Is Honiara sunnier than South Tarawa?

South Tarawa is the sunnier: about 2,988 hours of sunshine a year versus 2,179 — a difference of 809 hours.

Which is warmer, Honiara or South Tarawa?

Honiara is warmer across the year: average daytime highs of 30°C (86°F) versus 28°C.

Which is better in winter (November–February), Honiara or South Tarawa?

South Tarawa scores better across November–February: 72/100 average versus 64, with daytime highs around 28°C.

Which has the warmer sea, Honiara or South Tarawa?

Honiara — its sea peaks at about 31°C (88°F) versus 30°C.

Honiara vs South Tarawa: which is sunnier?

🇸🇧 Solomon Islands vs 🇰🇮 Kiribati · 1,883 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)

South Tarawa is the sunnier overall: about 2,988 hours of sunshine a year to Honiara's 2,179. South Tarawa has the higher Sunshine Score in 12 of 12 months — a clean sweep.

Scores are the 0–100 Sunshine Score — sunshine, daytime warmth and dryness in one number, per month.

At a glance

	Honiara	South Tarawa
Sunshine hours / year	2,179	2,988
Sunniest month	September (72/100)	September (80/100)
Nov–Feb average score	64/100	72/100
Jun–Aug average score	68/100	75/100
Rain / year	2,326 mm	1,714 mm
Warmest sea	31°C / 88°F	30°C / 86°F
Peak midday UV	12 (extreme)	13 (extreme)

Honiara vs South Tarawa month by month

Month	Sunshine Score		Day high °C		Rain mm		Sea °C
Month	Honiara	South Tarawa	Honiara	South Tarawa	Honiara	South Tarawa	Honiara	South Tarawa
January	64	69	30°	28°	263	212	31°	30°
February	64	69	30°	28°	305	157	30°	30°
March	64	69	30°	28°	277	219	31°	29°
April	64	69	30°	28°	220	171	31°	30°
May	64	78	30°	28°	214	103	30°	30°
June	65	72	29°	29°	143	136	30°	30°
July	67	75	29°	29°	135	119	30°	30°
August	71	77	29°	29°	114	107	29°	30°
September	72	80	30°	29°	107	92	29°	30°
October	64	79	30°	28°	160	95	30°	30°
November	64	79	30°	29°	167	95	30°	30°
December	64	69	30°	28°	221	208	31°	29°

The sunnier month by month: Jan South Tarawa · Feb South Tarawa · Mar South Tarawa · Apr South Tarawa · May South Tarawa · Jun South Tarawa · Jul South Tarawa · Aug South Tarawa · Sep South Tarawa · Oct South Tarawa · Nov South Tarawa · Dec South Tarawa.

When to pick which

November–February: South Tarawa (average score 72/100 vs 64). Honiara is the warmer, around 30°C daytime highs vs 28°C.
March–May: South Tarawa (average score 72/100 vs 64). Honiara is the warmer, around 30°C daytime highs vs 28°C.
June–August: South Tarawa (average score 75/100 vs 68). Daytime highs are similar (29°C vs 29°C).
September–October: South Tarawa (average score 80/100 vs 68). Daytime highs are similar (30°C vs 29°C).

Sea temperature

Honiara's sea gets warmer: 31°C / 88°F at its peak vs 30°C. Swimmable water (21°C+): Honiara all year, South Tarawa all year. Month-by-month sea temperatures are in the table above.

Full month-by-month guides: Honiara weather by month · South Tarawa weather by month.

More comparisons: Honiara vs Port Moresby · Honiara vs Port Vila · Honiara vs Luganville · South Tarawa vs Nadi · South Tarawa vs Luganville · all head-to-heads