Florida Islands (Solomon Islands, Roderick Bay)
Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news
Region
Australia - New Zealand - Pacific Ocean Islands
Local Time
2026-11-11 15:41
83°F 28.4°C
Fresh breeze10.8 m/s
84 °F / 30 °C 82 °F / 28 °C
Port Florida Islands cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Florida Islands, Solomon Islands, Roderick Bay. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.
| Day | Ship | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 February, 2027 Thursday |  Le Jacques Cartier | 08:00 | 12:00 |
| 28 February, 2027 Sunday | Le Soleal | 08:00 | 13:00 |
Florida Islands (officially Nggela Islands) are part of Solomon Islands. The Solomons is an island nation-state consisting of 6 large and 900+ smaller islands (total land area approx 28400 km2 / 11000 mi2) located in Oceania (southwest Pacific Ocean), to the east of Papua New Guinea and to the northwest of Vanuatu.
The Florida Islands archipelago is located north of the Guadalcanal Island. The archipelago includes two main (large-sized) isles - named Nggela Sule (aka "Florida Island") and Nggela Pile (to the south), plus several smaller ones, the largest of which are named Tulagi, Gavutu and Tanambogo.
The Florida Island (Nggela Sule, the northern one) is famous with the MS World Discoverer cruise shipwreck at Roderick Bay.
MS World Discoverer cruise ship
On April 30, 2000, at around 4 pm GMT, the 137-passenger cruise ship (owned by the Adventurer Cruises company and chartered to Society Expeditions) struck an uncharted reef in the Sandfly Passage.
The vessel's Captain Oliver Kruess sent a distress call. It was received in Honiara (Guadalcanal Island) and a passenger ferry was immediately dispatched to transport all cruise passengers to safety. Then Captain Kruess navigated the listing at 20 degrees ship into Roderick Bay. The vessel was intentionally grounded to avoid sinking. No reports of any pollution as a result of the accident were issued.
After damage assessment, the cruise vessel was declared a "constructive total loss", meaning repairs cost was estimated to be more than its current value. Australian salvage companies found the vessel ransacked - all the equipment and furniture were taken by the locals.
The partially sunk cruise ship still remains in Roderick Bay (listing at 46 degrees starboard) as the island's main attraction. For other non-existing anymore cruise ships see at Scrapped Cruise Ships.
Florida Islands cruise terminal
Most cruise ships to Nggela / Florida Islands anchor at Roderick Bay - in the Island's northern part (where the cruise ship wreck is located). Here passengers are transported to the shore via the ship's tender boats or Zodiacs (big-capacity inflatable boats) on smaller ships.
Very often, ships may stop at Tulagi - port town located on the small-sized Tulagi Island (length 5,5 km / 3,4 mi, width 1 km / 0,6 mi) - just off the Ngella Sule's east-southern coast.
The Florida Islands, also known as the Nggela Islands, are best approached as a village, reef and small-boat destination. At Roderick Bay, the main attractions are the partly submerged World Discoverer cruise ship, the village and nearby snorkeling areas.
Organized excursion recommended. A short visit near the landing may be possible independently with local permission, but boat trips, snorkeling and inland walks are best coordinated through the ship or an operator booked in advance.
Getting Ashore
Cruise calls commonly use an anchorage at Roderick Bay, with passengers transferred ashore by tender or Zodiac. Follow the ship’s briefing for the actual landing point, boarding requirements and return arrangements; this is not a conventional cruise terminal with a sightseeing district outside the gates.
Some itineraries visit Tulagi elsewhere in the island group. Check which landing your ship will use before making plans. Tulagi and Roderick Bay are separate destinations requiring a boat transfer between them, not stops on the same walking route.
Do not rely on finding a taxi, shuttle or suitable onward boat on arrival. For a short Roderick Bay call, staying within the bay is the most practical choice.
Best Ways to Spend Your Time
World Discoverer Wreck and Village Visit
Allow approximately 1–2 hours ashore for wreck photography and a village visit, excluding tender queues. The heavily listing World Discoverer is the bay’s most recognizable sight and can be appreciated without entering the wreck.
Use the viewing areas and paths identified by your hosts or expedition team. Village welcomes may form part of the ship’s arrangements, but performances should not be assumed. Ask before photographing residents or entering village grounds. Do not climb onto or enter the deteriorating ship.
Guided Snorkeling and Beach Time
Allow approximately 1–2 hours for a snorkeling session and time on the shore. Roderick Bay has fringing reefs, and cruise operators have used both the nearby reef and waters around the wreck for guided snorkeling.
Join the designated session rather than choosing an entry point yourself. Conditions, boat movements and submerged wreckage affect where swimming is appropriate. Confirm equipment availability before leaving the ship, avoid touching coral and stay clear of openings or overhead structures in the wreck. Non-swimmers can concentrate on the beach and village visit.
Locally Guided Bush Walk
A bush walk is an alternative for passengers who prefer time on land. Roderick Bay has offered guided hiking, including a hill trail with views over the surrounding bays. Confirm the route, current condition and duration before committing; allow roughly two hours only if the guide confirms this fits the day’s program.
Expect a more demanding outing than a shoreline visit, with heat, uneven ground and potentially slippery paths after rain. Wear shoes with grip and carry water. Use a local guide for access and navigation rather than attempting an unmarked trail independently.
Walking Around Roderick Bay
This is not a destination for a fixed self-guided town circuit. The usable paths, permissions and connection between the landing, village and wreck-viewing areas should be checked on arrival. For a gentle visit, ask your hosts to identify a short shoreline or village walk and return to the same tender pickup point. Avoid extending the walk inland without a guide.
Tulagi and World War II Excursions
If your ship calls at Tulagi, a guided visit can focus on the waterfront and World War II sites, including Blue Beach and Japanese wartime caves. Local operators also arrange boat transfers and visits around the neighboring islands. Confirm which sites are accessible and how much walking is involved.
From Roderick Bay, treat Tulagi as a separate boat excursion. Do not add it casually to a short landing: the operator must confirm the round-trip transfer time, weather suitability and return margin. A ship-arranged visit is preferable when the call is brief or transport arrangements are uncertain.
Practical Tips
- Plan around the last tender: use the ship’s stated return time and allow for boarding queues. Finish activities away from the landing well before the final departure.
- Keep the plan simple: a village and wreck visit, with snorkeling if offered, is a realistic combination for a short call.
- Respect local access: obtain permission before using village paths, beaches or inland trails, and confirm any charges before an activity begins.
- Bring essentials: drinking water, sun protection, insect repellent and a waterproof bag. Ask whether the landing requires stepping into shallow water.
- Check mobility requirements: tender transfers and uneven shore paths may be difficult for passengers with limited mobility. Discuss the actual landing with the ship before going ashore.