Nggela IslandsNggela Islands at a Glance
About Nggela Islands
The Nggela Islands, also known as the Florida Islands, are a group in Central Province of the Solomon Islands located north of Guadalcanal. They include inhabited islands such as Nggela Sule and small islets that were important during the Second World War.
The islands offer historical sites, local villages and sheltered anchorages; Tulagi on Nggela Sule is a small harbour town with remnants of colonial-era and wartime infrastructure. Diving, snorkelling and visits to wartime relics on nearby islets are common activities for visitors arriving from Honiara.
Tulagi served as an administrative centre in the colonial period and the area saw significant military activity during the Pacific campaign of World War II, leaving wrecks and battlefield sites. After the war the islands returned to civilian use and remain home to local communities.
The Nggela group lies in Ironbottom Sound north of Guadalcanal and close to the Solomon Islands’ capital, Honiara, with short boat connections linking the islands to the main city.
- Access from Honiara: The islands are close to Guadalcanal and Honiara across Ironbottom Sound, making them accessible by short boat trip from the capital for day visits.
- Wartime heritage: Several World War II sites, wrecks and memorials are found across the islands, attracting interest from history visitors and divers.
What to See#
- Tulagi: Tulagi, a small historic town on Nggela Sule that served as an administrative centre in the colonial period and retains wartime-era sites and harbour structures.
- Gavutu-Tanambogo: Gavutu and Tanambogo, two small islets east of Tulagi known for wartime landings and relics from World War II.
Nearby Attractions to Nggela Islands
Best Time to Visit Nggela Islands
Visit in the dry months (May-October) for calmer seas, better diving visibility and more reliable boat connections between the Nggela Islands.
Weather & Climate near Nggela Islands
Nggela Islands's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 30°C. Heavy rainfall (3120 mm/year), wettest in February.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 24° - 30° | 27° | 352 mm | - | - | 1.6 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 24° - 30° | 27° | 385 mm | - | - | 1.6 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 23° - 30° | 27° | 296 mm | - | - | 1.8 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 23° - 30° | 27° | 222 mm | - | - | 1.6 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 23° - 30° | 26° | 214 mm | - | - | 2.1 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 23° - 29° | 26° | 198 mm | - | - | 2.2 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 22° - 29° | 26° | 234 mm | - | - | 2.0 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 22° - 29° | 26° | 259 mm | - | - | 2.4 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 23° - 30° | 26° | 248 mm | - | - | 2.3 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 23° - 30° | 26° | 219 mm | - | - | 1.8 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 23° - 30° | 27° | 230 mm | - | - | 1.5 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 24° - 30° | 27° | 263 mm | - | - | 1.6 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Nggela Islands
The Nggela (Florida) Islands are reached by boat from Honiara, Solomon Islands. Regular passenger launches, ferries and private boats operate from Honiara’s main harbour to Tulagi and other Nggela islands; crossings typically take around 30-45 minutes depending on vessel and sea conditions. Arrival points are small wharves with short walks into local settlements.
Tips for Visiting Nggela Islands
- Catch a short local ferry or motorboat from Honiara to the Nggela (Florida) Islands rather than attempting private arrangements-regular inter-island services connect the islands to the capital.
- Visit during the dry season (April-October) for calmer seas and better snorkeling conditions around the coral reefs and WWII wreck sites.
- Include time for visits to local villages and WWII relic sites; guided village visits reveal cultural context that many day-trippers miss when they stay only on the beaches.