Things to Do in Honiara in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Honiara
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Dry season tail-end means you get mostly clear mornings and early afternoons - perfect for diving and snorkeling when visibility peaks at 20-30 m (66-98 ft). The rain that does come typically hits late afternoon around 3-4pm, giving you a solid 8-hour window for outdoor activities.
- Tourist numbers drop significantly after the April school holiday rush from Australia and New Zealand. You'll find accommodation prices down 20-30% from peak season, and popular sites like the Vilu War Museum and Bonegi Beach wrecks are noticeably quieter - expect maybe 10-15 other visitors instead of 40-50.
- Sea conditions are still excellent with calmer waters before the southeast trade winds strengthen in June. Charter boats to the Florida Islands or Savo Island run more reliably, and the water temperature sits at a comfortable 28°C (82°F) - warm enough that you barely need a wetsuit for extended snorkeling.
- Local produce markets are at their best with mangoes, pawpaw, and island cabbage in full season. The Central Market gets deliveries from Guadalcanal villages early morning, and you'll pay about SBD 5-10 (USD 0.60-1.20) for fruit that would cost triple in the resorts.
Considerations
- Humidity stays consistently high at 70-80% throughout May, which means that 31°C (88°F) feels more like 35-36°C (95-97°F). If you're not used to tropical climates, the stickiness can be genuinely exhausting - even locals slow down midday and you'll see most shops close 12-2pm for good reason.
- Those afternoon rain showers, while brief (usually 20-40 minutes), can be intense. Roads flood quickly in Honiara's low-lying areas near the Mataniko River, and if you're planning village visits or rainforest hikes, trails turn to mud within minutes. You'll need to build flexibility into your daily schedule.
- May sits in that awkward shoulder period where some tour operators start reducing their schedules before the true dry season kicks in June-September. You might find fewer boat departures to outer islands (sometimes only 2-3 weekly instead of daily), and you'll need to book further ahead to secure spots on the limited runs.
Best Activities in May
WWII Wreck Diving and Snorkeling
May offers some of the year's best underwater visibility at sites like Bonegi I and II, the Kinugawa Maru, and the deeper wrecks off Tulagi. Water clarity typically reaches 20-25 m (66-82 ft) in the mornings before any afternoon rain stirs up sediment. The sea is still calm enough that even nervous swimmers can snorkel the shallow wrecks near shore. Water temperature sits at 28°C (82°F), so you can get away with just board shorts and a rash guard for snorkeling, though serious divers might want a 3mm suit for deeper dives. The real advantage in May is the lack of crowds - you might have entire wreck sites to yourself midweek.
Guadalcanal Battlefields and War History Tours
The drier May weather makes this the ideal time to visit inland battlefield sites like Bloody Ridge (Edson's Ridge) and the Gifu before the June-August peak tourist season. Trails are still manageable - muddy in spots but not the complete bog they become during December-March rains. You'll walk 3-5 km (1.9-3.1 miles) through secondary forest where temperatures under the canopy stay a few degrees cooler than coastal areas. The Vilu War Museum and open-air displays are far more pleasant to explore when you're not getting drenched. Local guides, many with family connections to the 1942-43 battles, provide context you simply won't find in books.
Island Village Visits and Cultural Experiences
May timing works well for visiting villages in the Florida Islands or along Guadalcanal's north coast while seas are still calm for boat access. You'll experience traditional kastom culture, see leaf houses, watch basket weaving demonstrations, and participate in food preparation using earth ovens. The moderate weather means you're not melting during outdoor activities, and villages are less overwhelmed with visitors than in peak season. Most communities welcome small groups (4-6 people maximum) and expect a kastom fee of SBD 200-500 (USD 24-60) per group. This is genuine cultural exchange, not a staged performance - you're entering working communities where people fish, garden, and go about daily life.
Central Market and Local Food Exploration
The Central Market in Honiara operates year-round, but May brings peak produce from Guadalcanal's interior villages. Get there by 6-7am when fishing boats arrive with fresh catch and women spread out vegetables, fruits, and flowers. You'll find mangoes, pawpaw, pineapples, sweet potato, cassava, and seasonal specialties like ngali nuts. The market gives you genuine insight into Solomon Islands food culture - watch how locals select produce, see traditional cooking methods demonstrated, and taste things you've never encountered. The surrounding food stalls serve breakfast for SBD 15-30 (USD 1.80-3.60) - try the cassava with coconut cream or fish soup. May's weather means the market stays relatively comfortable until mid-morning before the heat builds.
Mataniko Falls and Rainforest Hiking
The 7 km (4.3 mile) hike to Mataniko Falls takes you through primary rainforest, past WWII relics, and to a spectacular 15 m (49 ft) waterfall where you can swim in the pool below. May sits in that sweet spot where trails are still accessible (not the mud pit of wet season) but the falls still have good water flow. You'll cross the Mataniko River multiple times - water levels in May are typically knee to thigh-deep, manageable but requiring decent balance. The hike takes 4-5 hours round trip at a moderate pace, with significant humidity under the forest canopy. This is genuine jungle hiking, not a manicured trail - expect to scramble over roots, duck under vines, and possibly spot wildlife like flying foxes or monitor lizards.
Sunset at Point Cruz and Waterfront Dining
The Point Cruz waterfront area and nearby NPF Plaza come alive in the evenings, offering the closest thing Honiara has to a dining scene. May evenings are pleasant after the afternoon heat breaks - temperatures drop to 24-25°C (75-77°F) and you'll get ocean breezes. Watch fishing boats return, see locals playing volleyball on the beach, and catch spectacular sunsets over Savo Island around 6pm. Several restaurants and the Lime Lounge bar offer outdoor seating with water views. This is where expats, locals, and the few tourists in town mix, giving you a genuine sense of contemporary Honiara life beyond the WWII tourism. Meals run SBD 80-200 (USD 10-24) - try the fresh tuna, coconut crab when available, or Solomon-style Chinese food.
May Events & Festivals
Melanesia Cup Football Tournament
While the Melanesia Cup schedule varies year to year, May sometimes hosts regional qualifying matches at Lawson Tama Stadium. When matches happen, the atmosphere is electric - football is the Solomon Islands' passion and locals turn out in force. You'll see traditional dancing before matches, hear constant drumming in the stands, and experience genuine community energy. Even if there's no major tournament, local league matches run most weekends and cost just SBD 10-20 (USD 1.20-2.40) entry. It's a fantastic window into contemporary Solomon Islands culture beyond the WWII history focus.