Rendova IslandRendova Island at a Glance
About Rendova Island
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.
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 23° - 30° | 26° | 375 mm | - | - | 1.8 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 23° - 30° | 26° | 366 mm | - | - | 1.7 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 23° - 30° | 26° | 357 mm | - | - | 1.9 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 23° - 30° | 26° | 272 mm | - | - | 1.8 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 23° - 29° | 26° | 247 mm | - | - | 2.0 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 22° - 29° | 26° | 235 mm | - | - | 2.0 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 22° - 28° | 25° | 280 mm | - | - | 2.2 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 22° - 28° | 25° | 248 mm | - | - | 2.5 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 22° - 29° | 26° | 263 mm | - | - | 2.1 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 23° - 30° | 26° | 258 mm | - | - | 1.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 23° - 30° | 26° | 235 mm | - | - | 1.6 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 23° - 30° | 27° | 279 mm | - | - | 1.7 m/s | - | - |
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.