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City guide

Honiara

Honiara is the capital and largest city of Solomon Islands, situated on the northwestern coast of Guadalcanal. As of 2019, it had a population of 129,569 people.

Type CityPopulation 129,569

Why go

  • Capital city in Capital territory, Solomon Islands.
  • Served by Babanakira Airport (MBU).

History

Honiara is the capital and largest city of Solomon Islands, situated on the northwestern coast of Guadalcanal. As of 2019, it had a population of 129,569 people. The city is served by Honiara International Airport and the seaport of Point Cruz, and lies along the Kukum Highway. In 1983, a capital territory – comprising the 22 square-kilometre metropolitan area of Honiara – was proclaimed, with a self-governing status akin to a province, although the city also retained its older role as capital of Guadalcanal Province.

Airports

Honiara International Airport (HIR) 11 km to the centre
Honiara, GU, SB — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 5 airlines (Solomon Airlines, Air Niugini, Air Pacific, Air Vanuatu…) · direct flights to 21 destinations incl. Port-vila, Brisbane, Nandi, Atoifi, BNY… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 5 airlines, 21 direct destinations
  • Solomon Airlines IE (DHT, BNI, DH8, A320, Fokker 100) · 20 routes: Atoifi, BNY, Brisbane, Choiseul Bay, Fera Island, Gizo, JJA, Kagau Island, Kirakira, Marau, Munda, Nandi, Port-vila, Ramata, Rennell Island, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz/Graciosa Bay/Luova, Sege, Suavanao, Ulawa
  • Air Niugini PX (737, Dash 8-400) · 2 routes: Nandi, Port Moresby
  • Air Pacific FJ (737-700) · 1 route: Port-vila
  • Air Vanuatu NF (A320) · 1 route: Port-vila*
  • Virgin Australia VA (737-800) · 1 route: Brisbane*

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Babanakira Airport (MBU) 37 km to the centre
Mbambanakira, GU, SB — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Avu Avu Airport (AVU) 70 km to the centre
Avu Avu, GU, SB — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Honiara - Tulagi
Ferry route
Outdoor
Honiara - Auki
Ferry route
Outdoor
Honiara - Batuna - Seghe - Noro - Gizo
Ferry route
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
October – March

The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.

Shoulder season
April – May, September

Milder and quieter, with better value.

Worth avoiding
June – August

The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Babanakira Airport (MBU); 2 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: HIR has direct flights to 21 destinations on 5 airlines (incl. Port-vila, Brisbane, Nandi, Atoifi, BNY…). By water: ferry routes serve the area; routes include Honiara - Tulagi, Honiara - Auki, Honiara - Batuna - Seghe - Noro - Gizo.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Honiara. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.