Rennell Island, Rennell/Bellona Province
With six larger islands and several hundred smaller ones, working out how to get around the Solomon Islands might seem daunting at first. Luckily we’ve put together a guide for visitors to our island nation below, starting from some of the more popular locations you’d arrive in.
Honiara
Honiara is the capital of the Solomon Islands and is located on Guadalcanal Island. Honiara has domestic and international airports and is the jumping point for all of your travel within the Solomons.
From Honiara, there are regular domestic flights to 20 destinations within the Solomons and it is the starting point for many live-aboard tours and boat trips from the harbour at Point Cruz.
If you’re staying in Honiara, the international airport is about 11km from the city area. Your hotel can organise an airport transfer for you or taxi’s are readily available. There aren’t meters in the taxis in Honiara so make sure you agree your price before getting in.
There are lots of things to see and do in Honiara. You can hire a car and drive yourself or there are organised tours that you may prefer. Some highlights in Honiara include:
- Battlefield tours (visiting Vilu War Museum, the American War Memorial, the Japanese War Memorial and other significant WWII sites such as Bloody Ridge and Red Beach)
- There are lots of hikes to do from Honiara to waterfalls and jungles (link to Hike section)
- Bonegi Beach: whether you prefer a picnic or BBQ on the beach or go wreck diving, this beach close to Honiara and is a great place to swim and relax
- Iron Bottom Sound: the scene of some of WWII’s biggest battles. This channel just off Honiara is the resting place for over 50 warships and fighter planes. Fantastic wreck diving.
Western Province
The most popular part of the Solomons for tourist is the Western Province. This is where most travellers snorkel, dive and relax. Key areas in the Western Province are:
Munda
Munda is the largest community on the island of New Georgia and is on the southwestern tip. Roviana Lagoon is just offshore and is great primarily for diving & snorkelling.
Solomon Airlines has daily flights from Honiara to Munda and flight time is approximately 1 hour. Any resorts that are not on the mainland will organise boat transfers for you. Taxis and buses are available for travel around Munda.
Gizo
Gizo is the capital of the Western Province and is the second largest town in the Solomon Islands. Gizo is on Ghizo Island and is a great destination for relaxing on the beach, snorkelling and diving. If you stay at accommodation near Gizo, your accommodation provider can arrange a boat transfer for you. Boats can be easily hired to get around.
Gizo is approximately 1-2 hours from Munda by boat and about 15 minutes by air. We have daily flights from Honiara to Gizo which take approximately 1 hour and daily flights between Gizo and Munda.
Seghe
If you want to travel to the beautiful Morovo Lagoon, then you need to travel to Seghe on the south-eastern tip of New Georgia. Tourists travel to this part of the world to relax, snorkel, dive, kayak, fish and hike. The flight is about 1 hour from Honiara and the airstrip is made of crushed coral. Your accommodation provider will organise your boat transfer to your hotel.
Other destinations in the Solomons
Solomon Airlines travels to 20 destinations in the Solomons so we’re sure to be able to get you close to your destination.
Rennell Island is locally known as Mugaba, with Tigoa as the provincial capital of Rennell and Bellona. Rennell is a World Heritage Site and home to the South Pacific’s largest inland lake - Lake Tengano. Rennell is the southernmost island in the Solomon Islands. Rennell is a raised coral atoll, withLake Tengano at its southeastern end. Rennell is approximately one hour by air from Honiara, and the airstrip is located on the western half of the island. Solomon Airlines flies to Tigoa on Rennell Island twice a week (subject to change).
Tingoa (RNL)
Rennell/Bellona
Twin otter (DH6)
Transfers to and from the Airport must be made by prior arrangement.
Rennell and Bellona Province: 3,025 (2010 census estimates)
Tigoa on Rennell is the provincial capital and administrative headquarters for Rennell and Bellona Province, with subsistence farming being the main industry.
There is a health clinic located in Tingoa.
Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP) and Ramsi presence in Tingoa station.
Transportation is by boat. There are no taxis on Rennell. There is only one road on Rennell and only several vehicles that drive along it.
There are limited internet services on Rennell Island.
There are no ATMs on Rennell Island.
Attractions
Lake Tegano
Lake Tegano is the largest lake in the Pacific at 27km long and 9km wide and is listed as a World Heritage site. At the western end of the lake, there are about 200 islets. In addition to the unique wildlife in the area, there are also the sunken remains of several Catalina seaplanes from WW11, with some of them in shallow water.