Category: Fiji Resort Blog

Plan your perfect Valentine’s Day in Fiji this year

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

It's the most romantic time of the year – a day created to celebrate love in its purest form. If you're lucky enough to spend Valentine's Day at our luxury five-star resort, you and your loved one can expect a day filled with nothing but relaxation and romance in paradise.

Here are just a few things you can expect to experience on Valentine's Day at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort.

How will you celebrate Valentine's Day at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort?Are you ready to create a Valentine's Day to remember?

Picnic on a private island

Share a Valentine's Day you'll never forget on your very own private paradise island. That's right, not only can you soak in the serenity of our resort's stunning surroundings, you can also take romance to the next level by hiring our very own Naviavia Island. With just the swaying palms, balmy breezes and shimmering sea around you, they'll be nothing getting in the way of what will be your most memorable Valentine's Day to date.

Whether you choose to snorkel, sunbathe or revel in one another's company, once we've dropped you off by boat, you're free to enjoy this breathtaking island however you wish. And of course, we won't leave you empty handed. There are options to indulge in a specially prepared picnic with chilled champagne – the cherry on top of a perfect day in paradise.

We are the only five-star Fiji resort to offer this incredible opportunity, so don't miss out!

Hire your own private island at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort. Take your romance to new levels this Valentine's Day.

Spa treatments for two

Picture this: you're laying side by side with your loved one and the ocean breeze is softly soothing your sun-kissed skin. You feel the tender touch of hypnotic hands make their way across your back, all while inhaling intoxicating blends of coconut oil and mint. 

The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is renowned for its indulgent South Pacific spa treatments. We practise traditional remedies and therapies throughout our luxurious range of treatments, and only use natural ingredients sourced locally. This Valentine's Day, be sure to treat yourself and your other half to one of our treatments and prepare to leave rejuvenated and relaxed. 

Diving date

Are you keen to make waves this Valentine's Day? Swap the suits and sparkles for a snorkel and flippers and get ready to experience the magic of the South Pacific ocean. The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is located just a stone's throw away from some of the world's best snorkelling and diving spots, including the Namena Marine Reserve. Get ready to witness some of the 1000 species of tropical fish and 400 types of colourful coral that live in this underwater paradise – all with your loved one in tow.

Sharing unforgettable moments like these with your significant other is what Valentine's Day is all about, and here at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, we're proud to lend a helping hand wherever possible. For more information on how we can create the holiday of your dreams, get in touch with the team today. 

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. 

How to help preserve the coral reefs of Fiji

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

The world is made up of 70 per cent water, and within these vast bodies of water lives an abundance of marine life, including colourful coral reefs. Unfortunately, 60 per cent of these underwater ecosystems are under threat of being lost in the next three decades due to overfishing, pollution and physical destruction, according to Travel and Leisure. 

However, there are actions you can take to make a difference when staying at our five star Fiji resort. Here are just some of the ways that you can help preserve this underwater paradise.

How can you help preserve the coral reefs of Fiji?

Jean-Michel Cousteau is not only the resort's founder, he is also a world-recognised environmentalist who continues to raise awareness for – and work towards – preserving the Earth's oceans. Follow in our founder's footsteps by taking the following steps.

  • If you choose to embark on a diving trip to the Namena Reserve when staying at the best Fiji resort, you mustn't touch any of the coral reefs you see. Human contact can smother and damage reefs, and even wipe out species of reef.
  • Make a conscious effort to conserve water – the less you use, the less wastewater and runoff will find its way back to the oceans, which can cause pollution.
  • Although they are extremely pretty, it's important to leave shells and animals from the reef or rock pools where you find them. Removing them can damage the ecosystem and endanger organisms that rely on these products.
Coral reefs are more important to fish than you might think.Coral reefs are not only beautiful, they're also extremely important for humans as well as marine life.

Why are coral reefs so important? 

You may not know it, but it's not just marine life that rely on coral reefs – humans do too. Here are just some of the reasons why coral reefs are so important:

  • Coral reefs form nurseries for roughly a quarter of the world's fish. In turn, an estimated one billion people depend on these nurseries for food and income from fishing, according to World Wide Fund for Nature. These are believed to provide up to 15 tonnes of seafood per square kilometre a year!
  • These ecosystems lower the power of waves during storms and tsunamis, reducing the risk of flooding, damaged land and coastal erosion.
  • Due to their vast biodiversity, coral reef organisms are already being used for treating conditions such as HIV and cancer.

Helping to preserve this beautiful underwater space doesn't need to be difficult. With these small practises, you can work towards making a huge difference to the coral reefs of Fiji. To find out more about the Cousteau Resort philosophy, speak to a member of the team while enjoying your luxury family holiday in Fiji.

3 photography tips for capturing the beauty of Fiji

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

With tropical flora and fauna, white sand beaches as far as the eye can see and calm, blue lagoons, the Fijian island of Vanua Levu is any photographers dream.

If you're heading on a luxury family holiday to the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, discover how you can snap the perfect postcard-worthy shot with our beginner's photography tips.

1. Seek out an interesting subject and location

Luckily, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding a knockout subject or location in the surroundings of the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort. Look for an area that has interesting features and potential for great composition, and try to execute a shot that is completely different to images you've seen before.

Creating reflections is a fun and unique way to elevate a simple beach photograph. Simply find a tide pool with no movement to use as your reflection source. With your subject in the background, aim to capture their reflection in the water to create an interesting foreground effect.

Play around with reflections when shooting. Capturing reflections can transform an ordinary shot into an extraordinary result.

2. Play around with composition

Composition is the term for how elements in a scene are arranged within the frame to help you express an idea and draw the viewer in. Around the resort, such elements may include palm trees, shells, rocks or fauna.

Play around with different textures, silhouettes and patterns to add an extra dimension to your images. However, don't go overboard with too much foreground interest, as this will just clutter your shot. Instead, find a few complementing features that will help build a stellar result. 

Play around with different textures, silhouettes and patterns to add an extra dimension to your images.

3. Make the most of golden hour

With an average daily temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort are rarely without sunshine. However, it's the time before sunrise and just after sunset that you'll really want to utilise for your photography. This time frame is called golden hour and is one of the most favoured lighting settings by photographers. When the sun is closer to the horizon, light appears warmer and softer, producing a flattering glow across subjects and landscapes. Additionally, it's a great excuse to catch a breathtaking sunrise or sunset too!

By following our handy photography tips, you'll undoubtedly produce a collection of incredible shots that will be sure to turn friends and family green with envy! 

Get ready to feel the music of Fiji

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

Are you ready to feel the rhythm of Fiji? While enjoying your holiday at our five star resort, don't be afraid to get those hips shaking and feet tapping as you sway along to the soundtrack of the islands.

With undeniably catchy beats and hypnotic rhymes, learn all about the music of Fiji before departing on your luxury family holiday to the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort. 

An overview of Fijian music

Traditional Fijian music is a heavenly blend of both Polynesian and Melanesian styles which come together to create a unique and beautiful sound. This genre includes a lot of percussion instruments, typically made from resonant wood. Lali and slit drums are often played to provide the background beat, delivering deep and mellow sounds when hit. These indigenous drums were once banged to announce important events such as victories, births and deaths. Today, they're played to call the locals to church or for social gatherings. 

The melody for traditional Fijian music is typically played on guitar, ukulele and mandolin. Pairing deep, hollow sounds from the drums with the mesmerising rhythm of the string instruments, along with rich vocals, the end result is beautifully upbeat.

Are you ready to enjoy the music of Fiji?Feel the music of Fiji at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort.

Famous Fijian artists

Fiji is the birthplace of several talented musical artists. Here are a few of the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort's favourites below:

  • Laisa Vulakoro: Laisa Vulakoro is a Fijian singer specialising in disco and folk music, and is often called by her stage name, Vude Queen. Vulakoro has gone on to release 16 albums, full of toe-tapping beats. 
  • One2eight: Popular Fijian band One2eight deliver energetic and soulful performances whenever they play. You'll never be able to resist the urge to tap your feet and move your head in time to their catchy tunes!
  • Daniel Rae Costello: Daniel's music career has sent him around the Pacific and the rest of the world, performing his infectious Fijian anthems to fans for nearly 40 years!

The soundtrack of your stay at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort

On arrival, the sweet sounds of our singers and guitars are there to greet you, making your welcome that extra bit special, but the music doesn't stop there. Our band will serenade you with island music as you enjoy dining in the stunning surroundings of the resort. Here's what one of our past guests had to say:

'They had the best band playing island music the night we were there which added another dimension to the experience," one past guest told TripAdvisor. 

If you choose to join us on our complimentary excursion to the local Nukubalavu village, you may experience traditional dance presentations set to the tune of lali drums and singing – a real treat!

Get ready to feel the rhythm of the island as you immerse yourself in the music while staying in the tropical paradise of the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort. 

Enjoy a taste of Fiji in your own home

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

Whether you've recently returned from your luxury family holiday in Fiji or you're getting ready to fly to the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, there's something about the tropical cuisine of the islands that gets tummies rumbling no matter where you are! 

For a true taste of Fiji, why not try your hand at creating some of the most popular dishes eaten across the islands? 

Glean a little inspiration by checking out some of the Jean-Micheal Cousteau Resort's favourites below. 

Kokoda

Kokoda is a traditional Fijian raw fish salad that is extremely delicious and extremely easy to replicate in your own home. This recipe will serve around five people as a starter or side. 

Ingredients include:

  • 100 ml coconut cream
  • 500g fresh white fish, thinly sliced
  • 2 spring onions, finely sliced
  • 1 chilli, minced
  • 1/2 cup lime juice
  • 1 cup chopped tomatoes

Method:

Allow the fish to marinate in lime juice for two to three hours before draining. Next, mix the chopped vegetables and coconut cream together, and add the marinated fish. Chill well and garnish with lime wedges and coriander before serving.

At our five star Fiji resort, we're passionate about serving these traditional meals alongside other delicious dishes, such as the magical Lovo feast!

Palusami

Palusami is a popular Fijian dish of meat, coconut cream and various vegetables, wrapped in taro leaves, then baked. This recipe is a great appetiser for a party and will serve around eight people.

Ingredients include:

  • 2 dozen young taro leaves (washed and softened in hot water)
  • 400ml coconut cream
  • 1 brown onion, chopped
  • 250g cooked corned or minced beef
  • 2 tomatoes, sliced

Method:

Hold the pliable taro leaf in your hand to form a cup shape. Spoon in a small amount of coconut cream, cooked beef, and layer the onion and tomato on top. Fold over the leaves to make a parcel and secure in place with toothpicks. Wrap in tinfoil and bake in the oven for around 30-40 minutes.

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Fijian banana cake

Who could forget about dessert? This moist and fluffy banana cake is served at Fijian celebrations and is a tasty treat for after dinner. 

Ingredients include:

  • 2 ripe bananas, mashed 
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 cup self raising flour

Method:

In a large bowl, mix the mashed bananas, eggs, sugar, vanilla and melted butter together until fluffy. In a separate bowl, combine baking soda and self-raising flour. Gently fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients until a smooth batter is formed. Pour into a greased and lined cake tin, and bake for around 30 minutes at 170 degrees Celsius (or until a toothpick comes out clear). 

We don't know about you, but all of this talk of Fijian food is making us hungry. Come and experience the deliciousness for yourself while staying at the Jean-Michel Cousteau 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. 

Go green at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

Being the best Fiji resort is high on our agenda. Therefore, we take great pride in creating a luxury holiday experience that our guests will never forget.

Another element close to our hearts is sustainable tourism. We are proud to practise green methods across the resort and through our services. The World Travel Awards have even awarded the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort with Australasia's Leading Green Hotel award three consecutive years in a row!

Discover how you can partake in sustainable tourism while enjoying a luxury couples holiday in Fiji.

Learn how the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort helps preserve the coral.Learn how the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort helps preserve the coral. 

Green guest amenities

As a guest of the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, you'll stay in one of our bures – a Fijian thatched house – on the shores of Savusavu Bay. All of our luxury bures are designed with sustainability in mind and built from naturally harvested materials. The high roofs allow for maximum air circulation – eliminating the need for wasting resources on unnecessary air conditioning systems. 

From the non-phosphate cleaning products to the chemical-free spa lotions and ointments, you'll find nothing but natural, harm-free goods used throughout the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort.

Ocean initiatives making a difference

Our five star Fiji resort is located just a stone's throw away from the clear and clean Pacific Ocean. Jean-Michel Cousteau – the resort's founder and ocean environmentalist – has ensured that the resort places a firm focus on preserving this underwater paradise.

In 2013, through Johnny Singh's initiative, the resort founded a coral farm in a bid to restore the reef. So far, there are 87 fragments of live coral that are currently being nursed back to health after breaking away from their original colonies. This programme helps to grow the broken coral fragments into larger, healthier groups.

Get green fingers in our organic garden.Get green fingers in our organic garden.

Great for the environment and for our guests

Not only will guests leave the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort with happy memories, they'll also leave full after dining on plenty of delicious Fijian cuisine. All food served at meal times is sustainably sourced from the local area, if not from our own organic garden in the resort. Here we grow herbs, fruits and vegetables that you may try when experiencing a traditional Lovo feast – a cultural Fiji cooking method. 

The resort also features Fiji's first ever water reclamation plant. This low energy system puts treated wastewater to good use and reduces both the carbonaceous and nitrogenous demand around the resort. This water is then pumped to nearby ponds and wetlands.

We love being a sustainable resort in Fiji and we hope that our guests enjoy our eco-friendly services while staying with us! 

What wildlife will you find at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort?

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

Are you excited for your five star family holiday in Fiji? Of course you are! There's so much to see and do at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, including keeping an eye out for some of Vanua Levu's exotic wildlife.

What creatures will you find on your family holiday in Fiji?

Underwater creatures in the Namena Reserve 

The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is lucky enough to be a stone's throw away from some of the world's best diving and snorkelling spots. The Namena Reserve is approximately 70 square kilometres in size and within this vast space lives more than 1,100 species of fish and 400 corals.

At the resort, we have our resident marine biologist, Johnny Singh, who is happy to take groups out to explore these waters. Here you may swim with clownfish (Nemo!), red snapper, bottlenose dolphins and even turtles! The Namena Reserve is home to four of the world's seven species of turtles, including the green turtle. This species can live up to 80 years old and weigh up to 130 kilograms, according to National Geographic – making them one of the world's largest species of turtle.

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Exotic birds on Vanua Levu

Vanua Levu is the second largest island in Fiji and home to the best Fiji resort and an abundance of exotic birds, including the following:

  • Fiji goshawks – This species of bird are native to Fiji and are considered a bird of prey. You may spot them in the trees and parks near the resort. They have a grey head, back, tail and wings, and yellow eyes and beak.
  • Orange fruit dove – As the name suggests, this Fijian bird is orange! Try and spot this colourful creature on our complimentary excursion to Nakawaga Waterfall as the orange fruit dove loves to live in forests.
  • Silktail – The silktail is one of the island's rarest birds and is unfortunately listed as near threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list of threatened species. However, there are still a number of silktail's that live on Vanua Levu. Look out for a small black bird with metallic blue patches and white patterned tail.

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Local lizards of Vanua Levu

In Fiji, there are 30 types of reptiles that live across the archipelago's 300 islands. One that can be found on Vanua Levu is the Fiji banded iguana. This lizard is bright green in colour and has blue spots over its body – making it a little easier to spot while exploring. The Fijian government consider Fiji iguanas a national treasure and have even featured the lizards on postage stamps and currency! 

While enjoying your family holiday to the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, be sure to keep an eye out for some of these local creatures! 

Learn how to play beach rugby on your Fiji family holiday

Posted on by Anita Mitchell

While enjoying your five star family holiday in Fiji, you'll no doubt be playing fun-filled beach games on the shores of the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort. One game that is incredibly popular with guests and our staff is beach rugby.

Never played? Don't worry. Follow these simple rules and you'll be scoring those tries in no time!

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Beach rugby – what's it all about?

Beach rugby is based loosely on rugby union and is played around the world. It turns out that Australians can't get enough of rugby either as more than half a million adults and children take to the field to play the sport, according to Roy Morgan research – putting it in the top 20 sports played in the country.

In fact, rugby is also a game much loved by the staff at our five star Fiji resort. The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort has their very own team that often takes part in competitions around the island and beyond. They're also extremely partial to a match on our own beaches so be sure to wear your game face at all times! 

Who will be the winning team of your beach rugby game?Who will be the winning team of your beach rugby game?

How do you play?

Depending on how many players you have rounded up, beach rugby is often played with five people per team, according to the official Rugby Union laws. However, for a casual game at the resort, four to seven is acceptable.

With rugby ball and teams ready to go, the game will begin with a free kick to the side who won the coin toss.

Whoever is lucky enough to catch the ball will begin their run up the pitch toward the marked goal! Try and dodge tackles from incoming players of the opposing team in a bid to score that all important try.

If the ball is lost to a rival team member, try your best to regain play to avoid them scoring points. 

The game lasts a total of 10 minutes, with five minute halves either side and a three minute break in between. At this point, teams will switch sides and discuss tactics – perfect if a few last minute tries are needed.

That's it, time's up. Shake the sand out of your hair while the points are tallied up to determine the winning team.

Congratulations! If you managed to steal the win, well done – if not, better luck next time. Discover all the family fun you can have at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort today.