The main port of entry into the Solomon Islands is at Henderson International Airport on the island of Guadalcanal. Situated approximately 15 minutes drive from the airport is the capital, Honiara. The town is on the northern coastline and incorporates a small picturesque sea port at Point Cruz. Visitors will enjoy the hustle and bustle of Honiara and there are many things to do and see.



Made easy with public buses that run along the main road, Mendana Avenue. A destination card is displayed on the front window and fares are modest. Taxi cabs are not metered but can be booked or flagged down in the street.

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. An excellent recommendation with the fresh seafood or the international cuisines is the Solomon Islands beer, Sol brew.

Honiara town centre is level, shady and interesting, with a bustling air and 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. 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. Solomon Islands has some of the finely handcrafted Art and Craft, from the brown streaked carvings with its inlaid mother of pearls to pandanus baskets, bays and trays with amazingly minute patterns.

The Point Cruz Yacht Club and Honiara Golf Club, situated in Honiara, welcome overseas guests for drinks and light or main meals. For those looking for something more upbeat, there are several nightclubs in Honiara, the Warehouse, Club Marimba, Paradise Club, and VIP Club featuring DJs and local and overseas bands.

Other activities include regular dances, film nights, sailing, boating, fishing and golf tournaments. Several casinos in Honiara cater for both the casual and serious punters who enjoy Baccarat, Blackjack, Roulette and the famous Pacific Poker.

The National Parliament building, opened in 1993, is a distinctive conical building overlooking the main town centre. A tour of the entire building can be arranged with the Sergeant at Arms.

The National Museum, also located in the town centre, is open daily with displays of dance and body ornamentation, traditional currencies, weaponry, and archaeology. The Central Bank of Solomon Islands is a large modern building containing some interesting displays of red feather money, shell money, other local currencies and very fine wood carvings.

Botanical Gardens and herbarium with a display of local orchids, and a selection of bush plants and trees, mostly typical of rainforests in the country.