Florida Islands (Nggela Islands) - Docking
Tulagi Harbour
The Sesape shipyard here has been undergoing a multi-million dollar refurbishment in recent years, that is now largely complete. It offers international-standard shipyard services, overseen by an NZ shipwright and engineer, including a 500-tonne slip, and a 65-tonne crane and hardstand area. As usual in the Solomons, it is best to confirm pricing in writing before going too far out of your way.
Roderick Bay
Chief John Ruka is trying to change the Island’s reputation and cruisers report that Roderick Bay now offers a very safe and secure place for yachts to travel to in these beautiful islands. It is a complete all-weather anchorage and moorings with security are provided by the village. The coral is very much alive and cruisers continue to report that they were made to feel extremely welcome here by John and his Clan.
Buena Vista Island
Nugu Beach Resort is a well-managed locally-owned resort in the south-facing inlet of Buena Vista Island, on the north-west end of the Ngellas. Buena Vista is almost directly on a north-south axis with Honiara (take a 7 degree heading from Point Cruz) and is about 32 NM from Honiara. Yachts are welcome and can anchor in front of the resort in approx. 25m of clean sand, with a clear approach from the south straight towards the resort. This is a very well protected anchorage, especially from the north-west monsoon season. The resort provides accommodation, good meals and cold drinks, all at reasonable prices. Nugu Beach is already a popular refuge for long-term yacht stays during the cyclone season – long-term stay is negotiable.
Email the resort owner Zac: zacsepo@gmail.com
Call Zac in Honiara on +677 7477657.
Security in the Nggelas
As everywhere in the Solomon Islands, as soon as you arrive you must 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.
Security is reported to be better in Buena Vista than elsewhere in the Nggelas, as it is further away from the more densely settled parts of Nggela Sule. Security can be hired through the resort.
Reliable information and advice about cruising the Nggelas can be had from Fred Douglas, the owner and manager of Extreme Adventures, in Honiara. Fred can also recommend a local to accompany the yacht as it moves around the Ngellas. It will only cost about US$10-12 per day, but it will provide peace of mind, and considerably lower risk.
Extreme Adventures – Mbokona Bay next door to the Mendana Hotel, near the Point Cruz Yacht Club.
Email: totalwater@solomon.com.sb
Telephone: +677 7495415
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
Port Navigation
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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