My escape to Castaway Island, Fiji

Perfect for travellers young and old 

Fiji comprises of over 300 jewel-like islands, characterised by mountainous emerald terrains and powder-soft beaches that are ringed by crystal-clear lagoons. Its beauty is legendary, making it an excellent destination for a tropical family escape or a beach honeymoon. 

If you’re looking for luxury, you can stay at a private island resort, relaxing on untouched golden beaches, hiking through lush tropical forests, and snorkelling amidst the soft coral reefs. There’s something for everyone in Fiji.

The warmest welcome in the world 

First and foremost, it’s the people that make Fiji so wonderful. Fijians are the kindest and warmest people you’ll ever meet, so expect friendly exchanges wherever you go. In Fiji, everyone greets you with a whole-hearted “Bula!” which is a phrase that essentially means “Hello!” but can also be interchangeably used as “Cheers!”. Get used to saying “Bula!”, because you will say it a thousand times in Fiji.

Escape to Castaway Island 

I was lucky enough to spend four nights on Castaway Island, Fiji (also known as Qalito). It is everything that its name suggests – a tropical paradise tucked away in the heart of the Mamanuca Islands. It was an experience that I’ll never forget. 

This private island resort, owned by Outrigger, is reachable via Southsea Cruises or by helicopter. The resort allows you to experience the beauty and culture of Fiji while indulging in luxury amenities and activities. It offers effortless five-star service, and nothing is too much for the staff. The welcome is exceptional, and you certainly feel very at home here.

Tropical bure living 

The resort offers several types of bure (traditional beach bungalows). All the bures are the same on the inside, from the lead-in standard rooms to the most expensive ones. 

The Castaway Island Bures are the standard option at the resort. These are scattered throughout the inner part of the island, mostly surrounded by tropical vegetation. They don’t have ocean views, but if you're lucky, you might get a glimpse of the ocean from the veranda. 

Next up, the Castaway Ocean View Bures are set back a little from the beach, but you still get generous ocean views. Finally, the premium Castaway Beachfront Bures are set by the water with uninterrupted ocean views. You can choose between a South Beach Bure and a North Beach Bure.

A choice of swimming pools 

There are two different pools at Castaway. One is a dedicated kids' pool, which is quite shallow at one end, with a couple of fun water fountains. The other is a serene adult pool. It isn’t strictly a “no kids allowed pool” but parents are encouraged to ensure the quiet nature of the pool is maintained.

Plenty of activities and excursions 

At Castaway, you'll find that kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are free to use, as well as snorkelling gear. The resort offers a variety of excursions, including snorkelling and diving trips to the nearby coral reefs, island hopping tours, and sunset cruises. The resort also has a spa, where guests can indulge in a range of treatments and therapies. It also has a fabulous kid’s club with a friendly, casual Fijian vibe.

Snorkelling on the ‘house reef’ 

I did a lot of snorkelling, and I was really impressed by the ‘house reef’ just off the beach at Castaway, I thought it was excellent. I was blown away by the quality of the coral and the number of fish. I saw several species that I had never come across before and the visibility was fabulous, particularly when the sun was out. 

It’s worth noting that, for families, it is much easier being able to access good snorkelling from the beach with young children and/or beginners. They can master getting in and out of the water easily from the beach, rather than trying to clambering on and off a snorkel boat.

Day trip to Mondriki Island 

One of the highlights of my stay at Castaway Island was the opportunity to go on day trips where I got to explore the surrounding islands and waters. One day trip was to Mondriki Island (where the film Castaway was filmed), a mere 20-minute speed boat ride from the resort. 

Once on the island, we were taken on a short tour and shown where various scenes in the movie were filmed. Someone had written “Help Me Wilson” using coconuts, and we even got a photo with Wilson. You can walk along the beach and enjoy the stunning view. What a beautiful place. Unlike Tom Hanks, you won’t be in any hurry to leave!

My sunset Mamanuca cruise 

For a more relaxed experience, you can take a sunset cruise on one of the resort's traditional Fijian boats. The cruise offers stunning views of the sunset over the Mamanuca Islands, as well as the chance to spot dolphins and other marine life. It’s the perfect way to end a day in paradise!

Combining Castaway Island with the Coral Coast 

After four glorious nights on Castaway Island, I set off to explore Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island. I spent three nights at the Outrigger Resort on the Coral Coast, owned by the same company as Castaway. Outrigger often offers special deals to customers staying at both of its resorts, making it a great choice for a twin-centre Fiji trip. 

While staying on the Coral Coast, I took a day trip to the Sigatoka River to learn about Fijian village life and experience a traditional Kava ceremony. It was wonderful to get a glimpse of the local indigenous culture and explore the rural interior of the island.

My final thoughts about Fiji 

A stay on Castaway Island is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that makes you really feel like you’re living the Robinson Crusoe dream. The Fijians are the most welcoming people that I have ever met, and I would go back to discover more of this amazing country in a heartbeat.

Ready to plan a trip to Fiji?

We're South Pacific experts, so we can build a tailor-made Fiji holiday that ticks all of your boxes. Each trip that we create is completely unique. To start planning your own escape to tropical Fiji, simply give us a call on 1273 320 580 or send us a quote request by email. 

Request a quote