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Rennell and Bellona
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Rennell and Bellona offer remote Pacific landscapes, Polynesian culture, Lake Tegano and community-based travel in Solomon Islands.

Rennell and Bellona form one of the Solomon Islands’ most remote provinces, lying south of Guadalcanal in the open Pacific. The two islands are Polynesian outliers within a predominantly Melanesian country, with distinct languages, histories and customs. Rennell is the larger island, a long, elevated coral formation covered by forest, gardens and scattered settlements. Bellona is smaller and more compact, with a strongly marked cultural identity and a landscape shaped by uplifted reef limestone.
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Rennell’s most important natural landmark is Lake Tegano, a vast brackish lagoon occupying much of the island’s eastern end. Known locally as Te-Nggano, it is the largest lake in the Pacific insular region and is enclosed by forest, limestone outcrops and small islands. East Rennell, the lake and its surrounding woodland, is a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape because of its exceptional ecology and the continuing relationship between local communities and the environment. Access is remote and facilities are limited, so the lake is better suited to carefully arranged exploration than spontaneous day touring.
Outside the World Heritage area, Rennell offers a quiet rural setting of coconut palms, coastal woodland, reef flats and traditional gardens. Settlements are small, and travel is shaped by airstrip conditions, weather, unsealed roads and the availability of local boats. Bellona has similarly modest infrastructure, but its raised coral terraces, forested interior and coastal viewpoints reward visitors who arrive with time, local introductions and realistic expectations. Neither island is a resort destination; the appeal lies in landscape, community knowledge, birdlife, oral tradition and the experience of reaching a little-visited corner of Solomon Islands.
The islands’ Polynesian heritage is visible in language, kinship, dance, carving, church life and customary land relationships. Food is based on root crops, fruit, fish and coconut, supplemented by imported provisions that may be limited outside the main settlements. A visit is most meaningful when it is arranged through provincial or community contacts, allowing local residents to guide access to culturally important places and explain how the islands’ forests, lagoons and reefs are used. Visitors should allow extra time for weather disruption and avoid treating the islands as interchangeable with the larger tourism centres of Guadalcanal or Western Province.

When is the best time to visit Rennell and Bellona?

Best: June–August · 29–30°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January30250
February30220
March30200
April30180
May30160
June (best)30140
July (best)29140
August (best)30160
September30180
October30200
November30220
December30250

Getting to and around Rennell and Bellona

How to get there

Most visitors reach Rennell and Bellona from Honiara, the national capital on Guadalcanal, using domestic air services when flights are operating. Rennell’s main airport is near Tigoa, while Bellona has its own airstrip; services, aircraft and schedules can change because of weather, maintenance and operational conditions. Sea travel may be possible by cargo or passenger vessel, but it is not a dependable sightseeing ferry alternative and should be arranged locally. International visitors normally connect to Honiara first, often through regional Pacific hubs, then allow time for an overnight stay and schedule changes before travelling south.

Transportation

Transport within the province is basic and distances can take longer than the map suggests. Local vehicles, four-wheel-drive transport and occasional boats are arranged through residents, accommodation providers or provincial contacts rather than booked through a developed tourist network. Roads on Rennell and Bellona are in places unsealed and can become difficult after rain. Walking is practical around settlements but not a substitute for transport to distant villages, the eastern World Heritage area or Lake Tegano. Boat trips require appropriate local knowledge, weather awareness and agreement with customary owners; cycling is possible but support, spare parts and reliable surfaces cannot be assumed.

Best landmarks in Rennell and Bellona

Lake Tegano, also called Te-Nggano, is Rennell and Bellona’s defining geographical landmark: a broad brackish lake occupying the eastern part of the raised atoll and surrounded by forest, limestone and small islands. Its scale, unusual ecology and continuing customary significance explain why East Rennell holds UNESCO World Heritage status. The lake should be understood as a living cultural landscape, not simply as a scenic viewpoint. Rennell’s raised coral terraces and the long forested margins around its eastern end provide another important visual signature, showing how the island was lifted above the sea while retaining an enclosed lagoon. On Bellona, uplifted reef limestone, wooded heights and coastal shelves create a distinctive island profile in contrast with low coral islands elsewhere in the Pacific. Village churches, meeting places, gardens and traditional routes are also significant local landmarks, although their importance is often social and customary rather than monumental. Access to many sites depends on permission, local guidance and weather, and there are few formally developed viewing facilities.

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Best bars in Rennell and Bellona

Rennell and Bellona do not have a major bar or nightclub scene. Evening life is generally centred on homes, churches, community gatherings and conversations with hosts, with occasional social events or local music depending on the settlement and season. Some guesthouses or informal stores may provide refreshments, but visitors should not expect licensed venues, late opening hours, dependable entertainment programmes or the nightlife districts found in Honiara. Alcohol should be approached with restraint and in accordance with local expectations, particularly around villages, church activities and family settings. After dark, movement is limited by poor lighting, rough roads and the absence of regular taxis, so arrange transport or remain close to your accommodation. The most rewarding evenings often involve listening to local stories, learning about island history or observing the night sky rather than seeking commercial entertainment.

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Best shops in Rennell and Bellona

Shopping in Rennell and Bellona is limited to small village stores, informal sellers and locally arranged purchases rather than dedicated retail districts. Visitors may find basic food, drinks, household supplies and locally made items, but stock is irregular and card payment is unlikely. Useful regional purchases can include woven articles, carvings, shell or plant-fibre work and locally produced food, provided these are genuinely made for sale and are not taken from culturally restricted places. Ask about materials and provenance before buying, and never purchase archaeological objects, protected wildlife, coral or items removed from customary sites. Fresh produce, coconut products and fish may be available through local contacts, subject to season and community arrangements. The most appropriate souvenirs are small, legal craft items bought directly from makers or through a host, with prices and delivery agreed clearly. Bring substantial provisions and practical equipment from Honiara, since neither island offers the range of shops, pharmacies or specialist outlets available in the capital.

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Rennell and Bellona essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Solomon Islands dollar (SBD), used throughout Rennell and Bellona as in the rest of the country. Card payments and cash machines should not be expected on either island, and mobile or internet connectivity may be intermittent. Bring sufficient clean cash from Honiara, including smaller denominations for local transport, food and community services, while keeping it secure. Confirm costs and payment arrangements in advance, particularly for boats, guiding, homestays and chartered transport.
Safety
Visitors should take ordinary precautions with valuables and travel with trusted local contacts, especially because communications and formal tourist services are limited. More immediate risks are practical: rough seas, changing weather, slippery limestone, tropical heat, falling branches, insects and isolated roads. Use local guidance around Lake Tegano, reefs and forest areas, and do not swim or boat alone. Check fuel and vehicle arrangements before leaving a settlement, carry water and essential medicines, and treat roads and airstrips as conditions that may change quickly after rain.
Emergency Situations
Solomon Islands emergency arrangements are national rather than specific to Rennell and Bellona. Where a telephone connection is available, dial 999 for emergency assistance, but do not rely on uninterrupted coverage or rapid response on the outer islands. Tell accommodation providers or local leaders about your movements, and carry a charged phone with any available local network access. Travel insurance should cover medical evacuation, remote-island delays and cancellation caused by weather. Serious cases may require transfer to Honiara, so pre-existing medical needs and essential prescriptions should be addressed before departure.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly in villages and ask before photographing people, churches, ceremonies, homes or customary places. Seek permission before crossing gardens, entering forest, collecting anything or visiting sacred or culturally restricted sites. Follow local guidance on swimming, fishing and travel on the lake or reef. Queue and speak quietly in transport settings, and agree prices and arrangements before a journey begins. Do not assume that an apparently empty beach, forest or shoreline is unowned; customary land and access rights remain important throughout the province.
Local Tips
Use Honiara as a provisioning point, since the range of food, fuel, toiletries and specialist equipment on the islands is limited. Ask whether your host can arrange a customary introduction before visiting East Rennell or Lake Tegano, as local permission and interpretation improve both access and respect. Build spare days into the itinerary for delayed flights or boats. Local food may be seasonal, so carry suitable snacks while remaining open to root crops, fruit, fish and coconut-based cooking offered by hosts.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloAloha[Ah-loh-ha]
GoodbyeKere[Keh-reh]
YesAe[Ah-eh]
NoNau[Nau]
Please/You're welcomeTaku/No problem[Tah-koo/Noh proh-blem]
Thank youTukuna[Too-koo-nah]
Excuse me/SorryEfa[Eh-fah]
How are you?Oti au?[Oh-tee ow?]
Fine. And you?Malu. Oti au?[Mah-loo. Oh-tee ow?]
Do you speak English?Oti tolo English?[Oh-tee toh-loh In-glish?]
I don't understandAu sa no tolo[Ow sah noh toh-loh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseAu wantem lukim menu, plis[Ow wan-tem loo-keem meh-nu, plees]
I don't eat meatAu no kaen mit[Ow noh kah-ehn meet]
Cheers!Toa![Toh-ah!]
I would like to pay, pleaseAu wantem pai, plis[Ow wan-tem pie, plees]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![Help!]
Go away!Go awei![Goh ah-way!]
Call the Police!Kol Polisi![Kohl Poh-lee-see!]
Call a doctor!Kol dokta![Kohl dohk-tah!]
I'm lostAu sa los[Ow sah lohs]
I'm illAu sik[Ow seek]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Au wantem bai...[Ow wan-tem bye...]
I'm just lookingAu jus luking[Ow jus loo-king]
How much is it?Hao makit?[How mah-kit?]
That's too expensiveDat i tu makit[Daht ee too mah-kit]
Can you lower the price?Yu ken lewa da prais?[Yoo ken leh-wah dah prize?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Wot taim?[Waht tahim?]
It's one o'clockIti wan oklok[Ee-tee wahn oh-klok]
Half past (10)Haf past (10)[Hahf pahst (10)]
MorningMornin[Morn-ing]
AfternoonAftanun[Af-tah-noon]
EveningIvenin[Ee-ven-ing]
YesterdayYestede[Yest-eh-deh]
TodayTude[Too-deh]
TomorrowTumoro[Too-mo-roh]
1Wan[Wahn]
2Tu[Too]
3Tri[Tree]
4Foa[Foh-ah]
5Faiv[Fah-iv]
6Siks[Siks]
7Sevn[Sev-en]
8Eit[Eight]
9Nain[Nain]
10Ten[Ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Wea a/the...?[Weh-ah ah/the...?]
What's the address?Wot i da adres?[Waht ee dah ah-dress?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Yu ken sho mi (on da map)?[Yoo ken show mee (on dah map)?]
When's the next (bus)?Wen i da nekis (bus)?[Wen ee dah neh-kis (bus)?]
A ticket (to ....)Wan tiket (to ....)[Wahn tee-ket (to ....)]

History of Rennell and Bellona

Early Polynesian Settlement

Rennell and Bellona are Polynesian outliers: islands whose populations speak Polynesian languages despite their position within the wider Melanesian region. Their ancestors developed communities adapted to raised coral landscapes, limited freshwater resources and a maritime environment. Oral histories, genealogies, place names and customary practices remain important sources of identity. Archaeological evidence and linguistic relationships place the islands within the wider movement of Polynesian voyagers across the Pacific, while their long separation from other Polynesian societies helped produce distinctive local cultures.

Traditional Island Societies

Before sustained European involvement, communities on both islands were organised through kinship, chiefly authority, customary landholding and subsistence agriculture. Gardens supplied taro, yam, sweet potato and other crops, while fishing and reef resources supported coastal settlements. Canoe travel connected communities and gave the islands a wider maritime horizon. On Rennell, the lagoon and forest of the east formed part of a living cultural landscape rather than a wilderness separate from human society; on Bellona, customary knowledge similarly governed relationships with land, sea and ancestral places.

European Contact and Missionary Change

European navigators charted parts of the Solomon Islands during the era of Pacific exploration, but Rennell and Bellona remained distant from the principal colonial ports and trading routes. Missionary activity and the spread of Christianity brought substantial changes during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Churches, new forms of education and altered patterns of authority became part of island life, while local languages, genealogies and customary obligations continued to shape community identity. Contact also increased exposure to imported goods, labour movements and the political networks of the wider Solomon Islands.

The Solomon Islands Protectorate

Britain established the Solomon Islands Protectorate in the late nineteenth century, bringing the islands into a colonial administration centred elsewhere in the archipelago. Rennell and Bellona’s remoteness limited direct government presence and commercial development compared with Guadalcanal and the larger northern islands. Colonial rule nevertheless influenced taxation, labour, schooling, church organisation and the recording of land and population. The islands retained strong local institutions, and their distinctive Polynesian identity remained an important feature of the protectorate’s diverse population.

The Second World War

The Solomon Islands became a major theatre of the Pacific War after Japanese forces advanced through the archipelago in 1942. Rennell Island is associated with the Battle of Rennell Island, fought at sea south of Guadalcanal in January 1943, when Japanese aircraft attacked Allied naval forces. Although the principal action occurred offshore, the battle forms part of the wider wartime history of the province. Military operations elsewhere in the Solomons also brought airfields, shipping, coastal surveillance and severe disruption to island communities.

Self-Government and Independence

After the war, constitutional development gradually transferred authority from the British administration to elected Solomon Islands institutions. The Solomon Islands became independent in 1978, and Rennell and Bellona was subsequently administered as one of the country’s provinces. Provincial government operates alongside customary landholding, church structures and national institutions. The islands’ distance from Honiara has continued to influence public services, transport and economic opportunity, while remittances, agriculture, fishing and community networks remain central to everyday life.

East Rennell World Heritage Recognition

East Rennell was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998 for its exceptional raised-atoll environment, Lake Tegano and the continuing role of customary landowners in managing the area. The designation recognised both natural and cultural values, including endemic wildlife, forest ecosystems and traditional relationships with the lake. Conservation has not removed the practical pressures facing the region: isolation, limited services, storm damage and resource-management challenges all affect the site. Its significance is therefore inseparable from the communities who live around and care for it.

Rennell and Bellona in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Rennell and Bellona

Discover the best of Rennell and Bellona with Evendo – a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

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Planning a trip to Rennell and Bellona, Solomon Islands? Look no further than Evendo, your ultimate travel companion. This 100% free app-based travel guide is designed to help you uncover the hidden gems and must-see spots of Rennell and Bellona. From the breathtaking Lake Tegano to the historic Bellona Island, discover detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities. Each location comes with rich information, including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details, making it incredibly easy for you to plan and organize your trip.

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What sets Evendo apart is its comprehensive coverage, not just in Rennell and Bellona but across 7,000+ destinations worldwide. From curated local tips to essential travel information, Evendo equips you with everything you need for an unforgettable travel experience. Download Evendo today and make your trip to Rennell and Bellona truly extraordinary!

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