A solar desalinator that converts contaminated water to potable water includes a cylindrical solar collector, a trough-shaped parabolic mirror, and a condenser. The solar collector is positioned within the trough-shaped parabolic mirror, and the parabolic mirror focuses the Sun's rays onto the solar collector, heats the water, and converts the water to steam. The steam is fed to the condenser where the steam is condensed to recover potable water. The solar collector includes an inner conduit surrounded by an outer shell with a vacuum in the anger space between. Energy absorbing material in the form of dark metal is positioned in the inner conduit. A residue bulb is attached at the contaminated water inlet to collect residue left by the creation of the steam.