Things to Do in Honiara in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Honiara
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means accommodations run 20-30% cheaper than July-August peak periods, and you'll actually find availability at better properties without booking months ahead
- The rainy season is winding down but hasn't completely finished, which means the landscape around Honiara is still lush and green, waterfalls are flowing properly, and the dust that plagues the dry season hasn't settled in yet
- March sits right before the main tourist influx that typically starts in April, so you'll have major sites like the Guadalcanal American Memorial and Bonegi Beach wrecks largely to yourself, particularly on weekdays
- Water visibility for diving and snorkeling is improving as the wet season tapers off, typically reaching 15-20 m (49-66 ft) by late March, making it a sweet spot for underwater activities without the crowds or peak-season pricing
Considerations
- Those 10 rainy days aren't evenly distributed, and when storms hit in March they can be intense, occasionally washing out roads to places like Tenaru Falls or making boat transfers to the Florida Islands uncomfortable or cancelled altogether
- Humidity stays stubbornly high at 70% throughout the day, which means that walking around Central Market or hiking up to Mount Austen feels considerably more exhausting than the temperature alone would suggest
- March is technically still within cyclone season for the Solomon Islands, and while direct hits on Honiara are rare, the tail ends of systems passing north or south can bring several days of heavy rain and rough seas that'll mess with any diving or island-hopping plans
Best Activities in March
Wreck Diving and Snorkeling Sites
March offers improving water visibility as sediment from the wet season settles, making this an ideal time to explore the WWII wrecks scattered around Ironbottom Sound. The Bonegi I and II wrecks are accessible right from shore, while deeper sites require boat access. Water temperatures hover around 28-29°C (82-84°F), so you'll only need a 3mm wetsuit at most. The combination of fewer tourists and increasingly clear water means you'll often have these historic sites to yourself, which is pretty remarkable considering their significance.
Central Market Morning Visits
The market is at its absolute best between 6:00-8:00am in March, before the humidity becomes oppressive and while the produce is still fresh from morning harvests. You'll find seasonal tropical fruits like soursop and custard apples that are finishing their peak season, plus fresh fish brought in overnight. March is when you'll see more root vegetables as gardens recover from the wet season. The cultural experience of watching locals barter and the explosion of colors makes this worth the early wake-up call.
WWII Historical Site Tours
March weather is actually ideal for exploring the scattered battlefield sites and memorials around Honiara because it's warm enough that jungle trails are accessible but the worst of the wet season has passed. Sites like Bloody Ridge, Mount Austen, and the Guadalcanal American Memorial are less muddy than January-February but haven't yet baked into the dusty conditions of the dry season. The vegetation is still manageable on trails, and morning temperatures of 23-25°C (73-77°F) make hiking comfortable if you start early.
Island Hopping to Florida Islands
The Florida Islands, just 15-20 km (9-12 miles) north of Honiara, become increasingly accessible in March as seas calm down from the wet season chop. These islands offer traditional village experiences, better snorkeling than mainland sites, and a glimpse of Solomon Islands life outside the capital. March timing means you'll encounter fewer tourists but still have reliable boat services. The journey takes 45-60 minutes by outboard motorboat, and you'll want to target days with calmer forecasts.
Tenaru Falls and River Swimming
March sits at the tail end of the wet season, which means Tenaru Falls is still flowing with decent volume but the access road has typically dried enough to be passable, unlike the muddy mess of January-February. The falls are about 30 km (19 miles) east of Honiara, and the swimming holes at the base stay refreshingly cool even as daytime temperatures climb. The surrounding rainforest is at its greenest, and you'll likely spot tropical birds and butterflies that are less active in the dry season.
Local Village Cultural Experiences
March timing works well for village visits because you're past the major December-January holiday period when many Solomon Islanders return to their home villages, but you're ahead of the peak tourist months when villages see more organized groups. Villages within 30-50 km (19-31 miles) of Honiara, particularly along the north coast, offer opportunities to see traditional practices like basket weaving, shell money making, and food preparation. The experience is more authentic when arranged through personal connections or your accommodation rather than as a packaged tour.
March Events & Festivals
Easter Period Celebrations
Easter dates shift annually but often falls in late March or early April, and when it does land in March, Honiara sees church services become major community events with traditional singing and feasting. Many businesses close for Good Friday through Easter Monday, so plan accordingly if you're visiting during this period. Villages around Honiara hold traditional feast preparations, and some accommodations organize special meals featuring local dishes like cassava pudding and coconut-cooked fish.