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Honiara is the capital of the Solomon Islands and of Guadalcanal Province.
Guadalcanal was witness to fierce naval
battles during WWII and was a turning point
in the Pacific campaign. "Iron Bottom Sound"
is host to hundreds of wrecks.
Destroyers,
minesweeper, troop carriers, transport ships,
submarines and planes provide an incredible
range of dive sites. Honiara, the
nations' capital and international gateway, is
the stopover point for travellers wishing to
visit some of the land based WWII sites.
Honiara has a harbour from which ferries depart to the various provinces. The gardens of the National Art Gallery are popular, while the reconstructed Government House and the National Museum are worth visiting. The spectacular Tenaru falls can be found a one hour's drive and a three-hour hike from Henderson International Airport.
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| Out & About in Honiara |
Honiara town centre has many interesting
shops, some specialising in local handicrafts,
others in duty free goods. The range of
products however is limited. Here also is the
centre of commerce, banks, postal service,
Telecom, restaurants, tourist information
centre and local tour operators.
A good selection of restaurants offers a
variety of cuisine. Some hotel restaurants
feature cultural nights with local musicians
and groups performing traditional song and
dance. There are a number of Chinese
restaurants and others that specialise in
fresh local seafood such as Coconut Crab and
Lobster. Japanese, Thai and Italian dishes can
also be found on the menus in Honiara.
The outdoor markets around town are a
wonderful opportunity to mix with the locals.
Here you will find an interesting array of
local goods and produce, from fresh fish and
vegetables, fruit, peanuts and betel nuts, to
carvings, basket ware, calico lava-lavas and
shells.
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| Scuba Diving in Honiara |
All wrecks in the Solomon Islands are National
Heritage and the pilfering of these wrecks is
not permitted. Some of the more popular dive
sites around Honiara are:
"Hirokawa Maru" (Bonegi I) - A Japanese
transport ship of 6860 tons, with an overall
length of 508 feet. An excellent dive starting
at 3m plunging to 55m.
"Kinugawa Maru" (Bonegi II) - This 436 foot
long Japanese transport ship still rests
partly above water, with the stern in 27m.
Excellent for snorkelers and divers.
U.S.S. John Penn - An advanced dive available only
when conditions permit. She is an American
troop/cargo ship lying in 36m to 55m of water,
off Henderson field.
For the more experienced divers, some of the
most fascinating wrecks are; "Sasako Maru" and
"Azumasan Maru".
Please contact Dive Adventures for information on dive operators in Honiara.
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| Hotels and Resorts in Honiara |
King Solomon
Hotel
 King
Solomon Hotel is a fabulous property built on
the terraced hills of Honiara with great views
over the Iron Bottom Sound. It is conveniently
located one block from the sea and a short
walking distance from the town and its
restaurants, banks, shops and other
attractions.
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Accommodation: The hotel has 59 guest
rooms and self-contained units offering
spectacular views of Iron Bottom Sound and the
surrounding islands. All rooms come equipped
with either ceiling fans or air-conditioned,
satellite TV, in-house video, refrigerator,
IDD telephone plus tea & coffee making
facilities. Most rooms also have the
convenience of a small verandah
Amenities: The King Solomon Hotel has
two magnificent 'Leaf Haus' lodges, which
house the 24-hour reception area, gift shop,
licensed restaurant and bar. The hotel also
has a pool, tennis court, duty free store,
convenience and gift shop for those holiday
essentials, as well as hire cars and laundry
services.
Activities: Dining and entertainment
provide a Melanesian flavour to the hotel's
restaurant and Honiara's only nightclub. Relax
by the pool, play a game of tennis or organise
a tour of Honiara’s to sites at the tour desk.
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Kitano
Mendana Hotel
 Kitano
Mendana Hotel is located on the oceanfront
right overlooking “Iron Bottom Sound” in the
heart of Honiara just minutes from the main
shopping area and 15 minutes from the airport.
This is Honiara’s largest hotel with 94 rooms
and all amenities you would expect from a
premium operation.
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Accommodation: The Hotel has a choice
of deluxe rooms with sea or garden views,
three luxurious suites, and standard rooms.
All rooms come equipped with air-conditioning,
IDD telephones, TV with in-house video and
satellite TV systems, refrigerator plus tea
and coffee making facilities.
Amenities: The hotel is completely
air-conditioned, and has a restaurant and a
bar. There is also a coffee shop, parking
garage, beauty salon, tour desk, gift shop,
boutique, business centre and a swimming pool.
Snack at the Raratana Terrace Cafe with
stunning sea views and cooling sea breezes, or
dine à la Carte including Japanese dishes at
the Capitana Restaurant.
Activities: Tours, swimming, diving,
snorkeling, golf and squash are all easily
accessible from this gateway to the unspoiled
natural splendor of the Solomon Islands. It is
possible to arrange flights to many of the
outer islands. Enjoy evening cultural shows
and island barbeques or enjoy one of the many
other tours available at the tour desk.
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