The Solomon Islands is a Pacific archipelago of nearly 1,000 islands offering pristine diving sites, WWII history, traditional Melanesian culture, and untouched natural beauty. From the bustling capital Honiara to remote coral atolls, this destination provides authentic South Pacific experiences far from mass tourism.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Solomon Islands.
-
- History meets natural beauty — snorkellers and divers exploring a WWII wreck
- accessible wreck snorkelling
- nearby shade trees
- local vendors at weekends
Bonegi Beach I (Hirokawa Maru)
One of the most accessible beach dive sites in the world, where a Japanese WWII transport ship lies partially above water just metres from shore. The coral-encrusted wreck is surrounded by colourful reef fish and is ideal for snorkellers of all levels. Black sand beach with jungle backdrop.
-
- Serious diving site with dramatic history
- scuba access to wreck
- basic beach area
- no facilities on site
Bonegi Beach II (Kinugawa Maru)
A second Japanese WWII transport ship lies in slightly deeper water than Bonegi I, requiring scuba gear to fully explore. The wreck is enveloped in coral and large schools of fish. The beach itself is scenic with calm waters and dramatic jungle cliffs rising behind it.
-
- Quiet and unspoiled — locals' favourite swimming beach
- swimming area
- snorkelling
- shade trees
- basic local food vendors at weekends
Mbonege Beach
A calm, sheltered beach with cleaner sand than the city beaches, popular with local families on weekends. The water is warm and relatively calm with good snorkelling around the coral heads offshore. Far quieter than the shipwreck beaches with a more relaxed atmosphere.
-
- Urban waterfront — casual afternoon spot with Iron Bottom Sound views
- Yacht Club bar and restaurant
- waterfront promenade
- boat watching
- sunset views
Point Cruz Waterfront
The waterfront area around Point Cruz Yacht Club offers views across Iron Bottom Sound and is the most convenient waterfront area in the city. Not a swimming beach but pleasant for evening walks, sunset watching, and drinks at the Yacht Club. Boats and traditional canoes moored nearby add colour.
-
- Village beach with authentic local atmosphere
- Kakabona Village Resort
- swimming
- kayak rental
- simple food available
Kakabona Beach
A pleasant beach fronting Kakabona Village with calm swimming conditions and a relaxed Pacific atmosphere. The adjacent village resort offers simple facilities and this is a good option for a half-day escape from the city with an authentic local feel.
-
- Luxury private island escape with pristine tropical beach
- resort facilities
- snorkelling equipment
- kayaks
- restaurant and bar
- boat transfers
Tavanipupu Island Beach
An idyllic private island beach fronting the resort of the same name. White sand, crystal-clear water, excellent snorkelling, and the isolation of a private island make this the most beautiful beach experience accessible from Honiara. Day visits may be arranged through the resort.
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Mbonege Beach (20 km west of Honiara) and Kakabona Beach offer peaceful conditions away from city crowds, ideal for a quiet morning swim or family picnic
Family
Family-friendly
Kakabona Village Beach and Mbonege Beach offer calm, shallow water suitable for children with local supervision available. Both are accessible by taxi and have some basic facilities nearby
Sport
Active & sporty
Bonegi Beaches I and II for snorkelling and scuba diving the WWII shipwrecks — the most action-packed beach experience in the Solomon Islands, combining history and marine life
Social
Lively scene
Point Cruz waterfront and the Yacht Club area are the most social spots, especially on Friday evenings when expats and locals gather for drinks and conversation with sunset views
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Solomon Islands memorable.
WWII Wreck Snorkelling
Snorkel directly from Bonegi Beach I over the Hirokawa Maru, a Japanese WWII transport ship encrusted with coral and surrounded by tropical fish. No boat required — wade in from shore and swim out to the bow section visible above the surface.
Bonegi Beach I (Hirokawa Maru)
Scuba Diving
Guided dive trips to the Bonegi wrecks, Iron Bottom Sound wrecks, and offshore reefs can be arranged through dive operators in Honiara. Beginner courses available with certification. Visibility excellent in dry season.
Bonegi Beach II, Iron Bottom Sound sites accessed by boat
Swimming and Snorkelling
Calm, warm water makes most beaches around Honiara suitable for swimming year-round. Coral reefs are accessible by snorkel at Mbonege, Kakabona, and Bonegi beaches with good marine life encounters.
Mbonege Beach, Kakabona Beach, Bonegi Beach I
Kayaking
Kayaks available at Kakabona Village Resort for exploring the coastline at your own pace. Calm conditions between May and October make sea kayaking pleasant along the Guadalcanal coast.
Kakabona Beach, Tavanipupu Island
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
May to October (dry season) is the best time for beach activities — calm seas, clearer water, and less rain. November to April brings rough conditions and reduced visibility
Getting there
Most beaches require a taxi (Honiara beaches SBD 100-200 each way). Negotiate a full-day taxi rate for beach day trips. No public bus service directly to the best beaches
On-beach facilities
Facilities are basic at most public beaches. Bring your own food, water, and snorkel gear as rentals are limited outside the city. Kakabona Resort and Tavanipupu Resort have the best facilities
Costs to budget
Public beaches are free. Village beaches may charge a small kastom fee (SBD 20-50). Dive trips from Honiara $80-120 USD per person. Snorkel gear hire limited — bring from home if possible
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.