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
This is a tender port.
Video
Sightseeing
Guadalcanal is the principal island in Guadalcanal Province of the nation of Solomon Islands in the South-Western Pacific. It was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Álvaro de Mendaña in 1568. The name comes from Guadalcanal, a village in the province of Seville, in Andalusia, Spain, birthplace of Pedro de Ortega Valencia, a member of Mendaña's expedition.
Getting around
Guadalcanal is home to the Solomon Islands’ capital city – Honiara. An absence of roads along the west coast makes the region mostly inaccessible to outsiders by land, but it abounds in natural wonders. It’s also the optimal launching pad for exploring the various WWII battlefields around the city.
Don't miss the stunning Mataniko Falls or the petroglyphs of the Vauluma Posori Cave dating from 1000 BC. The Vilu War Museum contains US and Japanese war relics, and you can view memorials for each country in different areas of the island. The Japanese Peace Memorial in particular offers panoramic views.
Food and shopping
in Honiara’s are pleasing botanical gardens, well-stocked souvenir shops, a bustling wharf, an atmospheric market, a museum and a few high-quality restaurants and bars. Plus fantastic diving, right on its doorstep.
Money
The local currency is the Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD). Denominations are: SI$5, SI$10, SI$20, SI$50 and SI$100 notes, and coins include 10, 20, 50 cents, SI$1 and SI$2 coins. Currency exchange is available at the local bank branches.