one room and the market opens Monday to Saturday, from about 6:00 to 18:00. Parliament, a US gift that first sat in 1993, can be viewed from the street. Keep the pace easy and stay near the sea.

Rules for walking in the centre

Go in daylight only. Avoid night walking.
Do not wear jewellery or hold a phone in your hand.
Robbery and bag-snatching are reported around the central market.
If you feel unsure, ask your hotel for a local guide or hail a taxi between stops.
Leave any gathering at once. Demonstrations around parliament sittings can turn violent quickly.
Cover your shoulders and knees, because the town is strongly Christian.

Skyline Drive

Skyline Drive climbs to the Guadalcanal American Memorial, which you reach by taxi or car and visit in a quiet frame of mind. From the top you can see the town, the Mataniko valley and the water below. Do not expect a walking trail from there to other sites.

Honiara Botanic Gardens

Rove, about 2 km west of the centre, holds the gardens, which cover 19 hectares and contain Solomon orchids. The Rove River runs through, and crocodiles live in the island’s rivers, so keep off the banks. The gardens are run down, so go in the morning.

Guided treks

Three treks are worth the effort, each with a local guide.

Mataniko Falls. The trail starts near Lili village behind New Chinatown. A guide from Lelei is needed and the tourist office in Honiara arranges one. Sources give 1 to 2 hours on the trail. There are river crossings, and the stream can flood without warning after rain.

Tenaru Falls. The path follows the river with about a dozen crossings, and guides wait at Tenaru village.

Savo Island. After a boat ride, a guide leads the way to hot springs and steam vents.

Land belongs to local owners, so expect a small cash kastom fee on each trek. Unexploded weapons lie on the ridges around Honiara, so stay on the path and never touch rusty metal.

Booking

Guided walks can be searched on Viator . Read the UK government safety advice before you go.