Matangi Island Resort

This place is heaven on Earth. It truly is - in almost every way. My wife and I spent our honeymoon in Fiji nearly 30 years ago at Namale resort and we wanted to go back but they were booked. So we looked for another resort with similar qualities. We found Matangi Island in an advertisement at Costco travel. We called and spoke with the Costco travel agent who seemed to know everything about all the resorts in Fiji. He highly recommended Matangi resort due to its remote nature, it's sheer beauty, it's amenities, the quality of food which is all included, the staff, the spa, and that it was on its entire own Private Island. Lucky for us they had a last-minute cancellation so we grabbed it. We flew from LAX to the main island in Fiji, Viti Levu, then took a small plane to another Island Taveuni, then a small boat to Matangi Island. It's a long haul, but it's absolutely worth it. When you arrive the staff greet you with wonderful singing and give you a carved turtle lei. A quick welcome drink is given followed by an explanation of amenities activities, breakfast lunch & dinner times, Then it's off to your own private burre. There is not a bad burre anywhere on the property. Every single suite has an ocean view or is oceanfront. You cannot go wrong with any of them. The owners live on the island and are the nicest and most friendly people you will ever meet. One thing that is not advertised about this property is that laundry is included absolutely free with no charge at all. So you do not need to pack as much clothing as you think you do. We would have brought less than half of the clothing that we brought had we known that in advance. There are so many amazing things to do on the island that cost you virtually nothing. For instance there are two included snorkeling trips per day where they take you out in a boat to different snorkeling spots everyday. We literally did not go to the same snorkel spot the entire week we were there and we went twice a day. There is an amenity that is free of charge called Horseshoe Bay. You need to sign up for this right away cuz it fills up. They take you and your spouse - only 1 couple allowed at a time - in a boat around to the opposite side of the island which is inaccessible on foot and drop you off with your own completely private beachfront shack with a day bed, a bathroom, lunch, a bottle of wine, fruit platter, assorted goodies, and an emergency cell phone. There you have snorkel gear, stand up paddle boards, kayaks, towels, bug spray, and everything you need in paradise. They drop you off and leave you there all by yourselves and it is absolutely heaven on earth. You are completely off the grid with only a cell phone connection to the rest of the world. If you call they will come right away if you don't call they will come at a specific time to pick you up and take you back to the resort. The snorkeling kayaking stand up paddle boarding etc is absolutely world class and epic in this untouched area of the island. There were about 12 other couples on the island who we met and everybody was wonderful. They would have all kinds of evening activities for us such as kava drinking ceremonies, cocktail making competitions, local tribal dancing, just to name a few. They have a world-class spa on site and they are excellent at all of the spa menu items such as massages facials pedicures etc. The staff is absolutely excellent and they are the most friendly people on the planet. They all speak or understand English very well and they are there to take care of you and make sure you're having a great time. They do not have a gym so you cannot work out in the standard way however the island has some of the best and most beautiful hiking areas you will ever see. Bring some great shoes so that you can traverse to the top of the mountain through the hiking jungle areas and see some amazing birds and other animals on that island. There are many pet dogs that live on the island (Lucky, and Mindy ard super super social & friendly) that are absolutely gold and they will accompany you on your hikes - if you wish - and lead the way dutifully protecting you from whatever they perceive might be there to hurt you, although nothing such exists on the island. It's really special to have them escort you. There are two cats on the island one of which is super friendly and her name is ginger. If you pet her and give her a little milk in the morning she will be your best friend. There are three meals a day every day and the food is great quality. The chef who is there at the property makes fantastic dishes and there's a large menu to choose from every day. That menu changes every day as well. They are super accommodating for people with food allergies such as gluten-free or peanut allergy or whatever and they make sure that what you're eating will not harm you - whatever your dietary restrictions are, they can accommodate you. I have traveled all over the world and stayed at many places from extremely upscale, fancy resorts all the way down to super low budget sleeping on the ground in tents type of places all having their own unique experiences. But, I have to say Matangi resort being family-owned with the kind of care that they deliver as a family would - and you do feel treated as and cared for as if by family - it is in the top three vacation experiences in my entire 62 years on this planet. My wife and I will be going back... No doubt at all and as soon as possible. The owners, Noel (dad) and Nigel (son) are super friendly, accessible, hospitable and talk to you as if they've known you for years even though you just met them. Matangi Island We did virtually every amenity we had time for. My wife did the spa one day while I went scuba diving - each of those activities of course is an extra charge but fairly priced and well worth it. The dive Master was super knowledgeable and excellent in every way. All the activities were amazing experiences. All were fantastic. They have deep sea fishing at a very fair price or free handline fishing from a small boat. In short, we had a wonderful, amazing, best dream ever, fantasy experience - best of a lifetime. It's just really indescribable the beauty of the island, the care that everybody takes for you, the staff, the food, the wild birds and animals, the pets and just the beauty of everything - it's more than anybody could wish for. If you are looking for the ultimate getaway with the ultimate non-pretentious experience, the nicest staff who really take care of you, in a classy casual paradise, then this is exactly what you need.

We had an absolutely incredible stay at Matangi Private Island Resort, and it was truly one of the best vacations we’ve ever had. The island itself is stunning—beautiful, serene, and unspoiled—but what really makes Matangi special is the people. The staff were exceptional: genuinely kind, attentive, and always welcoming. Every interaction felt personal and thoughtful. The food was excellent throughout our stay, with fresh, beautifully prepared meals that we genuinely looked forward to each day. Our bure was immaculate, incredibly comfortable, and perfectly maintained, with daily laundry service that made everything feel effortless and luxurious. The overall atmosphere is calm, quiet, and deeply relaxing. Everyone—from staff to fellow guests—was friendly, helpful, and kind, creating a sense of ease and connection that’s hard to find. Matangi is the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave. We would return in a heartbeat and recommend it without hesitation to anyone looking for a peaceful, unforgettable island escape.

Matangi Island is a bit out of the way but well worth the additional interisland flight and boat transfer. The island is draped in jungle foliage and teeming with birds. Although there is no "endless white sand beach" the small beach and calm waters are certainly adequate. The spacious bures are exceptional and include carefully chosen furnishings, wonderful oudoor shower, plenty of storage, and a comfortable bed with overhead AC. The food was delectable and there were numerous choices for every meal. The fresh snapper, the large shrimp, and even the lamb shank and the ribs were all excellent. The staff were friendly, outgoing, and always willing to assist you. We never got to snorkel the house reef as we always took their morning snorkelling excursion. Each excursion was to a nearby coral reef and each one was different. Namata Point was probably are favorite spot as it had the greatest concentration of various corals and scenic fish. All in all it was the most relaxing seven days we have had in a long time and we were sad to depart. And, my sister, who is an avid birder, will be so jealous that I was able to view (multiple times) the elusive endemic orange fruit dove.

Pure Bliss! Our 8 day stay at the resort was the highlight of our three-week vacation! The people, the food, the bure bungalow, the snorkeling, the pace and the beauty of the ocean and the forest...unbeatable! If you are looking for a lifetime treat, this is the place. It is worth it many times over. The staff were devoted, gracious, attentive and very flexible. We eat Gluten Free and the chefs did an amazing job satisfying our every request. The food was fabulous, varied, colorful and plentiful. Ask and you shall receive! Highly recommend!!!

A wonderful vacation! We spent 4 nights in the 2 bedroom villa. The scenery is heavenly and filled with birds and butterflies. With a primary forest nearby the birding was excellent. Our villa was a little more retro than the others but had a lot more privacy. We loved the location. The sleep quality excellent and it was so nice to drift off to the sound of waves and rainforest. The water pressure in the outdoor showers was poor but we never said anything. The resort itself is small and with few other guests. There is loads of space to have your own private time around the resort. The beach is excellent though the swimming from the beach meh. We found the food to be excellent at all times, with a large variety but would have enjoyed more regional options. Some of the cocktails were very good but could have benefitted from a more fresh fruit island flavour. They were expensive for the quality. The activities were well thought out to keep guests as busy as you want even in the rain. We loved the evening musical performance. We loved the 2x daily snorkelling. I heard the spa was excellent. We missed the meke performance, however, because we forgot and there is no sign board for the day’s activities. They do have a thoughtfully put together daily highlights printed sheet which they show at breakfast. Nothing was too much trouble and the staff were always attentive to our wants/needs. After the first night I mentioned a pathway light was shining into my room but I wanted to enjoy total darkness. They had an electrician turn it off for me. The only improvement I could recommend would be to have more discreet cleaning staff - they were often in our way and we weren’t even at the villa that much. This is an excellent choice for couples, and the villa is a good choice for a group of 4 needing more space. I recommend Matangi and would go back!

Matangi is a real gem. Not only did we have lifetime-best dives there (the coral! The colors!!), but everything about the place is incredibly thoughtful. The staff to guest ratio is extremely high, and it shows up in everything from the tidiness of the grounds to the largely excellent (and absurdly plentiful) food to a whole array of considerate and well-planned touches. It feels like you never have to wish for anything because it has already been provided by someone. The resort is elegant and casual and very warm, and the people who work there are incredibly kind and welcoming. We strongly recommend it!, and hope to return one day!

Pure paradise. We just arrived home from 7 glorious nights at the resort. I had tears as we were leaving. We are already planning a trip for 2026. The resort is amazing. After 3 flights and the boat ride to the island we were greeted with a song, cool scented wash cloth, a welcome refreshing beverage and lots of smiles. Our bure was on the beach. It was cleaned daily and refreshed while we were at dinner. The daily laundry was a plus. The food was first rate. We were supplied with cookies and coffee service items along with water. Snacks and beverages are available all day. The grounds are a lush tropical paradise. We utilized the pool and snorkeling trips. There are numerous other activities for every comfort level. The best part of the trip was the interaction with the staff. They became like family. We enjoyed the nightly entertainment especially the nights provided by the local villagers. Based on other comments that the resort is expensive it is not cheap however you get what you pay for and we thought it was definitely worth every penny.

My partner and I could not be more happy we chose this island for our only holiday in 2024. From the moment you get off the plane in Taveuni, the staff at Matangi made sure we were looked after. After a short boat ride to Matangi we were greeted by the staff with a welcome song and adorned with welcome garlands of flowers. The food was amazing! Plenty of variety and hats off to the chef, Shahir Ali who made us lobster on our last night. The reef is beautiful and the daily snorkelling excursions are a must go! Horseshoe bay is breathtaking! Love how the staff and Fijian people look after their island. Special thanks to Sisilia, Sirelli, Matilda, John, Sera, Mareoni, Paulini, Betty, Tui, Joseph, Wise and Dalip for making our stay magical. Vinaka!