Mkoodiin

Mkoodiin is a small atoll located in the northern part of the Bismarck Sea, belonging to the Solomon Islands. The atoll lies approximately 35 kilometres southeast of the main island of New Georgia and covers an area of roughly 3.2 square kilometres. The coral reef surrounding Mkoodiin forms a shallow lagoon that is 200 metres wide in its widest point. The atoll’s highest elevation is a modest hill of 48 metres above sea level, which is largely covered by mossy vegetation and scattered coconut palms.

The island has never supported a permanent settlement. Archaeological investigations conducted in the 1970s uncovered a series of shell middens and a few stone tools, suggesting sporadic use by nearby communities for fishing and resource collection. Contemporary surveys indicate that Mkoodiin remains largely uninhabited, with occasional visits by marine biologists and tourist yachts.

Mkoodiin’s flora is typical of low‑lying Pacific atolls, featuring sclerophyllous shrubs, small palm trees, and a rich diversity of lichens. The lagoon hosts a variety of reef fish and is a spawning site for several fish species, making it an important ecological habitat. Marine protected area status has been proposed to preserve the coral reef and its biodiversity, as the reefs are vulnerable to warming sea temperatures and cyclonic disturbances.

The atoll’s name is recorded in early Dutch charts from the 1600s, where it was listed as “Moggledon.” The current spelling, Makdoin, is believed to derive from an indigenous term referencing the atoll’s modest elevation. Contemporary research focuses on mapping the reef structure, documenting the impact of climate change on coral health, and assessing the potential for sustainable ecotourism that respects the island’s fragile environment.