What and Where is Roderick Bay?
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Roderick Bay is one of those rare places that still feels genuinely untouched, even by Solomon Islands standards. Located within the scenic Sandfly Passage of Ngella Sule Island, roughly 25 kilometers from Honiara, the bay is framed by lush jungle, calm turquoise water, and a sense of isolation that immediately sets it apart. Visiting Roderick Bay is as much about the journey as the destination, offering a full day of exploration, history, and unhurried island life. It is possible to visit Roderick Bay as a day trip or overnight in one of its overwater beach bungalows!
What is it Like to Visit Roderick Bay?
After breakfast, the day begins with a one and a half hour boat ride from the Honiara Yacht Club through Guadalcanal’s Iron Bottom Sound to reach Roderick Bay. Traveling by sea allows you to take in the coastline at a relaxed pace, skimming across glassy seas with rainforest covered hills rising on all sides. On arrival, the focus of the morning is the remarkable wreck of the MS World Discoverer, a purpose built expedition cruise ship constructed in Germany by Schichau Unterweser in 1974. In 2000, the vessel struck an underwater obstacle while operating in the Solomons. To prevent it from sinking, the ship was deliberately grounded in Roderick Bay, where it was ultimately abandoned.
Today, the rusting hull sits half submerged, slowly being reclaimed by the sea, making it one of the most striking and accessible shipwrecks in the region to explore by boat and on foot. It is an excellent spot for snorkeling and recreation, where visitors can climb the wreck, swing from a rope attached to the ship and plunge into the turquoise water below, home to marine life and ideal snorkeling conditions.
Snorkeling in and around Roderick Bay offers a classic central Solomon Islands reef experience, with a high diversity of tropical fish in calm, clear water. Common sightings include parrotfish, surgeonfish, and butterflyfish grazing over coral heads, along with large schools of fusiliers and snapper moving through the bay. Angelfish, wrasse, and damselfish add constant color in the shallows, especially around coral bommies and reef edges.
Closer to the wreck and rocky areas, snorkelers often spot lionfish, moray eels, groupers, and sweetlips, as well as clownfish sheltering in anemones. Triggerfish are common, particularly around sandy patches and coral rubble, and hawkfish can often be seen perched on coral branches. Sea life is abundant and active, making even short swims rewarding.
With a bit of luck, you may also encounter reef sharks, eagle rays, or green turtles passing through the bay, especially in the early morning or late afternoon. The combination of healthy reefs, limited boat traffic, and minimal development makes snorkeling at Roderick Bay feel refreshingly uncrowded.
The afternoon shifts from maritime history to village life. Roderick Bay Village is home to 50 to 100 residents. Visitors have the chance to explore nearby Solomon Islands villages, meet local residents, and gain insight into daily life in this remote part of the country. There is time to hike through the surrounding scenery, relax on the beach, or cool off with swimming and snorkelling in the clear, calm water. For a more traditional experience, you can also paddle through the bay in dugout canoes, gliding quietly across the water much as locals have done for generations.
After a full day of exploration and relaxation, you can return by boat to your hotel in Honiara or stay overnight in one of the resort’s overwater beach bungalows.
Should I Visit Roderick Bay?
Yes! A visit to Roderick Bay offers a perfect balance of adventure, history, and relaxation. Whether you are exploring a stranded expedition ship, connecting with local communities, or simply floating in warm tropical water with jungle all around, it is a day that captures the true spirit of the Solomon Islands and leaves a lasting impression long after you return home.
You can visit Roderick Bay on any of our Least Visited Countries group tours, as well as through our custom Solomon Islands itineraries.
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