Santa Isabel · Solomon Islands
Step off the map
A small island retreat where the waves are empty, the reef starts at your doorstep, and nobody knows where you are.
Welcome frens
The Solomons, before the crowds found it
Papatura Island Retreat sits on an idyllic sandy bay on Santa Isabel. Pure isolation and privacy, with crystal-clear water teeming with marine life right in front of your bungalow.
Total relaxation, or, if you're adventurous, a wide range of activities and cultural experiences to keep you busy the whole stay. Awesome fishing and uncrowded surfing. World-class reefs for diving and snorkelling. Great rainforest and beach walks. And a true cultural experience, unspoiled by mass tourism. Did we forget? Freshest seafood in the Pacific. The freshest.
14
Surfers on the island at most — the reason our waves stay empty
3
Meals a day included, cooked from village-grown produce and fresh-caught seafood
10+
Named waves within a 25-minute boat ride, and plenty still unridden
8 min
Boat ride from the airstrip to the jetty. That's the whole transfer
What you'll do
Pick your kind of day
Or don't pick at all. Plenty of guests come for the waves and leave talking about the reef.
Surf
Ten-plus reef breaks, consistent swell from late November to April, and a hard cap of 14 surfers. You will not be sharing.
Dive
Walls, WW2 wrecks and pelagic drifts five minutes from the jetty — with no other dive boat in the island group. SSI courses available.
Where you'll sleep
Seven bungalows. One lodge. Very few guests.
Every bungalow is built from sago leaf, wild beetle nut and local timber, with a big deck facing the Isabel mountain range and the beach a few steps away.
Rainforest Lodge
Three rooms tucked into the rainforest with a shared deck, a tree-top terrace and the newest bathroom on the island.
Family Bungalows
Our largest bungalows — split level, queen plus singles, enclosed deck, private indoor-outdoor bathroom.
Love Nest Bungalow
King bed, private deck and day beds, outdoor shower and a swimming platform straight into the water.
“
I've travelled a lot and Papatura is up there as the destination that changed my view on travel. Put away the phone and taking photos. Read a book and get to know someone, engage in the culture, get some gratitude, enjoy your time… Everything is a bonus.
Matt Guest, 2019
What's included
One price, then stop thinking about it
Seven nights from $1,715 per person, twin share, with everything you actually need already in it.
- Boat transfers from the local airstrip
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day
- Free use of surfboards, SUPs, kayaks and snorkel gear
- Basic fishing gear, and your catch cleaned for you
- Unlimited WiFi — if you must
- A village trip, and a Solomon Islands t-shirt to take home
It's closer than you think
Brisbane to barefoot in a day
3 hrs
Brisbane to Honiara. Solomon Airlines fly it direct, with 30kg baggage on a through fare.
1 hr
Honiara to Suavanao. A small plane onto Santa Isabel's northern grass airstrip.
8 min
Suavanao to the jetty. Our boat meets you. Then you're here.
Ready when you are
Tell us what you're after
Dates, how many of you, and whether you're chasing waves, fish, reef — or none of the above. We'll put a proper quote together, airfares and all.