Solomon Islands: The Next Surf Frontier

Every year, from November to April when the northern Pacific swells sweep in from Hawaii, the Solomon Islands’ extensive reefs and north-western facing islands come alive with some of the most perfect waves to be found anywhere on the planet.

While the destination’s two best-known surf regions are Gizo in the Western Province and Santa Isabel, there are still literally dozens of secret spots throughout this archipelago of 992 islands, the locations of which are closely guarded by a handful of hard travelling board riders.

Gizo offers two of the best breaks to be found anywhere in the Western Province – Paelonge, a speedy right hander breaking over a shallow reef, while just a few hundred metres away, Titiana offers a looping, tubing lefthander.

The best places for surfers to stay are the dedicated surfing camps, particularly in Santa Isabel, all of which package accommodation, boats, meals and easy access to those all-important surf breaks.

These include a new surf resort – Nafinua Surf Retreat in Makira-Ulawa Province which opened its doors for the f irst time in March. But without doubt, the jewel in the Solomon Islands’ surfing crown is Papatura Island Retreat.

Sitting on a beautiful sandy beach facing the main island of Santa Isabel, Papatura Island Retreat is one of the best surfing set-ups to be found anywhere in the South Pacific.

On the seaward side of the island several good surf breaks, rights and lefts, lie just minutes away – and including Tarzans, a perfect a-frame. With barrels going in both directions, it’s a surfer’s dream wave.

Best of all, Papatura Island Retreat limits the number of board riders to a maximum of 14 at any one time – so with more than 20 different breaks to choose from, surfers are guaranteed an uncrowded surf, a rare commodity in these days of ever-growing numbers of board raiders in ever more crowded waves in an ever more crowded world.