Category: What to do in Fiji

The perfect romantic day at Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

There are few locations more idyllic and romantic then the powder white bays of Fiji's Vanua Levu. Nestled on Savusavu Bay, just metres from the crystal blue waters, you'll find the Jean-Michel Cousteau resort – the island's premier luxury escape. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, take a moment to daydream about the perfect romantic holiday here…

9:00 am – Breakfast at the beachfront restaurant 

The warm Fijian sun streams into your oceanfront bure. You slip out of bed and amble down the shoreline to the resort's beachfront restaurant to enjoy French toast and cafe-quality coffee to recharge for the day ahead.

10:30 am – Traditional Fijian Massage

After breakfast you take another short stroll down the beach to experience the blissful relaxation of a traditional Fijian massage. Your local masseur uses cold pressed coconut oil and long firm and rhythmic strokes to release tension, soundtracked by the sounds of waves lapping against the shore. 

12:30 pm – Private island excursion

You're woken up from your accidental post-massage nap in a garden hammock, and you jump on a water taxi with your partner. You're whisked away to Naviavia, the resort's private island. It's less than an acre in size, rimmed by pristine white beaches and dotted with coconut trees. Its all yours for the afternoon – just you, your partner and the warm Pacific Ocean. 

You spend your island-time indulging in a picnic and champagne, soaking in the sun and cooling off in the sea.

7:00 pm – Sunset dinner on the pier

Feeling sun-kissed, you venture to the end of the resort's pier out over the water. A private table is set up for you and your personal waiter serves you three courses and drinks as the sun sets and the stars light up the sky. 

The food, courtesy of renowned Chinese-Fijian chef Raymond Lee, is an exotic fusion of Fijian, Asian and world cuisines. 

9:00 pm – A nightcap at the resort's lounge bar

After a particularly delicious dessert, you end your evening in the lounge bar. You and your partner savour a couple craft cocktails, then it's time to retreat back to your ocean front bure and look forward to another day in paradise tomorrow. 

Sound like your idea of a perfect day? For more information on what your stay in Fiji could be like, check out our room rates and all-inclusive romantic escape packages today. 

Why is Vanua Levu such a great spot for a family holiday?

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

Family holidays should be relaxing, fun and rejuvenating. That's why Savusavu Bay, nestled on the gorgeous southern cost of Vanua Levu, is the ideal location. With incredible wildlife, diverse and delicious cuisine, world class facilities and award winning child care – a luxury family holiday in Vanua Levu at Jean-Michel Cousteau is always memorable.

Incredible sea life

Fiji is known as the soft coral capital of the world, as well as one of the best snorkeling and swimming locations. The water temperature ranges from 28 degrees Celsius in March to just under 25 in August and September, so make sure you leave your wet suit at home. 

If your kids are older or confident in the water, they'll love the guided snorkeling tours offered here in Savusavu Bay. With the help of a fully trained diver or marine biologist they'll discover vibrant and colourful coral, colourful reef fish straight out of Finding Nemo and perhaps even beautiful, rare sea turtles.

Adults are always welcome to join, but if you'd rather enjoy some well earned pool time there's always a sun lounger waiting for you. 

Activities galore

The last thing you want on a family holiday in Fiji holiday is bored kids. Luckily, when they're done exploring untouched underwater worlds, there's dozens more activities to enjoy here in Savusavu Bay. Your kids can go paddle boarding, swimming, kayaking, sailing and fishing. 

If they're not keen on getting wet, there's tennis, volleyball, table tennis, hiking and bird watching to enjoy too. To get a taste of local culture little ones can join in on a traditional storytelling sessions, where they'll learn the tales from over 3,000 years of Fijian legend. 

The South Pacific's best family holiday

Fijian hospitality is legendary. It's not put on or embellished for guests – the people here are just uncommonly warm, friendly and welcoming. Perhaps that's why Luxury Travel Magazine gave Jean-Michel Cousteau in Vanua Levu a Gold award and called our Bula Kids Club one of the best in the South Pacific. 

It's a paradise for little ones featuring a kid's pool, nursery bure, trampoline, flying fox, jungle gym and an incredible tree house. There's daily educational activities and excursions where kids can hang out with locals and learn about local Fijian culture, the natural environment and cooking. 

Children under six are assigned their own nanny, while kids six to 12 are looked after by a Fijian buddy in groups smaller than five. The best part? Most of the child care and activities are included as part of your stay.

To find out more about the incredible family holidays on offer at Jean-Michel Cousteau resort Fiji check out our all inclusive packages today. 

What marine life will you see diving on beautiful Vanua Levu?

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

Fiji's second largest island, Vanua Levu, is home to stunning white sand beaches, lush flora and fauna and thriving tropical forests. The beauty of this undiscovered paradise doesn't stop at the shoreline though. If you're a keen snorkler or diver, there's endless worlds and diverse sea life to discover underneath the calm blue.

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Coral and small colourful fish

Fiji is known as the soft coral capital of the world, offering one of the most diverse underwater experiences you can find. Some of the best diving in Fiji can be found in the marine protected areas off the coast of Savu Savu Bay where Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji is located. 

Here you'll see countless colourful and complex soft coral structures just a few minutes swim from the pier. You might paddle through schools of neon yellow and purple Fairy Basslets, spot Masked Banner Fish and leaf fish. 

Reef sharks and larger fish

Go a little further out on a guided tour with our in-house marine biologist and you'll encounter far more. Under the Calm of the Pacific ocean you might see Lion Fish, one of the ocean's most eye-catching and imposing creatures. 

On the right day you'll spot reef sharks, moray eels and barracuda circling from a safe distance, as well as larger fish like tuna and trevally. If you're lucky you might run into schools of snapper and grouper on the reefs.

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Rays and turtles

Keen and experienced divers are welcome to take a guided trip further off the coast at the drop-offs where rare and beautiful marine life can be found. One of the most unique fish you'll see is the manta ray, a wide and flat marine ray that ripples through the ocean like a living magic carpet. These can grow to up to 7 metres wide but are harmless if respected. Their smaller cousins the Eagle Ray are usually close by. 

The warm waters of Fiji are also home to five of the seven species of turtle including the Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback, Loggerhead, and Olive Ridley. A meeting with one of these characters may be rare but few underwater encounters are more memorable. 

To meet some of the locals under the water here at Savu Savu Bay speak to the team at Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji to enquire about our all inclusive offers and diving packages. 

How to become a certified diver on your holiday in Fiji

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

Fiji has truly earned its place as the soft coral capital of the world, and here at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, we love giving our guests the opportunity to explore this underwater paradise in all its glory. That's why we offer a range of diving courses and certifications for those looking to make the most of these stunning surroundings.

If you're ready to strap on a snorkel and flip those fins, discover how you can get certified while on your Fijian holiday.

Make a splash on your Fijian holiday

You don't have to be a diving extraordinaire to partake in our world-renowned diving courses. Our instructors are qualified to deal with guests of all skill levels – even beginners. So, if you're new to diving but want to learn the best practices amongst professionals in a safe and controlled environment, you've come to the right place.

Our snorkelling course with certification is just one of many beginner diving courses on offer at our luxury resort. Here, guests will learn the essential basics such as how to use your fins, mask, snorkel and all skin diving equipment, and understand safe skin diving practices. Our in-water training will teach you how to use your equipment, enter the water, check buoyancy and how to perform effortless surface dives, along with other necessary must-dos.

What marine life will you encounter while snorkelling in Fiji?There's an underwater paradise waiting for you to explore.

Are you ready to become a certified diver?

If you're no stranger to snorkelling or scuba diving, why not take your passion for the deep sea to the next level? The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is proud to host the world-recognised PADI course for those looking to gain a reputable qualification in this field. The PADI course is the most popular scuba course around the world, enabling you to dive with a buddy to a maximum depth of 18 metres and rent dive equipment anywhere in the world!

Participants will learn how to use basic scuba equipment, control a device and tank, navigate, and how to safely enter and exit the water. The course is three to five days long, during which time you'll partake in a range of dives to ensure you're ready to become a competent diver. 

The PADI course is the most popular scuba course around the world.

How Fiji earned its name as the soft coral capital of the world

With picture-perfect turquoise waters spanning as far as the eye can see, and a kaleidoscope of colour beneath the shimmering surface, there's no denying the allure of the South Pacific. Below the waves, visitors can swim amongst 1000 species of tropical fish and 400 varieties of coral life – all just a stones throw from the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort. With such ideal diving conditions and a fantastic array of marine life to view, there's no better winner for the prestigious title of 'soft coral capital of the world.'

There's truly no better place to gain a diving certificate than at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort. If you're ready to take the plunge, speak to a member of staff to see how you can get involved. 

What to do when it’s raining on your Fijian holiday

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

Fiji is renowned for its warm, tropical climate, with an average annual temperature of 24 degrees Celsius. Although it's extremely rare not to see the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort bathed in a warm, golden glow, on occasion, the heavens may open – just like anywhere else in the world.

However, there's no need to let the rain put a damper on your day, there's still a fantastic range of rainy day activities to get stuck into.

Discover some of the fun things to do when it's raining on your Fijian holiday.

1. Make it a spa day

What could more relaxing than listening to the sound of the trickling rain from the comfort of a private beachfront bure, whilst indulging in a traditional South Pacific spa treatment?

Treat yourself to one of our relaxing and rejuvenating treatments, such as an energising Bula Mai uplifting all over body massage, coconut cleansing Vakacegu facial or exfoliating Maucokona banana leaf body wrap.

Our two oceanfront treatment bures are completely sheltered, with open doors looking out to Savusavu Bay – the perfect backdrop for a massage, treatment or wrap when the weather turns grey.

The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort spa is perfect for spending a rainy day. Don't let wet weather turn you grey – enjoy a luxury spa day!

2. Get even wetter

If you get caught in a rain shower, don't turn grey like the clouds. Instead, don your bathing suit, leave your inhibitions at the door and prepare to get even wetter!

Embrace the conditions by making a splash in one of our many luxury pools. We have three swimming pools and one toddler pool around the resort. Our Serenity pool is specifically adult-only, perfect for a little peace and quiet, while our Lasa pool is fun for all the family, complete with a giant waterslide and plenty of space for splashing!

The biggest natural swimming pools is the sea itself. The average annual water temperature in Fiji is 28 degrees Celsius, so even when the rain falls, swimming is still as enjoyable as ever. If it's only a light shower, grab a snorkel and see which fish you can see below the waves. Keep an eye out for Nemo and friends in the soft coral capital of the world.

Our adults only pool is a great place to go if it starts raining. Embrace the rain by taking to our adults only pool.

3. Relax as the kids cook up a storm

It's never hard thinking of ways to keep the kids entertained while staying at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort – there's plenty of fun things to do, even when it rains! Leave your little ones in the care of our nannies and buddies at our award-winning Bula kids Club Junior Chef's Program. Watch as your children learn how source local ingredients for cooking and assist in preparing scrummy dishes for lunch or dinner. As they do so, take time out with a book and tropical cocktail in hand and marvel at your budding chef in action!

With so many fun activities to get involved in, you'll never be bored at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort. There's a world awaiting you and your family during a stay at our five-star luxury resort. 

A beginner’s guide to snorkelling

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

Vanua Levu isn't just a tropical paradise above the waves. In the warm and clear waters surrounding our five star Fiji resort, guests can swim amongst lush coral gardens and multi-coloured fish while snorkelling in the soft coral capital of the world.

If you're new to snorkelling but don't want to miss out on the action, follow the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort beginner's guide and get ready for endless fun!

Stick with the experts

The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is famed for its incredible snorkelling and for being the only Fiji resort with a resident marine biologist – Johnny Singh. Johnny helps educate our guests on the stunning underwater paradise before taking them out for snorkelling trips. Whether you've been snorkelling a few times before or you're a complete beginner, Johnny will take the time to ensure that you are safe, comfortable and having fun at all times.

Practise your breathing

Before plunging into the water, familiarise yourself with your equipment. The snorkel is a tube-like apparatus that will allow you to breathe when your mouth and nose are submerged in water. Practise breathing calmly and slowly through the tube above water before going under. Once you feel comfortable, adopt these techniques in the shallows ahead of venturing deeper.

Don't touch coral or fish

In the Namena Reserve close to the best Fiji resort live more than 1,100 species of colourful fish and 400 varieties of coral. Here at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, we're passionate about maintaining this gorgeous underwater ecosystem so that everyone who visits can enjoy it for years to come. Help preserve this space by not touching any of the marine life you come across. Human contact can cause damage to aquatic life and even wipe out species, states Reef Relief.

Stay calm and slow down

Although it's easy to become excited by the unbelievable views below the Savusavu waters, it's important to take your time when snorkelling to avoid exhaustion. Stay at a steady pace when exploring and stick to your group and guide. This will prevent panic to yourself and the marine life you may come across. Such creatures may include clownfish, starfish and turtles – four of the world's seven turtle species reside here!

While enjoying your five star family holiday in Fiji at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, be sure to head out on a snorkelling adventure you'll never forget. 

3 reasons why Fiji should be top of your travel bucket list

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

Looking for a new, sun-filled holiday destination? Join the 350,000 Australians who, according to Fiji Bureau of Statistics, visited Fiji over the course of July 2016 to June 2017. There's a reason, after all, why the country consistently makes the top ten list of travel destinations for Aussies.

As experts in everything 'Fiji', allow the five star resort of the Jean-Michel Cousteau to explain why the tropical paradise of Fiji should be at the top of your travel bucket list.

1. Bask on beautiful beaches

If you're dreaming of postcard-worthy beaches surrounded by gently swaying palm trees, you're in luck. On the second largest island in Fiji – Vanua Levu – where the Jean Michel-Cousteau Resort is located, stunning stretches of sand are the norm – a particular treat while enjoying your romantic Fiji getaway. And, best part is, they are just a short stroll from your accommodation!

Spend your time relaxing on the shores or take to the clear waters for some of the world's best snorkelling. We have our very own dive centre that allows guests to experience the Namena Reserve in all it's glory. Swim with four of the world's seven sea turtle species, keep an eye out for playful Bottlenose dolphins and see more than 400 colourful coral species.

2. Immerse yourself in the culture

As soon as you step into our five star resort, a swarm of smiles and 'Bulas' will greet you. Our friendly staff are a shining example of the country's warm and welcoming demeanour and they work to ensure that your stay is nothing short of magical.

Expect to have a permanent smile plastered on your face when joining one of our complimentary excursions that explore Savusavu and beyond. Interact with locals at the Savusavu Saturday market and experience the hospitality and warmth for yourself as they guide you through their offerings and homemade crafts.

Here at the Jean Michel-Cousteau Resort we love nothing more than celebrating our great culture and what better way to do so than by experiencing a traditional Lovo feast? Watch as chef Raymond Lee cooks the ingredients in an underground fire pit – a time-honoured Fijian method.

3. Experience the adventure

The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is proof that you'll never be bored when holidaying to Fiji. Take to the water and enjoy snorkelling, diving, boat rides and kayaking. If dry land is more your thing, hike to secluded waterfalls, visit a Fijian village or create your own traditional wares – the possibilities are endless!

We knew it wouldn't be hard to convince you that Fiji is the perfect holiday destination, so what are you waiting for, contact the Jean Michel-Cousteau Resort to see just what we can do for you.

Everything you need to know before departing on your couples holiday to Fiji

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

With a plethora of pristine, fine-grained beaches, abundant coral and marine life and exploring opportunities, it's no surprise that Fiji consistently makes the top ten list of Australia's most popular travel destinations. From June 2016 to June 2017, over 350,000 Australians visited the country, according to the Fiji Bureau of Statistics.

If like the many other Australians that continue to visit the country, you too have booked a romantic Fiji getaway to the island of Vanua Levu, there are a few things that you'll want to be aware of before departing. Allow the five-star Fiji Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort to fill you in!

Weather

The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is located in Savusavu which as a whole receives a warm, tropical climate all year round. Weather temperatures average at around 25C, making it enjoyable and bearable for all visitors.

Enjoy the sunshine on your holiday in Fiji.Enjoy the sunshine on your holiday in Fiji.

What to pack

With pleasant temperatures and sun-filled days, visitors to the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort are sure to want to make the most of our outdoor facilities and surrounding areas. Ensuring that cool clothes are packed for daytime activities is necessary, along with longer coverups for when the sun sets. Essentials such as sunglasses, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, swimming gear and thongs mustn't be forgotten either.

Food

Fiji is renowned for its food, with visitors set to enjoy cuisine heavily influenced by the surrounding ocean, along with subtle spices and root vegetables such as taro. To make your five-star couples holiday in Fiji extra special, the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort bring the best of Fiji cuisine to our guests.

Experience a traditional Fijian Lovo feast; a method where food is covered in banana leaves and cooked in a fire pit. We hold one every week here at the resort, so a traditional taste of Fiji is never far away!

Immerse yourself in incredible Fijian food.Immerse yourself in incredible Fijian food.

Language

The native language of Fiji is unsurprisingly known as 'Fijian', although Hindi and English are also spoken. Learn a few common phrases before you depart to truly immerse yourself in the culture.

Culture

The people of Fiji are renowned for being incredibly friendly, welcoming and easy-going. Our hospitable and kind staff are shining examples of this and help to keep our five-star Fiji resort the great place it is today.

However, there are customs that should be adopted to avoid causing offence. When visiting a village, individuals should dress conservatively and remove hats and shoes, and avoid touching anybody's head. If offered the national drink of Kava, visitors should politely accept as it's customary to drink.

After remembering the above points, the only thing that's left to do is to get excited! With so much to see and do, your luxury couples vacation in Fiji is waiting for you here at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort!

Fun beach games to play with the whole family

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

With some of the most family friendly, clean and pristine beaches on the doorstep of our 5 star Fiji resort, having fun in the sun has never been easier! Just a shell's throw away from your accommodation at Jean-Michel Cousteau is a great stretch of Savusavu sand waiting for you and your family.

When you need a break from catching rays, why not try your hand at this list of fun beach games for the whole family?

Sand mermaids/merman

Building sand castles is an age old tradition that every child and adult has partaken in over the years. Step it up a notch and turn those sand castles into life-size mysteries of the ocean – mermaids and mermen! Use seaweed for hair, shells for scales and other natural items found on the beach for your projects. Give your mermaid a name, create an adventurous story and don't forget to snap a selfie with your mer-crew once done.

Water bucket relay

Inspired by another classic, the water bucket relay takes its concept from the egg and spoon race. Super simple to play, all you'll need are four players, two buckets and two cups or other utensils capable of holding small amounts of water. Nominate two of the four players to hold the bucket on top of their heads and the other two to be the carriers of the water. The kids may find it more fun to do the latter because children love to race! The bucket holders must line up about 10 – 15 metres from the ocean and the carriers must race back and forth between the sea, using their cups to transport water to the buckets. The winners are the ones whose bucket is filled first! Word of warning, prepare to get wet!

Have fun in the sun with our list of beach games.Have fun in the sun with our list of beach games.

Beach ball race

This game isn't restricted to a certain amount of players and in fact, the bigger the teams, the merrier! Find a section of the beach that has a slight slope into the water and from there, prepare to scoop some sand! Each team is given one ping pong ball and must dig a channel from the starting point with the aim of filling said tunnel with water to get the ping pong ball into the sea! The winners are the first ones to travel their ball into the ocean. Get ready to catch your ping pong ball at the end to not lose it to the waves!

Keeping up with the little ones' energy can be a tough feat at times. Why not let our trusted team of nannies and buddies take the reigns in our renowned Bula Kids Club? It's a fantastic way for children to make friends and have their own adventures, while you enjoy a well needed break by the pool. For more information on this complimentary service, visit the Jean-Michel Cousteau site.

Top alternatives to lying on a beach all day

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

Although lying on a pristine, white sand beach all day on your luxury couples vacation in Fiji is a complete vacation dream come true, sometimes it's nice to take a break and see what other adventures are out there. After all, you're going to want to make the most of your time on the beautiful island of Vanua Levu!

With an abundance of activities to get involved in and stunning scenery to soak up, check out our top alternatives to lying on a beach all day.

Visit Nukubalavu

Just one of the resort's complimentary off-site excursions, a visit to the traditional Fijian village of Nukubalavu is definitely worth the trip. Spend an afternoon meeting the village chief of Savusavu and learning about the life of the people who reside here. Immerse yourself in the culture as you watch energetic traditional dances and view artistic craft demonstrations such as mat and basket weaving. Mingle with the children and adults of the village for a truly unique Fijian experience.

Stroll around Savusavu farmers market

If spending a lazy morning wandering around stalls brimming with exotic foods and hand-crafted goodies is your thing, you'll be sure to want to head to Savusavu's renowned market. Attracting people from far and wide, it's the best way to feel like a local. Prepare to fill your basket with fresh goods and produce – some you may never have seen before too!

Find spices, fish caught that morning and other delicious foods. Saturday is one of the busiest market days and if you want the best seafood, be sure to get in early. The market is also a great place to purchase authentic gifts. Watch as the women weave your basket right there and then or purchase some traditional jewellery for a complete one of a kind souvenir.

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Head out on a diving excursion

Vanua Levu is world famous for it's diving with some of the most colourful and pristine coral life beneath our waters. Whether you're a newcomer or an expert in diving, here at Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, we have got your 'what to do in Fiji' questions well and truly answered with our various underwater packages.

We offer diving excursions to the incredibly beautiful Namena marine reserve – home to over a thousand species of fish and hundreds of different coral life. Explore the multi-coloured, enchanting environment and don't be surprised to swim across dolphins and even humpback whales! If you want to take your diving skills to a whole new level, why not join one of our experienced instructors as you enjoy earning a certified qualification? Offering various packages, there is something for everyone at the Cousteau Dive Centre.

Join a pearl farm tour

Unlike any farm you may have visited before, J. Hunter Pearl Farm showcases just where this popular jewellery choice really comes from. Hop onto a glass bottom boat and get set to discover the science and production that goes into the sustainable farming of the pearls. A truly unique experience, the excursion allows for visitors to witness the black-lipped oysters lining the bottom of the shore and just how the shining gems make their way to the finished products. If seeing pearls in their natural habitat has got you wanting to add to your jewellery collection, a stop off in the showroom afterward allows you to do just that.

After all that sightseeing and exploring, a rest is well and truly deserved. Where better to unwind and relax than at your 5 star Fiji resort? Complete with world class spa treatments, pier side dinners and in-house activities, there is plenty to do on your stay here. Contact the team at Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort to find out how we can make your romantic Fiji getaway the best it can possibly be.