Boat and Trail Day Trips Near Honiara
Honiara has three outings that fit comfortably into a day. Two need a boat, and one needs a long river trek. All of them need planning, a guide or a local skipper, and a pocketful of small notes in Solomon Islands dollars (SBD).
At a glance
| Trip | Getting there | Guide needed |
|---|---|---|
| Tulagi | Boat across Iron Bottom Sound, about 1 hour | Stay on tracks |
| Savo Island | Boat, 30 to 60 minutes | Yes, for springs and climb |
| Tenaru Falls | Road, then a river trail | Yes |
Tulagi
Before the war, Tulagi served as the capital of the British protectorate. Reviewers report a crossing of about an hour, though older Lonely Planet text gives up to two hours, with sailings twice a week and a one-way fare of SBD 200. A faster boat, the Tulagi Express, is reported at roughly SBD 250. Treat all fares as approximate and ask at the quay.
Raiders Hotel & Dive stands on the waterfront. The UK government warns of unexploded weapons on Tulagi. Walk only on established paths, and leave all rusty metal alone. No buses run to Tulagi or to the neighbouring islets, since the way is by sea.
Savo Island
Boats to Savo leave from Honiara or from Vila village on the west coast, and the crossing takes between 30 and 60 minutes depending on the starting point. Highlights are megapode egg fields at Panueli, hot springs and steam vents. The volcano is dormant. Engage a local guide for the springs and for any climb. A 2019 listing quoted about SBD 400 return per person, which is now out of date, so ask first.
Tenaru Falls
The falls drop about 60 to 63 m, with sources giving slightly different heights. The trail follows the river and crosses it about a dozen times, so wear shoes that can get wet. Guides are based in Tenaru village. Two villages dispute the right to charge the kastom fee, so agree the sum and pay in cash. Logging near the site has been reported. Go only in dry weather. Swimming at the falls depends on the guide’s judgement, and the falls are not a family pool.
Further afield
Gizo, Munda and Tetepare belong to Western Province and require a flight, so plan them as a separate journey.
Hazards on any trip
- Crocodiles and sharks live in the sea and rivers, so stay out of river mouths, estuaries and mangroves.
- Theft is common around the central market and local beaches.
- Malaria, dengue and Zika are present.
See the UK government safety guidance for the full list.
Booking
Guided island trips can be searched on GetYourGuide and health advice read on the UK health page .
Read more: Plans for three days or more or tours and guides .