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5.0
#1 of 1 resort in Ono Island
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
This award is our highest recognition and is presented annually to the top 1% of businesses across select categories.
Oneta is a family-run eco-resort in one of the most beautiful and untouched areas of Fiji. Hidden away on an island with no roads Oneta is a peaceful haven for any kind of traveler. You can spend your time relaxing in one of 6 magical Fijian style bures or 2 luxurious villas and play on one of the most beautiful beaches in Fiji. Snorkel or dive on the pristine Astrolabe reef, one of the world's most beautiful and hidden underwater treasures or go deep sea fishing with one of the best fishing guides in the South Pacific. Experience Fijian village life and culture at its most authentic and learn Fijian crafts and customs that have been passed down for generations. It takes a little bit of effort to travel to this remote Paradise but it is well worth the trip!
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Oneta is in a very special part of the world that I know very well. Ono Island is part of the Kadavu group of islands. It is unspoilt, pristine nature at its finest. The Kadavu people are also the best people I know and Oneta is lucky enough to have them as staff. At the helm is Richard Mercer who is a gift to hospitality and the staff he manages. He speaks fluent Fijian and is a man that understands Fijian culture very well. He grew up in Fiji so has a Fijian heart. It was particularly apparent to me that the staff are treated ethically and with care at all times. This was a beautiful thing to see.
On a more typical review note the resort itself is lovely. It has a luxurious air about it whilst paying homage to the natural beauty around it. The outdoor bamboo showers are a highlight. There are so many thoughtful touches that make this stay memorable. The flower on my freshly folded laundry, the coconut oil in the bathroom, the plumped up pillows on my bed. The food is delicious and there is some choice which is remarkable given how remote the location is. The guests that I met were interesting people too.
I highly recommend Oneta. It is a rare gift of a place with a beautiful soul.
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Travelled on business
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.
Oneta is a beautiful resort. As the local airport was closed for renovations the resort ran a boat from Pacific Harbor. This is a 2.5 hour trip if the weather cooperates. I found it an easy way to get there from Suva. They may continue the service on the days with no flights. Arrival reminds me of the old show, Paradise Island. Guest wade to shore and are met with fresh coconut to sip on and are given a Fijian lei (more of a flower choker). The manager, Richard, met me, welcomed me, and gave me an overview. The staff are incredibly friendly and accommodating. At departure they gathered to give me a singing farewell. I have never received better service! This is an all inclusive resort with the meals included in the price of the room. The good is delicious! I especially liked a Fijian specialty of sliced taro, topped with local fish, a side of taro greens, and a savory coconut sauce. Fresh fruit was always available. Alcohol did cost extra. Meals are a communal affair. Daily menus typically have a couple of choices that the staff asks about early in the day. The kitchen accommodated my request for meatless meals. The bures (bungalows) are charming with comfortable bedding and an open air shower. As Oneta is an eco lodge there is a fan but not air conditioning. If you are sensitive to heat, avoid November to March. Oneta provides diving, snorkeling, fishing, paddle boards, and kayaking. Staff is available to provide training and will guide you to appropriate locations. I very much appreciated the dive operation. I appreciated that the cost was given right up front. I had added scuba and a small bar tab. It was great there there were no other hidden charges. Coming from New York City I very much appreciated the quiet (no sirens!) and the beauty of the island. I hope to get back here.
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip 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.
Fiji follows the lead of its South Pacific neighbors in creating a COVID safe destination. All Fiji Air passengers are required to show proof of immunization and submit a negative PCR or antigen test; your resort will test you again two days after you arrive; all resort employees are required to be immunized; the country has a nearly 90% immunization rate. In summary, we felt safe and were safe in Fiji.
Reasons Oneta is my favorite resort: the bures, the food; recreation on the gigantic Astrolabe Reef; the people, and Oneta’s eco-conscious isolated location.
Typhoon damage in 2020 led to remodeling and new construction at Oneta. Our favorites are the five Fijian bures that are both beautiful and designed to “breathe in” the cooling breezes.
The food is remodeled too. It features freshly caught fish, locally grown vegetables and coconut—the Fijian dietary staple. Good in the past, Oneta’s breakfasts, lunches and dinners are now superb. Meals are also your primary opportunity to learn from your fellow Oneta guests.
We return to Oneta for its access to pristine sites for snorkeling and scuba diving. I think the Astrolabe is the healthiest hard coral reef in the world (with a bit of soft coral mixed in). If you want to fish, this is the place. Oneta has the best fishing guides in Fiji. There are also paddle boards, outrigger canoes and sea kayaks.
The people at Oneta will give you a first hand experience of being part of a welcoming Fijian community. Language, food, lovo (a feast cooked in an underground oven), twice-a-week kava ceremonies and daily life with the happiest and most generous people on earth.
While you’re enjoying a pristine, remote location, you want it to be delivered in an ecologically sustainable way that preserves or even enhances what you have traveled so far to enjoy. Ecological sensitivity is built into Oneta’s DNA.
Plan to stay for at least 10 days. If your first stay is shorter than this, I guarantee you will be sorry when it’s time to leave.
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:I recommend that you bring good sun protective clothing (rash guards and swim tights) and...
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 Elizabeth Morehead, Owner at Oneta Resort
Responded Jul 18, 2022
Thanks so much for your lovely review! I think you're right to recommend that guests stay at least 10 days to experience all that this area has to offer. But I don't think that anybody will come close to your record of staying for three weeks and returning multiple times. You are indeed an expert in all things Oneta!
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Our stay at Oneta Resort was one of the most incredible experiences we've had. Despite our rough arrival where we had to endure 3 hours of frigid rain on the bumpy speedboat ride, this was soon forgotten. The service and friendliness from each member of the staff was unparalleled, where they truly went the extra mile to meet our needs. Thank you to Liz for planning our activities each day; Ben and Sim for taking care of the less confident swimmers in our group; Jonani for guiding our hikes; Terry for taking us kayaking; Sim for the deep sea fishing experience (seeing dolphins was an additional highlight); Annie for the relaxing massages; Eleanoa for decorating our bures; Gabby for teaching us how to catch crabs... We are so grateful to have spent a week in this little slice of paradise, snorkeling with mantas, visiting the adorable Fijian children... we only wished we stayed longer than a week as there were many more activities we didn't have time to try. The amazing food was also way beyond our expectations- who would expect a tiny island in Fiji to serve food of fine-dining quality? The fresh seafood, organic produce and delicious dessert meant we looked forward to every meal. Our only critique is we wished there were more breakfast options as cereal and toast every morning got slightly repetitive. Getting to meet like-minded travelers from all over the world (Italy, Austria, US, Scotland...) was another great experience, where we all got to share a piece of our culture during the kava ceremony. During the farewell song, we couldn't help tearing up. We truly felt like we were bidding farewell to family, not just mere staff members. Oneta is incredibly special and we can't wait to be back with our PADI diving licenses to explore the pristine, unspoiled Astrolabe Reef.
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Date of stay: July 2019
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:The Turtle Lair has the most amazing views but the lamps did go out quite often, so bring a few...
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.
Our family of four recently enjoyed a fabulous 9-night stay at the Oneta resort. Thanks to the unbelievable staff, welcoming Fijian culture, and beautiful surroundings we had one of the most wonderful and memorable trips of our life. Every aspect was beyond expectations – our fantastic and spacious villa had beautiful ocean views and was cleaned to perfection every day, and the food was worthy of a fine restaurant in a major city, but far greater given the remote location and views of the open ocean. While the resort and beautiful surroundings of Ono Island were worth the trip, owners Liz and Martin and their amazing staff placed the trip at the top of our travel experiences. My older son finished is SCUBA certification and training with the help of Villame, an excellent guide and dive master. We enjoyed 6 spectacular days of diving with their fantastic crew (Villame (Bill Gates), Vo and Siko) while my wife and younger son snorkeled the reefs with the guidance of Tiko and George. The dive and snorkel sites were exclusive, with no other visitors other than our group. Tiko also led the Kava ceremonies at night, labeling my younger son as ‘chief’, which everyone seemed to get a kick out of (especially him), since the name stuck and he was referred to as chief by the staff for our entire stay. There is a manta ray cleaning station that is 10 minutes away by boat – it is perhaps one of the greatest (relatively secret) manta sites in existence as we were treated to close encounters with up to 5 large mantas almost daily. This and many other experiences including cultural experiences at the nearby village, my older son enjoying volleyball with the staff in the afternoons, hermit crab racing with Ben, and being treated like family by the restaurant staff (Savi, Kini and Kasa), made this a trip of a lifetime for us. Our experience at Oneta and the Kadavu islands was exceptional, worthy of any bucket travel list.
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Date of stay: July 2022
Value
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.
Oneta is absolutely amazing! I could write and write and still not come close to describing "the magic" of Oneta unless you experience it yourself. It is beautiful, intimate and impeccably maintained. The Fijian style bures are immaculate and beautiful. Every day we would come back to, not only our bed made and fresh linens but, also, it would be adorned with gorgeous flowers and creative touches. The entire staff is nothing short of amazing! They are genially friendly, accommodating and warm. Always with a big "Bula" smile. Richard (the GM) welcomes you as you step off the boat and never stops doing whatever he can to make your time perfect! Yummy meals are served at one communal table which, for us, only enhanced our stay. Everyone becomes your family (guests and staff) very quickly. Prepare to fall in love! Activities: So many fun adventures...snorkeling, scuba, picnics, paddle boarding.... Often the adventures also come with an added treat of Fijian culture. We are scuba divers and loved Bill and Bill who took such good care of us. Equipment and sites are top notch! You won't be disappointed. Like I said, I could write and write about our stay at Oneta and never come close to the experience that we had there. We can't wait to the day that we return to beautiful Oneta!! Ni Sa Bula Vinaka!!
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Date of stay: April 2022
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 Elizabeth Morehead, Owner at Oneta Resort
Responded Jul 6, 2022
Thanks so much for sharing your experience with others! Your trip was long delayed due to the Covid shut down. I'm so glad it was worth the wait and that your experience at Oneta was great. And thanks for mentioning your diving experience. Our new dive center was completed just before covid and all our equipment has recently been updated. But the heart of the operation is our great staff and of course the many different sites that we frequent on the Astrolabe Reef. Diving at the Astrolabe is really one of Fiji's best kept secrets. Thanks again and we hope to see you and your family back at Oneta very soon.
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Like most other guests looking for a family holiday, we had extremely high expectations after reading all the outstanding reviews for Oneta. I can honestly say our time at this resort exceeded all of our expectations.
Oneta is the most amazing place we have ever stayed. The location is breathtaking, the staff are phenomenal, the food is fantastic, there are plenty of stunning adventures to be had or you can relax without an ounce of guilt.
We were fortunate enough to see a manta ray on our final day. These creatures are so majestic. We loved every second of this experience. We also had beautiful snorkelling tours, a double scuba dive, visited two waterfalls and a local village to drop off some school supplies. There are a myriad of activities we didn't get a chance to explore but that's more of an incentive to come back.
The Fijians working at Oneta truely make every moment perfect. I don't like to call them staff because to us the local Fijians were more like friends and family accompanying us on our holiday. I felt they were genuinely having fun at work with guests and their colleagues. My children loved every moment from breakfast to bedtime and all the adventures in-between. We would return in a heartbeat.
We have two daughters 8 and 6 who are extremely energetic and enjoy making the most of every opportunity. Our girls loved spending time helping in the kitchen, driving the boat and playing with the locals.
Ultimately it depends what sort of people you are. If you are high maintenance, addicted to TV, need 24-7 phone reception, rely on hair dryers and can't live without deep fried fast food, this probably isn't your perfect destination. In saying that, the staff are so accommodating they would do anything in their power to accommodate your needs.
Thank you for the most wonderful holiday. We think about it every week and hope to return in the near future.
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
Would like to keep this place a secret but that would not be fair to the wonderful people who look after the guests every day. Yes, it is remote but getting there is not difficult and actually added to the experience. The flight from Nadi to Kadavu provided great views over the inland areas of Viti Levu before we headed over the beautiful seascape and onto the approach over the beach to Vunisea Airport. Met by smiling faces in the 'terminal' before a short walk across the road, onto the beach, and into our boat transport to Ono Island. On the way, we stop at a deserted beach for a picnic lunch. We are greeted as we arrive at Oneta with the beautiful singing voices of a number of the staff. The bures are beautifully laid out, traditionally finished, and very comfortable. The outdoor private shower is also a great feature. We stayed for two weeks and were very sad to leave. Within a short period of time, most of the staff were addressing us by name, and we soon got to know their names (I did however often get the names wrong but no one seemed to mind). We were treated like family. There was no shortage of things to do, particularly water based activities with wonderful trips for snorkeling and diving at different areas of the reef. We had a number of visits to the Manta Ray ''cleaning station'' to view these magnificent creatures. We did a number of short hikes, a couple of which were to waterfalls and swimming holes. Then when we wanted to relax there were hammocks and day beds spread strategically across the site for a comfortable read or snooze. We took advantage of the opportunity to spend a day on a private beach complete with picnic lunch and kayaks. The food throughout the two weeks was great, with good variety, well presented, and well prepared. The choice of eating at a communal table, or at a private table, served everyone well. Kava nights allowed us to get to see how much of a wonderful community has been established around the activities of this resort. We got to meet some of the families of staff, and we were treated to their beautiful singing. Late afternoon on many days, volleyball was played by staff and guests. On other days, and dependent on the tide, touch football was on display on the beach. I could go on but I won't. You can probably gather that we enjoyed every minute of our visit to Oneta, so much so that soon after returning home we booked again for next year. Can't wait. Thank you to Richard, Martin, Liz, and all of the wonderful staff who made our stay at Oneta such a great experience.
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Date of stay: August 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip 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.
We eventually got to Oneta after 2 years of disrupted plans through Covid 19! Owners Martin and Liz were a pleasure to deal with, always cheerful, positive and helpful, and we were very happy to spend some time with them while we were there. What a place, just what we were hoping for and more! We went with our close friends Clive and Kerry Scotney, and stayed in the 2 bedroom villa. It was beautiful, with a personal housekeeper whose attention to detail was exceptional. We stayed for 10 nights, and felt that this time was almost not enough! The remoteness and seclusion of Oneta was exactly what we sought, and nothing disappointed. The staff were amazing , from their moving welcome to the "tears in the eyes" farewell, their laughter and fun a highlight of the stay! Nothing was too difficult, everything ran like clock-work, and Richard the manager kept us in the loop about what was happening in the resort at all times. Our interests are snorkelling and fishing, and these activities were exceptional. Clive and I fished with Sim and George on multiple trips, and they went the little bit extra to ensure we found excellent fishing. We wanted to chase GT's, and on the first trip I lost count after we had landed 14! We caught multiple fish every day, including the GT of a lifetime over 50kg! The snorkelling was amazing, numerous different sites, and a highlight was the Manta cleaning station where we could float while the beautiful animals were cleaned just below us! What an experience! All in all we could not recommend Oneta more highly, and we would certainly want to visit again. A very sincere thank you to owners Martin and Liz, manager Richard and to all the beautiful staff who made this such an unforgettable holiday! Mike and Penny Bruorton
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Date of stay: July 2022
Location
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.
I can't say enough good things about Oneta Resort. We had an absolutely wonderful time. The manager, Richard, attended to literally every single detail imaginable and curated an absolutely perfect trip for us. We got massages, snorkeled, went SCUBA diving, had private picnics on the nearby isolated beaches, kayaked, visited local schools, and more. And every detail of every one of these excursions was literally perfect. We felt as if we were family when we were there. Each member of the staff seemed genuinely grateful to have us. They each went above and beyond to make sure we had a fantastic time. The food simply could not have been better. The snorkeling/SCUBA gear was all top-end, and in perfect condition. Our Fijian bure (we stayed in the Archway bure) was beautifully and functionally furnished, impeccably clean, and quite honestly just perfect. We loved the dual outdoor showers the most. My wife and I had a wonderful time at Oneta. It is a magical place. Next time, we intend to bring much needed school supplies for the local schools. You will not regret choosing Oneta for your next visit to Fiji. Thank you to Richard (manager) and Martin/Liz (owners, who we missed this time) for creating such a wonderful place for the world to enjoy. We will be back, and we look forward to seeing you all again.
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Date of stay: February 2022
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Archway Bure is perfect for families!
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 Elizabeth Morehead, Owner at Oneta Resort
Responded Jul 18, 2022
Thanks so much for bringing such detail to your review! I'm glad you got to visit the local villages and some school while you were here. We see ourselves as part of the large Ono community and we do our best to work with the local schools to distribute supplies and assist where we can. We are helping to build a library in Vabea, providing furniture for the Natusara school and raising money for a solar power system from the school in Naqara. All guest participation is welcome but certainly not required. Hopefully we'll see you bak at Oneta very soon!
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Los Angeles, California3 contributions1 helpful vote
Bula! Thank you for asking. Great question because our remote location on the incredible Astrolabe Reef is one of the reasons our guests choose us! Of course it depends on from where you are traveling, but it is about a 50 minute flight on Fiji Link from Nadi to the Kadavu airport, where we pick you up in our covered dive boat. (Best to book your flight on Fiji Airways all the way through to Kadavu instead of to Nadi in order to get the int'l luggage allowance on the domestic leg of the trip.) The boat ride from Kadavu to Ono Island depends on the weather but it is usually @ 90 minutes along the Kadavu coast. We often stop for a beautiful beach picnic and swim on the way unless the guests prefer to head straight to the resort. The cost of the boat transfer is included in the all inclusive rate unless you stay less than 4 nights. In that case, it is FJD 150 each way.
Bula Imcoop13,
Thanks for your interest in Oneta Resort. I'm glad you found us here in the outer islands! We are a small resort so we can easily accommodate individual food preferences or restrictions. Even though all meals are family style the chef is used to making individual dishes for guests according their needs. But we do not have a glass bottom boat for her. We do have life jackets that will make her feel comfortable on our boats and maybe in the water as well. Thanks so much for your inquiry and hopefully we'll be able to welcome you and your wife here at Oneta soon.
Martin - Oneta Resort
Oneta Resort is a small eco-resort that runs mostly off of solar power and we are continually trying to minimize our carbon footprint. That's why we don't have any air conditioners anywhere at the resort but all Bures have very nice ceiling fans. There is strong Wifi here at the main lodge where you are welcome to hang out while checking your various devices but there is no Wifi in the Bures themselves. All meals are included in the cost of your Bure but alcohol is charged separately. Getting to the resort is a bit of adventure but well worth it. Visitors book a flight from Nadi to Vunisea, Kadavu which is the closest airport. These are small planes so availability can be an issue. We recommend that you make sure that this flight is available before booking your stay at Oneta. We will pick you up at the Kadavu airport by boat and bring you to Oneta Resort. It's a beautiful one hour boat ride. Let me know if I can answer any other questions for you and thanks for your inquiry.
Hi there - yes, we have our own dive boat and although we are not a dedicated dive resort as such, we have a personalised dive operation/services for our guests. Also we are about to upgrade our dive boat - our dive knowledge of this fantastic area spans over 30 years.
There are more places to choose from in the Ono Island area.
PRICE RANGE
C$515 - C$531 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
FijiKadavu ArchipelagoOno Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
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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