Kwakea is a small islet off the southeastern coast of Vanua Lava in the Banks Islands of northern Vanuatu, sitting at the edge of one of the most remote and least visited corners of the Pacific. Until recently it operated as a small private island retreat, accessible only by charter flight or boat. A domestic airline collapse made access impossible and the island has since been sold to a new investor committed to sustainable, environmentally conscious development, with a resort and private runway currently under construction.
Kwakea's story is not finished yet. It is, in fact, just beginning again. Watch this space.
Kwakea is a private island destination in active development. Here is what is known about the island, its location, and what to expect when it reopens to guests.
Kwakea is a small islet east of Vanua Lava in the Banks Islands of northern Vanuatu. It has a permanent population of just 8 people. The nearest settlement of any size is Sola, the provincial capital of TORBA Province, on Vanua Lava itself.
May to October is the drier season, with more settled conditions for travel and outdoor activities. The Banks Islands receive over 4,000 mm of rainfall annually, so even the dry season brings regular showers. November to April is hotter and wetter, with cyclone risk December to March.
Kwakea has a humid tropical climate year-round, between 24 and 30°C with very high rainfall. Dense vegetation covers much of the island. Coastal conditions are more manageable than the interior. The drier months bring the clearest skies and calmest seas.
Kwakea is currently not open to guests. A runway is under construction on the island and private charter flights will connect guests directly once complete. The island is also reachable by small boat from Vanua Lava. Updates will follow as the development progresses.
Use our interactive map to explore resorts, hotels, and guesthouses across Kwakea.
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One of Vanuatu’s most remote private islands is getting a new beginning. Kwakea Island, a three-kilometer-long islet in...