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About
5.0
#1 of 2 resorts in Nacula Island
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Located in the remote Yasawa Islands, Oarsman’s Bay Lodge is situated on a stunningly pristine beach that stretches for miles. Fringed by the magnificent turquoise waters of the lagoon and beautiful high peaked hills reigning over the background, this is one of Yasawa's most magnificent locations. Here you will have the opportunity to sink your feet into one of Fiji’s most glorious white sand beaches, relax in the outdoor restaurant and bar, lounge in one of the hammocks scattered, swim and snorkel in the protected marine area and even join in a game of volleyball with friendly Fijian staff. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more idyllic location.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
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Nestled in a tranquil location, Oarsman's Bay Lodge garners applause for its impeccable service, with staff members providing a familial welcome that caters to guests' needs, including special diets. The lodge's rooms, celebrated for their cleanliness and space, offer privacy, although opinions vary on their decor and ventilation.
The array of amenities, especially the spa services and available activities, receives high marks. While the lodge's remote beauty captivates many, views on value for money are mixed, and the atmosphere's charm is occasionally seen as outdated.
Location
Remote
Atmosphere
Welcoming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Pristine
Service
Warm
Amenities
Comprehensive
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Oarsman's Bay Lodge was our honeymoon destination 7 months ago and we can't get over it yet. Not only the location in the beautiful Yasawa Islands is perfect because of how secluded, pristine, and almost untouched the islands are, but the management at Oarsman is unforgettable. Having worked in hospitality for years, I can assure they meet the best standards of hospitality and management in the industry. We were looking for a place where we could feel disconnected from the world and connected to nature, culture and each other, well Oarsman offers that and more.
Our bure was immaculately clean and beautifully decorated, aside of the privacy feel our bure had everything we needed to make it feel like home. The outdoor shower was always a treat. We found ourselves taking several showers a day just to enjoy the warm water under the open air!
The beach is beautiful and clean with top grade snorkeling right at your doorstep. We spent hours walking the beach and swimming at our leisure.
The excursions were worth every penny. We took several excursions and we can't say which one was the best because we enjoyed them all so much for such different reasons.
First, we indulged in the private Honeymoon Island where we snorkeled and had a fantastic picnic lunch all to ourselves.
Second, we visited the small village on Nacula and spent quality time with the locals. Their beautiful village and accompanying school yard were a real treat and we were so grateful to see the local way of life.
Third, we took a guided hike to the top of the hill at sunrise and watched the world awaken in paradise. It was truly breathtaking and one of the highlights of our entire trip.
Fourth, we took a private trip to a nearby reef to do some free diving. We were all alone with our boat driver, Abu, while we dove 40-60 feet in crystal clear water surrounded by an abundance of sea life.
Fifth, we went went snorkeling through the Blue Lagoon caves. I would say this is a must as well because it is an experience unlike anything we have ever done.
With all those excursions and trips we never felt rushed or like we didn't have time to just relax and enjoy ourselves. Every night we had a delicious home cooked meal of local foods and pastries. We couldn't believe the complexity of the flavors and the impressive quality of the dishes. The chef and kitchen staff are true professionals and pride themselves on delivering high quality and unique dishes to the guests. We enjoyed every single bite of our food over our 6 day trip.
It should also be noted that the staff make this more than just a vacation. They go out of their way to make you feel at home and were very accommodating. When we left to return to the States, it felt like we were saying goodbye to dear, old friends.
We could not imagine a better way to spend our honeymoon. We tell all of our friends and family that if they ever go to Fiji, that Oarsman's Bay is the only place to stay.
Thank you Oarsman's and we can't wait to see you again (hopefully soon)!
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Best views, staff and grounds
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Mereisi Togakai, Guest Services / Front Office at Oarsman's Bay Lodge
Responded Feb 28, 2023
Bula! Bula! Pia, Great to hear from you and thank you so much for allowing us the opportunity, to be one of the selected destinations for your special occasion. The team are all delighted that Oarsman's, was made to be a part of a milestone event in your lives. We are even happier to read that you thoroughly enjoyed your stay and your experience at the lodge lived up to your expectations. We, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule's to share your Oarsman's experience with us and on this platform, this is greatly appreciated. Pia, from the team it is never a goodbye, when we welcomed you on your arrival, you instantly became part of the Oarsman's tribe and so as spoken to all our guests on the day of departure "Sota Tale". "Vina Du Riki and Sota Tale." Thank you and till we meet again. From the Oarsman's Bay Lodge Team.
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Fabulous resort for a vacation. We were a three generation family of six and had the best holiday ever. We were welcomed island style with song on our arrival. The staff went above and beyond to make our stay thoroughly enjoyable for the entire time. Nothing was too much trouble. Our stay came with a compulsory meal plan. Breakfast was buffet style - homemade breads, hard boiled eggs, bacon or sausages, fresh fruit, porridge and cereals. Juice, tea and coffee. Lunch was a delicious cooked meal and dinner was a three course meal consisting of a different soup every day and a choice of two mains plus dessert.The food was island style and beautifully presented. Also freshly made cake was served at 4pm for afternoon tea everyday. We certainly didn’t go hungry. Our Ocean View bure was lovely and clean and came with a king size bed plus optional single bed; outdoor shower for rinsing off; indoor open air shower with shampoo, conditioner and body wash all supplied; plenty of hot water; verandah with outdoor seating to enjoy the view and a hammock to relax in. Towels and swimming towels all supplied. There were daily activities to enjoy - some free and some charged for. Free use of gear for snorkeling, paddle boarding and kayaking all provided. The sea was crystal clear and lovely and warm to swim in, with the coral reef accessible from the beach. The tropical gardens are beautiful and well maintained. A very relaxing and enjoyable time was had by all of us. We were all very well taken care of and the staff made us all feel special. A huge heart felt thank you to all. Vinaka❣️
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Date of stay: July 2022
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dean Swaagman, Owner at Oarsman's Bay Lodge
Responded Aug 23, 2022
Bula Pkaboo17, Thank you for the time and effort you have taken to post this awesome review on this platform and to share your experience with us. Please note that this review has been shared with the whole team and it has been a real morale boost for our beautiful amazing team here at Oarsman's Bay Lodge. Pkaboo17, the parting words to all of our guests is "Sota Tale" and it is our hope that we will have the opportunity to welcome you back to our beautiful shores in the near future. Take care and vina du riki. From the Oarsman's Bay Lodge Team.
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A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
If you want a peaceful, quiet and private setting book Oarsman. Rooms don’t have Tv which is great as guests get to go out and enjoy the sea, sand and sun. The beachside bures are clean and spacious and have a ceiling fan and air conditioning. Meals are simple and lovely. They offer Coffee, tea and cake for afternoon tea. Filtered water is available 24 /7. Cave trip is a must, snorkelling is great and there are other activities to keep you occupied. Maybe a small spa ( relaxing massage) set up would be good to add. Depending on your budget you can take the ferry from Denarau (5hrs) or chopper (40 min) to get to the lodge. Sivo, the lady who looks after reservations (emailbookings@oarsmansbaylodgefiji.com) was quick to respond to queries and pricing information. The staff at the lodge are very friendly and helpful. In summary; relaxing, simple, authentic Fiji experience.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Mereisi Togakai, Guest Services / Front Office at Oarsman's Bay Lodge
Responded Dec 31, 2022
Cola Vina Philip, Happy New Year! First and foremost, we would like to thank you for choosing Oarsman's Bay Lodge as your getaway destination and for taking the time to share your experience with us. The whole team has had the opportunity to read your review and we are delighted, as it seems from your feedback that you both enjoyed your stay. We thank you for your advice on the small spa and this is something that we are currently working on. Philip and Loata, you were amazing guests, and we thank you again for allowing us to be hosts to you both, please take care and we hope to welcome you back in the near future. Vina Du Riki and Sota Tale. From the Team of Oarsman's Bay Lodge.
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We were looking for a relaxing, chilled out holiday were nature was at its best and did we choose the destination for that. From the moment we started booking to the time we arrived back in Port Denarau our stay was truly AMAZING! The beautiful Oarsman team truly took care of our every need and were genuinely friendly and they really wanted you to experience their place in the world. Our bure was very clean and so well maintained during our 9 night stay, we could take 20 steps and we were in specular water for swimming or snorkeling (out of this world!), the beach was beautiful and safe. The chefs at Oarsman do a fantastic job of providing delicious, fresh food everyday - we enjoyed local fish daily, as well as fruit, fresh cakes, bread and other Fijian delights. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy if that is what you are after, and while we enjoyed the Caves, Church service & hand line fishing, we really took it upon ourselves to relax and enjoyed the bay often snorkeling three or four times a day. Over the 10 days we really enjoyed our interactions with all of the team at Oarsman, and a special mention those that made our stay very, very special.
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Date of stay: July 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dean Swaagman, Owner at Oarsman's Bay Lodge
Responded Aug 26, 2022
Bula! Wendy, We hope this response finds you both in good health. First and foremost thank you so much for being amazing guests and for staying with us. The team is delighted that you both thoroughly enjoyed your stay and we hope to welcome you back in the very near future. See you both very soon, " Sota Tale" and take care. Vina Du Riki. From the Team at Oarsman's Bay Lodge.
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After researching across islands and debating where was best for me and my friend to stay I'm so glad this is where we went! We also stayed at Octopus Resort and preferred Oarsman!
It's a total 10/10. The rooms are pristinely clean and gorgeous, with air con and lots of breeze through the slatted windows. The Ocean View Bure is perfect - about 10 steps to the ocean and you get your own designated lounge chairs up closer to the water. The views are stunning.
The staff are really welcoming and the food is lovely - buffet breakfast, a choice of 2 options for lunch, and a set dinner with three courses. They accomodated different guest food needs too.
The atmosphere is quiet and chill with only a handful of other guests when we were there. It didn't have any of that yucky/cheesy resort feel to it which we really appreciated. I would call it a boutique resort best suited to 30+ year olds.
The beach is white sand with palm trees and easy and safe to swim in at any time.
Stay here!
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Date of stay: November 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Mereisi Togakai, Guest Services / Front Office at Oarsman's Bay Lodge
Responded Dec 31, 2022
Bula 622catz, Happy New Year. Thank you for being awesome guests and we are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay at Oarsman's Bay Lodge. We appreciate the time and effort you have taken to share your Oarsman's experience with our team and others on this platform. The team are so delighted that they made your stay welcome and enjoyable. 622catz, please take care and we do hope that you will return to our beautiful location sometime in the future. Vina DuRiki and Sota Tale. Thank you and till we meet again.
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My wife and I enjoyed our honeymoon at the Oarsmans Bay Lodge in April 2022. We cannot recommend this place highly enough for couples and those seeking a quiet retreat from the world. The staff were exceptional, and made our trip very special. Dean and Merisi oversee a smooth operation, and have the flexibility and passion to solve any problem you might have on your trip.
Older reviews might note a significant amount of fish being cooked for the meals - this is absolutely no longer the case, with a wide variety of delicious options being prepared daily. My wife's vegetarianism was accommodated without issue. A lot of the food is locally sourced, either from the reef surrounding the island, or from the small farm behind the accommodation.
With uninterrupted beachfront views, a reef full of life only metres from the shoreline, and a wide variety of daily activities, this is a great option for adult travellers.
The resort is located in one of the remote parts of the Yasawas, and if the option was available we would have taken the seaplane to and from the island. The "Yasawa Flyer", while taking some time to reach the island, is a very comfortable way to get there.
Highly recommended, a truly Fijian experience!!
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dean Swaagman, Owner at Oarsman's Bay Lodge
Responded May 29, 2022
Bula Matt and Megan, First of all, thank you for being amazing guests and for choosing Oarsman's Bay Lodge to be your honeymoon destination. We love the fact that you have taken the time out of your busy schedules to share your Oarsman's experience with the team and others on this platform. It sounds like you thoroughly enjoyed your stay - as rightly mentioned the lodge is small and this allows for a more intimate, genuine Fijian, personalized getaway whether this experience is shared by you and your fellow traveler or with other guests. Thank you, Megan, for your wonderful feedback for Chef Jolami and his team on the re-opening vegetarian menu roll-out and we miss your eagerness to know what is the next dish. Matthew and Megan, we hope that we will have another opportunity to welcome you both back to our beautiful location in the not too distant future. Vina Du Riki and Sota Tale. Thank you and till we meet again. The Oarsman's Bay Lodge Team.
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It’s hard to say anything negative about this place. Beautiful beach, comfortable bure, and super friendly staff. The location on the Oarsman Bay beach is stunning, one of the nicest beaches in the Yasawas with great snorkelling right off the beach. There are only about 10 bures at the resort, so it definitely feels very low-key and homey. Our beachfront bure was bright and airy with louvered and screened windows on all sides. We had the added luxury of an AC unit as well as a ceiling fan. We could step right out to our door and 10m to the beach! The food was excellent as well. All our meals were very nicely prepared with fresh local ingredients. Delicious! However a bit on the small side, especially for those doing lots of physical activities. There is decent free Wifi in the restaurant/bar but it doesn't extend to the bures. All the usual activities are available, including an excursion out to the limestone caves (recommended). Also, for those feeling like some exercise, there are numerous decent hiking trails heading up into the hills behind the resort leading to great lookout points and to other beaches and villages. We hiked about 19km over 2 days. One of the best aspects of our stay was the friendly and helpful staff – they really made us feel welcome, like family. It was really sad leaving!! We loved this place and would highly recommend it to other travelers. Hopefully we’ll be back someday.
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Date of stay: May 2022
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Mereisi Togakai, Other at Oarsman's Bay Lodge
Responded Sep 1, 2022
Cola Vina (good -day) Dan068, Thank you so much for this in-depth review and positive feedback on your recent Oarsman's stay and experience. We hope that this response finds you in good health and that all of your travels was as positive as your stay with us. The team, are delighted that we were able to assist in your stay and it sounds as though you thoroughly enjoyed all the Lodge has to offer. We have noted your feedback on the food and this has been passed onto to Chef Joka and his fantastic local team, so thank you for your advice. Dan068, thank you once again and we also hope that we will have the opportunity to welcome you back to Fiji and Oarsman's Bay Lodge. Vina Du Riki and Sota Tale. Thank you and till we meet again. From the Team of Oarsman's Bay Lodge.
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We stayed for 3 nights, on a food included package. All food was delicious and we were thankful to not have any western food as all we wanted to try was Fijian style meals. Small buffet for brekky, 1 option for lunch and 2 options for dinner. Every meal was amazingly flavorful and you could tell it was prepared with love. Each day had options for activities if you wanted, but the beach had amazing snorkeling which was free and superb coral only minutes away from the resort. We had a small beachfront bure which was very clean and they cleaned it everyday. It had aircon and a fan and lovely wooden slats on roof high windows which you could open to listen to the sound of the waves while you slept. The staff mentioned that they had undergone some renovations with a new owner and everything we saw was well cared for maintained well. I cannot commend the service from the staff enough as they make it feel like it is part of your home. It is only a small resort and the silence and friendly smiles everyday really make this relaxation stay a must. Would recommend bringing some good mozzie spray as there is some beautiful greenery with stunning flowers and they seemed to live in it and come out at night. There was spray and coils provided which helped but it doesn't hurt to be cautious.
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Dive shop next door which catered to numerous island resorts.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dean Swaagman, Owner at Oarsman's Bay Lodge
Responded May 4, 2022
Bula Skinghan01, The whole team at Oarsman's Bay Lodge has had the opportunity to read your review, and we thank you so much for the time you have set aside to share your experience on this platform and with us. It is clear that you were able to receive the full Oarsman's experience, the Fijian hospitality from the team, Chef Jolami & team were able to express their local Fijian infused artistry with their plated meals as well being comfortable with the surrounding whether it be outdoor activities with Abo & his crew or indoors in your private Bure. As rightly mentioned, Oarsman's Bay Lodge is what you make it to be, the smaller number of guests, open space with open grounds, white sandy beach front, snorkelling within steps from the beach allows for total relaxation and for you to make your own genuine Fijian experience and memories. Skinghan01, "vinaka" and it is our hope that we will have the opportunity to welcome you back to our shores and beautiful location in the not too distant future. Vina Du Riki & Sota Tale. (Thank you and till we meet again). The Oarsman's Bay Lodge Team.
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Once again, we find ourselves at Oarsman's Bay Resort after our first visit 12 months ago. Stepping out of the landing boat off the Yasawa Flyer, it feels like a home away from the madding crowds of other resorts. Paradise found! The simplicity and warmth of this place continue to be an attraction to us, and the food is excellent, although there is a limited menu. The staff remembered us from our previous visit, warmly welcomed us back and took an interest in every guest of this intimate resort. Adding a Spa treatment room is a master stroke by Dean, the owner. Louisa can gently ease the remaining stress of city life away with a relaxation massage for 90 minutes or unlock that deep-seated tension with a deep tissue massage. I managed to have both over a week's stay, which we can thoroughly recommend. There are a variety of massages available, and she is expanding to include facials, manicures, and pedicures, which my wife indulged in and was impressed. We swam, walked, and read, but for those more active, there are free and paid activities such as snorkelling, kayaks and paddle boards or trips to islands, reefs, or a village. No annoying noisy power sports – pure bliss! When can we get back to this paradise?
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dean Swaagman, Owner at Oarsman's Bay Lodge
Responded Oct 12, 2023
Bula! It was a pleasure welcoming you again to Oarsman's Bay Lodge. Knowing that you had another amazing experience and that you are already looking at returning is a heart-warming feeling! We are so pleased you took the time to enjoy a massage, just the icing on the cake when you stay in paradise! Thank you for your feedback, we will share with all the team! Here's to another holiday at your Oarsman's home! Best wishes and Sota tale!
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A fantastic resort in a beautiful location! The dorm rooms had partitions between beds which made it feel more private. The Sea is blue turqoise ✅️✅️ with a nice beach .lovely Staffs🫱🏽🫲🏾 ,always making sure the dorms are clean daily ,great food,great View of course ,for snorkelling you can book the tours offered by the resort or right in front of the resort. Weekends it's when you get to see a lovo demo (fijian slow coocked food) and Fijian Méké(fijian traditional dance ). Great resort for family or solo travellers.
A memorable Trip.
Vinaka Oarsman bay lodge staffs
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dean Swaagman, Owner at Oarsman's Bay Lodge
Responded Oct 12, 2023
Bula from Oarsman's~ Many thanks for your sharing and taking the time to write such a kind review! We are pleased to know that your stay went well. Your comments are excellent for the morale of our entire team. It will be our honor to share it with all the team and especially our house keeping team who ensure our resort is immaculate! We hope to see you again soon at Oarsman's Bay Lodge. Do not hesitate to contact us for a future stay! Sota tale!
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The Oarsman's Bay has a more relaxed, beachfront vibe- we arrived to a stunning tropical paradise, they don't have a pool but you don't need one, you can literally walk out the door and onto the sand! Crystal-clear seas on your doorstep. At the Oarsman there would be less children running around so might be more peaceful for you, whereas the Blue Lagoon had more of a 'family friendly' feel. Oarsman's provide a 3 course meal option which is mandatory when booking and you have the choice of two different meal options each nigh. We loved the ease of having a set menu and not having to decide where to eat each night, the food was delicious. However, if you want to pick and choose I think the Blue Lagoon lets you select your own meals from the kitchen and bar each night.
The island doesn't have an on-site doctor but one regularly flies or boats to the island to treat paitients or transport them to a nearby hospital if urgent. Just tell the staff at either hotel and they are happy to arrange the doctor to visit.
Hope this helps!
There are more places to choose from in the Nacula Island area.
PRICE RANGE
C$334 - C$397 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
oarsman`s bay hotel nacula island, oarsmans bay hotel, oarsmans bay resort
LOCATION
FijiYasawa IslandsNacula Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
13
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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