Lifting the lid on Renbel Province

Culture

Comprising of two inhabited atolls, Rennell and Bellona, Renbel is one of the nine provinces of the Solomon Islands. Both Rennell and Bellona are Polynesian-inhabited islands within the predominantly Melanesian Solomon Islands.

The names the islanders used for self-reference are Mungiki (Bellona) and Mungava (Rennell), meaning ‘small mountain’ and ‘large island’ respectively (‘mu’ meaning island or mountain, ‘ngiki’ meaning small and ‘ngava’ meaning large. Young people on both islands sometimes use the name ‘Avaiki’ for both islands. 

Photo credit: Tourism Solomons

Sightseeing & Activities

Rennell

Lake Tengano, on Rennell, is 27 kilometres long and nine kilometres wide making it the largest in the South Pacific. At the western end of the lake, there are some islands. In addition to the unique wildlife in the area, there are also the sunken remains of several Catalina seaplanes from WWII.

There are various caves on Rennell with streams that offer a refreshing dip. Ask the locals to take you on a tour.

AND Canoeing in a dugout canoe is a nice way to drift around the Lake

Snorkelling can be done at various places around the island. Diving is also a good possibility, around some of the wrecks at Lake Tegano for instance, but you will need to bring your own gears.

Bird watching – Rennell has some six endemics, all of which can be found close to Tigoa airstrip if you take a local guide and use the logging tracks nearby.  A two-night stay is well worthwhile either in one of the very simple guesthouses at Tigoa, or several small lodges at the World Heritage-listed Lake Tengano, but this is several hours drive away on a bad road.

You can expect to see the striking and quite vocal Rennell Shrikebill, Rennell Starling, Rennell Fantail, Rennell White-eye, Islands Thrush, Bare-eyed White-eye and the elusive Rennell Whistler, while the local form of Melanesian (Collared) Kingfisher is quite distinctive and shared among Melanesian countries. Silver-capped Fruit Dove is another local species, and both Pacific and Island Imperial Pigeons can be seen, Also the delightful thumb-sized Finsch’s Pygmy-Parrot, which creeps about on mossy limbs. Song Parrots can also be seen around an outlying population of Brown Goshawk is also resident as are endemic races of Australian Grebe and Australian White Ibis.

Bellona

Some of the best places to visit are Aotaha (an incredible cave) located on the foot of the highest point of Bellona Island, One Bay, perhaps the most beautiful part of Bellona Island with a mile-long beach, shallow beautiful water, and calm blue water, and Tungua Beach: located in the west end of Bellona, renowned for its beautiful white sandy beach and caves. 

Mangokuna: Another place crucial to the history of the Bellona tribe.

Photo credit: Tourism Solomons

Events & Festivals

Renbel’s Second Appointed Day marks on 20 July the establishment of the local provincial government for the Rennell and Bellona province and its inhabitants. The day is celebrated as a public holiday with sports, speech, cultural demonstrations and processions. Flying Fish Season (Tauika) – The flying fish event recalls a special and very traditional way of fishing done by the people of Bellona in the olden days. The event usually takes place at night time. A must-see event when travelling to Bellona. 

Accommodation

There are various accommodations types on offer in both Rennell and Bellona with options including guest houses, budget lodges, bungalows and more. The eastern part of Rennell has overwater bungalows along the lake. Altogether there are 18 places to stay. For more information contact Tourism Solomons. 

Food and Drink

Guesthouses in Renbel provide their guests' meals comprising mainly local fruit and vegetables and seafood. There is no running water on Bellona, only rainwater but the islanders are accustomed to drinking coconut juice. If you wish, you can take your own mineral water with you. 

Photo credit: Tourism Solomons

Getting around

Rennell airstrip is located in the flatter western half of the island. Solomon Airlines’ Twin Otter aircraft fly to the island three times weekly (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday). The airline services Bellona twice-weekly (Tuesdays and Thursdays). You can make your bookings in the airline’s Honiara office, Point Cruz or call them on 20031. The easiest way is to book online. 

There are occasional boat services travelling to Lavangu in Eastern Rennell. The trip takes a day and a half from Honiara. Conditions on the boats in the Solomon Islands are basic at best and sleeping on deck is normal. 

Getting you from Tigoa airport to Lake Tegano takes about three hours in good weather travelling aboard four-wheel-drive vehicles on a 46-kilometre journey. 

Bicycles are an ideal way to get around Bellona. If you stay at the lodge or guest house at the end of Bellona Island and want to go to the airstrip or to the other end of Bellona, you need a bike.

If you want to experience more about the Polynesian culture, the people, local cuisine, history and the wildlife, come visit Renbel province.  

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