Live by the tide, breathe with the ocean.

‘Live simply so others can simply live’

Mahatma Gandhi

How it all began

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6 Months Building Our Off-Grid Island Home | Part 1 Vanuatu.

Six months of building our off-grid island home in Vanuatu! 🌴 In this two-part six month update, we take you through everything we’ve achieved so far, the challenges we’ve faced, and how the build has transformed over the past six months. There was simply too much to fit into one video, so this is Part 1, with Part 2 coming next week! Make sure you subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss the second half of our six month build update. Thanks for following along with our island-building journey! 🇻🇺

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Merchandise 〰️

Footy Shorts

Man holding a hand spear while wearing a crayfish fishing shirt with a hood

Fishing Shirts

lady wearing a black shirt with a crocodile and barramundi image on the back. Also has an image of a hand spear on the design

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Drone footage of Aore island in Vanuatu. Shows the reef meeting the forest

Welcome to Espiritu Santo and Aore Island — where island time meets adventure. Solwota Retreat is now running ocean tours around Santo and Aore, offering everything from laid-back snorkelling trips over vibrant coral reefs to adrenaline-filled spearfishing adventures in pristine blue water.

Dugong in the bay at Aore Island Vanuatu

Whether you’re here to explore, unwind, chase fish, or simply soak up the beauty of Vanuatu, there’s an experience for everyone. Jump aboard and discover the islands the Solwota way — salty, cruisy, and unforgettable.

Xande wheldon walking on the beach holding his spear fishing gear

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Discover the underwater world of Vanuatu

Xande Wheldon swimming in the reef of Vanuatu

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Why We Hand Spear: A Tradition With Deep Roots

Curious about the world of hand spearing?
Dive into where this ancient practice began, how traditional spears are made, and why it continues to inspire us today.

Discover the natural materials and time-tested techniques used to craft a spear from the ground up, and follow along with our videos to make your own.

An elderly man with gray curly hair, wearing a red striped shirt and dark pants, stands in shallow ocean water holding a long stick, facing the sea under a blue sky.

A man wearing sunglasses and a hat holding a large fish with a fishing pole outdoors on a sunny day.

We also share the stories behind our passion for hand spearing, its deep cultural roots, the skill involved, and the unbeatable thrill of landing a fish with nothing but a spear in your hand.

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