Choosing accommodation for a trip can be difficult on the mainland, let alone when choosing accommodation on an island. How do you get there? Will everything on the island be more expensive than mainland hotels? Will there be enough to do there? These are all questions we consider before deciding where to stay. Last time we visited Fiji in January 2020 we visited the Yasawa Islands and fell in love. We knew that when planning our trip to Fiji in 2021 we wanted to go back to the group of islands but to a different resort. That is how we came across the all-inclusive Turtle Island. We already knew before our stay that we were not going to regret our choice!
Even before we arrived, we received a document to fill in. Questions included ‘which type of wines/beers would we like to have stocked in our mini bar?’, ‘what drink would we like on arrival?’, ‘would we like sweet or savoury afternoon snacks’ and ‘which activities interest us the most during our stay?’. Needless to say, we were filled with excitement even before we arrived!
Where is Turtle Island and how do you get there?
Turtle Island is located in the centre of the Yasawa Islands archipelago. The resort is spread across 500 acres and with only 14 bures, it will feel at times as if you have the island to yourself.
Once you arrive in Nadi, you will meet a staff member at the Turtle Island office located in Nadi Airport. From there you will be whisked to your transfer to the island which is either by seaplane, helicopter or by boat. The transfers are at an additional cost to the all-inclusive resort. As well, the service at Turtle Island is incredible. If your transfer is a few hours after your arrival to Nadi, you will be taken to their accommodation base in Nadi which you can use to freshen up.
We arrived to Turtle Island from another resort which meant the easiest option for us was to take an inter-island transfer via boat. Unfortunately, the seas were a bit rough so if considering a trip to Turtle Island it is worth keeping in mind that the seaplane and helicopter options are a more comfortable way to travel. Besides the views will be epic!
Arriving to Turtle Island and our accommodation
Once you arrive at the jetty on Turtle Island you will be greeted with a refreshing beverage before being shown around the main parts of the resort. As mentioned above, prior to arrival you will be asked what refreshment you would like. I opted for a margarita while Olly chose coconut water (I have to add it was the cutest coconut ever!). All guests on the island will meet their Bure Mama who are with guests throughout the duration of their stay. Our Bure Mama Elle was a champion! She was so friendly and helped to ensure our experience at Turtle Island was unforgettable.
Mama Elle showed us around the resort before taking us to our room. In the main part of the resort, you will find a dining and lounge area, the spa and sports centre. Besides a few meals we didn’t spend much time in the communal area. With an island spanning 500 acres, there is so much more exploring to be done!
The resort has a total of 14 bures, with 12 of these being Grand Beachfront Villas. Inside each of the rooms, there is an expansive lounge area, kitchen, king-size bedroom and spacious bathroom. Some of our favourite parts of our room included the fully-stocked fridge (can you tell we love our food and drinks haha) as well as our private jacuzzi which was the perfect place to unwind at the end of the day. We were also amazed to find 2 toilets next to each other (separated by a wall of course!!) and 2 showerheads. There is no detail that has been spared in the design of the rooms. All of the items in the rooms including the bed frame, tables and chairs are built and designed in the woodworking shop on the island.
Outside of each of the rooms is a private patio area with 2 deck chairs and a double lounge bed. We had a plaque with ‘Kate and Olly’ hung on the outside of our bure which at the end of our trip we were able to take home. Little details like this did not go unnoticed and we continued to discover small things like this which made our stay one of a kind.
The Turtle Island Experience
Most tourists come to Fiji to totally relax. A stay at Turtle Island can be as busy or quiet as you like. We would have been happy spending each day on the main beach as it is spectacular but the activities on offer kept us quite busy! From private beach picnics to snorkelling trips and sunrise horse rides, there is something for everyone. As an all-inclusive resort, all activities are included (apart from a few). With 12 private beaches to visit, guests can organise with their Bure Mama to be taken to one of them for a day, either by boat or golf cart. No other guests can visit the beach you going to so you have it to yourself. We visited Shell and Long Beach but our favourite was Devils Beach. With snorkelling directly off the beach and a private hut where we enjoyed lunch, every moment was magical.
Another unmissable part of Turtle Island is Cliff Point, home to the only pool on the island. As per the private beaches, you can organise a private visit. We had lunch there on day one and we were mind blown. On arrival, the salt-water pool is hidden as it sits just over the lip of the cliff overlooking the ocean. We wished we filmed our reactions when we saw the pool as it is insane!!! Safe to say we spent from 2 pm – 7 pm at Cliff Point! All guests receive a walkie-talkie throughout their stay which makes ordering extra drinks/food to these remote locations simple. As we didn’t know how long we would spend at Cliff Point we ended up ordering some extra rose and Fiji bitters (one of the Fijian beers) and it arrived in an esky within a short time. 10/10 service!
For our final meal, we chose to have dinner on one of the two floating pontoons. This is a must – it was our first time dining on a pontoon. Safe to stay we would love to do it again! Our dinner out on the pontoon (like most other meals) included canapes, an entree which was pumpkin soup and stuffed deep-fried chicken with roast vegetables and mash potato. Oh, and of course dessert! Most dinner meals are served in one of the private locations, however, there are a few group dinners. The two we experienced were Mongolian night and Fijian night. On the Mongolian night, we were able to choose from a selection of fresh ingredients which were prepared on the wok in front of us. All ingredients are grown or sourced on the island. It was amazing to witness the high quality of farm-to-table food which we were served daily.
In Summary
The motto for Turtle Island is ‘once discovered, never forgotten’. We can honestly say, this motto speaks truth. Having been to a lot of hotels and resorts around the world, we truly believe the special location and level of service at Turtle Island is something special. All staff know your name and your Bure Mama takes such care of you. While the price point is far from cheap – you need to keep in mind it is all inclusive. All meals, drinks, private beach days, snorkelling trips, horse riding, fishing etc are included in the price! Once you arrive there is no signing of any bills – making it a care free holiday!
For more ideas on your trip to Fiji, check out our other Blogs.
*Turtle Island is part of the Care-Fiji program, meaning all staff are 100% vaccinated*
