Utupua Island
Remote Solomon Islands island in Temotu Province
Small island in the Solomon Islands' Santa Cruz group, reached by inter‑island boat; visitors come for village life, beaches, reef snorkeling and remote island hiking.
Utupua at a Glance#
How to Get to Utupua#
Utupua is reached by inter-island boat from Lata (Nendo), the nearest larger centre in Temotu Province. Charter boats and infrequent scheduled services connect the Santa Cruz islands; weather frequently alters timetables. The nearest air link is into Lata (Temotu) on Santa Cruz from Honiara, followed by a boat transfer-expect total travel times measured in a day or more. On arrival, most movement on Utupua is by foot or by small motorized outrigger.
Tips for Visiting Utupua#
- Arrange transport to and from the island ahead of time-boat charters from Lata (Nendo) are irregular and weather-dependent.
- Bring cash and basic supplies; there are no shops or ATMs on Utupua.
- Respect local custom: always ask permission before photographing in villages and avoid entering private compounds uninvited.
- If visiting reefs, hire a local guide to point out safe channels and reef passes-currents can be deceptively strong.
Best Time to Visit Utupua#
Choose the dry season for reliable boat access and calmer seas; travel is governed more by weather and boat schedules than a fixed calendar.
Weather & Climate near Utupua#
Tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 24°C to 30°C. Heavy rainfall (4670 mm/year), wettest in March, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 25° - 30° | 28° | 426 mm | - | - | 1.9 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 25° - 30° | 27° | 438 mm | - | - | 2.0 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 25° - 30° | 28° | 481 mm | - | - | 2.0 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 25° - 30° | 28° | 353 mm | - | - | 1.7 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 25° - 30° | 27° | 415 mm | - | - | 2.2 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 24° - 29° | 27° | 326 mm | - | - | 2.2 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 24° - 29° | 27° | 323 mm | - | - | 2.5 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 24° - 29° | 26° | 386 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 24° - 29° | 27° | 393 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 24° - 30° | 27° | 420 mm | - | - | 2.2 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 24° - 30° | 27° | 358 mm | - | - | 2.0 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 24° - 31° | 28° | 351 mm | - | - | 1.8 m/s | - | - |