Chris AshtonFiji is a destination that holds a special place in our hearts. We’ve holidayed there several times, Simon even lived there as a dive instructor for a year, yet there’s always new we discover with each visit. We have a dive trip booked for September. Will it go ahead? We don’t know.
To keep the dream alive (and have us thinking of tropical beaches and cocktails as dive deeper into winter) we’ve compiled a hit list of Fijian islands we can’t wait to visit soon.
Likuliku Lagoon Resort
Even if you don’t know the name, chances are you’ve seen photos of the stunning Likuliku Lagoon Resort. This adults only retreat on Malolo Island is the kind of place you’d happily rip up your passport for and never leave. Sure, it may require a lotto win or two to make that possible, but a guy can dream. The overwater bungalows and bures are seriously luxe, with the dining, the adventure activities, and the day spa adding to its award-winning charm.
Vomo Island Resort
A 15-minute chopper or seaplane ride from Nadi, in the Mamanuca island chain, Vomo Island Resort is ranked among the top choices in the country. One look at it is enough to understand why. It’s beautiful, an architecturally designed masterpiece dotted with sandy beaches and swaying palms. Visitors to this slice of Fijian paradise can kick back in stylish resort villas and private residences, and it can even be booked out for exclusive use.
Beqa Lagoon Resort
Divers and tiger sharks, no cages – oh yeah! Beqa Island in the south of Fiji is where we have our upcoming dive trip booked. We did the shark dive with Beqa Adventure Divers out of Pacific Harbour (read about it here) years ago and have been hanging out for a repeat ever since! Beqa Island is one of main shark diving locations in Fiji. Just 15 minutes boat ride from Beqa Lagoon Resort you can get up close with these massive predators in the wild. With shark diving becoming so popular these days, picking this resort, which is a little off the beaten track, means a more intimate trip.
Turtle Island
We stayed at this exclusive hideaway up the Yasawa islands back in 2013 (you can read our review here) and have been dreaming of a repeat visit ever since. It’s hard to explain why exactly. It’s just a feeling, an instinct telling us to we need to go back. We fell in love with the local staff, waking up late and looking out to the sea, going for a cheeky snorkel before breakfast, picnics on private beaches for lunch, and debriefing with other guests over barefoot dinners. Turtle Island really is one of the most magical places we’ve been.
This is by no means a definitive list – and we’re very open to suggestions! We’ll be crossing our fingers and toes to make it this September. But, even if that doesn’t happen this year, it won’t be long until we finally make the trip back to the land of the bula spirit.
For more info on Fiji visit fiji.travel
