Kwakea Island offers remote travel, rugged adventure, and the authentic island experience. Explorer Lauren shares her tales of island life.

 

As an adventure addict, I’m notorious for saying ‘yes’ to any travel adventure. And that’s exactly how I found myself on Kwakea Island.

Population: 8
Circumference: 5km

It was New Year’s Eve, and my partner and I were chatting to a family friend about their upcoming trip to Kwakea Island to help set up an adventure retreat.

‘Do you want to come?’ My partner and I looked at each other, the familiar twinkle of adventure in our eyes.

A month later, we were on the plane to Vanuatu.

Good decision?

Obviously

Getting to Kwakea Island

One of 83 islands that make up Vanuatu, Kwakea Island is well and truly off the beaten path. Getting there was only the first part of the adventure. We were up for a series of four flights from Melbourne to Sola, and were prepped in advance that Air Vanuatu often runs on island time. In true traveller spirit, we embraced the opportunity to explore Port Vila and Espiritu Santo along the way.

Our final leg to Kwakea Island in Vanuatu’s far north was on a ten-seater Twin Otter plane, flying over rugged landscapes and active volcanoes. Our pilot took us directly over Kwakea Island and we were rewarded with an aerial view of white sandy beaches, rustic bungalows, and the ocean as far as the eye could see.

 

Who knew there were so many shades of blue?

 

If you’re keen to visit the island too, the only way to do so is to hire Brett, the owner of Kwakea Island Adventures as your guide. He’ll meet you at Sola Airport and guide you every step of the way.

Island Life

It was easy to settle into the routine of work and play. Our typical day involved multiple ocean swims, drinking fresh coconuts, reading in a hammock, eating fresh fish, and witnessing the most stunning sunsets and colour-splashed skies we’d ever seen.

 

Every sunset felt like our own private show

 

Living the island life was a privilege. Everything in Kwakea Island is hyper-local. Coconuts are collected from the Island’s coconut plantation, eggs from the island’s small farm, and vegetables grown in the veggie garden. Fish is fresh from the ocean and meat is sourced from the island’s population of cows and boars.

There are no shops here so everything is either locally grown, foraged, or shipped in from the mainland.

 

The bare necessities have never looked so good

 

There are precious few buildings on the island, and all are built using traditional materials, which kind of explains why there aren’t many. My partner was kept busy helping build new bungalows, using timber sourced and milled on the island.

There are no hotels or other accommodation options.

 

The bungalows are mighty comfy, and pretty big!

 

One popular building on the island was the Nakamal – a traditional meeting place for gatherings, ceremonies, and drinking Kava. Once a week we’d meet in the Nakamal and enjoy Kava in coconut shells.

While this lifestyle was reason enough to visit the island, we were in for so much more.

Read more: Wake Up In Vanuatu – The Insiders’ Guide to Adventuring in Paradise

Remote Island Adventures

The biggest drawcards for travellers considering heading to Kwakea Island are the remoteness, lack of people (visitor numbers are generally limited to between 2-10 at any one time), and the variety of adventure on offer.

Situated on a reef, there’s snorkelling and diving off the shore, in water as clear as glass.

 

And there’s plenty of this to enjoy

 

The warm temperate and clear waters make the island a hotspot for keen freedivers. Under the surface are a number of reef fish and reef sharks, as well as the highly sought after Dogtooth tuna – which makes great sashimi.

My partner tried his hand on the spear and brought in two tuna to feed everyone on the island!

 

He’ll never forget it

 

A short stroll (or ride in the back of the ute) to the other side of the island reveals a beautiful lagoon and tree-lined sandy beach, where more snorkelling, diving, or lounging can be done.

 

Ever wondered what an island paradise looks like? This!

 

In the evenings, residents would paddle out and surf the island’s private surf break. I’m not a surfer, so I joined in on the kayak to enjoy the sunset with them.

One day, we took the boat out to visit neighbouring islands where we were greeted and fed by locals. We spent our visit hiking through the jungle, and swimming up to cascading waterfalls.

Read more: Discover the Magic of the Moon Cave on Maewo, Vanuatu

 

The trip was bursting with epic surprises like these falls

 

Kwakea Island left my adventurous soul full and nourished, with a newfound appreciation for simple community living. It was incredible to see the resourcefulness of Brett and the island’s residents, relying predominantly on the island and its surrounding waters for all that they need.

I feel grateful to have experienced a glimpse into this lifestyle and pocket of the world. My Kwakea Island adventure confirmed yet again that indulging my adventurous spirit by travelling to unexpected places can be profoundly rewarding.

Read more: How a Visit to Vanuatu’s Outer Islands Changed How I See the World

 

Need something? Head to the trading post – island style

FAQs Vanuatu’s Kwakea Island

How many islands are in Vanuatu?

There are 83 islands in Vanuatu.

How many people live on Kwakea Island?

The population of Kwakea Island is eight. Obviously when people drop by for a visit it increases, but on average there are eight permanent residents.

What’s the best thing to eat on Kwakea Island?

The fresh fish is the best thing to eat. Especially Dogtooth tuna sashimi with a side of taro and plantain cooked on hot coals. There are a number of cows and pigs on the island which are hunted by the locals. The super adventurous might want to try bat!

How much does it cost to stay on Kwakea Island?

At the time of publishing, it costs $2950 for a seven-day stay on Kwakea Island. This includes accommodation and meals, island activities, and Brett as your full-time guide. A minimum of two guests is required. Not so shabby for such an exclusive and unique experience!

Go on, stay a little longer!

This piece was brought to you by a real living human who felt the wind in their hair and described their adventure in their own words. This is because we rate authenticity and the sharing of great experiences in the natural world – it’s all part of our ethos here at We Are Explorers. You can read more about it in our Editorial Standards.