Makaira Resort

Located up a hill, overlooking the sea. To get to the beach, you have to cross a road. The lovely cabins are spread out in the garden and you have total privacy in your room and on your terrace. Wifi is available - what a treat to be connected to the outside world. Meals are served upon request and are delicious. It would be nice however, for the price they charge, to have breakfast included.

5 - 12, August 2024 This was our first trip to Fiji. Choosing the Taveuni Island and Makaira Resort was our good fortune and serendipitous. How so? We started our trip in Suva, the capital of Fiji. My husband enjoys exploring cities with a mix of history and grit. And because it rained a lot during our short visit, it was a perfect soft landing to acclimate to a new time zone. We’d crossed the international date line and lost a day as a result. We were pooped. While in Suva we explored the Fiji Museum (price increased from 5 to 20 FJD while we were there). I wandered through the museum and discovered a video playing and a woman was talking about Taveuni Island and her passion, “coral gardening.” Her spirit resonated. I prefer making travel arrangements when I’m on the ground. Live in the moment. Free to be inspired. I would learn her name, Roberta Davis and that she owned a resort on the island. Decision made. Taveuni and the Makaira Resort would be our next destination. Makaira Resort: Bula! It’s time to adjust your mindset to “Fiji Time.” Minutes from the TVU-Matei airport. We stayed in the Ocean View Villa for 1-week. There are four private bures (cottages) perched on a hillside overlooking the ocean. The views from the property are stellar. The ocean, sunsets, abundant stars and fresh air are all there, just for you. There is a beach and inshore reefs to explore below. Snorkel gear is provided. Breakfast is included. A delicious start to your day. This is where you’ll meet fellow guests, get acquainted and interact. The dining room overlooks the sea. Dinner is offered for an additional fee. The best bananas I’ve ever eaten. Fresh fish for dinner. Mere’s kindness, beautiful smile, knowledgeable guidance and traditional Fijian massages set the tone. You will be well taken care of by everyone. We thank you Mere (Mary), Nadtha, Laisa, Maina, Naca and Neumi as well as Pio and all of those who’s names we didn’t know. Your attentive kindnesses comforted us. Thank you Roberta. It’s clear that your home is our home. The warmth was felt at every turn and we thank you. The Island: Every characteristic of Fijian scenery is found on Taveuni, lush with tropical trees and fresh organic fruits and vegetables. Island people have a special affinity with the sea. It’s the best region in Fiji for diving, snorkeling and fishing. The Rainbow Reef is filled with colorful soft coral. It’s breathtaking and rated one of the top 5 in the world. Abundant plant life and birds which includes several species found only on the island. Waterfalls, rainforests & hiking. It’s all here depending on your interests. It’s far from civilization and remains unspoiled. The combination of friendly locals and incredible beauty make Taveuni a must-see. You know how you get an idea in your head? Mine was to one day visit Fiji and stay in an overwater bungalow. The travel sites are quite seductive but is that the authentic Fiji experience? I quickly realized that the islands that

There are 4 accommodation options, each is pretty far from another one, thus it is very quite, unless it is a party at the beach restaurant. There are 3 minutes walk downhill to the beach and a pretty good reef for snorkeling, but only at high and mid- tide. The breakfast was great with many options. Don't miss the dinners cooked by Mary- it was the best food we tasted on Taveuni island. Both land trips and water activities were easily booked by Mary. However, the nearby diving centre was pretty booked out (book in advance) and it is a bit of a way to Rainbow reef. I was glad that I did diving with Taveuni Dive Resort before coming to Makaira. However, Makaira is better for the night life and closer for land tours. We enjoyed our 4-nights there very much.

The reef around Makaira is great and we had some wonderful snorkeling. The resort is VERY intimate- there are only 4 rooms. Because of this, the staff know you personally and the experience felt like staying with a family. Mere was so welcoming and friendly. She personally packed us a lunch to take with us hiking. We struggled a bit with the facilities and amenities- there was no hot water in our room but they let us stay in a nicer unit. They advertised a glass bottom kayak but apparently it was stolen so we didn’t get to use it. The Wi-Fi was very spotty. Also be aware that because the staff is so small there were times (especially on Sunday) when it was difficult to find any staff if you need something. However when the staff was there they were accommodating and sweet. I read reviews before our stay that the climb up the driveway to the resort (which you have to walk to get to the beach and restaurants) was very difficult and inconvenient but we found it perfectly manageable and worth the view.

I live in Hawaii and love coming to Fiji for many reasons. The weather is perfect sun, quick showers and panoramas of indescribable beauty. The people we have met here are extremely friendly and relaxed in happy attitudes. The Bures are all strategically placed to provide for privacy and views. Simply decorated and immaculately clean. The staff magically appears for daily cleaning, linen exchanges, emptying trash, replenishing floral arrangements and so much more. Always remembering our names and genuinely asking if everything is ok, and can they do anything more. The restraunts in Fiji are not known for gourmet dining. Makaira is much better than gourmet and cannot be described any other way. Polynesian delicacies are a wonderful surprise with many meals. Fruits, vegetables, seafood are all immaculately prepared by Mere and her assistant chef Vika. All locally sourced including fish that I have caught on the charters arranged by Roberta and Mere with Makaira Sportfishing Charters. No doubt about “fresh”.lol The beaches at the end of the driveway are true South Pacific quality to enjoy. Clear water. Great snorkeling. Good enough for Prince Charles…(soon the King of England..lol) My wife and I will return again next year. Duh! Bill and Susan, Maui

Wow, where do we start? The hospitality is unlike anything we have experienced. Mere, Laisa, Myra & Sipi are 5 star hosts. Mere is the manager, chef, travel agent, pharmacist, town tour guide, the best masseur and like a mum! Her team were warm, friendly and gentle. They made us a fresh cooked breakfast every morning, always with organic fruits from Makaira’s garden and while we ate they reset and cleaned the room daily - check the view in the photos. Dinner here at night is magic, all local produce. Request the avocado salad dressing! Passionfruit syrup and pineapple jam too. We had a request to try lobster, as we can’t get it where we are from. It was served to us on the garden swing at sunset. Just divine!!! Seepi and the crew let experience kava at night and it was just so lovely exchanging stories from Fiji in contrast to our life in the desert. Makaria has literally the best view on the island and the restaurant overlooks it Rooms are very clean, stocked with clean bathroom & beach towels and linen, daily Each bungalow has a private dipping pool and deck chairs BYO alcohol, on the deck chairs, so good! Comfy bed Close to other places for lunch and a great bar just a 5 minute walk away - so is the beach Supermarket near the airport is under $10 FJD return, all the things you need for a holiday Mary helped us with any request e.g she organised hire & snorkelling. Car hire was $100 FJD (approx $70au a day) The Rainbow Reef snorkelling or dive is a MUST. Mind blown, one of the best things to ever be experienced. The little gecko and lizards that visited our kitchen were so entertaining. I realised they eat crumbs of biscuits which was such a treat to sit quietly and watch in the morning. Note: we travelled through the villages in the hire car to the waterfalls (recommended!). The money for entry goes towards the school and resources. If you can spare more cash when you get there, it might be a nice way to add some additional help to the community. Also recommend you consider how the owners of the accommodation treat their staff, spend your dollars ethically where you can :)