Unforgettable Fiji experiences for Families

Family destinations don’t come better than Fiji. It’s 330 islands are like one big tropical playground. Here are eight unforgettable experiences for lucky families staying at Jean Michel Cousteau Fiji Resort (JMC) – Fiji’s best family resort (just saying).

 

Let kids be kids!
JMC is all about old school fun. Let your kids kick off the shoes, play in the sand, climb trees, kayak and swim in our languid bay. See the joy on their face as they make friends in kids club, laugh with their nannies and buddies, join in all the fun activities at Bula Club and explore our magical treehouse playground built in a magnificent rain tree. Our seven-hectare resort is like one safe, big beachy playground. Devices? What devices.

What lies beneath
Fiji’s the ideal spot for budding snorkelers and divers to explore fish filled waters. JMC offers twice daily snorkeling trips for families, typically led by one of our two resident marine biologists and accompanied by your child’s nanny or buddy. Our snorkeling trips in glass bottom boats are safe, easy and super fun for kids. There are 15 snorkeling sites within 15 minutes of the resort while once a week we offer an exciting night snorkel off the jetty. Resident marine biologist Johnny Singh leads many of our snorkeling trips and brings the coral city to life by explaining what you see underwater.

Finding Nemo
Children wanting to take their first underwater breaths can join our combined snorkeling and scuba course for kids aged eight to 10. When they feel ready, they can learn to dive on world class reefs – including Namena Marine Reserve which inspired the movie Finding Nemo. Guided by experienced instructors from the Cousteau Dive Centre, diving together as a family is an experience you’ll never forget.

Village visit
Most Fijians still live in traditional villages in a multicultural society. At JMC families have the opportunity to visit the local Nukubalavu (meaning Long Beach) Village where many of our staff and their families come from. Meet the village chief, enjoy traditional dance performances and learn about the villager’s way of life. There are lots of local kids to meet, handicrafts to buy and it’s a great way to connect with authentic Fijian culture. Our complimentary village visit runs weekly and it’s not to be missed.

Leap from the jetty
Take a leap from our jetty into clear fish filled waters. Make sure you organise for one of our staff to capture this special moment – it’s a rite of passage at JMC – and hours of fun

Back to school 
Families love our Friday afternoon visits to a local school. Kids are invited to join children of their own age at one of Savusavu’s local primary schools and participate in class for a short time to make a new friend and a pen-pal. Expect lots of fun. Interacting with local kids is a moment you’ll never forget.

Crab race
Join the hunt along the shoreline for the speediest hermit crab and sign up for our weekly crab race. This fun event for the whole family involves lots of laughing, yelling and a prize for the winner. Who knows you may have the next Usain Bolt of the crab world on your hands?!

Why JMC is the world’s best family resort?

Whooshing down a waterslide, exploring the magic of the underwater world, full time nannies and old-school fun. It’s this and so much more that makes Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji (JMC) the world’s best family resort.

Full-time nannies and buddies
Yes, you read that right. At Jean-Michel Cousteau (aka JMC) every child five and under is assigned their own nanny from 8am to 9pm (later or earlier if you need it) each day. Children up to the age of 12 are paired with a buddy (with a ratio of one buddy for a maximum of five children).

The connection between your child and their Fijian nanny or buddy starts the moment you arrive. As you check-in (mocktail in hand) our specially trained nannies and buddies scoop young charges up and whisk them away for a tour of the Bula Club.

Even if your child is naturally reserved or hesitant, don’t fear. Our team will have them (and you) settled in no time.

World's best Family Resort . Award-winning Bula Club for Kids

Award winning Bula Club
All children have complimentary access to the Bula Club, largely considered the South Pacific’s best kids’ club (some say the world’s best and who are we to argue) by countless happy parents, contented kids and travel industry experts.

Underpinned by the Lei Lei Holiday program for 0-5-year-olds and the Marau Holiday program for children 6-12, activities include spearfishing, snorkelling, Fijian basket weaving, fishing, volleyball, hiking and kayaking. Younger children do face painting, crab hunting, shell collecting, basket weaving and everyone is invited to visit a Fijian village, the weekly farmers’ market and more.

‘The School Under the Sea’ program is also offered whereby children (six to 12) can learn about Fiji’s natural environment and cultural heritage through the eyes of our resort’s two onsite marine biologists.

Aside from our fun activities programs, the Bula Club offers a mushroom pool, toddler pool and a larger family pool with day beds. Two pools have waterslides (always a winner with kids). There’s also a jungle gym, zip-line, trampoline, sandbox, and arts and crafts centre.

Nannies and buddies care for kids from after breakfast to bedtime while a three piece band serenades children while they have dinner. Kids can sing along to The Lion Sleeps Tonight, play Marco Polo in the pool, join snorkeling sessions to the “Coral City” and enjoy movies and popcorn while you enjoy a romantic dinner together.

Parents choose their children’s meals each day prepared fresh from scratch in our main kitchen. Kids can eat with parents in the family dining section of our restaurant or at the Bula Club – it’s your choice.

World's Best Family Resort. The School Under the Sea Program with Marine Biologists.

Our staff are naturals with kids
Fijians absolutely adore children. Likewise, children are naturally drawn to Fijians with their warm nature, big friendly grins and ready laugh. At JMC every team member from the bar staff to our wonderful housekeeping team greets kids with affection and wide smiles. It doesn’t matter whether you’re dining or building sandcastles on the beach, help is on hand at every turn. Our excellent nanny’s and buddies standby ready to connect with your child, even rocking babies to sleep. It’s all part of the JMC service.

Time to reconnect
With the kids in good hands, be seduced by poolside dining or head to our spa for a massage as waves lap the shore. Snorkeling and diving in world class reefs, stand up paddle boarding, tennis or yoga overlooking the Coral Sea await.

Many parents however say their favourite thing is the joy of having time to read a book, have coffee or cocktail sans children by the Serenity Pool (child free except for a few hours on Sunday).

Worlds-best-Family-Resort-Jean-Michel-Cousteau-Resort-Fiji-Time-for-parents-to-reconnect

Don’t just take our word for it
Our award-winning resort has received countless accolades over the years from ‘Best Overseas Family Resort’ in the Luxury Travel Gold List to being dubbed “the finest family resort in the South Pacific” by Frommers. You have only to look at the multiple glowing entries from parents on tripadvisor.com to realise there’s something special about JMC.

Australian travel writer Ben Groundwater visited with his young family recently and put it this way: “Perhaps the greatest gift that Fiji and Jean-Michel Cousteau can give, the most important thing we can be reminded of, is that parenting is fun. The real work is taken care of by other people here. All that’s left are the fun parts, the shared joys, the simple pleasures.”

We know claiming to be the world’s best family resort is a huge call. But we stand ready to exceed your expectations.