Solomon Islands · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Solomon Islands
These are our picks of places to visit across Solomon Islands, from Honiara's market and memorials to the dive towns, lagoons and custom villages of the provinces. Places marked unconfirmed may have changed, so check locally before you go.
Places to Visit in Honiara
Shopping and Markets
- Honiara Central Market (Mendana Avenue)
The country's busiest market, piled with fruit, root crops, betel nut and smoked fish brought in by canoe from nearby islands. - Shell money stalls (Honiara Central Market)
Strands of red and white shell money made in Malaita, a living traditional currency.
Arts and Culture
- Solomon Islands National Museum (Mendana Avenue)
A compact introduction to the islands' cultures, with canoes, shell money and traditional dress. - National Parliament House (Vavaya Ridge)
A cone-shaped parliament on the hill with a painted interior and views over the city. - Vilu War Museum (Vilu, west Guadalcanal)
An open-air garden of wartime aircraft, guns and memorials gathered by a local family. - Panpipe performances (Honiara)
Look out for panpipe bands at events and hotels, a sound unique to the Solomons.
Things to Do
- Guadalcanal American Memorial (Skyline Ridge)
A moving memorial to the Guadalcanal campaign with sweeping views over Iron Bottom Sound. - Japanese Peace Memorial (Mount Austin)
A quiet hilltop memorial looking out over the battlefields and the sea. - Bloody Ridge (Near Honiara International Airport)
The site of a pivotal 1942 battle, best understood with a local guide. - Bonegi I and II Wrecks (Bonegi, west of Honiara)
Two Japanese transport wrecks lying just off the beach, perfect for snorkelling over history. - Red Beach (East of Honiara)
The black sand beach where US Marines landed in August 1942, with a rusting gun on the shore. - Savo Island (Off the north west coast of Guadalcanal)
A volcanic island with hot springs, dolphins offshore and megapode birds laying eggs in warm sand. - Tulagi (Nggela Islands)
The old colonial capital, now a quiet island base for diving wartime wrecks. - Lawson Tama Stadium football (Honiara)
Watch passionate fans cheer local football in the country's main stadium. - Iron Bottom Sound dives (Off Honiara)
Wartime wrecks of ships and aircraft in the waters off the capital, dived with Tulagi operators.
Nature and Outdoors
- Mataniko Falls (Tuvaruhu, inland from Honiara)
A guided hike through village gardens and forest to a waterfall pouring out of a cave. - Tenaru Falls (East Guadalcanal)
A long, rewarding day hike to a tall waterfall in the rainforest. - Honiara Botanical Gardens (Rove)
Shady paths and tropical trees for a cool walk away from the main road. - Tambea Beach (North west Guadalcanal)
A calm beach with snorkelling and a village resort an hour west of town. - Mount Austin (Above Honiara)
A viewpoint over the north coast and the battlefields, reached on the road past the Japanese memorial. - Bonegi Beach (West of Honiara)
A shady, family friendly beach for a swim after exploring the wrecks.
Stays
- Heritage Park Hotel (Mendana Avenue)
A modern waterfront hotel with a pool and harbour views right in the centre. - Coral Sea Resort and Casino (Mendana Avenue)
A resort-style waterfront hotel with a pool, restaurant and sunset bar. - Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel (Mendana Avenue)
A long-running waterfront hotel steps from the market and museum. - Honiara Hotel (Chinatown)
A practical, good value hotel with a pool, close to the Mataniko River. - Pacific Casino Hotel (Kukum)
A larger hotel with sea views and several restaurants east of the centre.
Bars and Nightlife
- Point Cruz Yacht Club (Point Cruz)
A relaxed waterfront club where expats, sailors and locals meet for a cold drink at sunset. - Coral Sea Resort Bar (Mendana Avenue)
Waterfront sunset drinks with a view of Savo on clear evenings.
Restaurants
- Heritage Park Hotel Restaurant (Mendana Avenue)
Waterfront dining with fresh fish and international dishes. - Chinatown eateries (Chinatown)
Simple Chinese restaurants and takeaways that feed the city at honest prices.
Events
- Independence Day celebrations (Lawson Tama Stadium)
Flag raising, parades and dancing every 7 July. - Christmas and New Year in Honiara (Citywide)
Church choirs, family feasts and fireworks over the harbour.
Places to Visit in Gizo
Things to Do
- Kennedy Island (Off Gizo)
The tiny island where John F. Kennedy and his crew swam after PT-109 sank, with white sand and reef. - Toa Maru Wreck (Kolombangara)
A Japanese transport ship lying on its side in clear, shallow water. - Hellcat Wreck (Near Gizo)
An American fighter plane sitting upright on sand, shallow enough for snorkellers. - Dive Gizo (Gizo waterfront)
The town's long established dive centre for reefs, wrecks and courses. - Simbo hot springs and megapodes (Simbo Island)
Volcanic vents, warm sand nesting grounds and old skull shrines on a day trip. - Ranongga Island (South of Gizo)
A rugged island raised by the 2007 earthquake, with quiet villages and reefs. - Snorkelling off Mbabanga (Mbabanga Island)
Calm, shallow reefs right off the resort beaches.
Stays
- Fatboys Resort (Mbabanga Island)
Overwater bungalows and a famous jetty bar above the reef. - Sanbis Resort (Mbabanga Island)
Beachfront bungalows with great snorkelling just off the sand. - Gizo Hotel (Gizo waterfront)
The town's main hotel, close to the market and dive shop.
Shopping and Markets
- Gizo Market (Gizo waterfront)
Canoes pull up with fish, fruit and root crops every morning.
Nature and Outdoors
- Kolombangara crater hike (Kolombangara)
A tough, muddy two-day climb into cloud forest with endemic birds. - Saeraghi Beach (Western Ghizo Island)
A long white beach beside a Gilbertese village, ideal for a lazy afternoon. - Njari Island (Near Gizo)
A dive and snorkel site famous for huge numbers of fish. - Grand Central Station dive site (Near Gizo)
A busy reef where schools of fish and reef sharks gather.
Bars and Nightlife
- Fatboys jetty bar (Mbabanga Island)
Sunset drinks on a long jetty over clear reef water. - Gizo Hotel bar (Gizo waterfront)
A sociable spot for a cold drink with divers and locals.
Restaurants
- Gizo Market food stalls (Gizo waterfront)
Cooked cassava, fish and snacks for a cheap, local lunch. - Sanbis Resort Restaurant (Mbabanga Island)
Fresh seafood served by the water, an easy boat ride from town.
Arts and Culture
- Gilbertese village visit (Titiana, Ghizo Island)
Learn how families resettled from Kiribati keep their culture alive. - Skull shrine at Simbo (Simbo Island)
An ancestral shrine visited respectfully with a local guide.
Places to Visit in Munda
Arts and Culture
- Skull Island (Roviana Lagoon)
A sacred shrine of chiefs' skulls on a tiny coral islet. - Peter Joseph WWII Museum (Munda)
A large private collection of wartime relics gathered from the surrounding bush and reefs. - Roviana custom shrines (Roviana Lagoon)
Ancestral sites visited with village guides and custom fees.
Things to Do
- Dive Munda (Munda waterfront)
The local dive centre for walls, wrecks and lagoon snorkelling. - Airacobra wreck (Roviana Lagoon)
A wartime fighter plane resting in the lagoon, a favourite with divers. - Douglas Dauntless wreck (Roviana Lagoon)
A dive bomber lying on the seabed, remarkably intact. - Roviana Lagoon village tour (Roviana Lagoon)
A boat trip through stilt villages, mangroves and islands. - Munda airfield (Munda)
The wartime runway that shaped the town, still in use today.
Nature and Outdoors
- Shark Point (Outside Roviana Lagoon)
A dramatic wall dive with reef sharks, barracuda and big fans. - Holupuru Falls (Near Munda)
A cool swimming hole reached by a walk through village gardens. - Tetepare Island (South of Munda)
One of the largest uninhabited islands in the South Pacific, with rainforest and turtles.
Stays
- Agnes Gateway Hotel (Munda waterfront)
The town's main hotel with lagoon views and a dive centre next door. - Zipolo Habu Resort (Lola Island)
Simple bungalows on a private lagoon island with fishing and snorkelling. - Tetepare Eco Lodge (Tetepare Island)
Leaf houses on a protected wilderness island run by its descendants.
Shopping and Markets
- Munda Market (Munda)
Fresh fish, fruit and betel nut sold under the trees.
Restaurants
- Agnes Gateway Hotel Restaurant (Munda waterfront)
Lagoon views and fresh fish for dinner after a day on the water.
Bars and Nightlife
- Agnes Gateway Hotel bar (Munda waterfront)
Sunset drinks on the deck over the lagoon.
Events
- Christmas church celebrations (Munda)
Choirs, feasts and village sports across the lagoon.
Places to Visit in Marovo Lagoon
Stays
- Uepi Island Resort (Marovo Lagoon)
A classic dive lodge on the outer barrier with drop-offs off the jetty. - Matikuri Lodge (Near Seghe)
A village-owned eco lodge with leaf houses and lagoon views. - Wilderness Lodge (Peava, Gatokae)
Rustic bungalows near great diving at the southern end of the lagoon.
Nature and Outdoors
- Uepi Point (Marovo Lagoon)
A famous drop-off where sharks, rays and jacks patrol the passage.
Arts and Culture
- Chea carvers (Marovo Lagoon)
A village of carvers making shell-inlaid bowls and figureheads. - Telina Island carvers (Marovo Lagoon)
Watch master carvers shape ebony and kerosene wood. - Sunday church singing (Marovo villages)
Powerful harmonies at a village service, open to respectful visitors.
Things to Do
- Kayaking the Marovo channels (Marovo Lagoon)
Paddle calm waters between islands, mangroves and villages. - Marovo snorkelling (Marovo Lagoon)
Shallow coral gardens across the inner lagoon. - Seghe airstrip (Seghe)
A wartime airstrip that is now the gateway to the lagoon.
Shopping and Markets
- Carvings sold at lodge jetties (Marovo Lagoon)
Carvers paddle up with their work so you can buy directly.
Events
- Village feast days (Marovo Lagoon)
Church and community celebrations with dancing and food.
Places to Visit in Malaita
Shopping and Markets
- Auki Market (Auki)
Shell money, betel nut and produce from across Malaita.
Arts and Culture
- Laulasi Island (Langa Langa Lagoon)
Watch shell money being made by hand on an island village. - Busu Island (Langa Langa Lagoon)
Another shell money village with custom houses. - Lau Lagoon artificial islands (North east Malaita)
Islands built by hand from coral stones over centuries. - Panpipe music in Malaita (Malaita)
The island is famous for its bamboo panpipe ensembles.
Things to Do
- Auki to Honiara ferry (Auki wharf)
A crossing that shows the islands from the water. - Langa Langa Lagoon canoe trip (Langa Langa Lagoon)
Paddle out to lagoon villages with a guide.
Restaurants
- Auki market food (Auki)
Cooked root crops, fish and snacks for a cheap local meal.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Tambea Village Resort (North west Guadalcanal, Honiara)
Leaf-roofed bungalows on the beach for a quiet escape from the city. - Iron Bottom Sound Hotel (Kukum, Honiara)
A simple, friendly hotel on the seafront east of town. - Lime Lounge (Point Cruz, Honiara)
A popular café for coffee, breakfasts and light meals in the city centre. - Frangipani Ice (Point Cruz, Honiara)
Local ice cream in tropical flavours, a cool treat on a hot afternoon. - Honiara Fish Market (Near the Central Market, Honiara)
Watch the catch come in and see reef fish, tuna and shellfish being sold. - National Art Gallery (Near the National Museum, Honiara)
Changing exhibitions of contemporary Solomon Islands painting and carving. - Betikama Carvings and War Relics (Betikama, east of Honiara, Honiara)
A school-run collection of carvings for sale alongside wartime relics. - Honiara Golf Club (Kukum, Honiara)
A nine-hole course on part of an old wartime airfield. - Solomon Islands Festival of Pacific Arts legacy events (Honiara, Honiara)
Cultural shows and dance performances in the spirit of the 2024 regional festival. - Tulagi Dive (Tulagi, Honiara)
A dive operator focused on the wartime wrecks around the Nggela islands. - Oravae Cottage (Gizo, Gizo)
A simple waterfront guesthouse loved by divers and budget travellers. - Imbu Rano Lodge (Kolombangara, Gizo)
A rainforest lodge used as a base for climbing towards Kolombangara's crater. - PT109 Bar and Restaurant (Gizo waterfront, Gizo)
A waterfront restaurant named for the famous wartime boat, serving fish and simple dishes. - Gizo bakeries (Gizo town, Gizo)
Fresh bread and buns in the morning, a simple local breakfast. - Kolombangara waterfalls (Kolombangara, Gizo)
River walks to cool pools at the foot of the volcano. - Western Province Day (Gizo, Gizo)
Celebrations each December with sports, music and dancing. - Susu Hite (Roviana Lagoon, Munda)
A dive site with caverns and rich coral close to Munda. - Rendova eco lodges (Rendova Island, Munda)
Village-run stays at the foot of Rendova's volcanic peak. - Rendova Peak (Rendova Island, Munda)
A volcanic summit climbed with village guides for views across the lagoon. - River trip into New Georgia rainforest (Near Munda, Munda)
Boat up a jungle river into the rainforest with a local guide. - Munda roadside snacks (Munda, Munda)
Fried fish, cassava and fresh coconuts from roadside stalls. - Mbatuna village (Vangunu, Marovo Lagoon)
A community known for carving and warm welcomes to visitors. - Mount Mariu (Gatokae, Marovo Lagoon)
An old volcano with rainforest and endemic birds, explored with guides. - Vangunu rainforest walk (Vangunu, Marovo Lagoon)
Community-protected forest where you may spot rare birds. - Mbili Passage (Marovo Lagoon, Marovo Lagoon)
A channel where currents bring in fish and good snorkelling. - Auki Lodge (Auki, Malaita)
A simple guesthouse that is the usual base for visitors. - Kwaibala Waterfall (Near Auki, Malaita)
A local swimming spot a short drive from town. - Malaita highlands (Central Malaita, Malaita)
Mountain villages and rainforest for very adventurous trekkers. - Malaita Province Day (Auki, Malaita)
Celebrations each August with sports and dancing.