Good post here Scotty,
You should see plenty of contributors. First stayed at Mana Island for a honeymoon week 2 years ago in the honeymoon bures... very Exie $$$ but a great honeymoon. Took the meal plan but just didn't eat that much food. Great trip.

Went back to Mana Island last week for a week long stay with wife and baby boy, also had the Outlaws come and also a brother in law, his wife and baby. So we had 3 rooms next to each other, each 2 story with 2 bathrooms and top and bottom balcony a mere 25 metres from the water. Was an excellent trip with great staff, great water and enough privacy and relaxation. Had some rain usually each night but it was still warm and had a great week. Took our own Champagne (6 bottles of Moet for 7 days was just enough) as it's too damn expensive over there... and hired a SUP from WaluWaterSports (delivered to the island) which was excellent and very convenient. Had some waves on the outer reef (a mere 10-15min paddle from island) for some high tide waves, and it was excellent. We managed to get some deals and it was cheap as chips. Can't wait for the next trip now to go back. For family holidays I can recommend it.
Cheers
Mottman

Here's a quick video of Treasure,Castaway and Plantation Island.

Scotty88 said...

Tell us about your stay. Just looking for future stays.

I took the family to Fiji in late August for the first time. We stayed at Treasure Island for 7 nights and Shangri-La for 8 nights.

Treasure Island: The ultimate island experience as it is only 400m long x 200 wide.
I will always include Treasure into future holiday plans. Loved it that much. Took my 14ft Sup and paddled daily around neighboring Beachcomber Island (about 1 k away).

Shangri-La: On the mainland at the Coral Coast, It is a nice place to stay at at and completely opposite to Treasure Island. Good for SUPing on the lagoon side.
Plenty of family/kids and NOT for couples only IMO. The lagoon restaurant was chaos at meal time. Picture Sizzler meets Romper Room on steroids. Enjoyed our stay but wouldn't go back.

Took a half day boat ride and checked out Plantation and Castaway island for future stays.
Castaway Island was the very nice and a touch 'up market' and you pay for that. If you can afford it,do it. Very peaceful.
Plantation was busier and more 'knockabout' and great for SUPing and only a 30 min boat ride to Namotu for top notch surfing.

My next trip will be 7 at Treasure and 7 at Plantation.

I stayed at Shangri-La in march a few years back for a wedding there is a really fun hollow wave across the otherside of the lagoon straight across from the resort you cant really see it till you get over there its a right hander out in the middle of nowhere though

camharvey said...

Any other thoughts out there?? I am off to Fiji in June for a wedding at the Shangri-La but looking at Islands for atleast a week.. I don't have kids but we will be during school holidays.. I've been there before but always looking for something new.

Thanks guys

Hey Cam,
I would go Plantation Island mate. It's a top spot as everything is located on the beachfront i.e.restaurants,bars,etc and the bures are close as well. It is well protected in Musket Cove from the S.E. trade winds. Only 30 min boat ride to Namotu for numerous surf breaks.
Are you taking a Sup ? If not,hire one of walu water sports for Plantation as Lisa either sends it out day before or she leaves a Sup on there permanently.

Here's a short vid of Shangri-La.

2 nights at the Golf Terraces on Denarau (super convenience over the road from marina) and then 6 nights on Mana staying in an island bure. Travelled with my wife and son almost 2 years old.

Also hired a board from Walu while on Mana and we took the half board meal plan (breakfast and dinner) which was perfect. We usually had lunch at Ratu Kini dive resort where there were also cheaper drinks.

Will definitely go back, probably in 2012.