Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Where else can you see the turtles laying their eggs?

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Solomon Islands

Hello,
We have been looking at staying at Tetepare ecolodge in december because we would really like to see the leatherback turtles lay their eggs, however it is very expensive and i was wondering if there are other places in the area where you can see the turtles lay their eggs?

Cheers, brydie

The other place well-known as a turtle hatchery is the Arnarvon Islands off the large village of Kia in Western Isabel Province. (Note the email address in the link is old - leave out the work "welkam" and it might work better.)
Kia can be reached by plane, once or twice a week, and ship, once a week or fortnight.
However, be warned, transport in Solomon Islands is very busy and crowded in December as everyone is trying to get home for Christmas.
Google "Arnarvon Islands" for more information.

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Also on west coast of Malaysia near Kuantan

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If you are looking at places other than Solomon Islands, the Capricorn Coast of Queensland, Australia (especially Mon Repos beach) is another place turtles lay and hatch eggs.

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Thanks for your help. I was thinking more of other islands near Tetepare. I have read that the turtles lay their eggs on Rendova island ( the next island along from Tetepare) however there is no information anywhere about this island or how to go about organising a trip there. I am not sure if it is the type of place where i could organise everything once i arrive in Munda or if there is any other way to book and organise it. Are places likely to book out in december or do you think it will be fine to organise accommodation and boats once i am in munda?
any advice would be greatly appreciated.

thanks, brydie

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December and January are the busiest months for travel in Solomon Islands due to local holidays. Unless you want to stay in a high end resort, accommodation will be full of locals on their way home or back to work. It will be hard to book a space on ships too, and you will need to book flights in advance. Make sure you have accommodation organised in Munda or Gizo for Western province, or Kia for Isabel.
Have you checked Visit Solomons and the site in my sig line?
Unfortunately, I have no information personally about Rendova.

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Thanks for all your advice. Greatly appreciated.
Cheers

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