North west of Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu, Paradise Cove Resort is located in the heart of the beautiful Yasawa Islands, surrounded by crystal clear water and coral reefs. Nestled in a stunning cove on Naukacuvu Island, the resort is a dream destination for myself and my little family.
Although there is a daily boat transfer from Port Denarau, I opted to surprise my grandsons with a helicopter transfer which they thought was amazing!
On arrival we were greeted by a locals singing a beautiful welcome song. At the resort there is no formal reception, everything is very laid back and relaxed. The villas are set on the beachfront and in the tropical garden – all connected by sandy walkways which criss-cross the resort.
Simple, colourful and comfortable the villas are spacious and nicely decorated with Fijian prints and furnishings, open-air showers and verandahs. We shared a two-bedroom beachfront villa which had heaps of space, indoor and outdoor lounge areas, and a fabulous open-air bathroom. We also had private beach lounges, umbrellas and a hammock.
The resort is staffed mostly by locals from nearby islands. Like most Fijians, they are super friendly, proud of their heritage and love kids. There’s a strong focus on local life, with efforts made to support local village projects and bring Fijian culture to resort life.
There was a wide variety of delicious food at every meal with an emphasis on Pacific Island cuisine. Many ingredients are sourced from local farmers or grown onsite. Dinners are a three-course event accompanied by live music and a kava-drinking ceremony. The kids are encouraged to eat early at a special sitting which made for a relaxed evening for the adults. After a big day, the boys couldn’t wait for their babysitter to arrive each evening.
The island is ideal for kicking back and doing nothing or exploring the Yasawa archipelago. We did plenty of both; with miles of champagne coloured sand, beautiful coral reefs, three swimming pools, two bars, a five and two-year-old, I was kept busy!
The resort’s adults-only area was a great place for me to escape after hours of snorkelling, paddle boarding and kayaking with the boys!
My grandsons loved learning about local life when we visited a local village and school 40 minutes away by boat.
All too soon it was time to say goodbye to our new friends but I have a feeling we will be back.
The team at Travel Centre Coffs Harbour are very well travelled and can help you organise your next dream getaway. Call us on 6652 1833
