Rendova Island
Island Solomon Island known for WWII history and diving
Rendova Island in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands offers coral reefs, WWII sites and remote villages; divers, fishermen and history travelers come for reefs and wartime relics.
Rendova Island is an inhabited island in the Solomon Islands, part of the archipelago of the southwest Pacific and administered within the country’s Western Province. It is known locally for its coral reefs and village communities.
Small settlements, reef-fringed bays and shoreline fishing are the main draws for visitors, along with snorkeling and dive sites near coral reefs. Several beaches and offshore wrecks are visited by divers and snorkelers interested in World War II remains and underwater life.
The island was inhabited by Melanesian communities long before European contact and was involved in the Pacific fighting of World War II; Allied forces landed on and operated from parts of the New Georgia area in 1943 during the campaign to secure the central Solomons. Postwar life returned to fishing, subsistence agriculture and local trade.
Geographically the island sits within the Solomon Islands’ Western Province, in the New Georgia island group of the central Solomons, amid other small islands and coral reefs. The nearest larger hubs for transport and services are the provincial towns on neighboring islands.
- World War II sites: Beaches and submerged wrecks are associated with the 1943 New Georgia campaign and remain of interest to history-minded visitors.
How to Get to Rendova Island #
Rendova Island (Western Province) is reached by boat from the regional hub of Gizo. Visitors typically fly from Honiara to Gizo (Nusatupe Airport) and then take a local launch or ferry to Rendova; some inter‑island boat services also run from Noro or other nearby ports. Arrange boat transfers in Gizo - there are no scheduled national‑airport connections directly to Rendova.
Tips for Visiting Rendova Island #
- Plan visits in the dry season (roughly May-October) for calmer seas and better conditions for snorkeling, diving and walking between villages - the wet season makes transport and trails unreliable.
- Arrange travel through Gizo or other regional hubs and confirm boat connections in advance; Rendova is remote and public transport is infrequent, so a pre-booked boat or local operator will avoid lengthy waits.
- Don't miss the island's WWII wreck and relic sites if you're diving or have a guide - Rendova saw significant wartime activity and many of the historical diving spots are off the beaten path and require a local guide to access safely.
Best Time to Visit Rendova Island #
Rendova Island is best visited in the dry season (May-October) when seas are calmer and rainfall is lower.
Weather & Climate near Rendova Island #
Rendova Island'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 (3415 mm/year), wettest in January, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (375 mm).
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February
February is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C. Heavy rain (366 mm).
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March
March is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C. Heavy rain (357 mm).
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April
April is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C. Heavy rain (272 mm).
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May
May is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 23°C. Heavy rain (247 mm).
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June
June is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 22°C. Heavy rain (235 mm).
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July
July is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 22°C. Heavy rain (280 mm).
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August
August is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 22°C. Heavy rain (248 mm).
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September
September is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 22°C. Heavy rain (263 mm).
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October
October is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. Heavy rain (258 mm).
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November
November is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C. Heavy rain (235 mm).
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December
December is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C. Heavy rain (279 mm).
