Fiji’s Nanuku Auberge Resort is the closest you’ll get to a luxury Fijian private island experience without the extra expense of flying in a small plane to an actual private island. Located in the southern region of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu, Nanuku can be reached by chauffer transfer: 90 minutes from Suva airport or two hours from Nadi International Airport. Twenty-minute private plane transfers can also be arranged from Nadi Airport to the resort’s private airstrip.
Once there, some will prefer to prop themselves up by the pool, with a view of the beach and a good book to pass the time, with the help of friendly wait staff delivering cocktails and other morsels, in that state of relaxation only achievable in a tropical resort setting. Others may be pleased to learn that Nanuku sits in the Pacific Harbour, the “adventure capital” of Fiji and that adrenaline activities, in and out of the water, are offered by the resort at its very doorstep.
For action in the water, the resort offers shark diving and feeding experiences in the Shark Reef Marine Reserve on the Beqa Passage. Divers can encounter schools of giant trevally and swim amongst massive grouper, wahoo and local reef sharks before handfeeding some of the biggest predators at the marine reserve such as female tiger sharks, bull sharks, black tip reef sharks and grey reef sharks.
Adventures on land include Fiji’s only zip lining course. Located just outside the grounds of Nanuku, an aerial zip line will have them soaring through the rainforest canopy over waterfalls, rivers and the natural Fijian flora joining the tropical birds and wildlife in their natural habitat within the rainforest canopy.
For a more hands-on experience in the rainforest exploring the traditional Fijian way of life, Nanuku offers a “Medicine Walk” to the Waisese Waterfall. The guide, a local medicine man, leads the way while explaining traditional food gathering practices and the uses of local plants encountered on the walk. Along the way, guests visit a local village and participate in a kava ceremony with the village chief, and once at the Waisese Waterfall, they are shown how to make their own billi billi bamboo raft to float downstream where they’ll stop for a barbecue lunch of fresh, locally caught prawns.
Having only opened in 2014, the resort’s executive chef Walther Whippy has already been recognised for his regularly changing seasonal menus, always focusing on fresh, locally caught seafood, fine imported meats and garden fresh tropical fruits and vegetables from local farmers’ markets. (Dining experiences are inclusive of the nightly rate at Nanuku.) Nanuku’s wine selection includes local and international wines selected to pair with Nanuku’s cuisine and the tropical climate of Fiji. Guests can also select from the local wine providores list or with advanced notice, staff will endeavour to source your preferred wine label.
For no extra charge, personalised dining experiences are offered in various locations around the resort such as the private guest Club House, poolside or by the beach. Guests can also have their personal butler cook for them in their own villa kitchen and take a packed gourmet picnic lunch including lobster and champagne to the resort’s own private island, Nanuku Island. The two-acre deserted island in the Beqa Lagoon system of coral reefs is a 20-minute speedboat ride away. Nanuku Island is an idyllic private Pacific Island surrounded by clear azure waters and secluded white sand beaches. The adventurous can choose to reach Nanuku Island by Jet Ski and participate in guided snorkel excursions in the Beqa Passage. Scuba diving with a local professional dive operator can also be arranged.
Who will you take with you to Nanuku Auberge Resort? The property’s large beachfront residences and villas accommodate between two and 20 guests, so you can take the entire family if you like.
With complimentary butler and nanny services, even with the kids in tow, you’ll still find plenty of time for that good book by the pool! Each child under 12 years of age has the option of a dedicated nanny from 8am through 9pm daily (earlier and later times for nanny services can be arranged at an additional cost if required). The Lailai Children’s Club operates daily, with nannies for younger children and buddies for older children. Teenagers are also offered age-appropriate activities that challenge and inspire them such as scuba diving lessons, water sports, fishing expeditions, surfing, Fijian cooking classes and more.
Exploring Fiji’s Nanuku Auberge Resort