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I have been travelling to Tavarua Island Resort annually for nearly 40 years and it has continued to evolve and improve every year. My most recent visit, November 2024 was fantastic! Airport transfers were organized perfectly. The resort was clean and running really well and the Fijian staff are always a pleasure to be around. It's still the best food in Fiji . Buffet style , three healthy meals a day with plenty of choice and honestly better than any restaurant I’ve eaten at in Sydney. The quality of the local ingredients includes seafood and amazing fruits. In the early days Tavarua was a surf focused destination. These days, whilst waves can be amazing, it’s more like having a week in a health resort! Totally relaxing with lots of swimming, snorkeling, surfing, reading and sleeping! The snorkeling is straight off the beach, lots of amazing tropical fish and Tavarua have established a clam rehabilitation program so you can check them out too ! These days there are a lot of young families, dedicated surfers and crusty old surfers and their wives . A good mix , you’ll always meet very interesting people on Tavarua! I would definitely recommend checking it out and whilst expensive it’s very good value for money . David Ravenscroft
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled solo
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I could make this review pages long because of the passion I feel for Tavarua! I have been to many countries and never in my life have I experienced something quite like this! The fact that it was "all inclusive" meant that I didn't have to stress about where to eat or what to do so I could optimize every moment of every day. World class surf, incredible snorkeling, fishing, kind staff and guests, and five-star food was at my disposal amongst other major attractions. Tavarua is perfect for family, couples, friends, or even a solo trip and absolutely worth every penny! I promise it will be the trip of a lifetime!
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Date of stay: January 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Every room is wonderful!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Warm staff, incredible ample food, phenomenal waves, world-class snorkeling, idyllic setting. If you love the water, even if you don't surf, this place MUST be on your bucket list! We love it so much, we've been 4 times now as of 2020 and have invited many of our closest friends to join us. I type this in the airport as we head home (sadly) amidst the coronavirus crisis, but I'm already counting the days until our 2021 trip! Thanks Tavarua and the AMAZING WONDERFUL staff that makes everyone feel so special!
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Date of stay: March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have to agree with 'gowestside'.. the price and service was a disgrace to say the least. I didn't actually mind the accommodations 'bura's', as we had the one right at the end which was secluded and no reason for anyone to walk that far, giving a level of privacy. The actual island itself is stunning and and accommodation was quite good in my opinion, however that is where it ended.
We went for a very special occasion and it was way out of our budget, but I thought for $AUD1000 per night per couple it would be a pretty memorable experience, which was true, for all the wrong reasons!! The staff were rude most of the time and heaven forbid if you want or need anything, you not only feel like you are imposing, you will also pay top dollar for it. Nothing is for free, not even water and prepare for the 'Stink face' if you ask to get your water bottle filled with filtered water... they will resist because they prefer you pat $US6 per bottle. A minimum of $US7 for a weak beer, $6 for a soft drink or water and US75 for a 30 min massage makes it hard to 'live it up'. Everything is calculated in US dollars and if you are not aware of that and you don't take US currency... don't worry, they will convert your Fijian or other foreign currency into US dollars at 30% below the official rate and charge you a $20 admin fee. At the end of our stay we had additional drink charges on our bill which I ended up paying because it was not worth the confrontation I could see happening. Internet is $US 120 per week or $35 per day and you can only use it in and around the office!! So browsing in your room on a hot afternoon is not an option! Oh and don't forget your sunscreen, it's $US10 for a sample sized bottle in the gift shop which might cover a small child once if you are lucky
The worst part was the food. I would consider myself a seasoned traveler with many third world experiences and can eat just about anything. This food however was inedible, not fit for a school camp. I could not tell the difference between the fish and chicken because the texture was the same, both resembling a rubber tyre. The salads were old and wilted combined with lots of cheap filling carbohydrate type meals. It honestly looked like they had cooked the lot before we arrived and heated it up daily to serve, getting worse each day. I started skipping lunch and by about day 3, I was only eating when I absolutely needed to. The portions served up to you are tiny and you have to literally beg for more which will initiate that same look you always get when you ask for something extra. The advertised 'free breakfast juice' is orange cordial. The avocado guacomale was black and the 'fresh cut fruit' was mushy and rotting in it's own juices. Incredible for a tropical island surrounded by fruit trees and live fish. We went fishing on a number of occasions and caught fresh fish but it went back to the village with the locals on our return, never to be seen again, unless of course it came in the form of left overs on our plate the next day, because that's what it looked like!!
Make sure you take your personality because there is no privacy in this place. You are forced to eat at a certain time at large dining tables, so be prepared to make friends even if you don't want to. Generally of course all the other guests were lovely people, but you are stuck with them all week in very close proximity. As for the surf, it's like any popular spot, it's sought after and crowded. I have quite frankly had better and quieter waves in parts of Indonesia.
Sheets and towels are changed once in the entire week. Again, be prepared for a struggle if you want to get fresh towels sooner and heaven forbid, don't beak, take or lose anything from your room, those old worn out Tavarua beach towels will set you back US30each if they go missing.
Would I recommend Tavarua.... you decide for yourself
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Date of stay: February 2014
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:BURE 1 or 14 for privacy
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do not stay here unless you want to pay top dollar for no service, poorly kept accomodation, terrible food and no sleep. Stay on nearby Naimotu Island (allows children over 12 years of age) or Castaway Island (allows children of all ages) both islands will take you to surf cloudbreak for minimal or no cost!! We recently stayed on Tavarua and paid extra to stay over the peak peiod. The accomodations (bures) look like they were made decades ago and never renovated since. The bathroom tiles are broken and old, linens have holes in them and were changed once in our 1 week stay. We often spent the night with geckos in our room (they are noisy at night) and the a/c contsantly stopped working. The food is advertised as being "buffet style", however the meals are served in bain maries and then portioned out to you by staff- they give very small servings and I was really hungry after each meal (and I dont eat much as it is). If you go back for seconds you get the death stare! I asked for milk once as tea and coffee is suppose to be available at all times through the restaurant and they wouldn't give me any. I had to get my husband to go get it off them! Children from other families staying on the island were running riot- screaming and running around accomodations, standing on tables at meal times and management would only step in if it was directly affecting them (eg- breaking the games room equipment). Some adults were running riot too and would party till all hours and be so noisy the whole island could hear them. Management did nothing when we asked for some help with these issues. They have the mentality that they still own cloudbreak (which they dont!) and if you dont like the way the island is then too bad. In the past all of their customers would have to be invited onto the island to stay (in the days when they owned cloudbreak) and now as they lost the rights to the surf break they have opened it up to the general public. HOWEVER, if you are not one of the original customers (or repeat customer as they call it) they treat you like crap and will do nothing to make your stay enjoyable. Everyday I spent here I felt like leaving and was so stressed by the time we left I was tearful. We had a day trip to nearby Castaway Island and I instantly relaxed- the staff were extremely helpful and constantly aiming to please, the accomodations beautiful, food was great and the beach was lovely. Castaway will take you to cloudbreak for 3 hours on a private boat for 140 fijian dollars which is about $78 Aussie dollars and $70 US dollars. The amount of money you will save on accommodation staying here will easily cover the extra cash forked out to get to cloudbreak (you'll probably save money). On Tavarua If you want to surf cloudbreak and other people on the boat want to go in you have to go in! Stay at Castaway if you have kids!! If you dont have kids Naimotu Island is just as close to cloudbreak as Tavarua and they will take you there just as often as Tavarua does. Please do not take your family to Tavarua! I have stayed all around the world and have had better service and experience at a 1 star surf camp in G-Land Indonesia than I have staying on the very expensive Tavarua Island.
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Date of stay: December 2013
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband and I just returned from Tavarua. We were there for a week and it was lovely. Being a surf-widow was never so much fun! Of course, there was a huge swell and Restaurants was breaking and CB was huge. Needless to say, the entire trip just paid for itself right then and there. The island is beautiful with turquoise water and white sand. The bures are small but very comfortable. There is even a hairdryer!No. 1-4 are good as they have a view of the boatshed so you never miss a boat out. I don't surf but the pool and jacuzzi were wonderful and a great place to watch Restaurants. The boutique is very stylish with lots of Vix and Rosa Cha bikinis and great Pure Fiji products to buy. Plus, the a/c is so nice in there. The food was plentiful and quite good considering it was being served en masse. I visited Castaway whilst I was there and I was so happy to return to Tavarua. It is just so mellow and low key..no cheesy activities just pure island relaxation. We went kayaking and snorkelling and it was beautiful. There is also a beach side bure for massage if you want it. Good luck getting in though..it is booked out way in advance but if you do, enjoy!!Also, take shorts to change into after the flight...you might get wet on the boat ride over. Also, I would highly suggest taking the helicopter from Nadi there and back. It reduces a two hour car and boat trip to 15 minutes plus you get an aerial tour and you also arrive before the madding crowd. On the way back though Nadi, have dinner at Daikuko, great sushi and sake, before your flight home.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Not going back. Been there six times and after the decree it has been dodgy at best. The most frustrating thing is having a Fijian wahine occupy your room fo "housekeeping " fo hours during the day so you cannot takea nap etc... BTW the owners have palatial homes on the island that are funded on the backs of the islanders who really own the place. I'm sick of watching this place go In the wrong direction-the truth needs to come out. Most of the old timers have passed away due to preventable medical problems and the management is always soliciting financial help for them whilst they live in luxury and surf their butts off. All the while the surf industry and tavi profits. Our son first came there as a four year old and will never forget what it was like. Me neither. It's different now.
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Date of stay: July 2014
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is going to be a long review with the goal of giving as many details as possible for anyone going to, or considering going to, Tavarua. This was as A+++ a place on the planet but there were some surprises and somethings I wish I had known ahead of time so I thought I would pass that along.
Here's the list of things I'll pass along. I'll try to be as short and concise as possible but if you have any questions please feel free to contact me. 1-Making reservations 2-Getting there 3-What to bring and what to not bring 4-Things to do while there 5-The People 6-The dirt under the nails 7-Anything else I can think of
1-Making Reservations: The first thing to note is that reservations are set up to be a week long. You'll arrive on a Saturday and leave on a Saturday and other than excursions or emergencies you'll just be on this small island for a week. When going online to Tavarua Island Resort’s website you'll get a quick summary. The reservation button is in the top right corner. They will then ask you a bunch of questions. You should answer these as honestly as possible. They are trying to match you up with groups of people of similar age and interest to make sure you are compatible. This makes sense since you're kind of in a Gilligan's Island situation for a week so they don't want a bunch of families having to deal with a bunch of drunk party-hard surfers for 7 days. Also, they work with Waterways Travel so don't be surprised if that's who contacts you.
I called them in late November on a whim and they had a spot available for a family during the week after Christmas so I took it. What I later found out is that they are usually booked out years in advance and I just happened to call the day after they had a cancellation. So book early!!!!!
2-Getting There: To get to the island you will first be shuttled 45 minutes though Fijian back roads until you get to a tiny rocky beach. You're bags and surfboards will have been picked up by the company working with the resort and then brought to this beach. They then have locals carrying your stuff to an awaiting Panga that will carry it to the island for you. This part is really well run and the guys carrying your stuff were very careful and respectful of everything. Nothing was dinged and nothing was thrown. It was really well done so you don't have to worry.
You then have to wade out to a waiting panga so your feet will get wet. It's not a big deal though and flip-flops easily sufficed. Don't buy special shoes for this. Once loaded with the passengers we then took the 45 minute ride out to the island. The pangas are open and you will most likely be sprayed. The Fijian drivers try to slow down for as many larger rollers as they can but ultimately you'll be sprayed. The good news is that the water is 80F and the air even warmer. But if you have anything you don't want wet be sure to wrap it in a plastic bag. Many of the folks who had been there before had waterproof backpacks for their stuff. This was overkill but I could see the reason. I just had a regular backpack with all my stuff in a plastic bag and it was fine. The water was choppy due to wind but no one was seasick going or coming back. Still, if you're very prone to it I'd take something just in case.
Once you arrive at the island you are greeted by a small group of Fijians playing music and many of the staff members who will help you get ashore (once again getting a bit wet) and then help direct you to the office to check in. At first I thought this was a corny touristy welcome like you'd receive in Hawaii but after a day or so I realized how genuinely the Fijians like you being there and how incredibly open and friendly they are and I realized how I had misread their wonderful intentions.
After getting to the beach you are taken up to the office when you check-in like you would any other hotel- name, regestration, credit card information and they have you sign a waiver in case you get hurt doing something.
Once signed in you go off to your easily found Burre where your luggage is waiting for you.
Many of the families we arrived with had been there before and there was a mass exodus of kids to grab surfboards and jump in before doing anything. We were rookies and thought we should unpack but in retrospect, that could have waited.
Comments on getting there: We arrived two days early. The same company working with Tavarua picked us up, got our luggage and then brought us to the Westin on Denarau Island. Coming there a few days early added some cost to the trip but was worth it. We were able to go into Nadi Town, visits a few places and see some sites in the area. It also allowed us to acclimate to the time change.
3-What to bring and not bring: Clothing/Accessories: Things you’d typically think of for a tropical vacation such as a wide-brimmed hat, flip-flops, shorts, light weight shirts and so on but also, be sure you bring sun screen that is reef safe. I’d probably avoid cotton as it can be muggy and the cotton clothing will start sticking to you pretty good. As an FYI, Hawaii published a list of approved screens plus you can go online to find more. I brought sunscreen from a company in Santa Cruz, CA called Burn Out and it worked perfectly on my face and arms. My wife brought the only reef-safe spray she could find from Alba Botanica but according to Consumer Reports no spray works all that well so if you have fair skin I’d stick to creams and lotions as the sun will get you. Snacks-The food is awesome. There’s a large buffet three times a day that has both meat and vegetarian selections but if you’re hungry in between you’ll have to go to the shop or invade the minifridge in your burre. This will be very expensive so bring tons of extra snacks to eat. They charge a premium for the minifridge contents plus an additional 27% tax so a small thing of oreo cookes will cost you $5 US. Someone told us to bring energy bars, chocolate and anything else that you could eat for snacks so we did and were very happy about it. My kids still raided the fridge unfortunately. You can also ask them to remove the contents of the fridge if you want to avoid having my experience. Alcohol- I don’t drink so I didn’t worry about it but I did see other people with their own bottles of stuff. The bar is not amazingly expensive until you remember the added tax. I wouldn’t bring a case of beer but some Rum or another bottle of your favorite might be of benefit. Cash and Extra expenses-You don’t really need much cash. Everyone takes both and US and Fijian dollars. The conversion rate for us was US $1=F $2.14. Staff tipping of about 10% can be added to your bill at the end. It’s worth every penny-you’ll see. I tipped cash of $100 Fijian to the company who picked me up and hauled my bags and surfboards around for me. They were great. At the pickup/drop off beach there’s some touristy trinkets to buy with cash. They’re inexpensive trinket gifts and for some people it was their only time to get these small things. Lastly, Kava root. They’ll ask you to bring money to buy Kava that will eventually be used in the Ceremony that happens every Thursday. They put ours on our bill as it was easier but initially they wanted it as cash.
Equipment: Surfboards-They have CostCo wave storms and larger soft-tops that are tons of fun to use. Lots of people bring their own boards as well and there are covered racks where everyone can stow their stuff. Bring tropical wax as I think everything else will melt. Bring a few bars as you’ll end up sharing. If you only plan on surfing out in front at KiddieLand then I’d just use their boards and have fun. You can also take them to other breaks but if you’re a hard-core then just bring your own. Snorkeling-they have really nice masks and an assortment of well-cared for fins. I brought my own set and I’m glad I did as I’m used to it but I would have been just as happy to use theirs as well. Plus, its all included in the price so you can use it as long and as often as you’d like. Fishing- The fishing boat driver, Manu, will take you out in the fishing boat whenever you like. They have three or four scheduled per day. We trolled for tuna and skipjack but there’s tons of fish out there. Unless you’re in love with your equipment I’d just use theirs. Manu has some heavy weight rods and reels and a collection of lures appropriate for the fish in the area. We caught tons of skipjacks and others caught tuna. One thing to note- it seems Manu has to pay for the lures himself. One was lost when we caught a large reef shark. He almost got his hand chomped trying to remove the lure and it was only later, once I thought about it, that it seemed odd that he take a large risk for a lure. I’m no fisherman but I know this big lures are expensive so I tried to repay him and he refused me several times but when I insisted that my vacation should not cost him money he quietly accepted. You could see the huge relief on his face. So if you do lose a lure I’d recommend insisting on paying him back. Towels: They have you sign out large beach towels so don’t bring your own. I did bring a small camping chamois towel and used it several times but it wasn’t really needed. Spear Fishing-I didn’t go but should have. I actually brought down a Hawaiian sling to try but it was windy and choppy plus I was in lazy tropical vacation mode so I didn’t go. The life guards went several times and a few are avid hunters. They were more than happy to bring anyone along with them and several other guests went and had a great time. I think they borrowed the spear guns as didn’t see anyone bringing their own and the guests who went were not the Sea-hunting types. 4-Things to do while there: Surf, snorkel, realax and more. The place is famous for Cloudbreak and other amazing surf spots but here’s the list of other things you can do. -Snorkel, spear fish, boat fishing, ping pong, pool, skateboard ramp, tennis court, ½ basket ball court, comb the beach for shells and sea glass, night walking looking for sea snakes (yes it’s safe), night walking looking for turtles, sitting by the pool, sitting at the bar, sitting on the beach, messages at the spa, excursions to Cloud 9-( a crazy wood-fire pizza place sitting on a coral reef miles from shore), SCUBA can be arranged, hiking on Cast Away Island, snorkeling the Sand Bar at low tide, sleep and do-nothing. I surfed Cloudbreak twice before the weather turned too windy. The first day was terrifying, the second more acceptable to us mere mortal surfers. Still, it was an amazing experience. I also surfed in front of the restaurant at Kiddie Land. This was also a ton of fun at the high tides. Other than that the surf was pretty minimal for us but I know there’s tons of breaks all over the island.
5-The People: staff, volunteers and other guests- The staff is what really makes the island special. The surf may be what pulls people there but it’s the staff that has them falling in love with the place. They are all Fijians from the village who owns the island. They live both on the island away from the tourists and then back on the mainland. I’ve traveled all over the world I don’t think I’ve ever met a group of people who were as genuinely and universally nice. When I was staying at the Westin for a few days I thought it was like Disney where they just hire nice people and then train them to be nicer. But after I walked around in Nadi Town and was greeted continuously by strangers and when I received the same hospitalitiy on the island I realized this absolute hospitality is no façade. The staff on the island are mind-blowingly nice. When they welcome you to their home and invite you to make it your home they mean it. It took me a while to believe it but even when I looked for a wrinkle in their ‘act’ I couldn’t find one as it really is no act. The atmosphere the Fijians create permeates the whole place. The volunteer Life Guards are just as helpful and hospitable. I watched one of the lifeguards drop what he was doing on land so he could swim out in Kiddle Land to help a young girl who had tried unsuccessfully to surf. With his encouragement and some gentle pushes into the waves she was up and flying in no time. The glow on her young face as she started catching the waves was awesome! The other guests were awesome. My family and I were actually very quiet and kept to ourselves but everyone we spoke with or spent time with were amazing. It’s like the island infuses the guests with so much positive energy that it brings the best out. That sounds so hoaky but that’s the way it seemed.
6-Dirt under the nails- Although this is an almost perfect place I thought I’d talk about some of the rare tarnishes I found. Some are just a by-product of it being a remote tropical island and some were a weird surprise but I thought I’d put it out there just to offer the complete picture. Bugs-this is not a mosquito-leaden island. In fact they weren’t too bad but they’re there. I brought bands and stickers plus some non-DEET sprays and was fine. They are there though. My daughter and son were bit a few times but we live in a non-bug area of the world so I think they just weren’t used to it. Also, my son woke up to find a spider the size of my hand two inches from his head, we had two other large spiders in the shower and two large cockroaches. Still, not too bad for a tropical location. Non-bug animals- sea snakes are out there and come up on land at night. They are very docile and do not do anything. On swam by my son while he was surfing Cloudbreak. Still, they are a member of the Cobra family and if snakes terrify you then you should know ahead of time you may see one. This is the same for the fruit bats on the island. I personally love bats and think they’re cool but Dracula stories have tainted us against them so they can freak people out. TOT=27% tax on everything you purchase. The store on the island is very nice. It’s pricey as I’m sure it’s expensive to get stuff out there plus you have a captive audience. On top of that they charge a 27% tax on top of the price. So that $45 Tavarua T-shirt will actually cost you $57.15- in US dollars. There are security cameras in various locations. They’re hidden away so it doesn’t seem like you’re spied on. It didn’t even occur to me that they would have them on the island until I accidently walked into the wrong door while looking for the small infirmary. When I opened the door there was a guy at a desk with several monitors on; all with various camera angles of the restaurant and surrounding area. I’m guessing it’s to make sure people are cared for more than for security as there’s no crime on the island but it still felt a bit like an episode of Lost where they suddenly realize that even though they’re on some remote island they’re still being monitored. There is a disparity between the “Haves” and “Have-nots” that’s clearly visible. This is no different than anything else you’d see in other 3rd world country that try to attract wealthy tourists. Still it is very much there. I think there is a massive amount of respect between the management and Fijians and both are happy with the arrangement so it seems to work out well for everyone but it is there. 7-Anything else I can think of: Bring donations!!!!!!! At the Kava Ceremony the Chiefly family will welcome you to their land. It’s a really cool ceremony and although it initially sounded very touristy you’ll quickly learn it’s not. They will talk about the land and their connection, they will thank you for being there and they will also express how your being there helps their whole community. There is a deep sincerity they bring and once it’s over the Fijians stay, eat and then party with everyone. This isn’t some tourist dance where the actors leave once it’s over. As part of the ceremony you get to go before the Chiefly Family and present them with gifts. This will include Kava roots that someone will help you get but it can also include donations of clothing, medical supplies, school supplies and just about anything. They have so little compared to us that anything is welcome. They have very poor health and dental standards so I brought a case of Colgate tooth paste and a hundred tooth brushes but here’s what I also brought: -100 tooth brushes -Case of Colgate tooth paste -100 automatic pencils -Box of pencil erasers -20 stencils for geometry and cartoon drawing -case of crayons -30 coloring books -Large new first aid kit plus a tube of Neosporin -Much of our clothing that we packed (note, our family tradition is to intentionally packs clothing that we’ll ultimately leave as a donation to a local charity. For this trip we left T-shirts, shorts, flip flops, hats, a rain jacket, socks, and new kids underwear) Other families brought variations of this theme and the Fijians were all appreciative. As a final comment I would tell you this is a Bucket List kind of place. I can understand why people return there year after year. It’s expensive but you absolutely get what you pay for and more. I didn’t expect to love it as much I did. Show less
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Date of stay: December 2018
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trip advisor review I’m a detail oriented guy, so this very long review is for those who are like me. If you’re like me, below you’ll find answers to a lot of the questions you have. The staff was friendly and accommodating. They’re laid back, but they seemed genuinely interested in making sure your guest experience is top notch. No stone was left unturned. Every detail was taken care of from the moment we picked up our luggage and saw the transportation guys, to the moment they dropped us back off at the airport on the way out. They were organized, efficient, communicative, accommodating, etc, etc. The Bure’s were clean and comfortable. They cleaned them daily, they cleaned them well, and they cleaned them quickly. I think sheets and towels were changed every 2 days, or on request. The air conditioning worked great, and the patios were very large and had great views. We stayed in Sunrise 2. It had a bigger patio than our friends in the regular Bures, but their patios were pretty large as well. There are only 2 Sunrise suites on the island, located right in front of the indentation in the heart shape of the island, facing N-NE, which was, conveniently, where the boats generally launched from (depending on tide). The Sunrise Bures had two, identical, master bedrooms, each with it’s own bathroom, and then there was a large living room with a twin bed on either side, and a futon-style sofa in the middle. The 2 AC units were in the bedrooms, and the room doors were like wide, sliding closet doors, which allowed for good air flow from the AC units during the day. Each bedroom had a ceiling fan, and there were two ceiling fans in the family room. We were there in mid-October, and AC wasn’t required at night, only during the day. Our Sunrise Bure also had a small bar, with a mini-bar fridge. Sunrise Bure’s are really setup for 2 couples, but you can also book one with a minimum of 3 people, like we did, and then draw straws for who gets which room. We changed rooms every 2 days, so nobody was stuck in the living room for too long. Internet access costs extra, and I’m told that not all Bure’s get a signal. The common areas get the strongest signal. We got the family plan, for 4 devices, and the 3 devices we hooked up to it got a signal from our Bure without issue, even though our Bure was pretty far from the common areas. Electricity is 240V (if you still call it 220V, it’s the same thing), and requires an adapter if you’re from the US. You can buy adapters on Amazon.com, in bulk, super cheap. I think they have them in the office if you forget. Just be sure to only plug in devices that specifically say they can accept 240V, or you’ll regret it. We heard that alcoholic drinks could become a pretty large trip expense, since they’re not included, and they’re not cheap once you’re on the island, so we stopped at one of the two duty free stores right there where you pick up your luggage and bought some of their local rum (Bounty) and beer (Fiji Bitter), which we put in the mini-bar fridge after we checked in (pack a bottle opener). You can’t miss the duty free stores. They’re right in front of baggage claim. I recommend sticking with the local products. Imports are of low quality and they’re expensive. Selection is very limited, and if you plan to stock up like we did, be prepared to give the first names of the people traveling with you, because there’s a restriction on how much alcohol one person can buy at duty free. You could probably just make the names up. It’s just a store clerk taking them down, and I was just randomly pointing into the crowd. She wasn’t checking IDs or anything. The resort food was good, and it was healthy as well. You can go strict Paleo or even strict Vegetarian, without issue, just by being selective. It’s served buffet style, only you hold your plate out and the ladies serve you whatever you point at. You can get seconds, and I guess they want you to use the same plate, because that’s what everyone did. We all gained weight, even though we surfed between 6 and 7 hours per day. I guess that means we all liked what we were eating. Meals are served on a schedule, but if you miss a meal time because you’re out surfing, no worries, the boat driver will just call in and have them save you a plate. You don’t need to ask. They just do that. I watched him count heads, and call it in. Anyway, we really never skipped a meal. We probably should have. The mini bar fridge has the big Fiji waters in it, cheap beer, cheap wine, soda, etc. It’s restocked daily, and they will charge you. We each bought 1 bottle of the Fiji water, and we would refill our bottles at the restaurant’s “bus station”, which is right next to the start of the buffet. If you can’t find it, just ask. They encourage you to drink their filtered water. Don’t drink the room tap water! They even sell bottles you can refill in the gift shop. If you’re lazy, you can ask them to fill your bottles for you. Alternatively, you can fill up from the pitcher of water at each table during meal time. They’re very good at keeping those pitchers and your glasses full so you stay hydrated. Bring a day bag for your surfboard or it will get dinged on the boat. Bring a waterproof “drybag” for your gear or it will get soaked, and bring a waterproof wind breaker or rain jacket for the boat rides or you will get cold. Bring reef booties for the small days or you will get reef cuts, and bring a liquid bandage like “new-skin” in case you do get cut. I recommend using a brand new leash for the trip, and even think about using two leash strings on it. If you lose your board at any good break there, you’ll be in a world of hurt. We only ever got to surf cloudbreak, which is a great wave, so no complaints there. It ranged from maybe 10 to 12 foot faces (California feet ) the Saturday we got in, down to maybe 3 to 4 foot faces by Thursday morning, then too flat to surf by Friday. The other breaks either had unfavorable winds, or were just too small for our liking. Cloudbreak boats leave on a schedule (be there on time!), but with 3 people you can get your own boat, and leave on your own schedule. If you take a scheduled boat, their rule of thumb for how long you stay out there is that they will start rounding people up when half of those who came have paddled back to the boat. Depending on who goes, that can be a while. If you want your own boat, you have to arrange it in advance, but they seemed to be able to fetch a boat on the fly within 15 to 20 minutes, which we found out when we missed the scheduled boat one day, and they had to fetch a new boat for us. If it’s pre-dawn you’re targeting, you’ll want to talk to the guys at the boat house the day before. I recommend getting 3 surfers onboard for a pre-dawn boat to get to cloudbreak before everyone else gets there. They’ll hook you up if you ask, and you can actually surf perfect waves almost alone for like 45 minutes that way! Be sure to ask for a “lifeguard” (aka boatman), which is just an experienced surf guide who surfs with you and gives you pointers and stuff. The good breaks require a lifeguard to come with you. They’ll only take you to the beginner breaks without one onboard. Oh, and for those early morning sessions, they do put out food in the dining area. It’s not a full breakfast, but there’s at least some cereal and yogurt to fuel up on before you go. Alternatively, you can grab some apples and oranges from lunchtime the day before, and stash them in your surf bag for dawn-patrol breakfast. That’s what I did, since cereal and yogurt are restricted on my diet. The snorkeling equipment is of pretty good quality, and they had every size fin. The stand up paddle boards and kayaks are also of good quality. Usage is included, and they never seemed to run out. You just give your name and your Bure number. I think next time I’ll bring my own snorkel though. I don’t like the idea of using a loaner snorkel. Enjoy!
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Date of stay: October 2016
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taverua is now my favorite place on earth. The people were wonderful, the food was great and there was planty to do for a non-surfer. My wife and I renewed our wedding vows while out there and the island management jumped through hoops to make it a life-time memory. All for just a few extra bucks, no big cost. I can't say enough great things about Taverua....and the surfers were mentioning that there were only 2-3 more guys on the wave since it was opened up to everybody, so thats cool. You stay out for a week and make many good friends. If you go, say hello to Eddie...he works there and he's just great!
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Date of stay: March 2012
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Tavarua Island area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
tavarua island hotel tavarua island
LOCATION
FijiTavarua Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
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