Tetepare Island Eco Lodge is located on one of the largest uninhabited islands in the Western Province, save for the wildlife rangers and the few staff.

Tetepare Island was inhabited by a unique indigenous community, with their own language and customs, up to 150 years ago, when inexplicably, they fled the island to neighbouring islands, never to return.  This gave Mother Nature time to repopulate the island with tropical rainforest and abundant wildlife, including birds, bats, butterflies, and fresh water fish.

Nearly 20 years ago, the descendant land owners were approached by a logging company who wanted to fell the rainforest on Tetepare, but they decided to reject the lucrative offer, save the rainforest, the last primary rainforest left in the Solomons, and turn Tetepare into a conservation zone.  They formed the Tetepare Descendants Association (TDA) and their goal was to protect and conserve the island, the rainforest and the surrounding ocean for future generations.

They started quite small, and have grown into a comprehensive, community-based conservation organisation, that is now supported by international charities, as well as individuals.  It is visited by researchers and scientists from all over the world, studying the rainforest, the wildlife, the sealife and the endangered leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles that nest on the island.  They have also created a 13km Marine Protected Area, which is a 'no-take' zone, so no fish or sealife can be taken from the water within that zone.  This helps to help protect the species living there, and makes sure that healthy populations of marine life to continue to flourish.

As part of their fund raising projects, they created the Tetepare Island Eco Lodge. They built 2 traditional Melanesian leaf houses, with only 5 rooms to accommodate just 13 guests at any one time, using local, natural materials, set on the edge of the rainforest and close to the shoreline.  Each room offers 1 double or 2 twin beds with mosquito nets and a private deck.  Bathroom facilities are shared and a little basic, but clean and adequate.  Water is captured rainwater, and the only power is in the main building and dining area, the eco lodge and the field ranger station, and is supplied by solar power. You may want to bring a torch to find your way around at night, and extra batteries for your camera, as there are no power points to recharge!

Meals are included at Tetepare Island Eco Lodge, and are prepared by local cooks using fresh local ingredients, including fruit and vegetables grown in village gardens on nearby Rendova Island, and some of the many varieties of fresh seafood caught in the waters around the island.

The rangers and marine monitors that carry out the conservation projects on the island, are usually happy for you to accompany them out and about whilst they carry out their task for the day.  You could see leatherback turtles laying their eggs, or the hatchlings heading for the sea, depending on the time of year. Snorkelling around the reefs is amazing, with thousands of colourful fish and corals, and you can snorkel straight from the beach or take a boat trip to some unique sites. Apart from the normal reef fish, you could also see barracuda, harmless reef sharks, spinner dolphins and even one of the eight resident dugongs that have taken up residence just offshore in the seagrass meadows.  The rainforest has hundreds of flora and fauna varieties to see and guided walks and hikes are available. You can explore the lagoon in a dugout canoe, enjoy a picnic lunch on any one of the many beaches or on nearby islands, take a boat trip around the island, and visit the abandoned village sites on Tetepare, or one of the local villages on neighbouring Rendova Island.  Most of the activities are free, and a knowledgable, local guide will be assigned to you when you arrive.  Any activities that utilise the boat will incur a small fee to cover the cost of fuel and the driver's wages.

Tetepare Island Eco Lodge is an integral part of island life, and they do ask that you respect the local people and their customs, or kastoms.  Bikinis, hotpants-style shorts or revealing clothing would not be acceptable.  Longer shorts, just above the knee, and t-shirts or vest tops are acceptable, and are recommended for covering swimwear whilst in or out of the water. Alcohol is not allowed on the island, and is not available for guests.  If you wish to bring your own, they request you only drink it in your room and do not offer it to staff or villagers during your stay.

The Tetepare Island Eco Lodge is a very rustic property, and not for the feint of heart!  You are in a tropical rainforest with all the associated insect and wildlife that lives there, so if you have a phobia about insects or little lizard-type creatures that you might find on your verandah, then Tetepare may not be your paradise.  But if you are into all wildlife, and up for fascinating encounters with amazing marine life, then a visit to Tetepare could be right up your jungle path!

Click HERE to visit the hotel's own website