Fiji/Plantation Island trip report
 

My husband and I and our 17 and 19 year old boys just got back from a week at Plantation Island, Fiji. While we do not normally stay at resorts, in Fiji it looks to be the only way to go. Plantation Island is large, but was only about 30% full when we arrived so we practically had the place to ourselves until a couple of days before we left, when Australian families descended in droves because school was out. It is much nicer when it isn't crowded. We chose it because it got good reviews from a friend with teenage boys and is close to good surf. Our bure, #203, was probably one of the best at PI. It is located on the quieter side of the resort, is close to the pier and the reef as well as the main building, but it felt far away and was just a few steps from the beach. We loved being greeted upon arrival on the dock by the staff singing the Fijian welcome song, everyone was friendly, the bure was perfect for us both in size and furnishings, including a small refrigerator and breakfast beverage bar. The bathroom needed renovating, but all in all accomodations were fine - the location made up for anything lacking. The beach is amazingly beautiful and there were plenty of activities to please everyone but we focused on surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving, although the boys wakeboarded and we did some kayaking. The food was mediocre. It would have been nice to have more variety. We did get a two meal plan for us and a three meal plan for the kids, but if we were to do it again we would either buy off the menu or just get the breakfast and dinner plan. One of the benefits of staying at PI is that you can hang out at their sister hotel - Raffles - right across from the airport at Nadi, before your flight home so we ended up dumping our bags at Raffles, taking a taxi for F$12 into Nadi for lunch at Saffron and shopping at Jack's and the grocery store and then back to Raffles where the kids hung out at the pool and jacuzzi for a couple of hours and we relaxed in the outdoor bar. It takes 2 minutes to get to the airport so it makes it very stress-free. We loved Fiji and would definitely go back again, but would not stay at Plantation Island just because it is a better resort for families with younger chlidren and is too large for us. Instead, we would spend 2 weeks there, with one week on one island and one week on another. A note about Jack's, the prices there were less than the hotel and the local gift shop which surprised us, and the staff was extremely helpful. By shopping there we avoided the strong sell tactics used by independent merchants in town. The grocery store across the street was great for souvenirs as well.

Fiji time!

Thanks for the report, pmccallum.

We'll be in Fiji next month, as a stopover between the US and Australia. Did you visit any other islands? We'll be staying on Taveuni Island 4 nights and on Denarau Island 1 night. During our day on Denarau we'll be taking a boat trip to Treasure Island... just curious if you visited Treasure?

Also, how warm was the water for diving? What mm wetsuit did you use?

Thank you!

Carole

Lucky you, cawhite! We didn't visit any other islands, but next time we will. I think that's a better way to see Fiji. The water was chilly enough that on their second and third dives my 3 men wore very lightweight spring suits (short/short offered by the dive shop) but just rash guards surfing. Their first dive they wore only rash guards and that was ok but they were more comfortable with the suits. As for snorkeling, the water was toasty - even for me! We did not go to Treasure Island but did have a longer-than-expected stop in Denarau at the cat landing and there were many good options for dining out (great pizza at Mama's - who would think?). Please report on Taveuni Island. I'm thinking that might be a stop next trip. Have a GREAT time.

Thanks for the info., pmccallum... yes, we'll report back when we return!