Honiara sits on Iron Bottom Sound — a sea floor littered with WWII warships — and ashore delivers raw, unpolished Melanesia: WWII relics, shell money at the Central Market, and warmth that no glossy resort destination can manufacture.
Honiara's Millennium Cruise Passenger Terminal at Point Cruz opened December 2024 — the largest dedicated cruise terminal in the South Pacific — putting you within a 10-minute walk of the city center.
💡 Pro move: Confirm your ship's docking method before departure. The new terminal handles most large vessels but cargo activity can occasionally push ships to anchor.
Point Cruz Wharf hosts the 2024-opened Millennium Terminal for large cruise ships; expedition vessels anchor and tender.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Holland America, Princess, P&O, Oceania, Silversea, Seabourn | Millennium Cruise Passenger Terminal, Point Cruz📍 | Docked |
| Ponant, Hapag-Lloyd, Heritage Expeditions, Swan Hellenic | Point Cruz anchorage📍 | Tendered |
The big draw is WWII history scattered across Guadalcanal — combine a battlefield tour with the city's Central Market for a full day.
Visit the Vilu War Museum (open-air collection of US and Japanese aircraft and artillery), Bloody Ridge, and the US Guadalcanal Memorial for sweeping views over Iron Bottom Sound.
Find WWII battlefield tours →Plunge into the beating heart of island life: fresh tropical produce, live seafood, shell money necklaces, woven baskets, and bright betel-nut smiles. The 2024 expansion added 100 new covered stalls. Best on weekday mornings.
Explore Honiara market tours →A compact but worthwhile museum covering the islands' cultural heritage, traditional artifacts, WWII relics, and the story of shell money — which is still used in ceremonies today.
Find Honiara cultural tours →A short taxi ride from town leads to a trailhead through lush jungle to the Mataniko River gorge and cascading falls — one of the few easy natural escapes close to the city.
Find Mataniko Falls tours →The waters around Guadalcanal hold dozens of sunken WWII warships, transports, and aircraft. Guided snorkel or dive trips visit accessible wrecks in shallow water near the coast.
Find wreck snorkeling tours →Central Honiara is compact and walkable from Point Cruz — most key sights are within 15 minutes on foot.
Exit the Millennium Terminal and walk east along the waterfront road (Mendana Avenue) past the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation to the Central Market. Browse the stalls, then loop back via the National Museum on Hibiscus Avenue.
Take a taxi to the Skyline Ridge above Honiara and walk to the US Guadalcanal Memorial for panoramic views over Iron Bottom Sound and the city below. The memorial marks where Marines fought some of the campaign's fiercest battles.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 85°F / 29°C | 76°F / 24°C | 27 | 6:11 AM | 6:47 PM |
| Feb | 84°F / 29°C | 76°F / 24°C | 26 | 6:22 AM | 6:46 PM |
| Mar | 84°F / 29°C | 75°F / 24°C | 26 | 6:24 AM | 6:33 PM |
| Apr | 84°F / 29°C | 75°F / 24°C | 26 | 6:23 AM | 6:16 PM |
| May | 84°F / 29°C | 76°F / 24°C | 21 | 6:26 AM | 6:06 PM |
| Jun | 83°F / 28°C | 75°F / 24°C | 18 | 6:33 AM | 6:07 PM |
| Jul | 83°F / 28°C | 75°F / 24°C | 18 | 6:37 AM | 6:14 PM |
| Aug | 83°F / 28°C | 74°F / 23°C | 19 | 6:31 AM | 6:18 PM |
| Sep | 84°F / 29°C | 75°F / 24°C | 20 | 6:14 AM | 6:16 PM |
| Oct | 84°F / 29°C | 75°F / 24°C | 22 | 5:57 AM | 6:14 PM |
| Nov | 84°F / 29°C | 75°F / 24°C | 25 | 5:48 AM | 6:20 PM |
| Dec | 84°F / 29°C | 75°F / 24°C | 27 | 5:55 AM | 6:35 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Taxis are plentiful at Point Cruz Wharf and around the city center. Fares are negotiated — always agree on the price before getting in; no meters are used.
The Central Market, shops, and National Museum are all within easy walking distance of Point Cruz Wharf. The compact city center is very walkable.
Privately operated minibuses (PMVs) serve fixed routes around Honiara and are extremely cheap. Routes and stops can be confusing for first-time visitors; best for adventurous travelers.
For WWII battlefield sites, cultural villages, and attractions outside the city center, pre-booked private tours or chartered taxis are strongly recommended. Local operators like Hapi Isles Tours offer half-day city tours from around USD 130–155.
Upcoming cruises that call at Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.