Climate and Weather of Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands is a tropical country in Oceania located along the Pacific Ocean named after the biblical character King Solomon. Because the Solomon Islands is within the Pacific Ring of Fire, the country is home to some of the world's most active land and underwater volcanoes. Some islands in the country had been directly formed from volcanic eruptions in the past, making some islands uninhabited as of today.The Solomon Islands are mostly made up of rugged mountains with some low coral atolls, the highest point being Mount Makarakomburu, at 2,447 meters (8,028 ft). As the country is within the Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Islands also is known for its white sand beaches, pristine azure waters, and greener pastures.
On average, the weather is very warm in the Solomon Islands all year-round. Moreover, daytime temperatures are fairly consistent all year-round ranging from 30°C to 31°C in Honiara, while nighttime temperatures range from 22°C to 23°C also in Honiara.
October is the month with the most sunshine with an average of 228 hours in the capital, Honiara. Meanwhile, February is the month with the least sunshine in Honiara with an average of 154 hours during this month.
In terms of rainfall, March is the wettest month of the year in the Solomon Islands, while September is the driest. On average, the Solomon Islands experiences heavy precipitation in March from 211 mm in Munda to 359 mm in Honiara. Meanwhile, September gets the least amount of rainfall in a year from 84 mm in Munda to high precipitation of 96 mm in Honiara.
Are there four seasons in the Solomon Islands?
The Solomon Islands do not have all four seasons. Considering its proximate distance from the equator, the Solomon Islands has a tropical monsoon climate, with few instances of extreme temperatures and weather. The weather is relatively hot and humid all year-round with no recorded history of snowfall.
Do the Solomon Islands get any natural disasters?
As a tropical country made up of volcanic islands, volcanic eruptions occur more frequently in the Solomon Islands compared to other regions in the world. The country also experiences earthquakes, cyclones, and floods due to very heavy rainfall in the months of January, February, and March when average rainfall exceeds 254 mm in these months.
When is the best time to visit the Solomon Islands?
The best time to visit the Solomon Islands is when the country has its lowest levels of rainfall. Consider visiting the Solomon Islands in September when rainfall is lowest for the year, giving travelers more time to enjoy the country's fascinating tourist destinations.
Besides the capital Honiara, the Western Province of the country has iconic tourist destinations that are worth exploring. The Shark Point Dive Site in Munda, Western Province is the most traveled dive site in the country where schools of fish and corals can be found underwater. Another addition to your travel bucket list is the Roviana Lagoon. The Roviana Lagoon is famous for its emerald-colored waters where major bodies of water in the country meet. You can enjoy these destinations in September with a very warm temperature of 30°C on average, so be sure to stay hydrated and dress lightly.
Are you interested in more detailed information for various cities in Solomon Islands?
Please select the city you plan to visit, or one closest to your destination. For each selected city, you will see the following graphs:
1. Yearly average minimum and maximum temperatures
2. Monthly averages of precipitation throughout the year (rainfall, snow etc)
3. Monthly average hours of sunshine throughout the year
Additionally, some pages provide historical weather data such as humidity, wind speed, and water temperature.