About the Port
Honiara, capital of the Solomon Islands, sits on the northern coast of Guadalcanal, the country's largest island. Framed by tropical rainforest and palm-lined shores, the town serves as gateway to some of the Pacific's most significant World War II sites, including memorials and relics from the Battle of Guadalcanal that unfolded across the island in 1942 and 1943. Open-air museums such as Vilu display wreckage and artifacts recalling that pivotal campaign.
Beyond the war history, Guadalcanal's coastline offers clear waters and coral reefs rich with marine life, while inland forests hint at the island's rugged, undeveloped interior. Honiara's compact center, near the pier, holds markets, memorials, and government buildings reflecting the nation's path to independence. The port provides an accessible base for exploring both the somber history and natural beauty that define this corner of the Solomon Islands.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Honiara.
Explore Vilu War Museum
An open-air field of downed aircraft, tanks, and artillery gathered from Guadalcanal's jungles, marking the sites where they fell. Reached by a short drive west of town; a guide helps decode the wreckage's history.
Visit Bloody Ridge Memorial
Walk the ridge where a pivotal 1942 battle turned the Pacific campaign, marked by a simple monument overlooking the surrounding hills. Just minutes from the pier, it offers a quiet, sobering counterpoint to the coastal scenery.
Snorkel the Coastal Reefs
Guadalcanal's clear waters hold coral reefs and occasional wartime wreckage just offshore, ideal for an hour or two in the water before returning to town. Arrange a boat or beach outing near Honiara for easiest access.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Honiara
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2026 | Seabourn | Seabourn Pursuit | 22 | $20,509 | |
| Aug 3, 2027 | Regent | Seven Seas Navigator | 12 | $7,249 | |
| Aug 16, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Pursuit | 44 | $56,898 | |
| Aug 16, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Pursuit | 81 | $93,497 | |
| Aug 16, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Pursuit | 63 | $75,798 | |
| Aug 16, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Pursuit | 32 | $41,798 | |
| Aug 25, 2027 | Regent | Seven Seas Navigator | 10 | $6,849 | |
| Aug 26, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Pursuit | 22 | $29,298 | |
| Aug 26, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Pursuit | 34 | $41,498 | |
| Aug 26, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Pursuit | 71 | $78,097 | |
| Aug 26, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Pursuit | 53 | $64,323 | |
| Sep 4, 2027 | Regent | Seven Seas Navigator | 16 | $8,599 | |
| Dec 19, 2027 | Holland America | Westerdam | 42 | $7,444 | |
| Jan 4, 2028 | Holland America | Westerdam | 26 | $4,834 | |
| Jan 4, 2028 | Holland America | Westerdam | 40 | $7,304 | |
| Jan 30, 2028 | Holland America | Zaandam | 90 | $20,659 | |
| Apr 13, 2028 | Scenic Cruises | Scenic Eclipse II | 25 | $36,165 | |
| Apr 25, 2028 | Scenic Cruises | Scenic Eclipse II | 13 | $13,858 | |
| Apr 25, 2028 | Scenic Cruises | Scenic Eclipse II | 23 | $32,875 | |
| Feb 11, 2029 | Scenic Cruises | Scenic Eclipse II | 23 | $21,078 |