PICTURESQUE PLUS
Nestled in the Mamanuca archipelago, a 25km boat ride from Nadi International Airport, you’ll find Tropica (tropicaisland. com), an adults-only resort set amongst a cluster of palm trees in Malolo Island’s sheltered bay. Tropica’s boutique approach evokes a familial sense of belonging, with 16 elegant beachfront bures completing the intimate scene, each boasting an outdoor river-rock shower and a deck that stretches towards the azure sea. From the craftsmanship of the furniture that decorates each room to the light-hearted staff who serenade you on approach and departure, it’s the ultimate love nest. Up the ante by booking the Romance Package, which includes private candlelit dinners and breakfast in bed. It gets all the more holistic with the relaxing treatments on offer at the on-site, award-winning Senikai Spa.
One of the many reasons to love Tropica is the resort’s tribute to Fijian culture – not least the menu, which features delicious authentic dishes such as kokoda (mahi-mahi marinated in coconut with lemon, salt and chilli). Join the weekly lovo feast, where dinner is cooked underground in a similar fashion to a hangi, before getting your groove on during the meke – a traditional Fijian display of music and dance.
Embrace the picturesque surroundings with a lagoon paddle by kayak, or watch the passing clouds take shape from an oversized hammock. Satisfy your inner hunter-gatherer with a half-day fishing trip, on which you’re bound to catch reef fish while keeping your eye on the big prize: a giant trevally. If you’re after a change of scenery, board a 20-minute speedboat to Cloud 9 (cloud9.com.fj). There’s something surreal about kicking back at a bar that floats in the middle of the Pacific, especially when wafting smells from the wood-fired pizza oven
are carried in the warm breeze. Order one of the cheesey sensations and wash it down with a pina colada as you swing in one of the hanging chairs – it’s the lazy party animal’s dream come true. And don’t leave without trying out your favourite dives from the second-story deck.