Making the most of Guadalcanal
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Passengers come ashore by tender.
Watch the video.
Sightseeing
Guadalcanal is the main island of Guadalcanal Province in the Solomon Islands, in the South-Western Pacific. Álvaro de Mendaña’s Spanish expedition discovered it in 1568. Its name was taken from Guadalcanal, a village in Seville province, Andalusia, Spain, the birthplace of Pedro de Ortega Valencia, who joined Mendaña’s expedition.
Getting around
The Solomon Islands capital, Honiara, is on Guadalcanal. With no roads along the west coast, much of that region remains inaccessible to outsiders by land, despite its natural wonders. It is also the best starting point for exploring WWII battlefields around the city.
See Mataniko Falls and the Vauluma Posori Cave petroglyphs from 1000 BC. The Vilu War Museum holds US and Japanese relics, and memorials to each country stand in different island locations. The Japanese Peace Memorial especially provides panoramic views.
Food and shopping
Honiara has pleasant botanical gardens, well-stocked souvenir shops, a busy wharf, an atmospheric market, a museum and several high-quality restaurants and bars, plus fantastic diving on its doorstep.
Money
The Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD) is the local currency. Notes are SI$5, SI$10, SI$20, SI$50 and SI$100; coins include 10, 20 and 50 cents, plus SI$1 and SI$2. Local bank branches offer currency exchange.