Tetepare Island Ecolodge attracts visitors from around the world who come to enjoy the pristine beauty and wildlife watching opportunities of this very special island. Visitors are limited to a maximum of 13 people at any one time to ensure guests experience the true tranquillity of the largest uninhabited island in the South Pacific.
Tetepare is a wilderness-lover’s paradise, with bush walks through lush tropical forests and snorkelling in a marine environment teeming with life. Untouched by logging, Tetepare retains almost all of its primary tropical lowland rainforest, some of the last of its kind in the country. A visit also provides a unique opportunity for the adventurous traveller to participate in on-going conservation activities with the Tetepare Descendants’ Association’s (TDA) rangers. The entire island has been set aside for conservation. In addition, the TDA has also established a 13 kilometre-long Marine Protected Area (MPA) which is a no-take zone.
The island is home to some of Solomon Islands’ most unique marine and terrestrial animals. Marine turtles, such as the critically endangered leatherback, nest on its volcanic black sand beaches. Green and hawksbill turtles feed in its sheltered lagoons, while dugongs graze in its sea grass beds. Sharks, crocodiles and myriad fish species make the island’s reefs their home, while rare and endemic bird and bat species are found in its forests.
Your visit to Tetepare Ecolodge will raise money that goes directly to conservation efforts on the island, and to support local communities conserving their natural heritage.
Getting to Tetepare Island Ecolodge
Tetepare Island is in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. Overseas visitors will fly to the capital, Honiara, and take a domestic Solomon Airlines flight to the town of Munda. From Munda, private boat transfers to Tetepare Island are available.
Tetepare’s guides will meet you at Munda airport and accompany you on the 1.5 – 2 hour trip to Tetepare in a small motorised boat along the scenic coast of Rendova Island. Life jackets are provided. We recommend you bring sunscreen, a sunhat, sunglasses, a raincoat and a bottle of drinking water for the trip.
Please note, the journey to Tetepare takes you outside the lagoon. On occasions wind, swell, chop and waves are encountered on the trip. For safety reasons this trip should be made during daylight hours. If your flight arrives into Munda after 4pm, you will need to spend the night in Munda and travel to Tetepare the next morning.
Amenities at Tetepare Island Ecolodge
Meals are prepared by Tetepare’s 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 and vegans can be catered for with advance notice.
There is no electricity on Tetepare. In keeping with ecologically-sustainable principals, a generator is not run. Solar energy is used to provide lighting in the eating area, the field station and the ecolodge.
All guests have a knowledgeable local guide at their disposal throughout their stay. Your guide will be available to accompany you on bush walks, boat trips, wildlife watching trips and other activities.
A clothes washing service is available for a small additional fee. Babysitters can be hired to assist with child-minding on request with advance notice.
Unfortunately, there is nowhere on the island where batteries can be charged for cameras etc, so please bear this in mind before coming to Tetepare. Please take any batteries that you bring with you off the island when you leave.
Respecting local kastom
There is no alcohol available on Tetepare and it is preferred if no alcohol comes onto the island. Alcohol is the cause of significant social problems amongst the local people. If you do bring any alcohol with you, please be sensitive to local customs and drink it only in your room or on your balcony. Do not offer alcohol to staff whilst on the island.
When visiting the local villages, please wear knee length shorts or skirts. For getting in and out of our boats, female guests may also find it appropriate to wear some shorts beneath their skirts. Board shorts can be worn over bathers when swimming.
Accommodation at Tetepare Island Ecolodge
Tetepare Island Ecolodge is a small, intimate retreat, with just six, basic guest rooms. Lodge guests stay in traditional Melanesian leaf houses with twin or double beds, set on the edge of the rainforest, close to the shores of a sparkling lagoon. Bed linen and mosquito nets are provided.
The shared shower and flush toilet facilities are basic and clean. They are situated a short walk (20 metres) from the bungalows. The cold showers are open air but separate and private, allowing you to enjoy the rainforest whilst cooling off. The water supply is rainwater.
Activities at Tetepare Island Ecolodge
A stay at Tetepare can be as adventurous or relaxed as you like. You can unwind on the beach with a book, hike across the island through the pristine rainforest, snorkel among the rich coral reefs of the warm turquoise lagoon, visit old village sites from head hunting days, go bird watching, see endangered sea turtles, or take part in countless other activities. Please be aware that activities – including all that involve the turtles and the dugongs – are subject to regulation by the conservation team on the island.
Activities involving boats have an associated fuel charge.
Snorkelling
The coral reefs around Tetepare support an amazing variety of fish and coral. Bring your mask and snorkel and take a dip in the lagoon among the schools of colourful fish, massive bumphead parrotfish, silver jacks, snapper, clownfish, green turtles and the myriad of colourful coral. You can snorkel from the beach in the lagoon, or take a boat trip to some unique snorkelling spots.A twilight snorkel in the lagoon brings the chance of a very special encounter with one of our resident dugongs as they head into the seagrass meadows to feed.
Canoeing
Explore the lagoon in a dugout canoe, paddling across the tranquil waters, watching fish and turtles glide beneath you. Watch the sunset over neighbouring Rendova Island as you paddle across the palm-fringed lagoon in the golden late-afternoon light.
Boat trips
A boat trip around Tetepare is a great way to appreciate the sheer size of this lush, rugged island. Circumnavigate the island, stopping for a picnic lunch and a swim, visiting one of the many abandoned village sites on the island, keeping an eye out for one of the big pod of dolphins who live in Vasara Bay and off Kaife Beach. This is just one of the many boat trips available on Tetepare Island.
Wildlife watching
Wildlife watching opportunities are one of the key ecotourism attractions on Tetepare. A total of 81 bird species, 25 reptile, 6 frog and 13 mammal species have been recorded on Tetepare including several rare and endemic bird and bat species.
From October to January, critically endangered leatherback turtles nest on three of Tetepare’s volcanic black sand beaches. You can camp out on the beach in the hope of watching one of these rare and magnificent creatures lay eggs. From January to March, the leatherback hatchlings emerge from their nests and make their way down to the sea – a sight that will delight wildlife-lovers.
Year-round, green turtles can be seen swimming in the lagoon. They nest on Tetepare beaches from September to December. Afternoon snorkels in the lagoon bring the chance of encounter with one of the resident dugongs.
A walk through the rainforest with one of the guides will reveal an impressive variety of bird life, including the endemic Tetepare White eye.
Night-time walks brings opportunities to see the native possum called the cuscus, the enormous but shy coconut crabs, unique amphibians including the horned frog and the giant frog (the fourth biggest amphibian in the world) and a huge variety of bats for which the Solomon Islands is famous.
An easy stroll around the ecolodge and Field Station is likely to reward the visitor with sightings of Tetepare’s charismatic megapode birds – famous for their large feet and their unusual habit of laying eggs in warm beach sand or mounds of rotting leaf-litter.
Turtle monitoring with Tetepare’s rangers
Tetepare rangers monitor green and hawksbill turtles in the lagoon outside the ecolodge. A turtle count is conducted by boat each fortnight and on alternate weeks, turtles are captured and tagged using the rodeo method. The rangers dive from the front of a moving boat to catch a turtle on the fly. However, please be aware that TDA rangers only conduct these activities during regular monitoring sessions and not on demand. Over use of this method is not desirable as it can disturb feeding turtles.
Rainforest walks and hikes
Walk through Tetepare’s primary lowland rainforest – some of the last of its kind in Melanesia. Walks on Tetepare range from 10 minute strolls to strenuous full-day hikes. Take a guide and learn about the plants and animals encountered along the trail. Keep an eye out for the azure kingfishers, magnificent hornbills, flocks of cardinal lorys, coucals, megapodes in the undergrowth, and beautiful orchids.
Hike through the jungle to find the remnants of abandoned kastom village sites from head hunting days. Learn about Tetepare’s mysterious past as you explore these sites which archaeologists are still visiting to piece together the unique history of Tetepare’s lost civilisation.
Village visits
Visit one of the local villages on neighbouring Rendova Island to gain an insight into Solomon Islands village life. The talented carvers and artisans of these villages will be happy to show you their skills during your visit. Day trips or longer stays to villages on Rendova Island can be arranged.
During leatherback nesting and hatching season from October to March, a village stay in Baniata village on Rendova’s weather coast brings with it a chance of seeing a critically endangered leatherback turtle nest on the village’s long black sand beach, or tiny hatchlings making their way to the sea. A visit to Baniata village during leatherback nesting and hatching season helps to support the leatherback conservation program in the village, where local people are working tohelp conserve leatherbacks by protecting nests, hatchlings and nesting mother turtles.
Picnics
Enjoy a picnic lunch on one of the many beaches around Tetepare Island. Tiny Sarumana Island on Tetepare’s north-east coast is one of the most popular picnic spots, and is also a great place for a swim or a snorkel.
Traditional Solomon Islands cooking classes
Learn how to prepare traditional Solomon Islands cuisine with our local cooks. Prepare a Melanesian feast on the motu and then enjoy the fruits of your labour.
- Getting There
-
Getting to Tetepare Island Ecolodge
Tetepare Island is in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. Overseas visitors will fly to the capital, Honiara, and take a domestic Solomon Airlines flight to the town of Munda. From Munda, private boat transfers to Tetepare Island are available.
Tetepare’s guides will meet you at Munda airport and accompany you on the 1.5 – 2 hour trip to Tetepare in a small motorised boat along the scenic coast of Rendova Island. Life jackets are provided. We recommend you bring sunscreen, a sunhat, sunglasses, a raincoat and a bottle of drinking water for the trip.
Please note, the journey to Tetepare takes you outside the lagoon. On occasions wind, swell, chop and waves are encountered on the trip. For safety reasons this trip should be made during daylight hours. If your flight arrives into Munda after 4pm, you will need to spend the night in Munda and travel to Tetepare the next morning.
- Amenities
-
Amenities at Tetepare Island Ecolodge
Meals are prepared by Tetepare’s 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 and vegans can be catered for with advance notice.
There is no electricity on Tetepare. In keeping with ecologically-sustainable principals, a generator is not run. Solar energy is used to provide lighting in the eating area, the field station and the ecolodge.
All guests have a knowledgeable local guide at their disposal throughout their stay. Your guide will be available to accompany you on bush walks, boat trips, wildlife watching trips and other activities.
A clothes washing service is available for a small additional fee. Babysitters can be hired to assist with child-minding on request with advance notice.
Unfortunately, there is nowhere on the island where batteries can be charged for cameras etc, so please bear this in mind before coming to Tetepare. Please take any batteries that you bring with you off the island when you leave.
Respecting local kastom
There is no alcohol available on Tetepare and it is preferred if no alcohol comes onto the island. Alcohol is the cause of significant social problems amongst the local people. If you do bring any alcohol with you, please be sensitive to local customs and drink it only in your room or on your balcony. Do not offer alcohol to staff whilst on the island.
When visiting the local villages, please wear knee length shorts or skirts. For getting in and out of our boats, female guests may also find it appropriate to wear some shorts beneath their skirts. Board shorts can be worn over bathers when swimming.
- Accommodation
-
Accommodation at Tetepare Island Ecolodge
Tetepare Island Ecolodge is a small, intimate retreat, with just six, basic guest rooms. Lodge guests stay in traditional Melanesian leaf houses with twin or double beds, set on the edge of the rainforest, close to the shores of a sparkling lagoon. Bed linen and mosquito nets are provided.
The shared shower and flush toilet facilities are basic and clean. They are situated a short walk (20 metres) from the bungalows. The cold showers are open air but separate and private, allowing you to enjoy the rainforest whilst cooling off. The water supply is rainwater.
- Activities
-
Activities at Tetepare Island Ecolodge
A stay at Tetepare can be as adventurous or relaxed as you like. You can unwind on the beach with a book, hike across the island through the pristine rainforest, snorkel among the rich coral reefs of the warm turquoise lagoon, visit old village sites from head hunting days, go bird watching, see endangered sea turtles, or take part in countless other activities. Please be aware that activities – including all that involve the turtles and the dugongs – are subject to regulation by the conservation team on the island.
Activities involving boats have an associated fuel charge.
Snorkelling
The coral reefs around Tetepare support an amazing variety of fish and coral. Bring your mask and snorkel and take a dip in the lagoon among the schools of colourful fish, massive bumphead parrotfish, silver jacks, snapper, clownfish, green turtles and the myriad of colourful coral. You can snorkel from the beach in the lagoon, or take a boat trip to some unique snorkelling spots.A twilight snorkel in the lagoon brings the chance of a very special encounter with one of our resident dugongs as they head into the seagrass meadows to feed.
Canoeing
Explore the lagoon in a dugout canoe, paddling across the tranquil waters, watching fish and turtles glide beneath you. Watch the sunset over neighbouring Rendova Island as you paddle across the palm-fringed lagoon in the golden late-afternoon light.
Boat trips
A boat trip around Tetepare is a great way to appreciate the sheer size of this lush, rugged island. Circumnavigate the island, stopping for a picnic lunch and a swim, visiting one of the many abandoned village sites on the island, keeping an eye out for one of the big pod of dolphins who live in Vasara Bay and off Kaife Beach. This is just one of the many boat trips available on Tetepare Island.
Wildlife watching
Wildlife watching opportunities are one of the key ecotourism attractions on Tetepare. A total of 81 bird species, 25 reptile, 6 frog and 13 mammal species have been recorded on Tetepare including several rare and endemic bird and bat species.
From October to January, critically endangered leatherback turtles nest on three of Tetepare’s volcanic black sand beaches. You can camp out on the beach in the hope of watching one of these rare and magnificent creatures lay eggs. From January to March, the leatherback hatchlings emerge from their nests and make their way down to the sea – a sight that will delight wildlife-lovers.
Year-round, green turtles can be seen swimming in the lagoon. They nest on Tetepare beaches from September to December. Afternoon snorkels in the lagoon bring the chance of encounter with one of the resident dugongs.
A walk through the rainforest with one of the guides will reveal an impressive variety of bird life, including the endemic Tetepare White eye.
Night-time walks brings opportunities to see the native possum called the cuscus, the enormous but shy coconut crabs, unique amphibians including the horned frog and the giant frog (the fourth biggest amphibian in the world) and a huge variety of bats for which the Solomon Islands is famous.
An easy stroll around the ecolodge and Field Station is likely to reward the visitor with sightings of Tetepare’s charismatic megapode birds – famous for their large feet and their unusual habit of laying eggs in warm beach sand or mounds of rotting leaf-litter.
Turtle monitoring with Tetepare’s rangers
Tetepare rangers monitor green and hawksbill turtles in the lagoon outside the ecolodge. A turtle count is conducted by boat each fortnight and on alternate weeks, turtles are captured and tagged using the rodeo method. The rangers dive from the front of a moving boat to catch a turtle on the fly. However, please be aware that TDA rangers only conduct these activities during regular monitoring sessions and not on demand. Over use of this method is not desirable as it can disturb feeding turtles.
Rainforest walks and hikes
Walk through Tetepare’s primary lowland rainforest – some of the last of its kind in Melanesia. Walks on Tetepare range from 10 minute strolls to strenuous full-day hikes. Take a guide and learn about the plants and animals encountered along the trail. Keep an eye out for the azure kingfishers, magnificent hornbills, flocks of cardinal lorys, coucals, megapodes in the undergrowth, and beautiful orchids.
Hike through the jungle to find the remnants of abandoned kastom village sites from head hunting days. Learn about Tetepare’s mysterious past as you explore these sites which archaeologists are still visiting to piece together the unique history of Tetepare’s lost civilisation.
Village visits
Visit one of the local villages on neighbouring Rendova Island to gain an insight into Solomon Islands village life. The talented carvers and artisans of these villages will be happy to show you their skills during your visit. Day trips or longer stays to villages on Rendova Island can be arranged.
During leatherback nesting and hatching season from October to March, a village stay in Baniata village on Rendova’s weather coast brings with it a chance of seeing a critically endangered leatherback turtle nest on the village’s long black sand beach, or tiny hatchlings making their way to the sea. A visit to Baniata village during leatherback nesting and hatching season helps to support the leatherback conservation program in the village, where local people are working tohelp conserve leatherbacks by protecting nests, hatchlings and nesting mother turtles.
Picnics
Enjoy a picnic lunch on one of the many beaches around Tetepare Island. Tiny Sarumana Island on Tetepare’s north-east coast is one of the most popular picnic spots, and is also a great place for a swim or a snorkel.
Traditional Solomon Islands cooking classes
Learn how to prepare traditional Solomon Islands cuisine with our local cooks. Prepare a Melanesian feast on the motu and then enjoy the fruits of your labour.