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Solomon Islands

The Coral Triangle - ten times the bio-diversity of the Barrier Reef - contains an island once abandoned for fear of cannibalistic head-hunters, now a jewel of conservation.

  • The Solomon Islands, once a feared land ruled by cannibalistic head-hunters, is now a global centre for the preservation of marine life.
  • 150 years ago the Island of Tetapare was abandoned due to raids from head-hunters. It remains the largest uninhabited island in the South Pacific.
  • The island sits in the Coral Triangle, a system of reefs covering 5.7million square kilometre area and supporting 120million people through marine and coastal resources. It contains 76% of the world’s coral species.
  • It is ten times more bio-diverse than the Great Barrier Reef.
  • 6 of the 7 sea turtle species live in the Coral Triangle – three of which breed on the island of Tetapare.
  • The Solomon Islands joined the Commonwealth in 1978.

Web exclusive: Reggie Yates encounters a coconut crab

On the island of Tetapare, the coconut crabs come out at night.

The sun reflecting on the waters of the Solomon Islands
Reggie Yates and a recently caught turtle
A tribe on a Solomon Island beach

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