Walter Eckland, a reclusive and reluctant drifter, is persuaded by the British Navy during World War II to serve as a coast watcher on a deserted island in the South Pacific. His task is to spot and report enemy ship and aircraft movements. Initially, Eckland wants nothing to do with the war effort and is more interested in his alcohol stash. However, he is coerced into compliance due to his connection with his old friend Commander Frank Houghton. While on the island, Eckland's solitude is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of French schoolteacher Catherine Freneau and her seven young female students, who have been stranded after their ship was attacked.

Despite their vastly different backgrounds and initial mutual disdain, Eckland and Freneau must work together to survive. As they experience challenges such as enemy threats, limited resources, and the struggles of managing the children, they begin to develop a grudging respect for each other. The dynamics shift from conflict to camaraderie, fostering unexpected moments of humor and warmth amidst perilous circumstances. From this point, the story delves into their evolving relationship and the challenges they face as the war continues to encroach on their precarious sanctuary.