Fiji
Highlights
- Easy 4-hour flight from Australia which is especially handy with little ones
- Lots of good quality resort options within 20 minutes from the airport
- The Fijian people are some of the warmest and friendliest on planet Earth!
Tip: Meal plans are hugely popular in Fiji. If you’re not a big eater, we’d suggest you steer clear of it. We’ve done the maths every trip and you generally come out better off paying on a per meal basis. If you want to press the easy button, meal plans do take the stress out of planning and counting your pennies.
It doesn’t get more family friendly than this place! From the Kids Clubs, family friendly resorts, kids eat free options and the locals’ genuine love of kids, you can see why families return year after year. We certainly have… hitting this kids gold mine 3 out of the last 4yrs!
Overall Family Friendly Rating: 10!
Plantation Island Resort
Location
Mamanuca Islands on the Western side of Fiji. There are a number of resorts spread out over these islands which are around 1 – 1.5hrs by ferry transfer from Denarau Marina.
Highlights
- This is one of the bigger resorts within the Mamanuca Islands, which means more things to do and play with including 3 general swimming pools and one separate dedicated kids pool with a slide. This slide entertains the kids for hours but can become BUSY
- Free kids buffet breakfast and buffet dinner – less of a hit to the wallet. There are a stack of dining options… the most of any Island we’ve visited!
- We stayed in both the 2-bedroom bure and beachfront bures, and whilst they are getting a little out-dated, they are very spacious and the layout is well suited to a family with kids
- For the surfers out there, there are plenty of boats heading to the different breaks. Whilst all breaking over sharp coral reef, there are options for varying skill levels
Brad & Sar's Final Thoughts
One of the major benefits for families heading to Fiji are the Kids Clubs. Unfortunately, the kids club at Plantation Island didn’t hit the mark for us. It felt very run down, the outdoor play equipment needed some maintenance and there was a lack of stuff to play with.
The fact you are on a tropical Island is completely missed; as the Kids Club is tucked out the back like a kid’s stowaway or permanent naughty corner.
On a positive note, there is a lot of development going on so a plan to update the Kids Club may very likely be underway. To keep with the good vibes, they nailed some super cool stuff that our boys loved! Namely tie-dyeing t-shirts and coconut boat making.
Family Friendly Rating: 8
Malolo Island Resort
Location
Mamanuca Islands on the Western side of Fiji.
Highlights
- Smaller resort with a personal impression. You feel special as all the staff seem to be better trained… They know your name and are always shouting Bula!
- The Kids Club here is one of the reasons the resort gets so many return visitors. The locals running it are passionate and energetic, ensuring you feel super comfortable leaving your kids there for a few hours. It’s built in an open-air timber structure, in the centre of the resort with an added shipwreck buried into the sand!
- Hamptons style rooms with evening turn-down service and daily housecleaning adds to the holiday feel
- Great adults restaurant for when the babysitters rock up! Whilst this is a highlight, there are only 2x kid’s eateries. The one on the beach closes early too
Brad & Sar's Final Thoughts
This resort was a little more upper class compared to Plantation Island but you pay for the luxury. A star or two above on the old accommodation metric, we’d say it’s more suited to couples (Kids Club aside).
Rooms were smaller and it only has 2 pools; 1 being exclusive to adults. We loved the place but if we’re being honest, probably wouldn’t return with the kids… we would return as a couple though which says something for the family friendly rating!
Family Friendly Rating: 6.5
Castaway Island Resort
Location
Mamanuca Islands on the Western side of Fiji.
Highlights
- Castaway is medium sized… larger than Malolo but smaller than Plantation. It feels just about spot on actually as you have the best of both worlds! You get the personalised service whilst the added space gives you room to explore
- Similar to Malolo, there are only 2 swimming pools. One is kids only and crazy crowded! The other is adults only which sucks for parents wanting choice
- The personalised service mentioned above is next level! It’s also the most expensive of the 3 Islands so it seems like extra love/care/attention is the Fijian currency. You pay for it but damn it feels nice
- More dining options than Malolo but less than Plantation. It works nicely! You’ve got the buffet/al a carte, pizzeria and Asian fusion exclusive option for the parents to enjoy date night. There are flexible food options around the kids pool too
Brad & Sar's Final Thoughts
Nicest resort of the 3 we’ve visited in Fiji but also the most expensive. For the surfers, it’s a long and costly boat ride to the main breaks too… you’re gone from 6am to virtually midday.
It’s super nice and we have beautiful memories of this place and the Fijian service. We fondly remember taking Bailey’s bottles to be cleaned every night and enjoying a cheap drink and a chat with the amazing bar staff.
Better for the kids than Malolo but maybe not as good as Plantation. If you’re going without kids and are not a surfer, we’d give this place a 10!
Family Friendly Rating: 7.5