Description:

Tetepare Island is located in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands, south of New Georgia and to the west of Marovo Lagoon.

The island is fringed with coral reefs and covered in dense rainforest. It is the largest uninhabited island in the Southern hemisphere and the largest conservation area in the Solomon Islands.

It is home to one of the Solomon Island’s leading conservation projects and a locally-owned and managed eco-lodge.

The conservation efforts here are successfully run by the Tetepare Descendants Association (TDA) and a team of rangers. The area is known for spectacular snorkeling, birdwatching and hiking.

Tetepare is a Marine Protected Area (MPA) and is home to turtles, dugongs, huge bump-headed parrotfish and harmless reef sharks.

The Marine Protected Area area runs from the western tip of the island on Mbo Point (8º 42.22′ S 157º 26.36′ E) to the eastern edge of Soe Island along the southern weather coast (8º 43.62’ S, 154º 47.34’ E). The protected area also includes the land area from the low watermark to 500m inland.  It is a permanent “no-take” area where all extractive activities are banned including fishing, hunting, logging, mining, drilling, shell collecting and collecting of archaeological artifacts.

Entrance Notes and Cautions:

The only permitted anchorage is in Waugh Bay.  Vessels must anchor there and then go ashore and walk to the lodge/ranger stationto pay the conservation fees (see below).  It is permitted to enter the lagoon and go to the ranger station by dinghy.

See the Tetepare Descendants’ Association Yacht Policy for all guidelines and restrictions.

Cruisers Highlights:

The TDA welcomes visiting boats but note that a guide/ranger must always accompany you on any excursion around Tetepare.   If there is a research project going on, such as turtle nest monitoring, you may be able to join in.

See the Tetepare Visitors Guide for more info on the park.

Conservation Levy:

A conservation levy is charged for all visitors and there is a one off charge per yacht per visit:  $120 SBD per adult – 14yrs, $60 SBD for 5 to 13 yr olds.

Scuba diving – a charge of $150SBD per person for up to five dives per day.

Positions:

08⁰42.408’S, 157⁰26.904’E (anchorage Waugh Bay)

Last updated:  December 2023

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