Fodor's Expert Review J. Hunter Pearl Farm

Savusavu-born Justin Hunter, whose father was American, studied marine biology and worked in the United States before returning to start this pearl farm in 2000. Oysters are carefully implanted with mussel tissue that forms the core of the future pearl. They are then attached to ropes dangling down into Savusavu Bay where they grow and, twice a year, are harvested. A tour of the farm begins with a presentation on the history of cultured pearls at the J. Hunter Pearls office. You can take a glass-bottom boat out to see the undersea farm and possibly go for a snorkel. During harvesting months, you can see the pearl implanting and harvesting process. The tour concludes in the company's large showroom, where gold, black, and a variety of pastel-hued pearls are for sale.