Guided Tours and Guides in Honiara

October 31, 2026

Organised tourism in Honiara is small. There is no network of tour companies with fixed timetables, and this page covers what is realistic: guides arranged through the visitor office, a few agent-sold day tours, and the places where a guide is not optional. Prices below are indicative, so check each figure before you commit.

The visitor bureau

The Solomon Islands Visitor Bureau, also called Tourism Solomons, has an office in Honiara. It books local guides and Savo Island trips. For anything that crosses customary land, such as the Mataniko Falls trek, it is the most reliable first stop. Ask at the office what the kastom fee is, because land around Honiara is customary and trails and beaches need a small cash payment.

Tours listed by agents

An Australian agent, GoTours, lists Honiara tours. Its Savo Island day tour is advertised from AUD 378 per person, with a minimum of two people. Savo is a boat trip of 30 to 60 minutes, and the island has megapode egg fields, hot springs and steam vents. A guide is essential for the springs and any climb.

Battlefield days

A guided day by 4WD or minivan around the Guadalcanal battlefields is a real product. A typical route links Henderson Field, Bloody Ridge, the Alligator Creek pillars, the American Memorial and Vilu, and an Expedia listing exists for an East Honiara tour of this kind. Treat the day as a visit to places where many people died. Unexploded weapons lie around the ridges, so stay on cleared paths, never touch metal on the ground and follow your guide. Alligator Creek is the American nickname for the Ilu River, a tidal lagoon behind a sandbar in crocodile country, and nobody should enter the water there.

Boat tours on Iron Bottom Sound

Small boats leave from the Point Cruz Yacht Club area. Ask there about trips on the sound. Hold any skipper to a clear agreement on price, route and lifejackets before you board.

Sightseeing buses

Honiara has no sightseeing bus service and no hop-on hop-off coaches. Getting around means minibuses and unmetered taxis, and you should agree a fare before you set off. A taxi hired for a few hours with a local driver who knows the sights is the usual substitute for a bus tour.

Guides for hikes

Mataniko Falls, Tenaru Falls and the climb on Savo are all guided treks. Rivers rise quickly after rain, so cancel if the weather turns. A guide from Lelei is needed for Mataniko, and Tenaru has guides at Tenaru village.

Practical points

Carry small cash, since international cards work only at major hotels and restaurants. Bag-snatching is a risk around the central market, so keep valuables out of sight. The UK government safety advice lists the areas to avoid.

Booking

Savo and general island tours can be searched on GetYourGuide . Entry rules are on the UK government entry requirements page .