Three Holland America Line ships will tour the exotic locales and breathtaking scenery of Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific in 2024–2025. From unspoiled islands to metropolitan towns, Westerdam will spend the season Down Under, while Koningsdam and Zaandam each offer a lengthier “Legendary Voyage” to the South Pacific and Hawaii. 

Itineraries up to 58 days include immersive excursions of South Pacific islands and a circumnavigation of Australia.

Westerdam will sail a westward South Pacific passage in October 2024, followed by the illustrious Australia Circumnavigation. From December 2024 through March 2025, the ship offers a series of 14-day departures roundtrip from Sydney, Australia, or between Auckland, New Zealand, and Sydney. While Koningsdam’s “Hawaii, Tahiti and Marquesas” departs from San Diego, California, roundtrip in February 2025, Zaandam’s “Tales of the South Pacific” departs from Vancouver, Canada, to San Diego, California, or roundtrip San Diego, in September 2024.

“Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific are iconically beautiful locations, but they have so much more to offer which is why they remain high on the bucket list of travelers who are looking to see the world with the ease of a cruise,” said Beth Bodensteiner, Holland America Line’s chief commercial officer. “The Australia Circumnavigation itinerary is the most in-depth immersion a cruiser can have of the continent, and many of our Legendary Voyages make it possible to visit distant destinations from a North American homeport. These cruises are among some of the most notable we offer.”

Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific Collectors’ Voyages, which range in length from 43 to 58 days, are ideal for intrepid travelers looking for a longer cruise experience. The voyages give passengers the best value each day because they mix consecutive, unique excursions.

Starting prices for cruises to Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific in 2025 range from $2,449 to $10,999 per person, based on length. Taxes, fees and port expenditures are extra.

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The post Holland America Offers Immerse Cruises to Australia and the South Pacific Islands appeared first on Islands.

As relaxing beach destinations continue to top vacation wish lists—whether for a quick family getaway or a long-dreamed-of romantic escape—recently opened and newly renovated resorts are offering fresh surroundings for sun-seekers. As you begin to plan your fall and winter travels, here’s a look at eight island and coastal properties offering a wide array of experiences. 

Most have debuted within the past nine months, and a few are set to open later this year and early in 2023.

La Casa de la Playa, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Dreaming of being immersed in Mexican heritage and cuisine in an ultra-luxurious setting—including floating in an Instagram-worthy infinity pool above the vibrant aquamarine Caribbean? Set on the sands of Mexico’s Riviera Maya, where the Yucatan jungle meets the sea, La Casa de la Playa began fulfilling that fantasy when it opened in December 2021. 

This Preferred Hotels & Resorts property, located just south of Playa Del Carmen, offers 63 suites in sustainably designed buildings with stone exteriors constructed to resemble Mayan temples and pyramids and rooms featuring colorful, nature-inspired interior decor that reflects the region’s rich culture. Suites, from garden view to beachfront, are a spacious 1,065 sq. ft., while Master Suites are 2,723 sq. ft., and the Presidential Suite is a sprawling 4,630 sq. ft. 

Four restaurants overseen by celebrity chefs Martha Ortiz, Virgilio Martinez and others offer menus that reflect regional cuisines from Mexico as well as Peru, the Maluk Spa combines local ancestral rituals with contemporary amenities and the 130-ft. suspended infinity pool is the definition of dreamy. 

Room rates start at $1,646 per night, all-inclusive.

Margaritaville Island Reserve, Cap Cana, Dominican Republic

The sparkling sands of Playa Juanillo in Cap Cana, the elegant gated resort area near Punta Cana, beckon at Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana, the first all-inclusive Margaritaville resort. It’s a joint venture with Karisma Hotels & Resorts and features 228 suites and 40 luxury villas along with 10 food and beverage venues—including the legendary 5 o’clock Somewhere Bar and the Land Shark Brewery & Grill. 

The property, which opened in November 2021, offers 13 room categories, including swim-up and honeymoon suites, each decorated in vibrant beachy hues representing sun, sea and sand. Ideal for couples or families, the property has two pools, a spa and a supervised kids club (ages 4-12). 

Room rates start at $596 per night, all-inclusive.

Saba Rock, Virgin Gorda, BVI

Reopened in November 2021 following a complete redesign and rebuild (the resort was severely damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017), Saba Rock now offers nine rooms and suites that celebrate the resort’s 50-plus-year history and the Caribbean’s vibrant culture. Located on Virgin Gorda’s serene North Sound, this intimate resort, surrounded on all sides by turquoise water, celebrates the nautical lifestyle and is popular with yachties, divers and kiteboarders. 

Onsite activities also include snorkeling and scenic boat tours and there’s a restaurant serving a Caribbean-infused menu and two bars as well as a small spa offering massages, body treatments and yoga classes. 

Room rates start at $550 per night.

Hilton Hotel Tahiti, Papeete, French Polynesia

Whether you’re spending one night before boarding a cruise through French Polynesia or just beginning your island-hopping experience in this romantic South Pacific playground, the Hilton Hotel Tahiti, which debuted in December 2021 after an extensive refurbishment (the property originally opened in 1960 at Hotel Tahiti), is a convenient and elegant option that offers views of neighboring Moorea. 

Located just two miles from Papeete’s international airport and a short distance from downtown, the 200-room resort is home to the island’s largest swimming pool and features an open-air lobby offering a modern take on Tahitian artistry, contemporary room décor showcasing natural woods and three onsite restaurants. 

Room rates start at $293 per night.

Corazon Cabo Resort & Spa, Los Cabos, Mexico

Since its $100 million debut earlier this year, Corazon Cabo Resort & Spa, located on swimmable Medano Beach close the marina in Cabo San Lucas, has provided guests with a panoramic spot to enjoy sunset cocktails: Rooftop 360, the highest rooftop bar (it’s on the 9^th floor) in this this popular Mexican resort area. 

Featuring 310 rooms and suites designed with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, two infinity edge pools with views of Cabo’s landmark El Arco, a full-service spa and even an onsite brewery, this Noble House Hotels property is couple-friendly, family-friendly and pet-friendly (dogs under 25 pounds are welcome at an extra fee). 

The restaurant options include Aleta for casual seafood, Corazon Beach Club for feet-in-the sand dining and Rooftop 360 for tapas-style bites. 

Room rates start at $419 per night.

Regent Phu Quoc, Phu Quoc, Vietnam

Luxury hotel brand Regent opened its first property in Vietnam in April with the debut of Regent Phu Quoc, a beachfront retreat located on the country’s southwest coast near a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and featuring 176 suites and 126 villas. Spacious accommodations range from 839-sq. ft. suites to one-to-four-bedroom villas and are inspired by traditional Vietnamese design. They feature expansive windows and verandas, some with private infinity pools. 

Dining wise, guests can choose from three restaurants specializing in Vietnamese/Chinese, Mediterranean and Franco-Japanese (with a focus on beef) cuisines and three bar lounges, including Fu Bar, which is located on the Sky Terrace and specializes in gin cocktails and craft beer. For more relaxation, the resort’s spa is grounded in holistic practices designed to enhance self-care. 

Room rates start at $370 per night.

Kimpton Naranta Bali, Nusa Dua, Bali

If “barefoot luxury” with a soulful ambience and access to the world-class Bali National Golf Club sounds like vacation heaven, the soon-to-open Kimpton Naranta Bali delivers it all—although you’ll have to travel halfway around the world to experience it. But that’s the point of an escape, right? 

Located in the Nusa Dua resort region of Bali, the boutique property slated to open during the first quarter of 2023 features 50 sanctuary-like villas—ranging from 1,238 to 1,722 sq. ft.—each with a Balinese-style private garden with a saltwater plunge pool (available in 45 of 50 villas) and outdoor rainforest shower. 

The Wellness by Samskara spa offers a holistic experience based on Balinese wellness rituals while five dining venues and bars feature Indonesian, Japanese and international cuisine and libations.

Room rates start at $696 per night.

Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences, Singer Island, Florida

Set on seven oceanfront acres, Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences is about to bring wellness-focused luxury to Singer Island in Palm Beach County. When it opens in early 2023, this Preferred Hotels & Resorts property will feature 155 guestrooms, including 34 suites, and 100,000 square feet of spa and wellness space with a focus on Eastern well-being philosophies such as Ayurveda and Western technology (including sound-and-light and infusion therapies) designed to facilitate personal journeys. 

There’s a sleek, modern look to the accommodation and public spaces, which will include a beachfront restaurant specializing in Mediterranean and Asian cuisines and AYRE, a dining venue offering a plant-based menu by celebrity chef Matthew Kenney. A lobby lounge will also serve “healing elixirs” and craft cocktails along with small plates. 

Room rates start at $1,604 per night.

The post 8 Exciting New Island and Coastal Resorts that Should be on Your Radar appeared first on Islands.

There is scuba diving and snorkeling in the places in the world where the water is tropical, warm, and an appealing hue of blue. And then there is doing these same activities in French Polynesia, aka The Islands of Tahiti, where the experience really is an entire underwater world apart. 

Walls of sharks and playful dolphins that patrol the outside of lagoon passes in the Tuamotu Archipelago, mother humpback whales and their calves that migrate through the waters of Raiatea and Moorea, and sea turtles galore off the waters of the main island of Tahiti—these are just a few of the marine wonders that await when you journey to this part of the world.

To celebrate 20 years as one of the largest marine sanctuaries in the world, the Islands of Tahiti just launched its Dive the Treasures campaign, a handy microsite that takes you through some of the main and lesser-visited islands and the incredible marine life encounters you can hope to see there. 

Browsing the site is the next best thing to being underwater in these magical parts—with videos that take you into the marine realm and alongside some of the most magical marine animals that exist on the planet and are abundant in these Pacific waters. 

The website is also great inspiration for planning your next scuba diving or snorkeling adventure, with links for transportation tips for reaching the islands (some of them are pretty far flung from the main island of Tahiti, where you’ll likely land from your international flight) and advice on other activities to get up to on land, too, during your visit. 

Fakarava, for example, is all about drifting through a wall of sharks. While manta rays are among the megafauna you might encounter when you venture to Maupiti (while you’re there, be sure to climb up Mount Teurafaatiu for a 360-degree view of the incredible atoll lagoon—just one of the great tips the site dishes up for non-divers). 

“The Islands of Tahiti have a proud tradition of Rahui, protection of sensitive marine environments,” says Kristin Carlson, managing director, Tahiti Tourisme North America. “These long-held traditions have led to some of the most diverse and healthy marine ecosystems found anywhere in the world.”

The post The Islands of Tahiti Celebrates 20 Years as One of the Largest Marine Sanctuaries in the World appeared first on Islands.

Fiji, like so many other parts of the world, closed its borders to international travelers almost two full years ago. But now the popular island nation is officially welcoming back fully vaccinated guests. To incentivize travelers to return, Tourism Fiji is offering several incredible packages to U.S.-based vacationers. These “Book Your Bula” deals include airfare from LAX and SFO and have several different themes to choose from.

Those looking for some adventure can book four nights at Volivoli Beach Resort  including a 2-hour guided snorkel safari among the coral reefs in the renowned Bligh Waters of northern Fiji. For just $1,795 per person, the package incorporates flights, accommodation, daily breakfast, activities, and private car transfers. 

For travelers looking to unwind and disconnect from the world for a little while, Coconut Beach Resort is offering five nights at their secluded and serene escape for just $1,995 per person. The package includes airfare, all meals, VIP airport greeting and transport, and accommodations among the rainforests and white sand beaches of Fiji’s pristine Yasawa Islands. 

Yasawa Island Resort and Spa is offering a full seven-night couples’ escape in a private oceanside villa for just $3,850 per person. This stunning and exceedingly secluded resort is one-of-a-kind, with no other resorts sharing the island. These romantic offerings include airfare, spa packages, meals, complimentary champagne, and a lobster picnic by the ocean. This package can be booked here.

Families can visit the Hilton Doubletree for four nights at $1,350 per person to explore untouched beaches by horseback and to rejuvenate at the spa. The package includes airfare, accommodation, meals, and drinks for families.
Golfers can play and relax for six nights along the gorgeous Natadola Bay at the InterContinental Fiji for just $1,499 per person. Widely considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the bay is the perfect backdrop for a week of golf, escape, and paradise.

And finally, those looking to dive in the incredible reefs of Fiji can book seven nights for just $7,215 per person at VOMO. These all-inclusive packages include unlimited hours of five-star diving (including any necessary PADI course), accommodation in a private beachside villa, golf, tennis, private airport transfers, and more.

The post Fiji Reopens to International Travelers with Amazing New Deals appeared first on Islands.

Divers always want the best of both worlds. We want to be wowed underwater and we want to be back at the resort in time for happy hour. The easiest way to take it all in is to choose resorts that offer mind-blowing experiences right from the properties (or just offshore).

Here are our picks for the best spots to stay and dive:

Shark Dive

Thirteen tiger sharks show up regularly at the house shark dive at Beqa Lagoon Resort in Fiji. Unlike many other shark dives in the world, this one is renowned for the variety of apex species that show up: lemon, reef, and bull sharks are all frequently in the mix at this site 100-feet deep.

The resort itself is located on the island of Beqa, just a 45-minute boat ride from the main island of Viti Levu.

Trippy Biolume Light Show

Timing is everything when it comes to seeing this bioluminescent wonder off the coast of Roatan, Honduras. Seen only a few days before and after the new moon, a deep-water crustacean rises to the shallows, around 45 feet, where divers can kneel in the sand and witness the magic.

Anthony’s Key Resort takes guests on a night dive just in front of the resort at a site called Overheat, where they can watch what appears to be underwater fireflies. These orbs of light show up one at a time in perfectly vertical chains, appearing to form little underwater cities of light.

Corals Doing the Deed

You could say corals have an out of body experience when they mate: to breed, coral polyps release eggs—that look like a tiny, pink ping-pong balls—into the water column. The result is thousands of these orbs floating around until a mess of sperm clouds the water.

Because the nighttime event happens every year, dive operators such as Ocean Frontiers on Grand Cayman time it right down to the week it will occur—typically at the end of September. This dive center is the in-house operator for Compass Point Dive Resort, where you can roll out of bed and walk right onto the dive boat.

WWII Cargo Ship

The USS Liberty shipwreck, found off the Indonesian island of Bali, is famous for being the biggest wreck dive reachable from shore. Torpedoed in 1942, the 427-foot, very-much-intact ship lies on its side off the beach of Tulamben on the north coast.

The best part: Puri Madha Dive Resort Bali is so close to the wreck, enough so that you can dive the ship then come back and have a cold one and go for a swim in the pool.

The Great Blue Hole

We love Turneffe Island Resort in Belize because it’s located just 1.5 hours from one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world: The Great Blue Hole. Whereas most resorts on the mainland require a three-hour trip each way to visit this site that Jacques-Yves Cousteau made famous, Turneffe sits 35 miles off the coast of Belize, so you’re already halfway there.

So, just what is inside a blue hole? Stalactites as big around as divers, and sharks sometimes circling down at 90 feet. The craziest part: the sandy bottom is 410-feet down, covered in lost snorkels.

The Underworld

The Maya believed that the underwater caves throughout their lands were a direct link to the underworld—dive in, and you’ll see why. These caves, called cenotes, can be found by the dozens around the cities of Playa del Carmen and Puerto Aventuras, both south of Cancun.

Hotel Catalonia Riviera Maya offers an onsite dive shop, Pro Dive Mexico, that runs day trips to these otherworldly realms, known for 150-feet of visibility and ceilings full of stalactites. On some cenote dives, swim through tunnels and then pop up in a pond surrounded by a canopy of trees.

Black Pearls

Pearl Havaiki Lodge on the French Polynesian island of Fakarava is unique for so many reasons, including that it has an onsite pearl farm. Not only do the farmed oysters, living among the patch coral reefs, spit out regular pearls, they also produce a black variety as well. Resort owners and staff will teach you how to harvest the goods, starting with an in-water dive.

Sculpture Art Installation

Musha Cay, David Copperfield’s private island resort, commissioned an underwater sculpture from artist Jason deCaires Taylor. This piece, “The Musician,” sits just 12-feet deep, making it available to snorkelers and divers alike.

Constructed of stainless steel and an ocean-safe cement, the life-size piano, kept company by the figure of a young mermaid, comes with a twist—it plays music when divers approach.

Alien invaders

Nowhere else on Earth do reef manta rays, known for wingspans of 18 feet, show up regularly just yards from shore. On Hawaii’s Big Island, find them most nights in the front yard of the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay. Yes, you can see them after sunset from the hotel’s observation platform, but the once-in-a-lifetime experience is to book a night snorkel or dive and be in the water as anywhere from three to more than a dozen come in to feed on the plankton attracted to high-power lights that dive operators bring.

These animals swoop, dive, loop, and perform acrobatics, all over your head. As for booking, the hotel concierge can set you up on a tour with a variety of operators; they recommend booking at least a month in advance.

Yellow Submarine

Who doesn’t have a secret fantasy to go for a submarine ride? On the island of Roatan, Honduras, Half Moon Resort’s Captain Karl Stanley offers submarine rides down to 3,000-feet, giving you the chance to see the anemones, black corals and wiggly, wobbly weirdies living down deep.

Over the years, Stanley has also piloted the sub while encountering mantas at 1,350-feet, sharks feeding on dinner, and mystery animals still awaiting classification.

The post The World’s Best Dives Right from the Resort appeared first on Islands.

When the Islands of Tahiti reopened to U.S. residents on May 1, there were undoubtedly many luggage sets dusted off in anticipation of returning to Bora Bora’s iconic resorts. Of course, when it comes to this dream destination, it’s never as simple as packing and booking a flight. That’s especially the case now as visitors still have a thorough list of entry and stay conditions to consider, so any trip here should be worth the while and one for the ages.

Local officials are well aware of this—after all, most of us only visit Tahiti once in a lifetime, if we’re lucky. That’s why the Islands of Tahiti want travelers to consider packing the kitchen sink and enjoy an extended stay, or, more specifically, what we’ve come to know as a “workation.” The “Work from Tahiti” experience is bolstered by the region’s most popular resorts, as they offer various scenarios that provide not only the essentials for fulfilling professional obligations from halfway around the world, but also exceptional activities and learning experiences for the whole family.

InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa

If there’s a better example of the workation concept than the “Working without Borders” program at InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa, we haven’t seen it. For starters, throughout this one- to four-week offering, traveling professionals will have access to coworking spaces loaded with all the bells and whistles, so they can accomplish tasks in the company of likeminded visitors. Except these won’t be ordinary workspaces. Instead, they’ll offer natural light and views for days, in addition to the fiber-optic internet service, which undoubtedly puts most home offices to shame.

But what makes this experience so exceptional is what it means for families. While parents are working, kids will be enjoying activities that no summer camps back home can hold a candle to. Surf lessons from expert instructors, paddleboarding with sea turtles, rowing outrigger canoes alongside dolphins—these are the moments kids will cherish for the rest of their lives. And best of all, when parents are done working, they’ll team up with their children and other guests to help restore coral reefs.

It’s a win-win, and we haven’t even mentioned the incredible food trucks and beaches.

The St. Regis Bora Bora

All work and no play will make Jack a dull boy, so it helps that the “Work from Bora Bora” program at the St. Regis Bora Bora was conceived with the goal of creating a personal experience that delivers nothing but the best for working parents and their children. Before the plane even departs, guests will consult with resort officials to determine all “home office” needs, and in addition to the trademark St. Regis Butler Service, visitors will also have an “IT Butler” to guarantee everything runs smoothly.

The tricky part will be remembering to step away from those spreadsheets and get some time in at the Deep Nature Spa or grab a “job well done” cocktail from the swim-up bar in the sand-bottomed Le Lotus pool. When the day is done, the whole family can head to the Lagoonarium and feed the fish.

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

For professionals with a lighter workload, the Extended Stay program at the recently renovated Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora puts the emphasis on luxury. It’s up to visitors to decide just how hard they want to work during their stays of 10 or more days, but the overwater bungalows and larger beachfront villa estates offer unparalleled privacy and comfort to fit any remote worker’s needs.

Here, kids will also be at no shortage of educational fun, as the Tamarii Club will introduce them to Polynesian culture and history, and the WiseOceans conservation and education company will gift unto them a wealth of knowledge regarding local marine life. And that’s just the start of an epic vacation adventure for guests of all ages.

The post Working Remotely from the Islands of Tahiti? Yes, Please appeared first on Islands.

When we decided to take a three-month sabbatical from the Northern Hemisphere, it was mostly to escape the Sierra Nevada between November and March. We love our mountain home, but the winters have become more difficult for our AARP bodies to handle. The other reason was, believe it or not, I had never been to the Southern Hemisphere.

My second and final husband has been hellbent on taking me to all the locations on my travel bucket list, including but not limited to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and French Polynesia. For decades I’ve carried around torn-out magazine pages from various island travel publications depicting heavenly South Pacific beaches. The photos are faded and worn, having endured dozens of thumb tack holes and folded paper seams from being carried along with me from house to house, office to office. Pictorials of white, micro-sand beaches and ocean blues in a myriad of shades so clear and inviting that I often fantasized of doing a Mary Poppins, jumping into the photographs and leaving behind my responsibility-ridden life.

Another hurdle was the small issue of finances. Not everyone can afford to stay at Fijian luxury resorts such as the Vatuvara Private Island, the Wakaya Club and Spa, or the Jean Michel Cousteau Fiji. Add in the flight cost and someone on a fixed income can kiss their island-hopping, Fijian dreams goodbye.

Enter Home Exchange, an organization that’s been around since the 1990s, paralleling the rise of the Internet. In 2006, the Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet movie The Holiday was released and the concept of swapping homes with another family for a vacation exploded. Home Exchange can offer even the most spendthrift traveler the chance of a lifetime—to stay in paradise virtually for free. That’s how we were able to stay in Fiji for almost a month.

Although we may have enjoyed staying at a famous Fijian resort like the ones you see in brochures and on the Travel Channel, we don’t travel that way. Dipping our toes into the local culture while living with the locals is our cup of tea. If we want to be snowless for three months, this is the way to go. It fit nicely within our budget which meant aside from bus fares, airfare, food and a few out-of-pocket excursion treats, our 25-day stay in Fiji was basically free.

After spending a few weeks in New Zealand, we had an overnight on the island of Vita Levu, beginning our Fiji excursion in Nadi (pronounced ‘Nandi’). Via taxi, we were dropped off at the Bamboo Backpackers accommodations, a mere 30-minute ride from the airport. Minutes after we brought our luggage into the room, I raced down to the beach. Sunset was in full bloom and I did the happy-go-lucky jig of a woman in her 50s who had finally put her toes into Fijian sand.

Moments later, I was horrified when I noticed something resembling a head bobbing in the water close to shore. I had heard that in the not-so-distant-past the Fijian culture included cannibalism. It wasn’t out of the ordinary for a head to come ashore. I stepped closer and discovered it was not the head of a decapitated enemy of the Fijian people, but rather a coconut which must have somehow escaped death by machete. Or just fell off a nearby tree. Coconuts. I was in the land of coconuts. Lots and lots of coconuts.

Bamboo Backpackers is owned by New Zealander Richard Heatherly, who also owns the Maravu Backpackers Resort on Taveuni, Fiji’s third largest island. The Bamboo is a gathering place for the young and old alike who either travel on a budget or aren’t into the sparkle and splash of the more expensive resorts. You can meet people from all over world and exchange stories of where they’ve been or where they are headed. Tips on what to do locally are also offered just as generously. If you are expecting five-star service, however, this is not the place for you. Young travelers might share dorm rooms, but there are also simple, private rooms for those who can afford $125 Fijian Dollars (roughly 60/USD) a night. We opted for the private room which was clean and so close to the ocean that it was impossible to have a sand-free stay. Perfect.

The next morning, we flew to Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest and lesser visited island in the northern division of the Fijian islands. Resort personnel did not greet us with traditional Fijian leis and kava drinks upon our arrival because we were not “resorting it” like many of our American compadres. Our Home Exchange abode, owned by New Zealander Kevin and his American-born wife Caroline, is a plantation on Nukubalavu Road, just outside of SavuSavu, one of the two major towns on the island.

We were met at the small airfield by the caretaker of the plantation, Sisi, and her brother-in-law. Or was he her cousin? To know anything about the history of Fijian families is to know that everyone is basically related to everyone else. If we had a quarter for every time we heard the phrase, “Oh, she/he is my cousin,” we would have had enough to cover our airline ticket to Fiji and back.

They drove us five minutes down Nukubalavu Road to the plantation house, and the pictures on Home Exchange did not do it justice. It may not have had air conditioning, television, or Internet and Wi-Fi, but it was a gorgeous Fijian home, spread over five acres where we received fresh papaya, guava, passion fruit, lemons, and avocado every day from the caretakers. After we dropped off our luggage at the home, we were driven into the town of SavuSavu so we could shop at the local market, the only business open on a Sunday, which is truly a day of rest in Fiji. Even the buses take time off.

The next few days were spent getting down the lay of the land, bus schedules, and local customs. The Fijians are very respectful and a bit conservative in terms of proper attire. We were told that there is a time and place for the scantily-dressed and it isn’t in SavuSavu or the villages that dot the island. “That is what the people who stay in resorts wear,” said caretaker William Whippy, chuckling and shaking his head. He is a direct descendant of explorer David Whippy, who was almost dinner back in the 18th century because Fijians did not like the white explorers bringing guns and disease to their islands.

(The story goes that Whippy’s ship had crashed on a Fijian reef and as his crew was systematically roasted for dinner, he hid in the rain forest. Under the canopy of thick, green island foliage, he made himself a small boat to leave the island, lest he become an appetizer. Recalling the story that had been passed down for generations, William said just as his six-times great grandfather was about to launch his boat and escape, he was captured. But just as his head was about to be bashed in, the son of the chief noticed that Whippy’s boat was different than what the Fijians built. When asked, Whippy told them how his boat maneuvered, due to a jib sail rigging and that it was much more advanced than their customary single-sail, canoes. Whippy was immediately delivered to the chief of Fiji who asked Whippy if this boat could be made faster and stronger than the ones they already had. There was a war brewing, and the Chief of Fiji was determined to stop Tonga from taking over his people and lands. Fiji won the war because of the new boat design and Whippy became a hero, not an entree. He was able to pick four wives from the Fijian villages and became a legend to his people, including the dozens of children he spawned many generations ago.)

In Savusavu, there were no scantily-clad beach bodies strolling along the one main road. Nor were there the sparkling white beaches. Anywhere. The Fiji in the photographs I so carefully kept with me all those years was not the Fiji we were exploring. I never saw Fiji as an almost Third World country, but when you strip away the resorts and the tourists, Fiji is no different than any other country just trying to keep up with the rest of the world without an abundance of financial means to do so.

The infrastructure is substandard, and only recently did the Fijian government implement a ban on single-use plastic bags. Plastic is everywhere. And I mean everywhere. It’s not like Bali or Indonesia where plastic and rubbish gather in piles along their once pristine beaches, but the Department of Environmental saw the damage plastic is doing to Fiji and banning plastic bags is way overdue. There is only one small landfill in Savusavu, so most locals burn their rubbish in piles. Smoke plumes saturate the island day and night. I was grateful I had my asthma meds close by.

In Savusavu there is an open-air market where you can buy a variety of island vegetables for the week. But don’t expect to get your broccoli fix anytime soon. Fresh broccoli and cauliflower are a rare commodity and can cost up to $17/USD per kilogram.

Also note that when standing in line, personal space isn’t an issue for the locals. Meaning, they don’t have any. I think the United States is one of the few countries where everyone literally needs their “space.” In a Fijian pharmacy you won’t find a sign telling you to stand 10 feet away from the pharmacist so he can privately help his clients. Everyone knows everyone else’s business on the island and that’s the way it’s always been.

The day after we arrived, we went to town again and stood in line to get a bus pass. A local man wearing a pink shirt said, “Bula” to me (Fijian for “hello”) then stood so close behind me that I felt his breath on my neck. I swear I could smell what he had for breakfast that morning and dinner the night before. But maybe I smelled, too. We knew it would be hot and humid because we were there during their summer and cyclone season, but I wasn’t prepared for how hot it actually got in February. After a few days some of the locals who were getting used to seeing us around town laughed at how red and sweaty I would get while lamenting that there hadn’t been a breeze for hours, days even.

Additionally, there didn’t seem to be anyone making sure the public toilets were clean. Absent is the smell of bleach or a cleanser with the scrubbing bubbles. Toilet paper in public toilets is also a rare commodity. We learned quickly to always carry some with us. And the soap in that sink that used to be white? Be grateful if there is a sink and that the faucet doesn’t come apart when you try to turn on the water. Better yet, along with your own stash of toilet paper, carry some anti-bacterial wipes in your daypack. Living like the locals is wonderful but being OCD about clean bathrooms twizzed me out a few times. I did manage to find a clean bathroom in town at a place along the water called the Captain’s Table. It’s where yacht owners hang out between April and October, Fiji’s autumn and winter, when the humidity and heat are tempered.

A few days after our arrival—and thanks to the caretakers of the plantation—we had been accepted into the local Nukubalavu Village by bringing the head man some kava root from the open vegetable market and participating in their welcome ceremony. The Nukubalavu village has a population of about 300 people, which is large in comparison to other Fijian villages. They also hold the title of Tui Na Savusavu, the highest title in land of Savusavu.

After the ceremony we took a long walk around the point which went through their village until the land curved onto the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort property. That walk led to an eventual dip in the ocean at Split Rock, a famous reef along the main road just out of town. The cool-ish water helped my humid mood. An added bonus was my husband swam with tropical fish after some locals lent him a snorkel and flippers. That’s the thing about our Fiji, everyone is a friend, even strangers.

On Saturdays the Nukubalavu villagers puts out their arts and crafts for the visitors who stay at the Cousteau Resort. After the traditional Fijian dance, the guests are invited into the village community center where the locals have made beaded jewelry, mats, coconut bowls, and bookmarks made from the bark of a local tree. My husband and I were invited to help set up the event one Sunday. It took all morning to wheelbarrow their goods to the community center and help set everything up before the tour bus arrived. Prior to the presentation, Sisi told us to sit with the villagers, but another, much older woman from the village was visibly upset that we were sitting with them. Words were exchanged in Fijian and we told Sisi that we had no problem sitting with the tourists, but she told us to stay. The elder woman glared at us the entire time we were there. I’m not sure what happened after, but we weren’t invited back the following week to help out.

However, a few days later we were asked back to visit the Nukubalavu Village school. Children ages 4-6 gathered in their pink uniforms and sang their ABCs for us, as well as a traditional Fijian folk song. They wore no shoes, grinned from ear-to-ear, and followed us around as the teacher told us how much they were in need of money for a new bathroom, a weed whacker, and tablets for the children so they could catch up with their counterparts from the other islands.

Most mornings I would take the early local bus to town along with the high school children so I could have breakfast at the Captain’s Table, read a book, and then walk over to the air-conditioned Internet café, Savusavu Computers. A man from the U.K., a transplant from Brixton, asked to join me at my table for breakfast one morning. And later, an expat who had been on Vanua Levu for over 20 years struck up a conversation.

Unlike the resorts, Internet isn’t widely available on the island, so the café was a gathering place of sorts. In addition to me, there were expats checking email and several people from the Peace Corps would come in once a week from whichever village was their home for the year.

As we shopped or simply waited for the bus, curious locals asked us where we came from, how we liked their island, and what it’s like living in the U.S. Many of them could not believe we came from a place in California that has snow and gawked at the winter photos of home we pulled up on the iPhone. They also didn’t understand why we were not staying at a resort but instead opted to live like the locals.

After a week on the island we eventually found a beach that had almost-white sand, but it still wasn’t a replica of the resort photos I’ve been carrying with me over the decades. I realize now those magazine photos have been marketed to lure the tourist to these islands. Those beaches do exist, but they are for people who choose not to leave the safety of their high-priced all-inclusive compounds. The beach near Savusavu had loads of coral, seaweed, and yes, a few pieces of plastic. A Fijian family came down for a swim to cool down after work and a dog with a studded collar who lived across the street swam over to a pile of rocks, played with a crab, and shook himself dry before jumping back into the water.

One of the best things to happen to us while on Vanua Levu was meeting Kelly B., a free-spirited, silver-haired U.S. citizen who loves the Fijian lifestyle when she’s not exploring other parts of the planet. She lives in a cottage on the plantation and had a car. We did not rent a car in Fiji, instead using local bus transportation and the occasional taxi. Meeting someone with a car in Fiji was a luxury.

One night Kelly invited us to join her at a place called the Planter’s Club, an expat haven where the hobby is gin and tonic. Her friend she calls “Jay” took us out on his boat for a snorkeling excursion to a most scrumptious reef where tourists don’t go unless they know someone who knows someone who knows someone with a boat. I didn’t even get seasick when we stopped the boat to eat near the reef’s sand spit—a blinding, white-sand, mini-island full of tiny shells and broken coral, surrounded by the bluest turquoise water I had the privilege of swimming in. It was the Fiji I had imagined. The Fiji in my pictures.

By cruising with the locals we were driven to a waterfall, somewhere in the jungle, we had all to ourselves. We also found out where the locals got their fresh spring water. Drinking water from the faucets is not something you want to do in Fiji. Before we knew about the spring, we did spend a lot of money on bottled Fiji water. And no, Fiji water isn’t cheaper in Fiji.

Our stay on Vanua Levu eventually came to an end. After being weighed with our luggage we flew back to Vitu Levi and stayed two more nights at the Bamboo Backpackers before heading to French Polynesia. We even splurged, taking a boat ride to the Malamala Beach Resort so we could have a tiny taste of what the resort life is like in Fiji. We are not going to say it wasn’t amazingly perfect in every way. Even the bathrooms were clean. But it wasn’t the Fiji we now knew.

The Fiji we experienced was not what we expected, but it is the Fiji we had become attached to and grew to love. We appreciate the islands, rife with their histories and people. Without these islanders inviting us into their homes and lives, we would have been two of many tourists sitting on a freshly groomed white sandy beach, waiting for our rum drinks to be delivered poolside, while expecting our beds to be turned down with the pillows smelling like a fresh hibiscus flower. There would be no ants to flick off our papaya and no rumbling sound coming from the local diesel buses as they chugged up the dirt road just past our Home Exchange abode on the way to pick up the villagers.

We would not have been woken up at sunrise by the local roosters, nor at six in the morning every day by the honking of a car horn, alerting the villagers to come out and get their fresh baked bread. The Fiji we fell in love with had local Indian food for five dollars US, no air-conditioning and an abundance of “bula” greetings wherever we went.

Kelly and her sister, Carla, were traveling in South America when the pandemic hit and, as of this writing, have not yet been able to get back to their home in Fiji because they are residents, not Fijian nationals. Kevin and Caroline, who own the plantation where we stayed, have not been permitted to visit their property either. I still keep in touch with Joseph Snodgrass, who keeps me updated on the goings-on in Savusavu and Fiji in general.

Champing at the bit to get back on an airplane, we will go again, with or without the miles of sparkling white sand beaches and create our own photo collage of a different kind of Fiji. One where locals laugh at the red-faced mountain woman and where my husband can eat the biggest avocados this side of the Hawaiian Islands. Unless, of course, you count the avocados grown on the island of Moorea in French Polynesia. But that’s an entirely different story for another time.

The post How to Experience a Different Kind of Fiji appeared first on Islands.

No great invention has ever come without controversy or feud. Was it William Shakespeare who authored so many brilliant works, or did he steal from Christopher Marlowe? Many believe Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, while some maintain is was Antonio Meucci. Did the Wright brothers really invent flight, or was it Gustave Whitehead or even Alberto Santos-Dumont?

Perhaps the most entertaining—some would even say delicious—feud was that of Victor Bergeron, Jr. and Donn Beach, the restaurant rivals who both claimed ownership of the Mai Tai… or at least some version of it. As fun as that story is, when it comes to this legendary Tiki cocktail, Bergeron remains the GOAT and his story is still told in bars across the world.

It was on a fateful day in 1944 that Bergeron had the urge to create a new cocktail in his Oakland restaurant, and he mixed some 17-year-old J. Wray & Nephew Jamaican Rum with Orange Curaçao from Holland, a dash of Rock Candy and fresh lime, shook it all together and garnished with fresh mint and lime. Some guests from Tahiti were lucky enough to be sitting nearby, so they became Bergeron’s guinea pigs and, as he famously told it, they sipped and replied, “Mai Tai-Roa Ae!” (“Out of this world!”) and gave the new cocktail its new name.

Seventy-six years later, this drink is as iconic as they come, and so Trader Vic’s Emeryville will host a socially distanced anniversary party, complete with a global toast via Zoom at noon PT on Sunday, August 30. Some people lucky enough to attend in person will receive a free limited edition Mai Tai Tapa Mason Jar, but for those of us who can’t make it to California, we are fortunate that Trader Vic’s has generously shared the classic Mai Tai recipe so we can all celebrate any time we want.

The Original Mai Tai Recipe from Trader Vic’s

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Trader Vic’s Royal Amber Rum (Suggested rum in the absence of 17-year-old J. Wray & Nephew Jamaican Rum)
• 1/2 oz. Orange Curaçao
• 1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
• 1/2 oz. Orgeat Syrup
• 1/4 oz. Simple Syrup

How to Make It:

• Shake well with crushed ice.
• Pour into a double Old-Fashioned glass.
• Garnish with a mint sprig and spent lime shell.

The post Celebrate National Mai Tai Day with the Trader Vic’s Recipe that Started it All appeared first on Islands.

Late last year, Fiji Airways unveiled the latest additions to its fleet: two brand new Airbus A350 XWB twinjets that would introduce passengers to “Bula Space.” The idea was that the hardest part of going to Fiji is simply getting there, so by providing softer, wider seats and ample leg room, along with additional perks, travelers would consider the long flights part of the luxury travel experience.

Unfortunately, shortly after the aircraft made inaugural flights to Nadi International Airport in early 2020, those birds were grounded. For months, Fiji’s borders were closed as health and government officials worked diligently to keep the South Pacific nation’s number of cases below 30. In that time, though, dream vacations and weddings, honeymoons and anniversaries were postponed and canceled, leaving many people wondering when they’d ever get the chance to finally cross this once-in-a-lifetime destination off their lists.

When Fiji’s reopening plans were announced in late June, following several months of zero reported cases, there was a lot of buzz. Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy as booking a flight on Fiji Airways and snoozing on a foldout bed in business class. (At least not yet.) With borders still closed to travelers from some countries, including the U.S., Fiji’s government has implemented “VIP Lanes” and “Blue Lanes” for air and sea travel, respectively, with guests required to stay at least 14 days.

Not only are private airplanes or yachts required to get there, but visitors need to secure lodging for two weeks or longer. (There’s also the matter of producing a negative Covid-19 test that has been taken within 48 hours of arrival.) That makes a buyout the most ideal choice, and there are no better buyouts in Fiji than these phenomenal luxury experiences.

Vatuvara Private Islands Resort

Before they were just ordinary citizens, Prince Harry and Megan Markle chose Vatuvara Private Islands Resort as the location for their honeymoon. There’s a very good chance you’ve seen one or all of this resort’s villas on some “Best Of” lists, because they’re simply spectacular.

With only one-bedroom each, maximum occupancy for this buyout is just six people, but rest assured the three villas boast amenities that make them feel like sprawling mansions, and there’s something truly unique to each unit that makes it seemingly impossible to choose. The flagship Delana Villa is the height of luxury—literally—as it is set cliffside, looking down at the incredible private beach and offering a heated infinity pool and dining gazebo.

The Vatu Villa also offers a heated infinity pool, but here the theme is unparalleled relaxation, as guests can take advantage of a private massage, yoga and spa bure. And the Saku Villa is perfect for the guest whose focus is solely on the beach; although, there’s also a heated infinity pool here, too.

VOMO Island Fiji

With a maximum occupancy of 100 people and more amenities than a residential community, this Fiji favorite offers buyout options, from the whole shebang (hello, corporate retreat!) to individual residences at the minimum buyout price, which is great for a spontaneous family getaway. After all, VOMO Island Fiji is nothing if not the family-friendliest spot, with three miles of beaches, two infinity pools, a nine-hole pitch-and-putt golf course and much more.

But don’t let the family element fool you. This is a property as stylish as it is welcoming, and that is more than evident in the various beach house residences, starting with the aptly named The Residence, which offers four bedrooms, a very secluded pool and instant beach access. This particular house can sleep up to eight, and best of all it is spread out across three pavilions, so even the closest friends and family can have alone time.

For true style, though, The Palms is an “ultramodern” palace. Also boasting four bedrooms, this house will leave guests speechless with the “live in-live out” layout that basically creates an open-air experience culminating with a dining patio surrounded by the partially covered pool.

Wakaya Club and Spa

If you want a taste of Fiji’s rich culture that A-listers and Hollywood royalty have been flocking to for decades, you want Wakaya Club and Spa. This is one of Fiji’s oldest resorts, but do not think for one second that means it isn’t stylish and modern. If anything, this might be the standard bearer, as Wakaya offers one of the best culinary experiences of anywhere in the region, as well as a great 9-hole golf course, while never losing sight of what matters most: celebrating Fiji’s natural beauty.

From the Garden View Bure to the incredible Sega Na Leqa, this resort offers six types of accommodations with a maximum buyout occupancy of 34 people, making this great for a postponed destination wedding or anniversary celebration. Especially when you consider the aforementioned Sega Na Leqa (pronounced Zenga Na Lenga, which means “No worries”) is easily one of the most astonishing one-bedroom retreats in the world.

At more than 10,000-sq. ft., this kingdom for two features a master wing with an exercise pool, as well as an amazing kitchen and library. There’s even a private guest suite with its own pool in case the in-laws won’t stop reminding everyone who is paying.

Kokomo Private Island

With five luxury residences and 21 beachfront villas, the island buyout at Kokomo Private Island caters to as many as 120 people. So, the key here is to make sure you call dibs on the four-bedroom Dravuni residence, which offers panoramic views and a private infinity pool that seems like it runs right into the gorgeous ocean. Only kidding about calling dibs, though, because there’s no bad choice here, from the one-, two- and three-bedroom villas (each with a private pool) to the six-bedroom Sunset house.

In addition to stylish, luxurious residences, Kokomo also maintains a heavy focus on wellness and sustainability, as evidenced by the farm-to-table dining concept bolstered by a 5.5-acre farm. And the cherry on top is the exclusive adventure that awaits in the Great Astrolabe Reef, as Kokomo spoils guests with access to dive sites that no other resorts can offer.

Laucala Private Island

If you haven’t seen it on our Instagram feed, then you’ve likely learned about the Overwater Villa at Laucala Private Island in just about any article celebrating the most amazing overwater bungalows in the world. From first glance, it looks like Swiss Family Robinson hit the jackpot, as this two-bedroom residence is a celebration of the region’s natural beauty, from the emerald lagoon that it rests over to the relaxing private pool that is carved into the shore’s rocks. But this is just a sample of the breathtaking creativity on display at Laucala.

Known as the “Grand Dame” of Fijian hospitality, this resort can host up to 40 people (beginning in November) in its 25 villas, all of which feature an infinity pool and unique interior designs. They also include a buggy, because there is so much to explore on this seven-mile island and Laucala’s 3,500 acres, including an 18-hole golf course and organic farm.

We also can’t mention Laucala without putting the spotlight on the Hilltop Estate, the “resort within a resort,” which boasts its own large pool that offers panoramic views of the entire island. A main residence is separated from two guest residences, while a private cook awaits everyone at the dining area for family meals of a lifetime. (There’s also a nanny on property for parents who keep the party going long into the night.)

Tavarua Island Resort

From legendary wave-riders to the beginners who aspire to join their ranks, Tavarua Island Resort is Valhalla for surfers of all experience levels. In fact, in any normal year, guests shouldn’t be surprised if Kelly Slater is sitting two stools down at the Kulu Bar. With a maximum occupancy of 36 guests, you could even send an invite to Slater with the hopes that he’ll come stay in one of the bures, but don’t get your hopes up. Instead, just plan to have the surf-themed wedding or family reunion of a lifetime, knowing that Cloudbreak isn’t far away.

Tavarua’s accommodations include the standard Beach Bures, which offer two queen beds and an oceanfront lanai for when guests have spent all day on the gorgeous beaches and simply want to spend the evening staring at it. Two Sunrise Bures each feature a master bedroom and bath, as well as sitting areas with an additional day bed. And larger parties will want to stake claim to the Tavarua Villa, which boasts two wings, each with a king-size bedroom, as well as another sleeping area with three single beds. In all, this villa has three ocean view decks and an observation space, which makes this a fantastic choice for a yoga retreat.

Don’t feel like you have to be experienced on a board to book this resort. Tavarua is located near a variety of breaks that cater to everyone’s comfort level, so guests should never be embarrassed to take it easy and learn a few things at “Kiddie Land.”

Yasawa Island Resort and Spa

Drawing its name from the group of islands in which it is located, Yasawa Island Resort and Spa is all about authenticity and the celebration of the surrounding natural beauty. With 18 beachfront bures, this property can accommodate as many as 38 guests as part of its buyout offering. Palm-thatched roofs, personal hammocks, kava ceremonies, cooking classes based on local cuisines—there’s very little that Yasawa offers that doesn’t incorporate Fiji’s rich culture and history, and guests will certainly benefit from the exclusivity of these classes and experiences in a buyout setting.

This is an especially ideal resort for a destination wedding, as any of the 11 beaches would make for phenomenal settings for exchanging vows, and the Lomalagi Honeymoon Bure is a romantic accommodation fitting for the star couple of an extended family gathering. And with experiences like exploring the Blue Lagoon caves and scuba diving and snorkeling in all of Yasawa’s best sites (the resort offers exclusive access to the islands’ incredible reefs), the honeymoon takes care of itself.

The post Fiji’s Best Buyouts Redefine the Ultimate Dream Getaway appeared first on Islands.

As far as wishes go, having your own private island has to be at the top of the list for most of us. That’s probably especially true right now, as we daydream about escaping it all to an isolated patch of tropical land. Maybe slipping into the water from a pop-up tent on the beach, hand-picking a lobster from the warm crystal blue waters, playing a quick round of golf on your own makeshift one-hole course, challenging the Harlem Globetrotters to a game of H-O-R-S-E when they’re shipwrecked on your shore, and waving to the seaplane pilot who is dropping off your Amazon Prime delivery.

What? So, I’ve had a little extra time to think about it. You have to admit it sounds pretty sweet.

If you share this dream and you’re looking to make it a reality, the opportunity of a lifetime is right around the corner. On July 25, Platinum Luxury Auctions will be accepting bids on Fiji’s Mai Island, which is approximately 32 acres of Pacific Ocean paradise. Previously listed for $4.2 million, Mai will sell with no reserve and it should have plenty of bidders.

This island carries the rare distinction of offering freehold ownership, which means you can do and build as you please, but Mai is certainly no blank slate. For starters, the island is home to an archaeological site more than 300-years-old—the remains of the foundation from a chieftain’s home—as well as an incredible bevy of fruit trees, including coconut, starfruit and avocado. So, make sure to pack a blender.

There is already a one-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage on the island, as well as separate staff quarters, where the island’s caretakers have lived for generations. There is also plenty of space for new bures, both on land and overwater, and residents will enjoy fresh, clean water from the sparkling spring and two wells. The island’s southwest coast boasts approximately a quarter mile of beautiful beach, offering access to a stunning coral reef, while the northeast side provides deepwater anchorage for yachts. You know, for when the in-laws visit.

And getting here is part of the fun. Mai is a 90-minute boat ride from Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second-largest island, but eager guests can arrive quicker by seaplane or helicopter from Labasa Airport. Of course, for the new owner, that trip will probably be one-way.

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