Nggela Islands

The Nggela islands, also called the Florida group, lie north of Guadalcanal across Iron Bottom Sound, two large islands and many smaller ones separated by narrow passages and surrounded by reef. Villages sit along the shores and canoes are the main transport. The reef here is in better condition than around the main island and a few small village-run lodges take visitors. The water between them and Guadalcanal is deep and open, which is why crossings are weather-dependent despite the short distance.

Background

The group, also spelled Ngella and formerly called the Florida Islands, comprises four larger islands plus about 50 smaller ones, and white coral beaches line many of them. Nggela Sule and Nggela Pile, which lies to its southeast, are divided by the narrow Mboli Passage. To the northwest sit Olevugha, also known as Mobokonimbeti and once as Sandfly Island, and Vatilau, also called Buenavista. Among the smaller islands are Anuha, 70 hectares in size, south of Nggela Sule, and Tulagi off its southwest coast, today the capital of Central Province, along with Gavutu and Tanambogo. Europeans first recorded the islands on 16 April 1568, during the Spanish voyage led by Álvaro de Mendaña.

Source: Wikipedia, "Nggela Islands"

What's there

• The narrow passages - the channels cutting between the main islands.
• The reef - coral in better condition than nearer the capital.
• The village shores - settlements strung along the coasts.
• The canoe traffic - the main way of moving between islands.

When to go

May to October is the drier season and calmest. The wet season from November brings squalls and rough crossings. Boats from Honiara run most days in good weather.

Before you go

Accommodation is basic village lodges with no power in places. Getting around depends on arranging boats locally. The crossing from Honiara is open water and rough at times.

Nearby

Tulagi is in the group, and Honiara is south.

Key facts