Guadalcanal lies in the Coral Sea, east of the southern tip of New Guinea. It is the largest island of the nation of Solomon Islands. Honiara, the nation's capital and largest city, is on Guadalcanal. Guadalcanal covers 6,475 square kilometres.

Mountains on the island rise as high as 2,400 metres. Most of the 71,000 people are Melanesians. The island's chief products are bananas, coconuts, pineapples, rubber, and gold.

Japanese troops occupied Guadalcanal early in World War II (1939-1945). It was the scene of heavy fighting in 1942 and 1943 when United States forces landed and freed the island from Japanese occupation.

How To Get There

There are direct flights from Brisbane three times a week to Honiara (the capital of the Solomon Islands). You can get there also from Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Fiji and Vanuatu.

Note: Flight schedules in and out of the Solomons are changing frequently. Please be prepared for some last minute adjustments to travel itineraries.

Climate

You can expect a very warm and humid climate all year round. The rainy season spans from December until April. Air temperatures are between 28 C and 32 C (82-90 F).

Water temperature is between 23 C (July/August) and 27C (December/January) (72-82 F). The best time for travelling is between July and December.

Diving

Guadalcanal is primarily an overnight stay en route to the beautiful island resorts of Uepi or Gizo, or alternatively, the starting point for a live-aboard adventure.

Live Aboard Dive Operators

• Bilikiki
• Spirit of Solomons

Hotels

• King Solomon Hotel