Guadalcanal is the largest island in the Solomon Islands. It hosts the nation's Capitol, Honiara, and much of it's industry. Guadalcanal is a high, rugged island with mountains reaching up to 2400m, a challenge for adventurous bush walkers. In Honiara the visitor will find most of his or her needs as expected in a capital city, luxury hotels to backpacker accommodation, restaurants, bars, clubs and nightlife. there are diving schools and any kind of activity from WW2 tours, bush walks, sport fishing, dive boat cruises and more can be arranged. There are also a few luxury resorts in unique Solomon style, such as Tambea Holiday Beach Resort, Tavanipupu Island Resort, Vulelua Island Resort and Lelei Resort.
Guadalcanal was, of course, the setting for one of the most fiercely fought battles of WW2. The Guadalcanal Campaign of 1942-3 is regarded as one of the most crucial Allied victories, if not the actual turning point of the war in the Pacific. The evidence of this campaign can be seen in many sights on and around Guadalcanal, including Bloody Ridge, Henderson Field (now the Solomon's international airport), Mataniko River, Red Beach, Western and Eastern Battlefields, and the huge number of divable shipwrecks and aircraft. In addition to the being the subject of numerous books, the battle featured in the recent film "The Thin Red Line", which was shot partly on Guadalcanal.
We offer a range of WW2 tours. Bill Fisher, a US veteran of Guadalcanal, has founded the Battle of Guadalcanal and Solomon Islands Foundation to encourage the conservation of the sites, remembrance and organise responsible historical tours.
The south coast of Guadalcanal is known as the "weather coast". This is because the prevailing SE trades abut against the 2400m mountain range producing high rainfall (and producing a rain shadow over the dryer plains of North Gaudalcanal and Honiara). There is an easy coastal track from Marau in the east to Kuma in the central weather coast, as well as airfields at Avu Avu, Marau and Mbabanakira. It is possible to arrange guides in Kuma and other places for the difficult and strenuous hike over the dividing range to the Northern Plains, via the gold mine at Gold Ridge. The weather coast is also the home of the Moro Tribe; a tribe who have renounced Christianity and all modern ways, keeping determinedly to their "Kastom". No modern clothing is allowed. However, these people do accept responsible visitors if arranged with the local chiefs.
Honiara
The airfield built here during World War II (1939–1945) increased Honiara’s status, and the capital was moved here from Tulaghi after the war. Honiara is Guadalcanal’s main port, with shipping connections to Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, Japan, and other countries. The 140 boats of the inter-island fleet are docked at Honiara.