Tetepare Eco Lodge

Tetepare Island, in the Western Province, is one of the conservation jewels of the South Pacific — a long, rugged island cloaked in rainforest and fringed with biodiverse reefs, and the largest uninhabited tropical island in the Southern Hemisphere. It is home to one of the leading conservation projects in the Solomon Islands and to a locally owned and managed ecolodge. A dazzling variety of plants and animals live in the island’s 120 square kilometres of primary lowland rainforest, some of the last remaining in Melanesia, and the island has received international recognition for its conservation and archaeological significance.

Where you stay

Accommodation is in five traditional Melanesian leaf haus with twin or double beds, set on the edge of the rainforest with views towards a sparkling lagoon a short walk away. You fall asleep to waves breaking on the fringing reef and wake to birdsong. Bedding and mosquito nets are provided. Visitor numbers are deliberately limited to a maximum of 16 at any one time, so the island keeps its quiet. Shower and toilet facilities are basic and clean, with indoor and outdoor showers, supplied by rainwater.

No electricity, by design

There is no electricity on Tetepare and no generator is run, in keeping with the island’s ecologically sustainable principles. Solar energy provides lighting in the eating area, the field station and the lodge. There is nowhere on the island to charge camera batteries, so come prepared.

Eating

Meals are prepared by specially trained local cooks using fresh organic local ingredients, including vegetables grown in village gardens on nearby Rendova Island and seafood caught fresh from the waters around Tetepare. Vegetarians are catered for.

Things to do

A stay here can be as adventurous or as relaxed as you like: rainforest walks, snorkelling the reefs of the warm turquoise lagoon, wildlife and bird watching, turtle monitoring with the rangers, around-the-island ranger patrols, moonlight coconut crab walks, night forest walks, canoeing, picnic boat trips, swimming, kastom and village visits, a bush medicine walk, traditional cooking classes and basket weaving. You can also visit old village sites from the head-hunting days. Activities involving turtles and dugongs are subject to regulation by the island’s conservation team.

Respecting local custom

Tetepare would prefer that no alcohol is brought onto the island, as it is the cause of significant social problems among local people; none is available there, and if you do bring any, please drink it only in your room and never offer it to staff. When visiting local villages, please wear knee-length shorts or skirts.