We’ve seen the ‘real’ side of Fiji – a first hand look at cultural traditions and the hustle & bustle of the city. But we were also eager to get a glimpse of the postcard perfect tropical islands to do some swimming & snorkeling. We were able to book a day trip for a cruise around the Mamanuca Islands with a few hours at the Malolo Island Resort.
The day started bright and early with a van ride from Lautoka to the airport gateway bus stop. Our charter company sent a bus to collect us and drop us at the Denarau Marina. We boarded the ship and set out onto the sea!
The boat cruised through the islands, stopping to let passengers off at different resorts or pick up vacationers who needed to catch a flight back home. The electric blue water lapped at the sandy beaches of these little islands and looked just like all the postcards you see.
A charter boat is the only way to reach the majority of the outer islands in Fiji (save a private helicopter ride). It was fun to watch luggage being thrown on and off the cruiser into a little boat. I would be nervous if those were my bags!
Our stop was Malolo Island where we could snorkel and eat lunch at the resort. The over-water rooms you see to the left of the picture below are the only over-water accommodation in all of Fiji.
We were greeted with necklaces and tropical fruit juice as we got off the boat, then it was off to the beach!
You can just make out Drew in the water doing more snorkeling. He could have stayed out there all day! The fish in the reef were unbelievable – schools of electric blue fish hovering together over bright yellow coral. Striped fish, spotted fish, bright blue starfish. Drew would follow fish further down the reef, only to look up and realize he was 20 feet below the surface!
Mark that off our 30 before 30 list!
View many more pics from our experience in beautiful Fiji on Facebook!
