Rennell and Bellona

Rennell and Bellona is a southern province of Solomon Islands comprising two inhabited atolls separated by open ocean. The islands feature coral formations, shallow lagoons, and limited developed infrastructure on both settlements.

The British ship Bellona discovered these islands in 1793, giving the eastern atoll its name and marking European contact. Documentation followed this encounter, establishing the area within colonial records and geographical knowledge.

The inhabitants speak Rennellese, a Polynesian language distinct from the Melanesian cultures of surrounding islands. This linguistic heritage shapes daily communication and community identity across both islands.

Air transport to Tigoa from the capital is limited, and movement between the islands relies on boats as the primary means. Roads are minimal, so plan on water travel and walking for getting around the scattered communities.

Lake Tengano on Rennell Island is the largest brackish water lake in the South Pacific and holds submerged World War II aircraft on its bottom. This combination of natural water body and historical artifacts creates an unusual location found nowhere else in the region.

GPS coordinates: -12.11343,160.31705

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:54