Adults Only Deluxe Resort

We just returned from an incredible six-night stay at Matamanoa, and it exceeded every expectation. Traveling as a couple, we found it to be romantic, peaceful, and genuinely unforgettable.
Getting There
We pre-booked our airport and boat transfers with South Sea Cruises and had a wonderful experience from start to finish. The staff were exceptionally kind, and the complimentary sodas and water on the ride over were a thoughtful touch. Despite a flight delay that caused us to miss a full day, rebooking was surprisingly simple and stress-free.
Our Room
We stayed in Oceanfront Pool Bure 54, which was spacious, beautifully designed, and offered a breathtaking view. Though it’s about a 5–6 minute walk to the main dining area, the distance created a wonderful sense of privacy. Staff frequently offered golf cart rides—such a helpful option for other guests.
The private plunge pool was the perfect temperature, and the outdoor daybed quickly became one of our favorite spots. Both the indoor and outdoor showers had excellent water pressure, and we always had plenty of hot water. Housekeeping refreshed our room and towels daily without us ever needing to ask. The kitchenette provided coffee and a refrigerator, and fresh water bottles were delivered to our bure each day (even though island tap water is perfectly safe to drink). WiFi worked flawlessly both in our room and around the dining areas. We read a lot of reviews and heard stories about the loud birds during wet season, but we only heard them one night for about 30 minutes, so we weren’t bothered.
Excursions
We booked all our excursions after arriving, and the process could not have been easier. We chose the Castaway Island Tour, Cloud 9, and a guided tackle fishing trip—each one was a highlight in its own way.
Castaway Tour: A must-do. You’ll circle the iconic island, visit filming locations, and probably enjoy a fresh coconut cracked open by your guide.
Cloud 9: A floating bar with great music, beautiful photo spots, and excellent snorkeling.
Fishing Trip: A chance to head far out into the open ocean and learn firsthand how locals fish—an unforgettable experience.
All three excursions together cost us only about $400 USD for two people, making them an incredible value. If you can, book as many as possible!
We also took the 15 minute hike to the top of the island and the views were incredible. We actually got engaged at the top of Matamanoa island!!
Food & Drinks
We purchased the full board package, which included breakfast, a two-course lunch, and a three-course dinner. While breakfast and lunch menus stay consistent, everything is made to order and offers enough variety to keep things interesting—special shoutout to the French toast and Pad Thai! Dinner changes nightly and always included vegetarian, meat, and fish options.
To save on beverages, we bought a bottle of liquor at duty free and mixed it with sodas and juices from the bar. The few cocktails we did order were decent, though slightly watered down for the price. Room service on our first night was impressively quick and very affordable at only $10 FJD.
The Staff
The heart and soul of Matamanoa is its wonderful staff. They learn your name and room number almost instantly, greet you warmly with a cheerful “Bula!” every day, and make you feel genuinely welcome. Their musical talent is amazing, and the nightly serenades added something truly special to our stay.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend Matamanoa Island Resort highly enough—though part of me wants to keep this magical place a secret so it stays the hidden gem that it is. We will absolutely be returning to Fiji and sincerely hope to visit Matamanoa again