Plizio Visual Lab

Reko

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

village

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Practical info — Reko

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

Access to eastern Guadalcanal is often by rugged 4WD or small boat; plan transport carefully.
Always hire a local guide when exploring WWII trails or coastal relics.
Bring enough Solomon Islands dollars in cash, as there are no ATMs in the area.
Malaria is present; ensure you have prophylaxis and strong mosquito repellent.
Ask for permission before walking through village lands or photographing locals.

🍽 Food

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Fresh Catch on Open Fire

Locals often grill freshly caught reef fish over an open fire; ask at village guesthouses.

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Taro and Cassava

Traditional root vegetables served as a staple alongside seafood.

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Fresh Coconut

Buy directly from local villagers for a refreshing and safe drink.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

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Wood Carvings

Intricate hand-carved wooden items can sometimes be purchased directly from artisans in the coastal villages.

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Woven Baskets

Look for traditional pandanus woven bags sold by local women.

🧘

Eastern Beaches

The secluded beaches offer a peaceful retreat with views of the rugged coastline.

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Reko River Banks

A quiet spot to reflect on the area's intense wartime history amidst lush tropical nature.

The Reko River on Guadalcanal became a site of critical military importance during the final stages of the Guadalcanal Campaign in early 1943. The rugged and marshy terrain surrounding the river was the scene of fierce rearguard actions as retreating Japanese forces attempted to delay the advancing United States troops. During Operation Ke, the covert and successful Japanese evacuation in February 1943, the Reko River area served as a vital assembly point for malnourished and disease-ridden soldiers awaiting extraction by Imperial Japanese Navy destroyers. The combat in this sector was characterized by extreme hardship, where the natural environment and lack of supplies were as deadly as the enemy's fire. Historically, the actions at Reko River signify the effective end of Japanese resistance on Guadalcanal and the consolidation of Allied control. Today, the area is a quiet tropical landscape, yet it remains a poignant reminder of the human cost and the strategic turning point that occurred on these shores.

Location: Solomon Islands
Nearby: Aola (9 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	28	28	28	28	28	27	27	27	27	27	28	28
Rain mm	271	312	284	222	244	155	155	131	130	182	182	239

Geography

Coordinates

-9.50000, 160.40000

Facts

The most intense fighting at Reko River occurred in January and February 1943.
The river is situated on the northeastern coast of Guadalcanal, east of Henderson Field.
Japanese units established a buffer zone here to cover the evacuation of 10,000 troops.
The US Army utilized heavy artillery barrages to disrupt Japanese movements near the river.
Historical reports suggest over 70% of the troops in this sector suffered from malaria or beriberi.
The Reko River was one of the final defensive perimeters before the total Japanese withdrawal.