Port information & tips for Owaraha (ex Santa Ana Island)
Owaraha, formerly known as Santa Ana, is a hidden gem of the Solomon Islands and enchants visitors with its untouched beauty and deep-rooted Melanesian traditions. The remote island offers an authentic atmosphere where turquoise waters meet lush greenery and the warm hospitality of the inhabitants. Cultural highlights include the intricately carved Spirit Houses with their ritual artifacts and canoes, as well as the impressive traditional warrior dances in the villages of Gupuna and Natagera. Expedition cruise ships anchor in the picturesque bay and use the landing site directly on the beach of Gupuna for their tender boats. Thanks to this direct connection, travelers reach the village center and the most important sights within a few minutes' walk, allowing for an immediate immersion into island life.
Traveling to the remote cruise port of Owaraha (formerly Santa Ana Island) in the Solomon Islands is an expedition in itself, as the island has no tourism infrastructure of its own and, as a pure tender port, can only be reached by Zodiac or ship's tender. There is no permanent terminal or pier here.
Airplane
Primary travel from the DACH region is via Honiara International Airport (HIR) on Guadalcanal, which serves as the main gateway to the Solomon Islands. There are no direct long-haul flights from Europe; instead, guests typically travel with stopovers, for example via Brisbane (Australia) or Nadi (Fiji). Due to the long flight duration, an overnight stay in Honiara is recommended to start the onward journey rested. The airport is located only about 8 kilometers east of the capital Honiara and is easily accessible from there by taxi.
Transfer & Local Connections
From Honiara, you can either take a domestic flight with Solomon Airlines to Santa Ana Airport (NNB) on Owaraha or, alternatively, to Kirakira Airport (IRA) on the neighboring island of Makira. From Kirakira, the onward journey to Owaraha is by motorized canoe, a crossing of approximately 73 kilometers. Please note that the baggage limit for domestic flights can be around 16 kilograms per person. Since Owaraha is a pure tender port, cruise passengers are taken by Zodiacs or the ship's own tenders from the ship to Port Mary Beach. On the island itself, there are no roads or motorized land transport; all exploration is on foot or with locally organized canoes.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Traveling to the cruise port of Owaraha is hardly conceivable without a pre-cruise overnight stay in Honiara. A stay of at least one night in a hotel in Honiara is strongly recommended to recover from the long international journey, cushion potential flight delays, and prepare for the adventure. The capital offers various hotel options. Additionally, in Honiara, you have the opportunity to withdraw or exchange local currency (SBD), as Owaraha has no ATMs or options for card payment.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is generally scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
