The demand for travel from Western and Choiseul provinces back to Honiara has picked up as the holiday mood and excitement generated over the Festive and New Year celebrations slowly settle down.
With the holiday fever now coming to an end for many, its time to leave the villages and provinces for Honiara and other urban centres.
Over the weekend both fast crafts operated by Pelican Shipping Limited – Pelican 1 and Pelican 2 were packed with passengers from Choiseul, Noro and Gizo only.
As a result, both fast crafts made direct trips to Honiara without calling in any of the ports from Ughele and Marovo Lagoon.
Due to the high number of passengers from the two provinces, MV Pelican 2 was forced to make special run to Noro and Gizo on Saturday morning before picking up all passengers from Noro and Gizo this morning – Sunday 4th January.
Reports from Gizo said, both fast-crafts were packed with passengers and they headed straight for Honiara.
The two fast crafts are due to arrive in Honiara later this afternoon.
Many passengers from Ughele and Marovo Lagoon are reportedly worried that two of the passengers MV Marina 2 and MV Fair Lady will also be packed from Gizo and Noro on their return trip on Monday and Tuesday.
A family waiting at Bunikalo Port for Pelican 1 this afternoon and now missed the trip said, they will now have to board MV Fair Lady at Bunikalo this evening and travel as a far as Gizo before returning on the same boat arriving in Honiara on Wednesday.
“We have no option because we fear the return trip by MV Marina 2 and MV Fair Lady will also be packed with passengers from Gizo, Noro, Ughele and other ports in Marovo,” a mother who travels with her children said.
The surge in travel demand during the festive season highlights the need for more passenger boats especially fast crafts to the two provinces.
Not only that but extra trips during mid week by some of the shipping operators will help to ease the demand.
MV Marina 2 and Fair Lady left on Saturday night and Sunday morning respectively to all ports to the Western province as far as Gizo before returning.
Both vessels are expected to be packed with passengers.
Malaita, one of the populated provinces is also facing similar situation, reports said.
Due to demand for shipping services from Auki, MV Pelican 1 soon after its arrival from Western Province this afternoon, will operate a trip from Honiara to Auki at 6pm this evening [Sunday], the management of Pelican Shipping Ltd has announced via its Facebook page this morning.
While Pelican 2 will leave Honiara to Auki tomorrow morning – Monday 5th January before returning from Auki at 10am.
Reports revealed that many passengers are in Auki waiting for the next available transport back to Honiara.
The traveling public who normally travel between Honiara and Auki have appealed for increased passenger vessels service during the high peak holiday period.
The current fine weather condition also offers an opportunity for the public to travel.
Apart from shipping services, the demand for airline services is also high during this peak traveling time with Solomon Airlines making additional flights during this month.
With most public servants resuming work this and the start of the 2026 academic year, hundreds of people are expected to make their way back to Honiara in the coming days and weeks.
The 2026 academic year officially starts on Monday 26th January, according to the academic calender released by the education ministry.
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Lead photo caption: MV Pelican 1 loading passengers in Choiseul on Saturday 3rd January. Photo courtesy of Manasseh Kodovaru.
