Florida Islands (Nggela Islands) - General Info
Description:
The Nggela Islands are situated about 25 NM North of Honiara, Guadalcanal. The chain is composed of two main island, Nggela Sule and Nggela Pile as well as a number of smaller islands, including Tulagi, Gavutu and Tanambogo.
These islands offer a beautiful cruising ground and there are several safe all-weather anchorages.
Cruiser Highlights:
The wreck of the MS World Discoverer in Roderick Bay is located on a sandy lagoon surrounded by coral. The chief of the village, John Ruka has installed a mooring for yachts and a local land owner, Patrick, has installed a zip line and swings from the wreck.
There is a channel that runs between Nggela Sulu Island and Nggela Pele Island which looks like a river but has depths of 7 meters all the way.
Security:
As everywhere in the Solomon Islands, as soon as you arrive go ashore and ask permission from the land owner. If you fail to do this you may find yourself in a very uncomfortable confrontation and not feel safe.
This island group have suffered in the past with a bad reputation of crime against cruising boats. Whilst it is true there are certain areas that should be avoided, there are a number of anchorages that are making efforts to welcome visiting yachts by installing secure moorings and providing an infrastructure ashore.
Position:
09° 06’12″S, 160° 09’06″E – Tulagi harbour
09° 01’16″S, 160° 07’40″E – Roderick Bay – MV Explorer Wreck
Last updated: November 2023
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Florida Islands (Nggela Islands) was last updated 12 months ago.
Related to following destinations: Central Province, Florida Islands (Ngella Islands), Solomon Islands
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It’s worth mentioning that there is a high quality cyclone hole in Rodrick Bay that looks suitable for weathering a serious event. Also, John is happy to care for any yachts whilst the owners fly abroad. It’s a short banana boat ride to Honiara and a flight out and I would trust John to take care of a yacht if you needed to.
This was one of the most special and memorable anchorages of our 5 year Pacific crossing. We would go so far as to say this is one of the rare “must visit” anchorages. Why?
Firstly, it feels very safe. There are two families who are keen to make yachts safe and who understand the benefits they bring.
Secondly, the wreck of the MS World Discoverer is as photogenic as it is fun. It’s got orchids and greenery sprouting out of it and is located on a sandy lagoon surrounded by coral. Excellent drone footage. But the local land owner, Patrick, has installed a zip line and swings from the wreck, which makes it feel almost like an isolated water park! We spent three days playing there and never got bored.
Finally, the chief of the village, John Ruka, is almost obsessed by yachts! He welcomed us with a flower display that is better than anything in a Flourist’s back home. On our last night he prepared a mini festival, for the three of us, with welcome drinks, a meal on flower plates and Kastom dancing by a fire. It was all very special and a lot of laughs. John can arrange food, dancing, BBQs, tracking or be a guide for a tour of the island, villages or even further afield.
The bay is 20-30m deep and so John has installed a mooring for yachts. We scuba dived the mooring down to the 33m base and inspected the whole set up. As of August 2023 we would be happy to moor our 40 tonnes boat there in moderate conditions. Check for yourself. We gave John a gift to enable him to install a second quality mooring in 2023. The mooring is a little exposed to the SE winds but little fetch for any wave formation. Try to visit here when the SE are not too strong. Do not anchor in the pool next to MS World Discovery, no matter how tempting it looks. We dived the pool and the sand holding to the south is a terrible sponge which offers no holding to even the best anchors, which leads you to drag to the coral to the north of the pool, which is a stunning field of endless plate coral that is so delicate a chain would wipe out large swathes. The only option in this pool is to drop anchor by the beach and stern tie to the large tree to the north of the wreck. This could be amazing, but we didn’t try it.
Posted on behalf of Philip and Leslie of SV Carina:
For those looking for a genuine Solomon Islands’ cultural experience, please visit Roderick Bay in Nggela Sule Island. Chief John Ruka and his clan have announced the dates for their 2016 Bonina Vale ni Vaka Seloga – festival of sailing yachts – for June 24 – 26, 2016.
Please spread the word. This is an intimate affair and you will quickly be enveloped in their warmth and benefit from their sincere generosity.
For more information, photos and navigation tips visit their webpage at:
roderickbayhideaway.sv-carina.org