Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Saltwater crocs around Honiara? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
brent1984s 07:43 UTC 02 Apr 2013 | Hi, I will have 2 free days in Honiara next week and im looking at things to do around the area. I plan on taking the hike to Mataniko Falls on one of the days and then snorkeling at a nice nearby beach for the other, which brings me to my main concern... Is the water safe around Honiara beaches for snorkeling? Not so worried about sharks as i am about Salties. Can anyone report on this? LP guide fails to explain this! |
watsoff 16:50 UTC 02 Apr 2013 | Check with the locals before swimming anywhere, other than, say Boneggi I or Boneggi II beaches. Honiara is pretty much salty free, if I remember correctly, but anyway there aren't any good swimming beaches near the city. The Lunga River that runs near Burns Creek (between Honiara and the airport) does see the occasional salty. A child was killed by one in that area the last time I was there working nearby. Ozziegiraffe will have more updated information. | 1
brent1984s 01:16 UTC 03 Apr 2013 | So Boneggi's are safe? I realise the beaches arent much chop around the area, but i'll have my snorkeling gear and wouldnt mind checking it out. Can't get onto Ozziegiraffe through private msg unfortunetly | 2
watsoff 04:30 UTC 03 Apr 2013 | The Boneggis are pretty safe, at least they were when I went to both of them, but the snorkelling isn't that great. There is an old WWII wreck visible from the shore at one of the Boneggis, but I've forgotten which one. You have to pay a custom fee to get to those beaches as the land is privately owned. Not much by our standards, but again I don't remember what we paid. Ozzie should be signing in sometime soon. Looks like I'm forgetting my life away :-) | 3
ozziegiraffe 11:33 UTC 03 Apr 2013 | The saltys I am aware of around Honiara have all been east of Honiara. We spotted one in the river just west of the airport back in 2004, and have seen them swimming in the area. However, the east road does not hug the coast, and beaches tend to be more private and less accessible. The beaches open to tourists are West of Honiara where the road follows close to the coast. Apart from the Boneghis, there are now several others where you can swim for a small fee. I haven't heard any croc reports in these areas. As Watsoff says, check with the locals first. (If you are really worried, the RAMSI office could give you an expat viewpoint). | 4
brent1984s 23:23 UTC 03 Apr 2013 | Ok thanks guys, Thats a big help! | 5