Ontong Java Atoll

Ontong Java lies far north of the main Solomons chain, one of the largest atolls in the world by lagoon area, with over a hundred islets around a vast enclosed water and a Polynesian population living on two of them. Beche-de-mer and copra are the trade. The atoll is very low, very remote and reached only by an irregular ship from Honiara that takes several days. It is administered as part of Malaita province despite lying hundreds of kilometres away across open sea.

What you actually see

• The lagoon - among the largest enclosed atoll waters anywhere.
• The islet ring - over a hundred motus around the rim.
• The Polynesian community - people living on two of the islands.
• The isolation - days of open ocean from the main chain.

When to go

May to October is the drier season. The ship runs irregularly, every few weeks at best. Trips take weeks rather than days.

Honest expectations

There is no air service and the only access is an irregular ship taking days each way. Visitors stay with families. Getting stranded is normal and should be planned for.

Nearby

Malaita is far south, and Honiara is far southwest.