Lake Tegano

Lake Tegano on Rennell Island is an extraordinary natural phenomenon and the centerpiece of the East Rennell UNESCO World Heritage site. Stretching approximately 29 kilometers in length, this vast brackish lake occupies nearly one-third of the island's area. It was formed from the lagoon of the original atoll when the island was uplifted from the sea millions of years ago. Today, the lake is surrounded by rugged limestone cliffs and dense primary rainforest. Its water is slightly salty, which has led to the evolution of unique flora and fauna, including the endemic Rennell sea snake. Visitors reach the lake after a rugged journey across the island's plateau. Exploration is best done by traditional dugout canoe or small motorboat. Throughout the lake, mushroom-shaped limestone islets rise from the water, serving as nesting grounds for numerous seabirds. The silence on the lake is profound, making it a place of deep tranquility. The surrounding Polynesian villages offer a glimpse into a lifestyle that remains intricately linked to the resources of the lake and the forest. The best time to visit is from June to August, during the driest part of the year. Simple eco-lodges and guesthouses on the lakeshore provide an authentic stay. Meals typically feature local staples like taro, sweet potato, and fresh fish caught from the lake. A visit to Lake Tegano is a journey into a world where nature still reigns supreme, offering one of the most unique ecological experiences in the entire South Pacific.

Nearby cities

Honiara

The capital of the Solomon Islands is located on the north coast of Guadalcanal.

Point Cruz Business District

This district in Honiara is the commercial heart of the country.

🗺️

Kokumbona

A former village west of Honiara that served as the headquarters for the Japanese 17th Army during the Guadalcanal campaign.

Lungga

Lungga is an industrial and residential settlement on the eastern edge of Honiara, located by the river of the same name.

Kirakira Trade Center

Kirakira is the administrative capital of Makira-Ulawa Province.

Kirakira

Kirakira is the capital of the Makira-Ulawa Province.

A-Tulagi

The surrounding area of Tulagi includes several small island settlements in the Central Province.

Tulagi

Tulagi was the former capital of the British Protectorate and is now the capital of the Central Province.

Tulagi Island

The former capital of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate.

Rennell Island

The world's largest raised coral atoll, home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of East Rennell and unique biodiversity.

Tigoa

Tigoa is the administrative center of the Rennell and Bellona Province, located on Rennell Island.

🗺️

Avu Avu

Avu Avu is a settlement on the Weather Coast of Guadalcanal, serving as an access point to remote southern regions.

🗺️

Tenaru Falls

A stunning 60-meter waterfall on Guadalcanal, reached by a scenic trek through lush tropical rainforest.

🗺️

Mbabanakira

Mbabanakira is an isolated settlement on the southwest coast of Guadalcanal, surrounded by dense tropical rainforests.

🗺️

Marau Fisheries Hub

Marau Sound at the eastern tip of Guadalcanal is a center for the trade of seafood.

History & landmarks

Honiara City Council

The city council's administrative building is the hub of Honiara's local government.

🗺️

East Rennell (Lake Tengano)

East Rennell is a UNESCO World Heritage site and houses the largest inland lake in the South Pacific.

🗺️

Tenaru Falls

Tenaru Falls is an impressive natural landmark in the Guadalcanal jungle.

Nature

Lake Te Nggano

This is the largest inland lake in the South Pacific, located on Rennell Island.

🗺️

Lauvi Lagoon

Lauvi Lagoon on Guadalcanal is one of the island's largest wetlands, rich in waterfowl species.

🗺️

Mount Makarakomburu

This is the second highest mountain in the Solomon Islands, located on Guadalcanal.

🗺️

Mt Popomanaseu

Mount Popomanaseu is the highest peak in the Solomon Islands and a hotspot for montane forest biodiversity.

🗺️

Mount Popomanaseu

This is the highest mountain in the Solomon Islands, located on Guadalcanal island.

🗺️

Mount Namarakao

Mount Namarakao is a significant peak on Makira Island.

Mount Gower

Mount Gower is the highest point on Makira Island, formerly San Cristobal.

🗺️

Mount Turu

Mount Turu is a peak in the central mountains of Guadalcanal, west of Mount Popomanaseu.

More places

Rennell Island

The southernmost inhabited atoll in the Solomon Islands, site of the naval Battle of Rennell Island in January 1943.

East Rennell

The UNESCO World Heritage site of East Rennell includes Lake Te Nggano, the largest inland lake in the Pacific.

Mount Suku

Mount Suku is a peak in the Kavo Range on Guadalcanal.

🗺️

Makira Natural Park

This park protects the Bauro Highlands forests, famous for their high number of endemic bird species.

Gold Ridge Mine

This gold mine on Guadalcanal is the country's most significant mining project.

Kavo Range

The Kavo Range is the central mountain massif on Guadalcanal, containing the highest peaks in the country.

Gold Ridge

Gold Ridge is a mountain ridge in the central highlands of Guadalcanal, famous for its gold deposits.

Itina Valley

The Itina Valley is a deeply incised river valley in the mountains of Guadalcanal.