Jean Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji Archives

Why this remote far-flung Island Resort is closer than you think

Posted on May 16, 2023 by Jameel Mohammed

Jean Michel Cousteau Resort has been nominated under Resorts for Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards 2023. Voting will run through June 30, 2023.Click here if you would like to vote for Jean Michel Cousteau Resort.

Known for its world class diving, magnificent pearls and charming harbourside town, Fiji’s “Hidden Paradise” feels far from the well-worn tourist trail yet Savusavu is a mere hour’s flight from Nadi International Airport. Yep, paradise is closer than you think.

Secluded beaches and spectacular reefs
Located on Vanua Levu’s remote southern coast, Savusavu is where you’ll find the five-star eco-friendly Jean Michel Cousteau Fiji Resort offering luxurious seclusion within easy reach of Nadi International Airport.

A string of secluded and (mostly) empty palm fringed bays and inlets along with world class snorkelling and diving on pristine reefs await.

Cousteau Dive Centre takes guests to incredible (and uncrowded) dive sites like Barracuda, Alice in Wonderland and the world-famous Namena Marine Reserve. At any one time only a handful of divers explore Vanua Levu’s pristine reefs. You’ll soon discover why Jean Michel Cousteau (son of famous ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau) refers to Fiji as the world’s soft coral capital.

Cool off at the stunning Nakawaga Waterfall
Head inland for an adventure of a lifetime at the incredible Nakawaga Waterfall. Tucked well of the beaten track in verdant jungle you’ll find the spectacular and powerful waterfall following a short but steep hike. Cool off with a dip in the natural pool at the base or, if you’re feeling adventurous, take an exhilarating leap from the top. Be sure and bring a snorkel mask so you can spot small fish and swim beneath the falls. While it feels a million miles from anywhere, the falls are in fact only 20 minutes from Savusavu township (JMC runs complimentary guided tours to the waterfall each week).

Do yoga on a private island
As the sun sinks over the Coral Sea, join a sunset yoga class with arguably the world’s best view. This once in a lifetime yoga class takes place on JMC’s very own private island reached by wooden runabout through dreamy, aquamarine-colored waters.

Known as Naviavia (which in English translates to ‘want to be’), this postcard perfect island is owned by local Fijians and lies just off the secluded shores of Savusavu Bay, on Fiji’s second largest island, Vanua Levu (Big Land).

Across the channel the thatched roofs of JMC resort’s bures are visible yet you’ll feel completely removed from life and its cares.

Lose track of time
Known as Fiji’s “Hidden Paradise”, Savusavu’s deep harbour, spectacular reefs and secluded, palm fringed bays are not just postcard perfect. Here the earth beneath your feet oozes an energy that instantly makes you feel calmer, walk slower, breathe easier. Time seems to slow down, and unfailingly you lose track of it.

Reset with a snooze in a hammock, a barefoot stroll along a palm fringed shore or just kick back with a book on a daybed with a cocktail. Life moves decidedly slower on Fiji time.

Get away from it all
Travellers can reach Vanua Levu’s luxuriant shores via a one-hour flight from Fiji’s Nadi International Airport, arriving at Savusavu Airport. From there, it’s a 15-minute transfer by air-conditioned minivan to Jean Michel Cousteau Fiji Resort.

It may feel like one of the most remote places on earth but truth is, it’s within easy reach. Read more about Travel & Leisure’s ‘12 of the most remote places on earth you can visit’ – including Savusavu home to Jean Michel Cousteau Fiji Island Resort.

Kids’ Paradise: Fun-Filled Activities at a Fiji Family Resort

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Jameel Mohammed

Get kids off the iPad and exploring both on land and underwater. Championing old school fun and unleashing your child’s inner Huckleberry Finn. Yep, Jean Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji (JMC) is a kids’ paradise.

Relaxed old school fun
JMC offers a healthy dose of old school fun. Kids can collect hermit crabs, make friends with other children in kids club, build sandcastles, play soccer, try tennis, do craft and spend hours splashing and playing Marco Polo in the pool. Somehow days stretch on forever and your kids will never want to go home.

Adventure
At JMC we’re all for getting kids off devices and becoming captains of their own adventure aka Huckleberry Finn. We love seeing kids run barefoot and free around our secure, eco resort (basically one big playground) with its sweep of protected beach. Build a billi billi raft and set sail, climb a tree, hike to a waterfall, swim in a jungle pool and explore the magic of the underwater world.

The Coral City
Imagine the look of wonder on your child’s face as they explore underwater snorkel and dive sites with whimsical names like Chimneys and Alice in Wonderland with its mushroom-shaped corals, sea fans, clown fish, vivid crinoids and intricate sea sponges.

Known as the world’s soft coral capital, Fiji is arguably the best place in the world for kids to learn to snorkel and dive. JMC offers Padi Dive Courses and experiences for kids 10 years and over while children as young as eight years can learn fun bubble making in the pool. Littlies old enough to swim meanwhile can get started by snorkelling.

As children grow more confident, they can join grown-ups in experiencing deeper sites like ‘Grand Central Station’ at Namena Marine Reserve, considered by Jean Michel Cousteau to be one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. There they can see hawksbill turtles, large schools of barracuda and circling reef sharks.

JMC All-inclusive resort kids padi diving

JMC bears the famous aquatic adventurer Cousteau’s name and is the only resort in Fiji that employs two full-time, onsite marine biologists. Our marine biologists enthusiastically impart Cousteau’s passion for the ocean to adult and small guests through our excellent ‘School Under the Sea’ program (involving a stamp passport system), snorkelling expeditions (including fun night snorkels), glass bottom boat rides and educational presentations.

Play Robinson Crusoe
At JMC we’ll pack you off with a substantial picnic, snorkeling and kayak gear and deliver you to your own private atoll. Take a siesta in a hammock, build the ultimate sandcastle and snorkel the shallow reefs. You’ll feel just like Robinson Crusoe. The kids will love having the island, and you, all to themselves. Just call us on the two-way radio when you’re ready to come home.

Kids club
Our award-winning Bula Club is not just any old kids club. Even if your child has been reluctant to attend kids club elsewhere, we almost guarantee that won’t be the case at JMC. Days are jam packed with fun activity, laughs and adventure from sunup to sundown where kids are safe in the hands of our specially trained nannies and buddies. It’s a fluid arrangement where parents can enjoy as much couple time as they choose. Trust us: the pull for kids to be at what is surely the world’s most fun kids is real.

JMC Fiji All-inclusive Resort Kids Paradise Waterslide

One word: waterslide!
Yes, we offer a packed schedule of fun activities, kayaks, snorkel gear, SUP boards and complimentary expeditions to waterfalls, markets, mangroves and more but one thing all kids say they love most about JMC (aside from our incredible staff that is) is our waterslides! We offer two slides – one in the Bula Club’s toddler pool and the other in the main pool. Yet another thing that makes JMC a kid’s paradise.

Five reasons why an all-inclusive Fiji resort makes perfect holiday sense

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Jameel Mohammed

Kick back, order a drink and do as much or as little as you want. Booking an all-inclusive stay at Jean Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji takes the stress out of travel.

1. Rest easy – everything’s taken care of
One of the biggest advantages of an all-inclusive resort holiday is peace of mind. Once you’ve budgeted the per night cost for your stay, (almost) everything else is included. No calculating transfer costs, budgeting for a nanny/babysitter, planning for meals or carrying around a wallet. Kick back on our sun lounger by the Serenity Pool – we’ve got this.

2. No hidden extras
At Jean Michel Cousteau Fiji Resort (JMC) there are no hidden extras. Our all-inclusive rates cover transfers, meals, non-alcoholic drinks, full time nannies and buddies, complimentary Bula Club access, a comprehensive activities program (including snorkelling trips, kayaks, SUP, sailing) and so much more. You can dine a la carte three times a day, order a bowl of fries for hungry kids post swim, enjoy morning and afternoon tea (yep, our staff are trained baristas) and we’ll collect you and deliver you back to the airport. If you’re travelling with kids, our full-time nannies and buddies are available from 8am to 9pm daily. No sweating the bill at checkout time – it’s all covered so you can relax.

JMC All-Inclusive Resort SUP Stand up paddling

3. You can try everything on offer
Fancy snorkelling? Our all-inclusive rate includes twice daily adult and family snorkelling trips including quality snorkel and mask sets. Want a hit of tennis? Grab a racket and our court is all yours. Want to take a catamaran out for a spin? Be our guest. Kids want a quick SUP before breakfast? Let us set the boards up for you and store them when you’re done. We’ll take you on complimentary tours to the farmer’s market, mangroves, waterfall, local village and more. Do as much or as little as you like knowing it’s (pretty much) all included.

4. No forking out every time your child wants something
We all know how expensive travelling with kids can be! Our all-inclusive rate covers three meals a day for kids as well as morning and afternoon tea, snacks and drinks, complimentary Bula Club access and best of all a full- time nanny or buddy from 8am-9pm daily. How good is that?! If you’ve got multiple kids, JMC’s all-inclusive rates are a no brainer when it comes to value.

5. All you need is spending money
Once you know how much your holiday is going to cost all you’ll need is some spending money for cocktails by the pool, dive trips or a well-earned massage or two in our rustic spa bure lapped by the waves. Oh, and we have a boutique too stocking a range of locally made handicrafts, jewellery, resort wear and more if you want to treat yourself. You’re on holidays after all.