Malolo Island Resort in Fiji: A Bucket-List Destination As Seen On TV

Between Love Island USA’s 8.8 billion minutes streamed on Peacock and the popular debut of Survivor’s 49th season, it’s safe to say Fiji (where both shows are filmed) is having a major moment. Add in the fanfare of Fiji Airways’ new direct route from Dallas-Fort Worth, along with the direct flights from LAX and SFO, and your clients might be curious about planning a bucket-list getaway to Fiji’s islands of paradise. 

We recently flew to Fiji (direct from LAX) for a week-long retreat to two of the island’s top resorts. The first was the Outrigger Fiji (full details and review here), with the second being an escape to the smaller, more intimate Malolo Island Resort in Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands. 

Here’s an in-depth look at this beautiful, remote resort, and why it might be a perfect match for your adventurous client. 

The Magic of the Island 

Malolo Island Resort is a rare gem in Fiji, 100% owned and operated by a local Fijian family. The resort is part of Ahura Resorts, a family-run company that also manages the nearby Likuliku Lagoon Resort. Deeply rooted in Fijian heritage and tradition, many of the staff hail from Malolo Island itself—a small island of roughly 500 residents—ensuring an authentic connection to the land and community. Unlike international chain resorts scattered throughout the islands, Malolo Island Resort stands out for its genuine familial atmosphere. 

We always felt welcomed by a warm and hospitality-forward staff, with a stay that felt incredibly personal. The staff quickly learned our names, our preferences, and took great interest in learning about where we were from. The staff were eager to recommend activities we might enjoy, many of which were included with our stay, and took genuine pride in our delight at the resort’s breathtaking scenery. One manager noted that such attentive hospitality isn’t taught in schools in Fiji; rather, the local culture naturally embodies the “bula” spirit of warmth and welcome. As one host said, with a twinkle in their eye, “The world comes to us.”

The Resort’s Conservation Efforts

The family-run resort puts an extraordinary effort into the conservation of its island, led by the efforts of The Ahura Resorts Conservation Foundation. Here you’ll be able to explore the Malolo Marine Park, a protected sanctuary filled with vibrant coral reefs, diverse fish species, and nesting sites for sea turtles. The marine reserve prohibits fishing and harvesting, allowing for natural recovery and restoration of aquatic life. The resort is also active in reforestation projects throughout the island. One of those initiatives includes a breeding program for the endangered Malolo Island crested iguana, a species once thought extinct. Suggest your client arrange for a fun encounter with one of the rare iguanas in the program, as it’s enriching to hear about this recovery program. 

Accommodation Options at Malolo Island Resort

Malolo Island Resort is a luxurious boutique resort with plenty of laid-back island charm. There are 46 traditional Fijian bures (villas), with options that include Ocean View, Family, and two Tadra Beach Bures. We stayed in an Ocean View Bures, which is ideal for families or couples, as it features king beds and day beds, with direct beach access. The Family Bures are spacious two-bedroom units that can accommodate up to seven guests. These are perfect for larger families or groups traveling together. The Tadra Beach Bures are two high-end cottages at the end of the resort’s beachfront that offer more privacy. These are perfect for honeymoon clients or couples seeking island tranquility. 

The Newly Renovated Leilani’s Spa

A highlight of our stay was signing up for massages at the newly renovated Leilani’s Spa. The treatment rooms feature floor-to-ceiling views of the rainforest, offering a serene sense of peace and connection with the surroundings. The Traditional Fijian Massage was the favorite, as it utilizes techniques passed down through generations. My shoulders already felt lighter upon arriving at the resort, and this massage did wonders in relieving my deep muscle tension. Suggest your honeymoon and couple clients opt into the spa’s Ultimate Pamper Package, and they’ll enjoy a series of treatments that’ll ease them into a total state of relaxation. 

The Food

Your client will be thoroughly surprised and pleased at Malolo Island Resort’s superb culinary program. The remote island nature is not a setback, but a source of pride for Executive Chef Gregory Llewellyn. Llewellyn has earned his stripes working under Alaine Ducasse and Daniel Boulud before landing at Malolo Island in 2019. His tenure has brought hundreds of innovative, locally-sourced new dishes to the resort’s three restaurants. 

The daily breakfast buffet was fresh and innovative each day. The best spot for lunch and a casual dinner was the beachside Beach Bar with excellent fish tacos, chicken tikka pizza, and falafel. However, it’s the enchanted setting of Treetops restaurant where Llewellyn and his staff shine. The rotating menu of local flavors includes catch of the day specials along with rare delicacies like octopus terrine, king prawn risotto, and roasted scallops. Encourage your clients to opt for the dining plan, as there are few other dining options on the island, and the package streamlines all meals throughout their stay. The dining plan is about $92 USD or FJD 210 per adult per day (for breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and $33 USD or FJD 75 for children aged 4–12  per day.

The top meal of our stay was a special Jetty Dinner, set over the water where all boats enter and depart at the resort. This is a must for couples traveling to Fiji for any celebration. The romance of it all was breathtaking. Your client will never forget the multiple-course meal lit by flickering lanterns and starlight on the lagoon, as gentle waves lull them into bliss. A truly remarkable, one-of-a-kind dining experience.

The Many Activities

We arrived at Malolo Island Resort with no set agenda and were delighted by the resort’s many included activities, from cultural enrichment to water sports. Malolo Island Resort is surrounded by a protected reef that is rich in coral and tropical fish, all easily accessible just steps off the beach. The resort’s dive center is PADI 5-Star, and a stay includes free stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing. Your client will be amazed at the variety and volume of colorful sea life that swims right up to the shore. Here are some of the other highlights of the activities to encourage your client to try. 

Mociu Private Island (“Honeymoon Island”): For three magical hours, Mociu Private Island can be your client’s own private island. This one-of-a-kind amenity is reserved exclusively for guests of Ahura Resorts’ two properties. We were thrilled to experience Mociu first-hand and were overwhelmed by its bucolic paradise setting.  The island picnic was a gourmet feast, featuring multiple courses of fresh seafood, delicious canapés, and a Champagne toast on a deserted island, all to themselves. The island getaway is the perfect setting for romantic lunches, honeymoon moments, proposals, or simply quiet time away from the resort. Rates for the island are surprisingly affordable, starting at F$125 per adult and F$65 per child (approximately $55 and $29 USD per adult and child, respectively), excluding the picnic lunch.

Snorkeling Tour: We joined a small group for a snorkeling tour organized by the resort and set off to a remote reef in the middle of the ocean. When we reached the remote reef, the water was so shallow that every jump felt risky. Luckily, the reef was at a safe distance from the boat, further emphasized by the crystal clear waters. We spent the better part of an hour snorkeling with a guide who led us over coral gardens alive with colorful fish, including butterflyfish, parrotfish, and clownfish. The 1.5-hour tour started at F$75 per adult and F$45 per child (approximately $33 and $20 USD per adult and child, respectively).

Sunset Cruise: We heard more than once from the staff that “Malolo is where the sun comes to set.” After watching the sun slowly set on the horizon from the resort’s sunset sailing, we couldn’t agree more. An exceptional add-on experience, the sunset cruise is hosted by a soulful guitarist and a friendly captain, both eager to share fascinating stories and insights about the majestic islands.

How to Get to Malolo Island Resort

Being a remote island, the only ways to get here are by boat or helicopter. After the 11-hour direct flight from LAX to Nadi International Airport, it’s a quick 25-minute drive to the Port Denarau Passenger Terminal. We relied on Rosie Travel transfers to bring us to Port Denarau. From there, we were enchanted by South Seas Cruises’ ferry ride, about an hour and a half out to Malolo Island. Highlights of the journey include the filming locations for Castaway, starring Tom Hanks, as well as numerous Survivor and Love Island sites. 

Bottom Line

Malolo Island Resort offers a truly unique slice of paradise that goes far beyond palm trees and beachside cocktails. This family-owned, family-friendly resort brims with the charms of Fijian island life, with rustic beauty and luxurious amenities. Guests can’t help but feel the welcoming “bula” spirit, and will leave thrilled to have experienced the heart and soul of Fiji. Malolo Island Resort is the “As Seen on TV” paradise, only better.