Marau Sound

Marau Sound lies at the far eastern end of Guadalcanal, a scatter of small coral islands in clear water separated from the main island's dark volcanic coast, with reef between them and villages on several. The water here is much clearer than off Honiara because there are no rivers running silt into it. Small lodges operate on a couple of the islands and boats move between them; the one on Tavanipupu stands on the site of a trading station founded in 1896. The sound sits at the point where Guadalcanal's dark volcanic coast gives way to coral, which is why the change in water clarity is so abrupt.

The landscape

• The island scatter - small coral islands in clear water off the main coast.
• The reef - coral between the islands, better than anywhere near Honiara.
• The clear water - no rivers running silt into the sound.
• The village islands - communities living on several of the cays.

When to go

May to October is the drier season and calmest. The wet season from November brings squalls and poor visibility. Flights are small and irregular.

Practical notes

Access is by light aircraft or a long open-boat run and both are weather-dependent. Accommodation is very basic. Supplies must largely be brought in.

Nearby

Honiara is west, and Nggela is north.

Key facts