Temotu Province: The Solomon Islands' Final Frontier

In the farthest reaches of the Solomon Islands, Temotu Province remains one of the most untouched and fascinating places you could ever visit. Comprising three main islands, this remote and culturally rich destination is a place of ancient traditions, raw adventure, and breathtaking natural beauty.

Temotu is where Spanish explorer Álvaro de Mendaña first set foot in the Solomons, attempting to establish a colony. It is also home to the La Pérouse shipwrecks, lost to the sea centuries ago. Here, you’ll find Tinakula, the country’s most active volcano, and the famed red feather money, a currency still used in traditional exchanges. Towering kauri trees on Vanikoro and Santa Cruz stand as sentinels of history.

And if you’re a surfer? Carlisle Bay holds perfect curls waiting to be ridden—often with no one else around.

Temotu is a place where history, culture, and nature collide in the most spectacular ways. Whether you're exploring forgotten shipwrecks, trekking ancient pathways, fishing in untouched waters, or surfing waves no one else has ridden, this is an experience like no other.

This is Temotu—wild, remote, and waiting for those who seek something truly different.

Things to Experience in Temotu

Traditional Local Fishing

Fishing in Temotu is not just a sport—it’s a way of life. The remote, fish-rich waters offer everything from trolling along deep drop-offs for Spanish mackerel, wahoo, and dogtooth tuna to casting into the surf for giant trevally, red bass, and coral trout.

Want to fish like a local? Try your hand at traditional fishing methods—lines, spears, nets, and even age-old techniques unique to the islands. With miles of unspoiled coastline and an ocean teeming with life, catching something is almost guaranteed.

Surfing: The Last Frontier of Waves

In Temotu, the surf is still largely undiscovered. Very few breaks have been mapped, making it one of the last true frontiers for adventurous surfers. Carlisle Bay offers some of the best waves, but many others remain untouched, waiting for those willing to explore.

Surfing here is more than just a sport—it’s a cultural experience. Local children ride the waves using pieces of plywood or broken dugout canoes, laughing and cheering. Traditional wooden canoes are also used for wave riding, giving you the chance to experience surfing in its most raw and natural form.

Trekking and Adventure: A Land Without Roads

Life in Temotu is deeply connected to the land, and trekking is a part of everyday travel. With no roads or motor vehicles outside the capital Lata, getting from village to village means walking through lush rainforest, coastal paths, and rugged terrain.

For something truly unique, try wild rooster hunting—these birds are believed to be descendants of those brought by Álvaro de Mendaña in 1595, making them a living link to history.

Visit Tinakula Volcano

Take a boat journey to the deserted volcanic island of Tinakula. This 851-meter-high volcano erupts semi-regularly, although do check the Smithsonian Institute for up to date information about eruptions and safety before visiting. Polynesians once lived on its southern slopes but were forced to evacuate after a major eruption in 1971. Today, Tinakula stands abandoned, a dramatic and eerie sight against the endless blue of the Pacific.