Overview

Location

This area is particularly different from any other surf camp option in the Solomon Islands. This surf accommodation is situated on the Eastern side of Santa Isabel, facing the open Pacific Ocean, the swell there comes from the East and the North, it is more powerful than any of the surf hitting the Coral Sea side of the Solomon Islands where other surf camps base themselves.

GIZO
No surf trip to the Solomon Islands is complete without a visit to the relaxed bustle of the 'Biggest little' town in the Solomon Islands outside of Honiara. Not a big place by any standard, but there are some great waves there. The local market is active most days providing a plentiful supply of fresh Organic fruit and vegetables, cooked meals like fish and chips, and quality fresh local caught fish. There is a small movie theatre, a few bars, diving, tours, a couple night time boogie hang-outs and some very animated and friendly locals.

RANONGA
Not many go to this beautiful Island situated near Gizo. A rugged mountainous island that has never been intensively logged, its abundant with rich tropical island flora and fauna, waterfalls, and some great waves. The local villages there are some of the friendliest in the Solomon Islands, most of the fruit and vegetables sold at the Gizo market comes from Ranonga people who travel daily to sell their bounties.

RENDOVA
Get off the beaten track and do some searching. Stay with a local family right near some spectacular breaks with, reefies, bombies and beachies nearby. Again another very remote location that has great waves with no surfers or tourists within a days travel. You can truly find your inner feral surfer here, transcend your surf journey to another high, and experience the joy of surfing in an area that very few surfers have ever experienced.

TETEPARE
Want to go further off the beaten track? Tetepare island is a traditionally preserved and protected island, that is synonymous with the term "Paradise". There are no permanent villages there, no logging, fishing, mining or roads. You can stay at the Tetepare guest house while helping the locals monitor and rehabilitate one of the last precious eco-systems in the Solomon Islands and indeed the world. Check out the site Tetepare - The Last Wild Island

The Surf

As for the surf, Quality, Power and Size are all there and most of the setups are fast and challenging for any experienced surfer, breaking mostly over reef passes. You will need 2-3 boards to accommodate wave size and breakage. Depending on your experience and mood the guides will take you where you want to go.

ISABEL ISLAND
Many times a mystery ground swell hits unannounced and the power that these waves discharge as they fold into perfect barrels is quite thrilling, similar to Indo perfection and grunt. There are options for either the advanced surfer or the intermediate depending on the day and your mood, but be warned it can get very heavy!

GIZO
Gizo has hotel and guest accommodation in and around the town and islands. However nothing is near the surf. The majority of the Surf surrounds a small village known as Suva, a thriving surf village with some very talented local surfers. A guest house can be arranged with a local family, right by the break, you can live and surf with the locals who have fantastic personalities and know the wave inside out.

The locals rule this wave, its their backyard, so always ask permission before you enter their garden and maybe they will share some of their secrets with you. Besides that travel each day via boat from the hotels on the other side of the island is costly and slow, you will inevitably miss the best waves.

RANONGA
Not a surf mecca, but the rewards are there for the patient. Some awesome set-ups, with no surfer or tourist in sight. Bring on the good old days of Soul Surfing, laugh with the locals as they surf the waves on canoes, broken bits of timber, or just body surfing.

RENDOVA
You will be blown away with the raw energy of this remote jungle location. It's an invigorating place that will bend your mind, and make you wander why no one else is there. This area is perfectly placed to cope any swell directed to the Western Province, with more exposed coast than Gizo and Skull Island, more power, and an infinite number of wave options you may not want to leave..

TETEPARE
Again there are some great waves to surf and discover for the hardy adventurer. The reef systems are dynamic and surfing here will remind you of Tahiti or 'Santosha'.

There are many waves in the vicinity, however most are unsurfed. For those interested in exploring these unridden gems you can, if conditions are right go searching.

The scenery alone is breathtaking, wandering through these uninhabited islands is the epitome of paradise, the reef is alive and abundant with life and colour, and the islands are dense with majestic jungles. Add to the picture a virgin wave peeling down the reef and like them, you will not be able to contain your excitement. It is an amazing feeling to surf these waves, so pristine, remote and many times immaculately perfect.

Accommodation

SOLSURF RETREAT ACCOMMODATION - Santa Isabel Island

Like anywhere surf is never guaranteed. There can be quite intense storm systems that drive heavy rains and wind through the islands. And yes there can be flat spells. That's why these trips are designed for a min of 14 days, it gives you enough time to ensure some quality wave action, exploration, relaxation, and so many other activities that are typical for life in the Solomon's. You will feel immersed in paradise and marvel at the abundance of life that surrounds you in this truly beautiful part of the world.

SolSurf Retreat is on one of the least visited islands in the Solomon's by tourists. They are working together with locals to build a sustainable surf retreat that is both comfortable and traditional on a remote uninhabited island.

Currently the guest accommodation is very simple, but comfortable, you have access to the surf by paddle, or for the breaks further away they have a boat. They tie in with local boats that are easier to travel on with surfing equipment.

There are options avaliable to fly direct to the main island, an airport pickup by boat will take you to the camp. Surfers can fly in, connect with an island flight and be at the camp that afternoon.

The only real way to explore and surf the Salomon Islands is by living with the locals in their local environments, no 5 Star, but very comfortable and relaxing you will stay in traditional thatched huts and homes.

Packages

14 Day SOLOMON SURFERS TRIP - Max 5 surfers

Get back to the roots of surfing, no cars, phones, shops, tourists, commercial surf brands, or annoying crowds. It's wild, raw and feral, powerful reef passes, lefts and rights, many unsurfed, many unseen. Unleash the lion tamer in you! Rest easy knowing that your surf trip helps local communities and eco-systems and you surf guide is always closeby.

Surfers now have the opportunity to stay in numerous local Solomon Island villages that are near some really great surf breaks. This alternative to modern guest accommodation will suit the more adventurous traveler/surfer who wants to experience the culture and beauty of life in the Solomon Islands with some fantastic surf, fishing and local activities.

There are heaps of great waves in the Solomon's, most unridden and unexplored. There are very few roads, boat transport is fickle and there are not many guest houses off the regular tourist route. Unlike most countries the majority of the Solomon Islands is still tribal land, thus to enter many of these places you need to know a local family that will give you permission to go there, you also need to seek permission from local chiefs, police and tourism authorities.

Surfing Solomon Islands shows you the way, they will guide you during your whole trip.....

CUSTOM QUOTES on request

Email the manager Glen directly for more information and rates. Let him know which dates you want to come down, with how many people you are and other special requests...
Book now for early 2010 !!!

Activities

Fishing is insane, the reef is teaming with colorful aquatic life and corals, enjoy snorkeling and spear fishing when your not surfing, or just relax in the hammock and read a book.

GIZO
Go for a surf, swim, fish, paddle in canoe, jungle trek, visit custom sites all while enjoying the exuberant hospitality of the Solomon Island people. You can easily catch a local truck to get in town (usually 15mins) and do all your essentials like Internet, beer, groceries etc.

RANONGA
This place is truly relaxing, you can stay in local villages amongst the magnificent rainforest, explore remote custom sites and tribal areas, learn how the locals garden, swim in fresh water streams, dance with some rastafari's, and score some great waves when the time is right.

ECOLOGICAL
This idea does not stop with surfers - also fisherman, hikers, divers, rastas, gypsy's, couples, honeymoon's, wedding's, and anyone wishing to come to the Solomon's can make a tremendous difference to these local communities and eco-systems. Resource plundering is a major environmental issue in the Solomon Islands, sustainable tourism can protect these areas while providing the locals with better income and employment opportunities.

Life in the Solomon Islands is beauty in nature and people, you will see paradise, a land lost in time that still has ancient forests and reef systems, cultures and communities interacting harmoniously in a garden of eden.

Eco-tourism

These people are more concerned with the environment, than making money and sharing waves.

The problem experienced by many local villages in surf rich areas is exploitation by wealthy businessmen/tour oporators, and destructive resource explotation. Staying in local villages is the best way to not only experience the Solomon Islands for real, but also a great way to give locals a little income for protecting these waters and islands. Sharing your money with local villages that embrace the shores of the waves you surf is not only respectful, but it is also a powerful way that we as surfers can help entire communities and eco-systems.

There are numerous local traditional guest homes and village stays throughout the Solomon Islands, the trick is finding them and getting there. This is where they come in...

Planning

Upon arrival you will be greeted by friendly locals, then taken to visit the local chiefs and landowners to seek permission to enter the area. The islands are all locally owned, many hold sacred custom areas that are out of bounds to all visitors. From there they leave the village by boat to SolSurf Retreat, the trip usually takes 1 hour through lush mangrove systems, past jungle islands, over coral reefs and through some spectacular living eco-systems.

Once on the island you will be introduced to the team (your new friends), who are there to make your stay enjoyable, comfortable and most importantly safe. Surfers stay in this traditional Solomon Island guest house right amongst the surf. Three fresh meals are prepared daily with local vegetables and fruits, along with any fish or lobster you can catch. There are no local villages on the island, so your stay does not intrude on anyone, although you are most welcome and encouraged to visit some of the nearby villages with the guides.

SolSurf Retreat includes the use of their boat and fuel in the package price to access the more isolated breaks. They have two local surf guides that will show you the best waves depending on conditions and show you take off position/set-up and dangers. There is a couple breaks off the island that can be accessed either from the beach, or by paddling your own dug-out canoe. Others are just a short trip out in the boat, usually just 5-10 min's away.

Insurance

It is always wise to inform your intended destination of departure times and dates to ensure safe travel. Most of the traveling you do in the Solomon Islands is by sea, so be prepared for the worst, strong winds and heavy rain can really cause damage. It can get cold, believe it or not..

Please understand that SolSurfing takes no responsibility for your health and safety in the Solomon Islands. However we do provide thorough information and discussion pre-travel . While in the Solomon's we maintain health and safety as a priority, however sometimes incidence occur unexpectedly.

It can be a dangerous place so take out some insurance, and grab yourself some chinese herbal malaria prevention medicine before you head over. Most of the islands are remote, no roads, power, phones. It is advisable to bring your own small medical kit.

Detailed consultation and information is provided upon confirmation of booking !

Rates

SURF SEASON is November to Februari

14 day Surf Trip - 5 surfers maximum
Starting from AU$ 1,872 per person
Accommodation - Food - Transfers - Surf Guides