A new private island in Fiji
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Hear the words ‘private’ and ‘island’ and usually they’re being spoken by someone with a far healthier bank account than yours. However, a new day club in Fiji now offers a slice of island paradise for around $US100 per day. Malamala Beach Club is the country’s first island beach club, set in the Mamanuca Islands off Fiji’s western coast, a 25-minute boat ride from the tourism hub of Port Denarau.
Take a dip or use the club’s snorkelling gear, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards, or join the DJ as the music ramps up around the infinity pool while bartenders marry local coconuts, papaya and rum to become the Momi Cannon cocktail.
PNG-born, Australian-trained chef Lance Seeto drives the menu. He is renowned for
reviving Fijian cuisine – try his ‘island fries’ of taro, sweet potato and cassava, dusted with coconut sugar salt and smoked pineapple sauce, or go all-out with the Fijian national dish, kokoda, where Spanish mackerel is cured in citrus juice and served with ferns, sea grapes and smoked coconut milk. General entry lets you languish by the infinity pool, or you can pre-book a day bed or cabana – complete with butler – with seven of your closest friends. Those wishing to make a statement can even get the helicopter to drop in on the helipad (cunningly disguised as a long jetty, which lets you trot from boat to bar, without getting your feet wet).
The beach club is owned by South Sea Cruises, which runs a catamaran between the island and Port Denarau until sunset.
See malamalabeachclub.com.