Archive for the ‘Honiara’ Category

Honiara

Wednesday, January 14th, 2009

Honiara is the capital of the Solomon Islands and the Guadalcanal region, although it has a separated administrative town. Its situated on the north shore of the mountain island Guadalcanal. The capital was previously called ”Nagoniara” but the English colonialists found it to hard to pronounce, Nagoniara meant ‘in front of the wind’ in the Guadalcanal language.

The city of Honiara, and the Solomon Islands in general are popular travel destination for snorkeling and scuba diving lovers. Even for those who enjoy diving but don’t have their certificate, this is the place to learn it. The waters are surprisingly warm so there’s no need for wet suits, its underwater vision is extremely clear so you wont have to miss a second of the wonderful sea life. Coral and fish of every description and imaginary color swim around as a few lazy moving sharks pass you by. Honiara and the Solomon Islands are among the most beautiful dive sites world wide.

Honaira is a small city with a bay used as harbor, with a population of 50 thousand people its a small city yet the biggest on the Solomon Islands. The city is crossed by the 18.5 miles long Kukum Highway running from Hederson Field in the east to the village White River in the west. From the harbor ferries leave every thirty minutes to the provinces, night clubs and restaurants. The houses in the city are combined by slums and houses at the waterfront, and the neighborhood settlements away from the shore.

Most nationals do not require a visa to enter the Solomon Islands, just a valid passport as long the stay does not extends 30 days. The average daily temperature is 82.4 degrees Fahrenheit year round, the sea water temperature on average is 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Honiara is a safe travel destination, petty crime and theft are not common against tourists and locals.