Honiara Plans for Three Days or More

No operator sells multi-day packages out of Honiara, so a stay of several days is a do-it-yourself plan. The dependable approach is to pick a hotel, then add guided outings. Prices are in Solomon Islands dollars (SBD), and the figures given are approximate.

Step one: entry rules

The rules are recent, so read the official wording before you book flights.

  • A tourist visa comes through the Solomon Islands Immigration visa portal. It costs USD 100 and lasts 3 months.
  • The application asks for your travel plan, a hotel reservation and evidence of funds.
  • Delays on the portal have been reported. A visa on arrival is sometimes possible but is not guaranteed.
  • Passports must be valid for 6 months after arrival and hold 2 blank pages.
  • A yellow fever certificate is required for arrivals from a risk country.

The UK government entry page summarises these rules.

Step two: choose a base

Heritage Park Hotel has three places to eat: Terrace Cafe, GG’s and Splash Bar & Grill. Coral Sea Resort & Casino is on the waterfront and has two restaurants. Either hotel makes a convenient centre for guided trips.

Raiders Hotel & Dive is on Tulagi in the Florida Islands, and the operation now includes Raiders Dive Lodge. Rooms are reported at about SBD 800 to 1,500 per night, so ask for today’s rate. Combine a few nights there with a few in Honiara, and cross by boat, which takes roughly 1 to 2 hours.

Step three: fill the days

A sample four-day plan from a Honiara base:

  1. Central Market and National Museum. The market opens Monday to Saturday.
  2. Bonegi wrecks, 12 km west, with snorkelling on the shallow wreck.
  3. Mataniko Falls with a guide from Lelei.
  4. Savo Island or Tenaru Falls, again with a guide.

Rest on Sunday, since the market is closed and the town is quiet.

Going to Western Province

Gizo and Munda are on Solomon Airlines routes. They need their own days and a separate booking, so do not treat them as extras bolted onto a Honiara stay.

Treks in the foothills

Plan treks in the hills behind Honiara as day outings with guides. Ask your guide about the cash kastom fee on each customary trail.

Health and safety

  • Malaria, dengue and Zika occur.
  • Tulagi still has unexploded weapons, so keep to tracks.
  • Divers should know the Honiara recompression chamber is out of service, and should ask the operator about emergency plans.
  • Cash matters: ATMs exist only in Honiara, Gizo, Munda and Auki.

Booking

Search hotel rooms on Booking.com . Safety details are on the UK government safety page .

Read more: Boat and trail day trips or wrecks, markets and trails .