Things to Do in Honiara in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
March Weather in Honiara
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
88°F (31°C)
High Temp
73°F (23°C)
Low Temp
11.2 inches (284 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Heavy rainfall expected, carry rain gear daily
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + March rides the quiet after cyclone season: the Florida Islands lie flat enough for reef runs, while cashew and mango trees along Mendana Avenue shower the pavement with fruit you can scoop up for pocket change from roadside vendors.
- + Hotel rates linger in shoulder-season territory, roughly 30% below July peaks, and Honiara's craft markets brim with fresh carvings restocked once the Christmas rush empties out.
- + Afternoon squalls scrub the air. The city carries the scent of wet frangipani and wood-smoke from village cooking fires drifting down the ridges outside town.
- + Village festivals roll into town on weekends: bamboo bands, string-band competitions, and dances outsiders seldom catch beyond provincial tours.
Considerations
- − Ten days of rain turns red-clay roads around White River and Burns Creek into axle-deep sludge, taxi drivers refuse those runs after 3 PM.
- − UV at 8 scorches fast on the water. Reef trips demand reef-safe SPF 50 and a long-sleeved rash guard unless you fancy second-degree sunburn.
- − Island ferries from the main wharf leave on 'Solomon time', delays of 90, 120 minutes are common after heavy rain, so pad onward flights with slack.
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
Florida Islands snorkel day-trips
March seas lie glassy enough to spot bump-head parrotfish at Twin Tunnels reef, 25 minutes by banana boat from Point Cruz. Rain showers sometimes chase boats back early. Yet underwater visibility holds above 15 m (49 ft) even under overcast skies.
Booking Tip: Book 48 hours ahead, operators read weather at 6 AM and cancel if swells top 1 m (3.3 ft). Licensed boats gather opposite the Yacht Club. Look for newer four-stroke engines and full sun canopies.
Central Market food walks
Early mornings (before 9 AM) are peak produce theatre: pyramids of rambutan, smoke curling from sweet-potato ovens, and the low hum of pidgin bargaining. March rain waits until midday, giving you a dry window to sample ngali-nut crackers and fresh tuna poke bowls.
Booking Tip: No formal tour needed, start at the eastern gate, trail the smell of frying breadfruit, and exit via the betel-nut rows for a crash-course in local etiquette.
Tenaru Falls trek
The trail is a 4 km (2.5 mi) scramble through secondary forest; March streams run full enough for a waist-deep swim beneath the 25 m (82 ft) cascade, but leech socks are non-negotiable after overnight rain.
Booking Tip: Guides wait at the road-end near Alligator Creek. Negotiate a return time (3, 4 hours door-to-door) and insist on life-jackets for the river crossing.
Bonegi WWII shore dives
North-east trade-winds ease in March, flattening the surface above the Hirokawa Maru wreck. You'll fin past coral-encrusted anti-aircraft guns at 12 m (39 ft); thermoclines sit at a comfortable 28°C (82°F).
Booking Tip: Independent divers need to bring certification cards. Tanks are filled at the wharf by 7 AM and sell out on cruise-ship days.
Mbonege Beach sandbank picnics
Low tide at 11 AM exposes a sand tongue 200 m (656 ft) long, good for a reef-side barbecue. March's shorter rain bursts usually grant a solid three-hour window before the sky opens.
Booking Tip: Arrange transport round-trip; taxis won't cruise that stretch after dark and phone signal fades past Tasahe.
Where to Stay in Honiara in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
March Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Mid March
Solomon Islands National Fishing Tournament
Weekend-long weigh-in at the Yacht Club pulls crews from across the archipelago. Expect string-band sets, cold Solbrew on tap, and marlin flags snapping above outriggers.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Honiara Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Catch the 6 AM produce truck at Lawson Tama Stadium roundabout, vendors sell sunrise coconuts still cold from the Highlands.
Village buses painted with dolphins or sharks cost one-tenth of a taxi to Bonegi but leave only when full. Sit up front for leg-room.
The Chinese bakery opposite Central Market sells taro donuts at 5 AM, fuel before reef trips.
Weekend string-band sets at the Yacht Club start at 8 PM sharp and end when the generator fuel runs dry.
Avoid These Mistakes
Trying to cram Tenaru Falls and Bonegi wrecks into one day, roads bog down after rain and you'll miss both.
Turning up at the wharf at 8 AM hoping to blag a last-minute Florida Island seat, boats fill with hotel transfers first.
Wearing flip-flops on the Tenaru trail, mud sucks them off and leeches love bare ankles.
Explore More Activities in Honiara
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Honiara.
See All Honiara Tours on Viator