Green Islands

The Green Islands group commonly known as ‘Nissan Islands’ are located approximately 94km north-west of Buka Island and 200km north-west of mainland Bougainville Island. The island group consists of Nissan, Pinepel, Barahun, Sirot, and smaller Sau and Han islands. The islands are accessible by about 4 hours boat ride from Buka Town. It is always best to check with the National Weather Service before travelling to the islands. Also, it is advisable to travel on a boat that is registered with and meets all the safety requirements of the National Maritime Safety Authority.

The main Nissan Island is formed in a rough crescent shape enclosing a stunning turquoise lagoon with Barahun and Sirot Islands filling in the gap between the two points on the island creating three passages into the lagoon.

The islands are bordered by thriving coral reefs both within the lagoon and exterior of the islands. Mangrove ecosystems thrive around the islands forming breeding havens for the vast variety of marine life dwellers in the mangroves. The lagoon and surrounding seas are teeming with a diversity of fish, crustaceans and cephalopods (squids and octopuses). These mangrove and sea dwellers form the basic sustenance of the Nehan people including the mangrove shoots.

The islanders live in harmony with their natural environment and hold on to their traditional beliefs relating to the weather, fishing and sustenance. They believe that they can influence the weather, call fishes and sharks, and make the gardens and fruit trees yield, as they wish, all by performing specific sacred traditional rituals. There are also sacred places that prohibit women to go through including the ‘Nissan Haus’, ‘Hausboi’ or ‘Garamut Haus’, and traditional ritual practicing sites.

The islands hold a treasure trove of World War 2 History, with former President of the United States Richard Nixon being a Supply Officer on the island. Richard Nixon built a supply warehouse and a water reservoir also known as ‘Nixon’s swimming pool’; the concrete bases are still intact today. There are other remnants of the war to be found around the islands including unexploded bombs that are still live on Nissan Island. The Nissan island road was built by the Allied Forces including the Nissan Airstrip. There is also a graveyard of fallen Japanese soldiers on Sau island with a memorial stone marking the grave site.

For the adventurous traveler there’s sure to be encounters with whales or sharks along the way to the Green Islands! However, be greeted by friendly dolphins when nearing Nissan Island before being warmly welcomed by the islanders with a traditional welcome ceremony!

There’s lots to explore and discover on these islands with their natural untouched environments, World War 2 history and relics, preserved cultural values and traditional initiations that are still highly carried on today. Here are some sites worth visiting on the islands.

DUDUALEN BEACH

Dudualen Beach is located at Balil Village on the Northern tip of the main Nissan Island, the beach front of North Chanel Passage and opposite of Sirot Island. This pristine beach is perfect for snorkeling and diving. Indulge in canoe rides, eat fresh local food with traditional dishes, or add to your antique collection from the local arts and crafts exhibitions. Be welcomed in the traditional Nehan (Nissan) way.

saU island

Sau Island is the resting place of fallen Japanese soldiers who were buried there in World War 2. There is a memorial stone marking the burial site. The island is located near Pinepel island and is enclosed by a thriving reef teeming with fish and other aquatic life. It is also a breeding haven for fish and bird habitat. Enjoy snorkeling, diving, canoeing, and bird watching on this idyllic isle.

sirot island

Mysterious Sirot Island has World War 2 relics scattered around the island. Washed up logs and trees can found along the rocky beach. Fossilized clam shells and corals are found along the island’s shores.

lebang dedelang BAT cave

The Bat cave is located on the south-western direction of the village of Balil, just a few meters from a long patch of white sandy beach. The cave houses hundreds of native bats. The local people do not kill these bats as it is believed that killing a bat will result in the offender’s misfortune or even death by supernatural forces – spirits of the cave.