While Fiji remains predominantly closed to the outside world amidst the COVID-19 crisis, there is a way foreign tourists can still visit Fiji Islands by exercising option for Private Island Buyouts just for your family and group of friends, Exclusive Use.
The island nation has permitted ultra high net-worth individuals (UHNI’s) to visit Fiji so long as they arrive by private charter aircraft and buyout a resort or charter a private yacht, both for a minimum of 14 days.
Fiji’s private island resorts range from intimate islands with just a handful of ‘bures’, to larger resorts accommodating 100 or more guests. The UHNI individuals seeking an ultra-luxury escape are presented with a unique opportunity to have a Fiji island completely to themselves.
The country’s effective response to COVID-19 has allowed Fiji to avoid any outbreak of the virus, recording just a total of 56 cases. With enhanced safety measures and guidelines in place, visitors can truly have peace of mind as they get off the grid with a two-week escape to paradise and enjoy their own private island in utter isolation.
Whether it be a reunion with friends and family after months of separation or a long-needed romantic escape to reconnect with a significant other, below is the list of Fiji’s best-in-class luxury, private island resorts available for buyouts:
Vatuvara Private Islands Resort:
Intimate luxury for a couple or small family (max occupancy: 6)
Vatuvara Private Islands (VPI) offers conscientious luxury to the discerning traveler, with an exclusive experience in the Northern Lau Group of Fiji – described by Forbes Magazine as “one of the world’s most beautiful places.”
Kaibu Island is home to the Vatuvara Private Islands Resort, with 3 all-inclusive private Villas on 800 acres.
The 3 secluded and expansive seaside Villas have been meticulously crafted with natural textures and materials creating spacious and comfortably elegant environments. Each with their own private beach access, the Villas include an infinity edge pool surrounded by lush tropical landscaping and an abundance of aromatic flowers.
Island guests enjoy diverse Land & Sea experiences. The marina is prepared for ocean activity with 3 boats always on the ready. Fishing, diving, scuba and snorkeling equipment are all on hand for guest use.
We also offer scuba diving training for open water certification. Guests may also enjoy being whisked away to a nearby uninhabited palm-fringed island for their own private champagne picnic. VPI also boasts a four-hole organic golf course and putting green. Yoga and cooking classes are also on offer.
It is accessible only by our private aircraft. Guests travel to and from the island aboard the resort’s private twin otter aircraft, originating in Suva or Nadi, Fiji’s International Airport.
Laucala Private Island:
The “Grand Dame” of luxury Fijian hospitality (max occupancy: 40)
One of the world’s most exclusive private island resorts, no expense has been spared at the luxurious tropical hideaway, Laucala. Set over nearly 3,500 acres, Laucala epitomises seclusion and impeccable hospitality with just 25 glamorous villas situated amongst deserted beaches, stunning clifftops and lush rainforest.
Each villa is unique, yet immaculately furnished with stylish bedroom and living room décor that opens to a private garden and infinity-edge pool. Each villa comes with their own buggy, so guests are free to explore the resort at their leisure.
Laucala offers a wide variety of activities to include watersports, rainforest walking tours, golf, farm visits and horseback riding.
The island’s Water Sports Centre is home to a fleet of 14 boats, including the Riviera Open Flybridge for game fishing as well as Dragon sailboats and traditional Fijian outriggers, ideal for sunset cruises or archipelago discovery. From here, windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking and jet-skis are also available. Arguably the best way to explore Fiji’s marine offerings is by taking the plunge, and Laucala offers snorkelling equipment and PADI certified Dive Centre to get guests up close and personal with hawksbill turtles and angelfish.
An island highlight is the 18-hole championship golf course, thoughtfully designed by David McLay Kidd with spectacular greens and fairways overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
A collection of five restaurants and bars offers everything from beachside barbeques to fine dining, with many of the buildings inspired by nature.
The closest airport is Nadi international airport, then a private (45 – 50 minute) air transfer to the Island. A 24/7 private Airport and Hangars are available for Private Jets.
The island can be booked for exclusive use and can accommodate private jets, with customs and immigration clearance arranged on-site.
Wakaya Club & Spa:
Authentic Fijian luxury for mid-size groups (max occupancy: 34)
Wakaya Island is home to the legendary Wakaya Club and Spa, which is an exclusive private island resort with only 10 intimate “bures” (suites) and 2 spectacular private villas.
The first Villa is called Vale’O, or “House in the Clouds,” is their royal suite: a 12,000 square foot villa on a 16-acre hilltop estate with stunning panoramic ocean views. This 3-bedroom villa, said to be one of the finest in the South Pacific, is an air-conditioned retreat that offers complete privacy and attentive personal service for a maximum of three couples (or six people, including children).
The second Villa is called Seqa Na Leqa, and it offers a state-of-the-art kitchen, ample living space, a master wing, with separate his and hers bathrooms, dressing rooms and massage rooms joined by a spa pool. Also included is a private guest suite and a 30-metre infinity-edge pool on the ocean’s edge.
Wakaya Island is abundant in dense tropical forests, stunning beaches and surrounded by a Marine Protected Area, home to vibrant coral reefs and a plethora of ocean life.
It is one of Fiji’s oldest legacy resorts that has hosted Hollywood celebrities and musicians for decades. While the private island resort has gone through extensive renovations over the years (most recent in 2019) to maintain its ultra-luxury status, Wakaya has been able to maintain its truly authentic Fijian feel.
It is surrounded by a protected coral reef boasting serene lagoons, majestic cliffs and pristine white sand beaches. Guests can spend the day golfing on the island’s nine-hole course, exploring out on the water, hiking the lush terrain or simply relaxing at the spa, on the beach or by the pool.
Fiji is known as the “Soft Coral Capital of the World.” Host to some of the largest reefs in the world, many people come to Fiji, and specifically Wakaya, to experience one of the most stunning marine wildernesses in the world. The Island is surrounded by one of the few categorized Marine Reserves as well as being a short boat ride from some of the greatest dive locations.
Facilities include: Fitness center, meeting room, 9 hole golf course, professional croquet lawn, night-lit tennis, Marina/PADI Dive Shop.
Wakaya Island is accessible by resort’s private Cessna Caravan aircraft, which is a 35 mins flight from Nadi international airport.
Tavarua Island Resort:
For the active group looking to get off the grid (max occupancy: 36)
The Mother of all world-class surf resorts. Located in the Mamanuca Island chain, about 15 miles southwest of Nadi, Tavarua is a 24 acre heart shaped island. Tavarua offers world class comfort and perfect conditions for surfing, kite-surfing, SUP, diving, fishing, or just getting a tan and reading.
Tavarua comfortably accommodates 36 adults in 16 private bures. They are beautifully made in a traditional island style that is still thoroughly modern in comfort. The bures (rooms) are there to rest, relax, and rejuvenate, for the next surf, kite, sailboard, dive, snorkel or SUP session.
The 14 bures are all private and en-suite, made of hardwoods and thatch. Each is beautifully appointed with Fijian art, surf photos, air conditioning and has two VCQB (Very Comfortable Queen Beds), a day bed, louvered windows, ceiling fans, mini-bar, and a large beach side verandah for relaxing, watching the sunset or just taking in the lush island foliage and bird life.
For larger families or groups traveling together, Tavarua has 2 air-conditioned Sunrise Bures that have two bedrooms and can accommodate four adults.
For those looking for the best, you may want to consider the Tavarua Villa complex offering couples, families or groups of friends the opportunity to experience Tavarua from a whole new level of Luxury.
The food at Tavarua is legendary and tailored to meet the appetites of guests who are playing hard in the ocean and the sun. The spread is loaded with fresh, healthy foods in generous portions providing energy to restore and reload.
Tavarua began as a remote island camp offering the basics to those who love the ocean but today, Tavarua has become a family friendly resort and is finding more and more guests who come as much for the wonderful amenities as for the surf.
Guests staying at Tavarua have access to a variety of breaks within a few miles of the island, the most famous is Cloudbreak, which is just about 3 miles straight south of Namotu. A world famous left reef pass that is regularly voted one of the 10 Best/Most Challenging waves in the world.
VOMO Island Fiji:
Chic, family-friendly escape for small to large groups (max occupancy: 100)
VOMO is one of Fiji’s larger islands – a spectacular expanse of lush inland greenery hugged by pristine beaches – amongst the best in Fiji. Walk, swim, explore for hours. Feel like the only soul on earth.
In the middle of the South Pacific islands, you’ll find VOMO – A stunning 255-acre tropical playground, offering 3 miles of powder-white sandy beaches and pristine coral reefs perfect for snorkelling, swimming and other ocean play.
The private islands of VOMO are home to a selection of contemporary resort villas and multi-bedroom beachfront private residences centrally located near luxury resort amenities.
During these unique times, VOMO is offering an opportunity to exclusively rent the main island or just one or two of our beachfront multi bedroom residences – all for you and your private group of family and friends. Your privacy and security are assured, while you enjoy the facilities of a full island resort usually occupied by up to 100 guests.
Be accommodated in one of the luxury private island homes with VOMO’s island resort facilities all yours to enjoy—the epitome of the perfect private island vacation.
You can choose to buyout all 32 villas and residences for a maximum capacity of 100 people, or just the minimum of one residence offered at a buyout minimum price.
You’ll have unlimited access to all this luxury resort provides; 3 miles of beaches, incredible infinity swimming pools, water sports craft, scuba diving, a 9 hole pitch and putt golf course, tennis, air-conditioned resort gym and more. All with full service as required, offered by the professional team of Fijian staff members who provide heartfelt hospitality to guests.
A range of active pursuits is on offer to keep everyone engaged and enjoying the island lifestyle while remaining in blissful isolation on your very own tropical island.
Getting to and from VOMO once you have arrived in Fiji, is safe and seamless. Private car transfers are provided to a nearby marina, where you walk on to our private speedboat for a 35-minute transfer to the island.
Two islands. One resort. Zero Crowds. Let’s Go.
Kokomo Private Island:
For large groups seeking the utmost in contemporary luxury (max occupancy: 120)
Kokomo Private Island is a luxury private island resort located in the Kadavu region of Fiji and cradled by the world’s fourth largest reef. The ultra-luxury accommodations offer abundant space, sustainable design, modern amenities and traditional Fijian touches.
The resort has 21 exclusive villas, each with its own private pool, tropical walled garden, expansive ocean view and direct beach access. Additionally, Kokomo has 5 residences ranging from 4 to 6 bedrooms each, providing complete seclusion on the hilltops with captivating views of the ocean from above.
The expansive residences offer an unforgettable escape for multi-generational families and friends travelling together. Perfectly positioned on the hilltops, and surrounded by lush tropical gardens, each residence offers captivating views from sunrise to sunset. You enjoy all the benefits of their beachfront villas, plus services of a dedicated butler and nanny for the duration of your stay.
Embracing the ‘farm to table’ concept, Kokomo boasts a 5.5-acre farm that produces a wide variety of local vegetables, herbs and fruits year-round. Fusing wellness and sustainability into every aspect of the resort, Kokomo provides an unforgettable, transformational experience in Fiji.
Here you get to explore one of the best dive and snorkelling havens on the planet; try your hand at deep-sea fishing or kayak around the island at sunrise. A short boat ride will deliver you to an active excursion at a nearby island where you can explore underwater caves, or hike to a secret (and breathtaking) waterfall. And for those who prefer a more spa-like pace, the Yaukuve Spa Sanctuary offers an abundance of choice for those in need of relaxation.
Kokomo is a tropical paradise that ticks all the boxes. This island home has every foreseeable land adventure and water based activity covered.
It is accessible via a 45-minute scenic helicopter or seaplane transfer from Nadi international airport.
Credits: This article originally appeared in LATTE (Luxury Australian Travel Trade E news)
How to book:
You can book any of above listed Private Island Resorts in Fiji with Delhi based Luxury Boutique Travel Design Company – Experiential Travel Journeys Pvt. Ltd.