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.

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.

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).

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.