Makira Island

Address: Makira (San Cristóbal) Island, Makira-Ulawa Province, Solomon Islands

Hours: Open outdoors year-round

Admission: Free (natural area)

Makira is an island in the Solomon Islands’ eastern province of Makira-Ulawa, formerly known in colonial records as San Cristobal. It is a large, forested island with substantial areas of native rainforest and a history of subsistence communities along the coast.

The island contains townships such as Kirakira, which functions as the administrative and transport hub, and rural villages linked by coastal tracks and boat routes. Makira is notable for its biodiversity, with a number of endemic bird and mammal species and designated conservation areas aimed at protecting rainforest and coastal ecosystems.

Makira’s population relies largely on fishing, small-scale agriculture and village trade; access is by regional flights to Kirakira or by coastal shipping. The island lies in the eastern part of the Solomon Islands archipelago and is characterised by steep interior ridges, river valleys and mangrove-fringed shores.

• Economy: Formerly known as San Cristobal; local economy is based on subsistence agriculture, small-scale fishing and limited logging.
• Biodiversity: The island supports significant endemic flora and fauna; conservation programmes operate in parts of the interior and coastal zones.

What to See#

• Kirakira: Kirakira - the principal town and administrative centre on the island, with the main airstrip and market serving local communities and visitors.
• Makira Protected Area: Makira Protected Area - a region of rainforest and coastal habitat designated for biodiversity conservation and containing many endemic species.

Makira (San Cristobal) is served by scheduled domestic flights from Honiara to the island’s main airstrip at Kirakira operated by Solomon Islands carriers; flights are the most common public access and are irregular so check Solomon Airlines schedules. From Kirakira airfield the main town and coastal villages are a short drive along local roads; inter-island boat services from Honiara also exist but are infrequent.

• Fly into Kirakira, the provincial capital on Makira, which is the usual air gateway served by scheduled domestic flights from Honiara; plan connections carefully because services can be infrequent.
• Travel in the Solomon Islands' drier months (roughly May-October) for more reliable sea transfers and clearer diving/snorkeling conditions if you plan marine excursions off Makira.
• Arrange local guides in Kirakira before setting out to remote coastal villages or diving sites-much of Makira's best wildlife and village visits require boat charters and local knowledge, and independent access can be difficult.