Navini Island is a private island resort in Fiji, just one hour from Nadi Airport. Guests are met on arrival and transferred at any time. Navini is surrounded by white sand and a magnificent coral reef sanctuary. All 10 bures are beachfront, with four types including Family Villa, Deluxe Premier with outside daybed, Two Room, and Premier. Complimentary daily outings and use of water sports equipment. No day trippers. Food is freshly prepared using locally grown ingredients and a range of cooking styles served in our fully licensed restaurant. Fijian entertainment and weekly traditional lovo dinner. A unique island offering a memorable and personal holiday experience.
We were looking to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary by taking a trip to Fiji, a place we had celebrated our honeymoon on the Coral Coast previously. This time however, we wanted something more special, an Island! We hunted around, researched online, and stumbled across Navini Island. It was a place that seemed ideal, ticked all our boxes, and was a place that attracted repeat customers, and where you could find no bad review about. We reached out to the resort via their website, and soon after booked our week away for our first ever trip to Navini… One of the smartest things Navini has done, is they make getting to and from the airport easy. We were met at the airport arrivals hall, whisked away to a car, and were at the Vuda Marina within about 20 or so minutes. We were warmly greeted by the Navini staff, were welcomed aboard their boat, and we were off! With the midday sun shining and blue skies on a beautiful Fijian day, we ventured off to Navini.
The boat ride was about 40 minutes or so with Simo and Sami crewing the boat, and what a sight Navini Island was at we approached! It proved to be our Island paradise for the next 7 nights. Wow.
We were met by a small dinghy, capable of carrying no more than 5 adults. Removing our shoes (they would not be worn again until we left), we headed to the sandy shore and were greeted enthusiastically by Liti who showed us to the communal dining area, arranged for some cold tropical welcome drinks, and our lunch was ordered as we arrived before 2pm (after landing at the airport at 12:15pm). Checking in, we then ate lunch before being shown to our room.
Walking to our room via manicured sand pathways under the shade of gently swaying palms and mature trees, we were impressed by the well-maintained bure that we would call home for the next week. Open plan room and large bathroom with double sinks, louvre windows with flyscreens to take advantage of the sea breeze, and a large ceiling fan positioned over what proved to be a comfortable bed (that was almost silent). There was a porch with views of the beach and ocean, with table and chairs, an undercover day bed, two sun loungers and an outdoor shower. What more could you ask for in paradise?
Meals are served three times a day in the communal dining area, at 8am, 1pm, and dinner at around 7:30pm. There is no need to wear a watch or set an alarm, as they play the Lali drum to let you know it is meal time!
You chose breakfast based on a decent menu, and your lunch order was taken from a set menu at this time, and at lunch, your dinner order was also taken. The food was simply amazing, and the menu was different every day for lunch and dinner. Nobody goes hungry at Navini, and we had no need to have any snacks in between meals. Before dinner, there was usually entertainment; Fijian stories with Simo, the Navini choir performing, and if you were lucky (and we were), a kava ceremony, followed by a meke performance! Of course, sundowner drinks were always on offer. On our 7th and last night when the meke was performed, we also had a traditional lovo feast which was delicious! On our wedding anniversary we had a private table for two on the sand under candlelight, and were given lei necklaces, an anniversary cake, and were serenaded with a celebration song Fiji style! Everyone was made to feel very special at Navini!
Some nights after dinner, we sat down on the woven mats with some of the staff to play a Fijian board game called vidi vidi which was great fun to play. Almost every morning, there was a boat tour (one was held in the afternoon) that involved a new reef to snorkel or a new island to see. And while in general the snorkelling was very good everywhere we went, in all reality, there was none better than at Navini.
The reef at Navini was in good health and alive with colourful and varied coral and marine life. Highlights of our snorkelling adventures included swimming with reef sharks, turtles, seeing a huge clownfish colony, the colourful coral itself, and learning how they restore damaged reefs through planting coral. We also enjoyed cruising past some of the other island resorts to get a feel for how they are different. Around the island, the gardens and pathways were well manicured and cared for. Plenty of shade away from the beach. We have never seen so many hermit crabs in the one spot in all our travels as we did at Navini. There were loads of crabs in and around the rocky areas too, never to bother anyone. We also barely noticed any mosquitoes, and we felt that the evening sea breezes may have played a role in that during our stay.
While on Navini we also enjoyed some kayaking, and plenty of rest and relaxing on our daybed and sun loungers. While we did not manage to catch a sunrise due to it being cloudy over the mainland (it was wet season after all), we did manage to catch the sunsets almost every day.
The staff were truly amazing. Nothing was too much trouble, and before long, we felt like part of the family. The owner was present for most of our stay, and she often joined all the guests at meal times. We made some new friends with other guests too, most of whom were repeat customers. At one stage it felt like we had the entire island to ourselves – there are only 10 bures after all, and at one stage during our stay there was only four guests including us!
Our only one bit of feedback for Navini is the suggestion to consider air conditioning for the bures to ensure a level of comfort. When the wind was not around, it could get quite hot. However, when the wind was up in the evening, it was all you needed.
We loved our stay, and the only problem we now have is how and when we can return in future!
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Date of stay: February 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Be prepared to take your shoes off once you get on the boat! You will not need them again until...
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.
Absolutely a piece of heaven on earth! I would give it 10 stars if possible‼️ Our family consisted of 8 of us, the youngest being 8 and the oldest being 90 and everyone of us were made welcome from the minute we were picked up at our overnight hotel to when we were delivered back to the airport in Nadi! Comfort of the guests is obviously a top priority for the owner and her staff. We were greeted by the staff learning each of our first names and introducing themselves to us and with a refreshing glass of fruit juice. Their attention to each of us never waivered. We got to know most of them by name and had the opportunity to visit with them and learn about Fiji, their traditions and lives. After meeting Simone, the owner, the first night, it was obvious that this wonderful place is special and that she pours her heart and soul into it. Learning the history of her family and their dedication to Navini and the local people was heartwarming. This is not just a resort, it is family!! Jhoka, Una and Joe were always available with their smiles and to chat with us or to look after something for us, Duma, teaching us to make coconut buns or give a lesson on the palm tree or entertaining the kids! Thomas looking after the divers and snorkelers in our group, Lukimie driving the boat, Kara and Evie looking after our buries everyday, the kitchen staff cooking our fantastic meals, all were so appreciated! This is a very special place filled by very special people with hearts of gold! The Sunday evening was a treat for us to get to listen to and sing along with the staff as they celebrated the day. Our last night there was luvo night, the traditional meal cooked by the hot rocks and what a feast it was! Then to end the evening with Fijian style dancing with the staff was an extreme highlight. They had us all joining them, even my 90 year old mother in law, and she was delighted to be a part of it all. All this to say, Navini is a memory that will live on in our family forever and hopefully we will be able to return!! It is worth every effort to get there!
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Date of stay: March 2020
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Room Tip:Any room is good as there are only 10!
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We missed Henry meeting us at the airport, hope he is enjoying retirement, we wish him well. Finally we are being welcomed ‘home’ on the beach by Simone the owner, and friends from previous visits. It was supposed to be an extended family Christmas holiday but an expired passport by one resulted in just the two of us. They did make it to Fiji later but not to Navini. The resort with renovations completed looks beautiful.
Christmas started with the staff singing carols outside the bures, a moving experience. A staff Church Service beautiful singing. Christmas Dinner was
TC Sarai was on the way the seas were huge. Most guests opted to stay on the island. Winds increased , it was time to ‘batten down’. All boats taken to mainland marinas.
Bure windows were boarded up, we were given meals and by early evening we were waiting ....we ate our dinner, drank some wine listening to the crashing surf and wind. I popped in ear plugs and slept.
The sun came out, waves still pounding, winds were dropping. Mopping up began, fortunately no serious damage. Winds had blown the sand around, beaches well covered. Huge seas meant boats could not leave the mainland for several days. We ended up having an extra two days on Navini, we were not complaining. Finally with our American friends we were transferred to meet the Yasawa Flyer at Beachcomber Island for our next destination. Vinaka Vakalevu Simone and Navini family, including Harry, for another wonderful visit. Till next time. Take care. Moce.
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Response from NaviniIsl, Owner at Navini Island Resort
Responded Mar 1, 2020
Bula Hookedonfiji, Vinaka vakalevu for your review. We are delighted that your stay was enjoyable and it is always a pleasure to have you here with us. Luckily TC Sarai passed through with the winds only affecting a few plants, which have recovered well. The gardens are in full bloom once again. Christmas on Navini is a special time and it was a shame that your family were unable to make it this year. The Fijian carols early morning are one of my favourite things about Christmas. There was great feedback from guests about dinner, too, with the lobster tian being the favourite! Until next time, our very best wishes to you both. Simone and your friends on Navini
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our family of 5 (three sons ages 4, 7 and 10) absolutely loved our time on Navini. The island is gorgeous and peaceful and we had our own private beach just steps from our burre. The snorkeling was the best we've experienced in Fiji. Each day Dumu took us to different spots and we saw so many amazing creatures. The food was quite delicious and they even change the kids meals everyday so the kids don't get tired of eating the same food. The fruit lollipops for dessert were a favorite of my boys! Each night, they have a kids activity during the adult communal dinner and it was one of our boys' favorite parts of the day. They took the boys to gather hermit crabs and played hide-and-seek and learned how to play Vidi Vidi and all the while, my husband and I were able to enjoy leisurely dinner. Our favorite part by far though was the staff. Jooka and Nanise and Dumu were so kind and wonderful to us and especially to our boys. They played Vidi Vidi with them at night and always knew their favorites at mealtimes. Our boys were sad to say "goodbye!". We hope to return soon!
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Date of stay: January 2020
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Our second visit to Navini, this time nine nights in paradise. It's natural beauty, welcoming and super friendly staff and small size make Navini a true paradise. Add to that beautifully positioned bures that are thoroughly cleaned every day, a free morning outing every day - snorkelling or hand line fishing to a different reef (land activities when weather not as good), delicious food and staff who know you by name and you have an ideal holiday. Navini's house reef is gorgeous and you could spend days snorkelling it and finding something new, or use the free watersports equipment if that is more your style. You can tell the staff are like family, and this extends to all the guests. The relaxation we experienced was much needed and enjoyed. August was a lovely time to visit weather wise - the only improvement I can think of is airconditioning in the bures, but choose your timing well and it isnt needed. Lots of hugs to bid us farewell, but it isn't good bye it's sota tale (see you later). Vinaka once again Navini.
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Date of stay: August 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.
A stay at Navini Island Resort is total relaxation intertwined with wonderful snorkeling adventures. You can do as little or as much as you wish. It is a very small island with no day-trippers and during our stay there were more staff than guests. The meals were excellent and we so enjoyed meeting all of the other guests at communal dining tables. Also the opportunity to meet the staff and share kava and games after dinner was very enjoyable. We look forward to a return visit.
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Date of stay: November 2019
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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.
The fact that many of their guests keep returning over years, even decades, says everything about this low key but so welcoming island resort. At maximum occupancy there are 10 bures (chalets) in use and a staff of 24. The key staff know each guest by name – and the guests introduce themselves to each other and so it’s a very sociable place. You need to love the sea as there’s a 30 minute ride to the island on a small motor boat. On the island the main (basically only) activities involve the sea: snorkelling, swimming, kayaking… Or you can read on a sunlounger and take photographs of the sunset. Or you can walk round the island, which takes about 15 minutes! However, there is an organised activity each day – usually a boat trip to a snorkelling place. The food is high quality: you need a good chef to provide 3 meals a day as all accommodation is on a full board basis. At breakfast you choose from 3 options for lunch and at lunchtime from 3 evening meal options. What downsides are there to coming here, apart from the cost!? If you want an air-con room, more activities and better internet connectivity then you would probably prefer a bigger resort. One more thing I really appreciated: their conscientious following of covid regulations. I would have appreciated a wider double bed.
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Date of stay: April 2022
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Sleep Quality
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We booked 7 nights at Navini for 2 adults and 2 children (ages 1 and 9 years). We wanted something special and beachfront but also private and relaxing (as travelling with a 1 year old can be challenging). From the moment we got on the boat we were welcomed into the Navini family. The staff are absolutely amazing and so great with our children. I was celebrating a special birthday and they went out of their way to make the day extra special for me. Which ended with a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach for two. The island is indeed very special, the snorkeling is the best I have seen, even from right off the beach. The daily snorkeling trips were fantastic as well - just amazing!! The accommodation had everything we needed and more, food and service was spot on. We left relaxed and content; defiantly knowing we will be back again.
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Date of stay: August 2022
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After Covid we were stir-crazy but reluctant to travel too far afield so we decided in May 2022 to make a sentimental return to Fiji and one of it's islands after a 20 years absence, which worked out well, and that holiday, together with the weather on Australia's east coast in the months that followed, only served to fuel our enthusiasm for more return visits to Fiji. A further 3 trips to Fiji followed in quick succession, each one involving a 7 night island stay at 3 different islands, followed by a couple of days at Denarau. We then looked for a new island to visit in November 2022, and purely by chance found Navini. It looked beautiful and sounded too good to be true in so many ways, but after a few emails from Losalini and reading some reviews we went ahead & booked. Now I am here to tell you that we found Navini to be, for my wife and I at least, exactly what we have been looking for in a tropical island holiday, as follows. 1. Beautiful sandy beach with crystal clear water 2. No day trippers 3. Very small number of guests (mainly adults) due to the size of the island and number of Bures 4. The 6 hectare island can be walked around in 15 casual minutes 5. The island can be paddled around in 10 casual minutes (if you don't stop to view the fish, coral & the odd turtle through the crystal clear water) 6. The island can be swum around (about 1500 - 2000 metres with training goggles) if it appealed to someone to do it 7. Free water craft, daily free boat excursions, plenty of deck chairs & shade, beautifully maintained gardens and pathways and very good accommodation. 8. The rate includes 3 meals a day, which didn't initially appeal to us, but we wouldn't have it any other way now, not because of the variety or size of the menu offerings, but simply because every meal was absolutely beautiful, varied and flexible and taken within a very organised 1 hour window, with pre-ordering making the exercise extremely streamlined And finally the jewel in the crown of Navini is the staff. What a beautiful group of happy and "nothing is a problem" people, with special mention to Losalini in reception, Joka and Sulia in the restaurant & bar, Joka's mum Anna (I think, haha?) in the kitchen, Simmo the boat captain, Cara & Izzy from housekeeping, and the other 10 or so staff who always knew our first names, said hello every time they saw you, and helped you with everything from water craft & snorkelling gear to luggage, beach chairs and so on. We met a member of the Australian family who own Navini and she explained the 40 year or more background to the resort and their environmental and holiday philosophies, and it's no wonder that Navini is so special. Very little advertising, 50% of guests are return guests and offering everything you want for a relaxed, comfortable and idyllic tropical island holiday. Needless to say that we will definitely be returning.
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Date of stay: November 2022
Service
Room Tip:All 10 bures great. N side has 4, on rocky shoreline and others on S side, @ the sandy beach, but...
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We absolutely adored our stay at Navini, and can't recommend it more highly! It is an absolutely gorgeous little island fringed by a coral reef allowing for fantastic snorkelling right off the beach. The staff are all so friendly, but in an authentic way, not over the top like you can encounter at other resorts. No fancy day spas, just amazing nature, wonderful people. The transfers were seamless, which made the journey so easy. We were met at the airport, popped in a car, driven to the port, and immediately placed on a boat to take us to Navini. The food is fantastic. I didn't anticipate such wonderful food, so that was such a nice surprise. For lunch and dinner we were able to choose off a menu (3 options for entree and main, 2 options for desert). It was so nice having this choice, and not having to deal with a buffet. Breakfast had a large delicious selection of offerings, and coffee was very good too! Each morning we were able to join a snorkelling excursion. The boat left at 10am, ventured about 20-30 mins away to a lovely reef (different location each day), and we returned in time for lunch. I could go on and on... just brilliant..we loved our stay and will certainly return.
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:I don't think you could go wrong with any of the bures. They are all dotted around the island,...
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Hello, Hair braiding can be arranged at nearby resorts and often this is possible on one of the morning boat trips. For costs and further enquiries, you are welcome to contact the resort directly, with thanks.
Bula! Local beers start at F$9, cocktails at F$24 and wine at F$14 a glass. Enjoy happy hour prices from 6.30pm while relaxing on the Island deck with panoramic views and on some nights, while listening to Fijian songs.
There are more places to choose from in the Navini Island area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
navini island hotel navini island
LOCATION
FijiMamanuca IslandsNavini Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
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