This Fijian island is the perfect fly-and-flop escape

Fiji’s Denarau Island has enticing options for tropical travellers wanting an easy stay at an all-inclusive resort.

The stay

Sheraton Denarau Villas have had extensive renovations.

An easy 20-minute drive from Nadi Airport, Denarau Island is the preferred fly-and-flop option for those wanting the ease and comfort of an all-inclusive resort in a tropical paradise. There are nine accommodation options, including the Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa, and Club Wyndham Denarau Island, both with self-contained two- and three-bedroom rooms suited to bigger families.

Most recently, The Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort, Sheraton Denarau Villas and Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa have completed extensive renovations. The Radisson Blu Fiji Resort Denarau Island is completing renovations of its main buffet; The Westin is set to reopen in early 2025. Often overlooked, The Palms and Terrace Apartments, just footsteps from the port, are great self-contained options. See denarau.com/hotels/

The Bula Bus

Kids ride free and sit safari-style in the back of the Bula Bus.Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

You know you’re on Denarau when you spy the thatched-roof tourist bus with two sets of safari seats in the back. A novelty for kids and a handy means of transport when it’s simply too humid to walk, the Bula Bus is one of Denarau Island’s simple yet satisfying pleasures. Its loop includes stops at all major resorts, the golf course, waterpark and Port Denarau marina precinct day and night. A day pass costs $FJD11 ($7.30) for adults, a five-day pass costs $FJD35. Kids ride free. See bulabuses.com.fj

The Marina

Port Denarau Marina is a departure point for cruises, but you can also shop and dine there.Credit: Stu & Lia Photography

Port Denarau Marina, a surprisingly versatile retail and dining precinct, is worth at least a half-day excursion. It is a working marina and departure point for day trips and longer cruises to the Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups.

The port has handy facilities including a chemist, grocery store, medical centre and bakery, alongside souvenir and clothing stores, cafes and restaurants and it’s easily accessible on the Bula Bus. Admire the superyachts, pick up some groceries, indulge in retail therapy or savour a cocktail by the water. See denaraumarina.com

The nightlife

Fiji has incredible sunsets, and sundowners on the beach add to the highlights. Come nightfall, most resorts have live music or performances, but most of the action is at Port Denarau’s casual bars and restaurants, such as Cardo’s or Lulu’s. For a big night out after 9pm Wednesday to Saturday, head to the Sofitel – at the far end of the lobby is Denarau’s only nightclub, Republik. The club draws a mixed crowd of holiday makers, locals and expats, with cocktails, bottle service and beats playing until the early hours. See sofitel-fiji.com/dining/republik

The restaurant

Sails restaurant at Port Denarau specialises in seafood.Credit: Facebook

Overlooking the water at Port Denarau, Sails is one of the island’s best seafood options. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it has a spectacular range of Indo-Fijian cuisine, including such traditional dishes as kokoda and rou rou (balls of taro leaves stewed in coconut milk), and indulgent seafood platters including stone-baked, line-caught fish, hand-caught local lobster and village-caught mud crab. Service is impeccable, and the restaurant is also family-friendly, with freshly made pizza and, for kids, an outstanding menu and activities. See sailsfiji.com

The water park

Big Bula Waterpark caters for kids, big and small, with inflatable attractions and fixed slides.Credit: Tourism Fiji

You can’t miss the giant inflatable shark floating above the palm trees by Denarau’s golf course. Big Bula, claiming the title of the world’s largest inflatable water park, has distinct areas: a smaller inflatable area where smaller kids can splash and play and, for bigger kids of all ages, a larger set of inflatables plus the Fijian Falls water slides.

Admission is pricey ($FJD89 for parents, $FJD60 for kids), but there are decent promotions and deals to be found online, at the port or from the tour desk at your hotel. See bigbulawaterpark.com.fj

The beach club

Part of the Sofitel’s $35 million renovation, the Waitui Beach Club changes the game in Denarau. With a sleek design and strong private European club vibes, the adults-only focus of the club is miles away from Denarau’s current kid-dominated paradise vibe. There’s a separate hotel check-in area for guests with club access and an a la carte restaurant and bar. Settle in at a cabana with a cold towel around the lagoon pool with complimentary sunscreen and refreshments, and don’t miss the free happy hour drinks and snacks daily from 5pm to 6pm. See sofitel-fiji.com/clubs-and-lounges/waitui-beach-club/

The golf course

Lush fairways spilling into the ocean ... Denarau Golf Course.Credit: Andrew Lewthwaite

Lined with palm trees and with complimentary buggies to help you beat the heat, Denarau’s 18-hole golf course dominates the centre of the island with long fairways leading to the ocean. Designed by Eiichi Motohashi, the par-72 championship course has an open-air clubhouse, sports bar and the Heineken House restaurant. It surrounds a two-hectare organic farm, providing the prospect of farm-to-fork dining. See www.denaraugolfracquet.com

The tour

Hydro Sports Fiji runs jet ski tours to islands and beaches.Credit: Facebook

When it comes to watersports, everyone loves to play with the big toys. Departing direct from the Radisson Blu and Hilton beachfronts in Denarau, Hydro Sports Fiji runs three-hour jet ski safaris around the Mamanuca Islands. As well as the speedy circuit, the sightseeing tour includes Treasure Island, a snorkel, swim and stop on the return leg at an isolated, powder-white sandbar. There is also a 1.5-hour snorkel tour to Malamala Reef. See hydrosportsfiji.com

One more thing…

Community group Rise Beyond the Reef runs sustainable projects using traditional skills and materials.Credit: Rise Beyond the Reef

Local not-for-profit Rise Beyond the Reef works with communities to produce items with an emphasis on traditional printing and weaving. A notch above the usual souvenir fare, the stylish range includes handmade linens, handicrafts and children’s toys, available in most resorts and at the marina. Risebeyondthereef.org

The writer travelled as a guest of Tourism Fiji, Radisson Blu, Sofitel and Sheraton.