The Best Escapes In Fiji And The South Pacific In 2024

The only thing that could be better than a private island escape is one that’s completely kid-and-chaos-free. Tadrai Island Resort is off-limits to everyone but the other guests of just five onsite villas. It’s located on one of Fiji’s world-famous Mamanuca Islands, where days are spent sinking your toes into powder-white sands and uncovering underwater wonderlands.   

Here, it’s the whole kit and caboodle of barefoot luxury with all-inclusive dining, tropical cocktails and endless massages. Where do we sign up?   

It’s a hole-in-one to score a stay at InterContinental Fiji, home to the 18-hole Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course. Nothing at this hotel is half-done; the spa grows herbs onsite to use for Fijian healing, underwater experiences include shark diving and the awards list speaks for itself.   

The opulence continues to the dining options and one of the finest eateries in Fiji, Navo. Here, the beyond-blue lagoon is the backdrop to long lunches of lobster, bubbles and laughs.   

The name ‘Adventure Island Resort’ would have been a better fit for this one. While it’s got a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, a bunch of different watersports and island tours on offer, the real showstopper is the floating waterpark. There’s no better way to make a splash in the pristine lagoon waters than from a trampoline, slide or swing.   

The pool game is on par, with three to choose from, as well as a smaller slide for the tiny tots.   

Planning to bring the kids? This Coral Coast beachfront resort is equal parts family-friendly and secluded serenity. Little ones will be entertained at the complimentary kids’ club, splashin’ and dashin’ around the 38 acres of tropical paradise, while parents can lap up some alone time.  

To top it off, the dining and drinks are as abundant as the palm trees. Kick back knowing that breakfast, lunch and dinner will be waiting for you: there’s the beachfront Nukunuku Restaurant & Bar, adults-only fine dining and seafood at Talei, and Cantonese flavours at Bamboo Terrace.  

The Yasawa Group is an archipelago of 20 volcanic islands, sitting northwest of Viti Levu. These are known for their unspoiled peaks and deep depths – and you can call them home at Yasawa Island Resort.   

This slice of secluded paradise consists of just 18 luxury bungalows, sitting steps away from the palm-fringed ocean. The thatched roofs, swaying hammocks and outdoor showers are reminiscent of the untouched beauty in the movie Blue Lagoon (minus the shipwreck and shenanigans).   

It doesn’t get much more exclusive than an entire island takeover, with just 16 villas and no children in sight. This adult-only haven inhabits 10 acres of tropical land enclosed by reef-rich waters, creating a sense of pure solitude, while only being a quick helicopter or domestic flight and speedboat dash from Fiji’s main island.   

Here you can do nothing or do it all. From kayaking across the crystal-clear waters and snorkelling the house reef to unwinding with a treatment at Davui Spa – some days may call for self-discovery, while others may call for booze-recovery. 

The jewel in Nasama Resort’s crown is its very own private beach, beckoning you to walk straight into the ocean from the self-contained suites. If that didn’t have you feeling fancy, there's a two-tiered pool for good measure.  

Perfectly positioned near the country’s capital city, Nasama Resort is a laid-back launchpad for exploring Vanuatu, including the cascading waterfall of Mele Cascades and turquoise waters of Rentapao River.   

For the island-hopping kind, head to the most southern part of the Vanuatu archipelago to White Grass Ocean Resort & Spa. The headliner of the raw and rugged landscape is Mount Yasur, one of the world’s most accessible and awe-inspiring active volcanoes.   

When you aren’t wandering this unspoiled island, indulge at the onsite restaurant, perched above the coastline and offering a front-row seat for dolphin spotting. Or, if you're seeking solace, take advantage of the natural volcanic materials used during treatments at Nabisa Day Spa.   

Nestled between a rainforest and reef, across 160 acres, sits this Eden on earth. The floating bures – charming traditional Fijian huts suspended above the sparkling water – are like something from a dream.   

The cherry on top is its Rainforest Spa in the depths of the jungle, offering treatments like a Banana Leaf Body Wrap using leaves harvested from the surroundings.   

From its coastal spot on the second largest island in Fiji, Vanua Levu, it would be remiss not to visit the nearby Savusavu Bay, the celebrated heart of Fiji’s pearl industry.  

A visit to the Cook Islands is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so why not do it in award-winning, five-star luxury? Part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection, Pacific Resorts Aitutaki has the premium service of big-chain hotels, but with a personalised charm that’s unique to island life.   

Each colonial-style, thatched bungalow sits on the soft white sands. What awaits beyond is an impossibly clear, bath-like lagoon, teeming with turtles and perfect for snorkelling and kayaking.