The one thing every surfer craves in these days of ever-more crowded lineups is empty, perfect waves and one of the few places on the planet that can actually guarantee just that is the Solomon Islands.
From November to April this vast 992-island archipelago offers flawless waves peeling over countless coral reefs. With board rider numbers limited by location and infrastructure, these peaks offer the kind of uncrowded sessions that for any surfer worth his wax are the stuff of saltwater dreams.
The destination’s two best-known surf regions are Gizo in the Western Province and Santa Isabel, but there are still dozens of secret spots throughout this 992-island archipelago, the locations of which are closely guarded by a handful of ‘in the know’ hard travelling board riders.
The best places to stay for those ‘not in the know’ board riders are the dedicated resorts and surfing camps found in the Western province, home to two of the country’s best known waves – Paelonge, a speedy right-hander, and Titianas, a goofy footer’s paradise.
Santa Isabel and Makira-Ulawa, home to Nafinua Surf Retreat which opened in March, also offer world-class surfing. Without doubt, the jewel in the surfing crown is Papatura Island Retreat and Vavaghio Guest House, two of the best set-ups to be found anywhere in the South Pacific.
With board riders numbers limited to 14 at Papatura and eight at Vavaghio, and with some 20 breaks on hand, surfers are guaranteed an uncrowded surf, a rare commodity in these days of ever-more crowded waves in an ever more crowded world.