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Njari Island

A small uninhabited island off Gizo with an exceptionally rich reef around it.

Updated 4 September 2026

Typeisland
WhereWestern Province
Nearest cityGizo
Best seasonMay to October
Time to allowHalf a day
Getting thereNorthwest of Gizo; boat from Gizo, around twenty minutes
EntryBoat and landowner fees

Njari is a small uninhabited island a short run from Gizo with a beach on one side and reef running around it, and its reputation comes from the fish count: surveys here have recorded species numbers among the highest anywhere for a site of this size. Snorkelling from the beach reaches the reef directly. Boats run out from Gizo for the day and there is nothing on the island. The count that made the island's name - 279 species recorded on a single dive - was taken during a survey in 2004 and has been cited ever since.

What you'll find

  • The reef - fish diversity among the highest recorded for a site this size.
  • The beach entry - snorkelling reachable directly from the sand.
  • The uninhabited island - nothing built on it at all.
  • The short crossing - around twenty minutes from Gizo.

When to go

May to October is the drier season with the best visibility. The wet season brings squalls and cancels boats. Mornings are calmest.

What to expect

There are no facilities of any kind and everything must be brought. Boat trips are cancelled in wind. A landowner fee is collected for use of the island.

Nearby

Gizo is southeast, and Kennedy Island is south.

Key facts

Location8.0150° S, 156.7575° E · map

Source: Wikidata, item Q49663308, read on 18 October 2026.

What to pack for Njari Island

Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.

  • Reef-safe sunscreen - High SPF that will not bleach the coral you are swimming over. Find on Amazon
  • Your own mask + snorkel - A well-fitting mask is the single biggest comfort upgrade underwater. Find on Amazon
  • Quick-dry towel - A microfibre towel packs small and dries in minutes. Find on Amazon
  • Rash guard or thin wetsuit - Sun cover on the surface and warmth on longer or deeper dives. Find on Amazon

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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

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