Nukubati Private Island

Nukubati is a lovely, lovely surprise-mainly due to the individuals who are there to take care of you! On top of that, relaxing true Fijian bures that bring in the ocean breezes with a porch to just sit and watch the waves. We were there in Feb. a bit of cyclone weather, which affected our dive days. I say this because we still found plenty to do, relax, walk, take a medicine walk with John and Joseph, eat incredible meals, we did not miss one! Lara and Leone are your hosts, and we happened to meet Peter, the original owner, who was more than happy to share some early stories. Our diving on the Great Sea Reef, with John, Joseph, Leone and Cliff the captain was amazing! Just beautiful warm 85 degree water! We are constant divers, and cannot wait to return to fully continue to explore this amazing reef. We felt safe with our divemasters-and very well taken care of by all. Our housekeeping staff-Ana, and our masseuse-Eta, were terrific, as were the dining staff-Emily and Sarah. We happened to be the only ones there for the week, due to the weather, but we loved it and plan on returning. An off the grid spot, get your relax on and just enjoy! Thank you all!

We had the most amazing day with Lara and Leon at Nukubati Island. My wife and I were travelling with our good friends from the US and I was looking for a special experience for them and decided to snorkelling the Great Sea Reef. Lara, Leon and their team (Cliff, John, James, Sarah) made us feel incredibly welcome. We were picked up and transported to the island by boat, given breakfast and then taken out to snorkel the reef. All gear was available to us and we snorkelled in three different places which was amazing. Coral, fish, sharks, caves - just stunning! After the snorkelling we were provided with a Bure to shower in and then a beautiful 3 course lunch followed with a tour of the island. If you want an experience to remember in Fiji then I highly recommend talking with Lara and heading out to the reef to snorkel or dive. Our friends were completely blown away by the experience. We will definitely be back again and would love to stay on the island next time! Vinaka vakalevu, Mark, Ali, Matt and Maryanne

Nukubati is a quintessential ‘secluded island resort.’ If you had to list the prerequisites for a secluded island paradise: white sand beach, clear blue water, an abundance of fish, proximity to the beach, lush vegetation, idyllic beachfront bungalows, and smiling, happy staff, aamzing food, your list would be complete.

I went to Nukubati as part of a whole island booking for a milestone birthday celebration. There were three generations involved and we all had a ball. The staff looked after the youngsters when needed and the rest of us dived, fished, snorkled and generally enjoyed island life. The food was great and they were very happy to cook special meals at odd times for the little ones. A champagne celebration on a private sandbank at sunset was a highlight.

Nukubati is a must for snorkelers and scuba divers. There is really no other way to explore the Great Sea Reef. Our group of Eco-minded explorers were treated to 40-50 minute (25 kilometers or 12-15 miles from land) treks aboard a brand new all aluminum dive boat. The dive master, Leone, is about as experienced as they come. This is his reef and he is still exploring naming new sites with his guests. It's nice to dive a first in this century. The excitement of his crew as they scanned and scouted the reef with well informed eyes was contagious. Fortunately, I was forced to snorkel because of ear issues. Normally a ruined trip, this was a blessing. The reefs are characterized by steep walls to the deep coming up just feet from the surface, and passages to the inner reef where coral abounds. Reef sharks everywhere curiously came close and left. Turtles followed the divers. Big fish --- tuna and Spanish Marlin -- would swoop in, take a look, and leave. I will leave out the secret places for them to share, but we were able to be on of the first on Duane's World. There is damage to the reefs caused by record breaking cyclones over the past decade, but amazingly you see "seedlings" and new growth, which I have not seen in other places where human activity has destroyed reefs. I say no bleaching on this side of Vanua Levu on this part of the Great Sea Reef (there is some partial bleaching on the other side past the Rainbow reef in near the Cabbage Patch though it may have stopped.) Nukubati is a Fijian/Austalian family run establishment and you feel like part of the family (or a very close friend). Lara, the daughter of Genny and Peter, is taking over the reins and she and Leone really wants to make it a home away from home and a Mecca for divers. The staff is so courteous and professional and knows everyone by name. Most of all, it is a truly Fijian home. Every evening in the Great Hall the divers and crew would sit and invite us to participate in the traditional Kava evening get togather. I would join them before dinner and share my stories as they shared theirs. As I went to bed they were still there, quietly talking or gently singing or playing the guitar. We will miss this home away from home, Lara, Leone, Genny and Peter and all the crew and staff (whose names I never kept straight but whose faces I will always remember). Vinaka vaka levu.