Things to Do in Solomon Islands in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Solomon Islands
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Dry season reliability - May sits right in the sweet spot before the wet season arrives in earnest, giving you consistent diving visibility of 25-30 m (82-98 ft) around Marovo Lagoon and Florida Islands. The southeast trade winds are steady but not fierce, making boat transfers actually comfortable.
- Fewer visitors than peak months - You'll have dive sites and WWII wrecks largely to yourselves. Accommodations in Gizo and Munda typically run 20-30% cheaper than July-August, and you can book quality lodges just 2-3 weeks out rather than the 8-12 weeks needed in peak season.
- Prime conditions for historical exploration - The cooler mornings (relatively speaking - still 23-24°C/73-75°F at dawn) make trekking to Bloody Ridge and other Guadalcanal battlefields genuinely pleasant before 10am. The drier ground means jungle tracks are passable without the ankle-deep mud you'd face November through March.
- Local fishing season peaks - Village markets overflow with fresh tuna, wahoo, and mahi-mahi as communities take advantage of the calm seas. You'll see traditional fishing methods in action around Langa Langa Lagoon, and the catch-of-the-day at guesthouses is legitimately caught that morning, not frozen imports.
Considerations
- Still humid despite being 'dry season' - That 70% humidity is persistent, and combined with temperatures pushing 30°C (86°F), you'll be sweating through shirts by mid-morning. Air conditioning is rare outside Honiara's business hotels, and even fans just push warm air around. Your camera gear will need silica packets.
- Limited infrastructure for weather surprises - While May is generally dry, those 10 rainy days can disrupt inter-island transport significantly. Domestic flights get cancelled with minimal notice, and the Solomon Airlines schedule is more of a suggestion. If you're on a tight timeline, this uncertainty gets stressful quickly.
- Not peak season for certain marine life - Whale season doesn't really kick off until later, and some pelagic species are less common. If you're coming specifically for whale encounters, you're about 2-3 months early for reliable sightings around Marovo.
Best Activities in May
WWII Historical Site Tours on Guadalcanal
May's drier conditions make this the ideal time to explore Guadalcanal's battlefields before the wet season turns jungle tracks into muddy obstacles. The cooler morning temperatures (23-24°C/73-75°F until 10am) mean you can actually hike to Bloody Ridge, Hell's Point, and Mount Austen without heat exhaustion being your primary concern. Local guides - many with family connections to the Coastwatchers - lead half-day and full-day tours that combine jungle trekking with visits to artillery positions, aircraft wrecks, and memorial sites. The visibility is excellent for photography, and you'll avoid the tour group crowds that arrive in July-August.
Marovo Lagoon Diving and Snorkeling
May delivers some of the year's best underwater visibility - typically 25-30 m (82-98 ft) - as the dry season keeps sediment low and the trade winds haven't stirred things up yet. The water temperature hovers around 28°C (82°F), comfortable in a 3mm wetsuit or even rashguard for shallower snorkeling. You'll encounter healthy coral walls, WWII wrecks including Japanese supply ships, and regular sightings of reef sharks, turtles, and massive schools of barracuda. The lagoon's protected nature means calm conditions most days, though mornings before 11am offer the clearest light for photography.
Traditional Village Stays in Western Province
May's weather makes island-hopping between villages actually pleasant rather than a wet, rough boat ride. Communities around Gizo, Simbo, and Ranongga welcome visitors for cultural immersion experiences - learning traditional fishing methods, watching shell money production at Langa Langa Lagoon, participating in food preparation, and attending evening storytelling sessions. The dry conditions mean village activities happen outdoors where you can participate, not huddled under shelters waiting out rain. You'll sleep in leaf houses (bring your own mosquito net), eat what the community eats (lots of fish, root vegetables, fresh coconut), and gain perspective impossible to find in resorts.
Kennedy Island Sea Kayaking
May's calm seas and steady (but not overwhelming) trade winds create ideal conditions for paddling around Gizo's surrounding islands. The half-day trip to Kennedy Island - where JFK and crew survived after PT-109 was rammed - covers about 8 km (5 miles) round trip through protected waters. You'll paddle past traditional villages, stop for snorkeling over coral gardens, and explore the tiny island where Kennedy carved his rescue message. The morning departures (typically 7-8am) avoid the afternoon heat buildup, and the water is flat enough for beginners. Guides share both WWII history and contemporary island life stories.
Honiara Central Market and Street Food Exploration
May's dry mornings make the walk to Central Market actually enjoyable rather than a sweaty ordeal. The market peaks 6-9am when fishing boats arrive and villagers bring produce from the hills. You'll find fruits you've never seen (try ngali nuts and cut nuts), watch women weaving baskets from pandanus leaves, and navigate the fish section where entire tuna get butchered on wooden blocks. The cooked food stalls outside serve cassava pudding, coconut bread, and grilled fish plates for 30-60 SBD (3.60-7.20 USD). This is where Honiara residents actually eat, not the expensive hotel restaurants. The cultural immersion is immediate and authentic.
Tenaru Falls and Rainforest Trekking
The drier May conditions make this 12 km (7.5 mile) round-trip hike from the coast significantly more manageable than wet season attempts. The trail follows the Tenaru River through dense rainforest, crossing the same ground where intense WWII fighting occurred. You'll reach the falls after 2-3 hours of moderate hiking - a 20 m (66 ft) cascade into a swimming hole that's genuinely refreshing after the humid trek. Bird activity peaks in May with breeding season underway, so you'll hear (and possibly see) Solomon Islands frogmouth, cardinal lory, and various honeyeaters. The return hike is easier as you're following the river downstream.
May Events & Festivals
Local Church Choir Festivals
Various villages and communities across the Solomons hold choir competitions and celebrations throughout May, though dates vary by location and aren't formally published. These aren't tourist events - they're genuine community gatherings where multiple choirs compete with elaborate harmonies sung in local languages and Pijin. The musical tradition here is extraordinary, blending Melanesian rhythms with church hymn structures. If you hear about one happening near where you're staying, it's worth attending. Communities welcome respectful visitors, and the atmosphere is festive with shared food afterward.