Welcome to Likuliku Lagoon Resort, where your Fijian dream becomes a reality. But first, let’s set the scene. Imagine a picture-perfect Fiji Island with clear water, sandy white beaches, and palm trees swaying in a bright blue sky. Now let’s add to that picture with some overwater bungalows and beach bures, a lagoon of coral reefs, and tropical fish and you’ve got Likuliku Lagoon Resort. But is it worth investing in a stay here? Read on to discover 10 things you need to know about Likuliku Lagoon Resort.
How long should I stay at Likuliku?
I would say the ideal stay is 5 nights, but you could do 3 at a pinch. Likuliku Lagoon Resort isn’t exactly cheap, but it is an investment. You can stay for one night as there are no minimum booking requirements, but this would be a shame as you would spend most of your time settling in and then it would be time to go again. One couple did this when we were at the resort and we could see they were regretting their choice while they waited for the ferry back to the mainland.
Getting to Likuliku Lagoon Resort is easy
The Mamanuca group of islands, where Likuliku is located, can be reached in an hour by boat, whereas getting to the outlying Yasawas takes around 5 hours. Likuliku is serviced multiple times a day by South Sea Cruises’ fast catamaran from Denarau. If money is no object, you can also get there via helicopter, speedboat or seaplane. Our trip was on South Sea Cruises’ fast catamaran, a modern vessel and, more importantly, air-conditioned. This trip to Likuliku passes by other islands and acts as a ferry service with drop-offs and pick-ups. The ferry stops near the resort, and you transfer to the resort via smaller speed boats. Welcoming you is a group of singing staff and a chilled mocktail. From here, you walk to the main reception for a quick tour that helps to get you orientated.
Planning your stay at Likuliku Lagoon Resort
Now, a big and very important tip for planning your stay at Likuliku is don’t fly into Fiji and go straight to the resort. On our ferry transfer to the island, a lot of couples from the US and Europe were falling asleep from jet lag. Even if your time in Fiji is short, you don’t want to sleep through a stay this good! It’s better to spend a night or two in Nadi at a much cheaper resort or hotel just to take the edge off any jet lag. This helps you get the best value possible from your stay. Ideally, you want to arrive on the 9am ferry from Nadi and leave on the 2pm ferry back to the mainland.
What accommodation should you choose?
This may come down solely to your budget, so as a guide, think Overwater Bure $$$$, Deluxe Beachfront Bure $$$ or Beachfront Bure $$. One thing to consider is the resort does have a stunning array of facilities, and if you are on a tight budget, the more affordable Beachfront Bures are great. The Likuliku Lagoon Resort pool area and the resort grounds are stunning, so you’re better off spending longer in a cheaper bure, than staying for a shorter time in a more expensive one. On our 4 nights at the resort, we had a Deluxe Beachfront Bure with a plunge pool, and it was divine. There are 29 of these bures on the beachfront, each with its own personal plunge pool and private daybed, plus an outdoor shower in a secluded courtyard.
I won’t go on about the extensive list of amenities in the room as you can get this from the website, but suffice to say it’s luxurious, large and impressive. From the heavenly king-size bed to the outdoor shower and Pure Fiji toiletries to the daily fresh cookies, our bure was amazing. I will add that we did get to inspect one of the 10 Overwater Bures and yeah, if you can afford it do it, as they are every bit as impressive as they look. But they do have one downside if you aren’t fond of walking, as it can take a while to get to and from the main resort from here.
Enjoying the ever-changing views
You might even find, as we did, that the photos from the web and brochures don’t always do Likuliku Lagoon Resort justice. If anything, it looks even better than what you see on the website. From the infinity edge resort pool to the restaurant tables with the views over the lagoon, the view is always changing and breathtaking, especially at sunset and on moonlit nights.
We enjoyed going to Masima Bar around sunset to savour a cocktail or a glass of wine and watch a cascade of colours as the sun sets. Don’t rush away once the sun goes down as the light on the sky and water is even better after sunset. There is great live music here also!
Likuliku Lagoon Resort dining
There is no shortage of food here, and your clothes may automatically ‘shrink’ while you’re staying at Likuliku Lagoon Resort, even if you don’t wash them. With two restaurants plus a poolside menu of casual bites, the culinary experience at Likuliku doesn’t disappoint. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the tariff and mainly take place at Fijiana Restaurant in the main pavilion.
Breakfast is a choice of a la carte dishes and a buffet selection with beautiful fresh juices and that all-important barista coffee. Lunch consists of a multicourse meal, beginning with an amuse bouche and a chilled tropical drink served in a shot glass. Dishes are light and delicious with a focus on tropical flavours. Dinner is a more formal affair with three courses and multiple choices that will keep you wishing you had an extra stomach. That said, I never felt uncomfortably full or hungry after each meal.
The second restaurant at Likuliku Lagoon Resort is Saluwaki, a unique Fijian restaurant featuring Asian fusion small-plate tapas-style delicacies. This area is more formal and importantly semi air conditioned and as we found a relief after some very warm days and evenings during our wet season stay. Stays include one dinner at this very special restaurant.
All this sounds great, of course, but nothing beat our romantic dinner by the lagoon. This special experience can be booked in advance and shouldn’t be missed. It is quite possibly the most romantic dinner we’ve ever had in 30+ years of marriage. It’s worth coming to Likuliku Lagoon Resort for this incredible dinner alone.
Snorkelling and swimming at Likuliku
With the sparkling blue ocean stretching towards the horizon, you will have an urge to jump straight into the lagoon and the surrounding waters. The good news is you can do exactly that! The lagoon is a recognised marine sanctuary with many colourful fish and a coral regeneration program.
Snorkelling adventures can be had from the end of the Likuliku jetty or at high tide directly from the beach. The best snorkelling we found was just to the left of the overwater bungalows. For big colonies of tropical fish, the jetty is the spot, but you do need to be very aware of the motorboat traffic.
For those a little less accustomed to swimming and snorkelling, fear not, as the pool is not deep, and even better, the staff at the activities hut can give you lessons on snorkelling with buoyancy vests available. If you get hungry, there’s a tantalising pool bar menu available for lunch and snacks, with burgers, pizza, and more.
Bespoke day trips are worth the cost
A wide and varied choice of activities are available at the resort, with a focus on water sports and soft adventure. From snorkelling, diving, fishing, surfing and island walking and hiking adventures, there’s no shortage of adventures and experiences on offer. During our stay, we did three bespoke day trips. Here are our thoughts on each one.
1. Island Hopping Boat Trip
This half-day trip had us prepped for swimming and snorkelling, with some island trails and exploration added in. Departing the resort, we cruised past local islands before we stopped at Monuriki Island, where Tom Hanks filmed ‘Castaway’. Here we went for a snorkel and explored the island with our guides and Wilson (the beach ball). After breakfast on the boat, the captain found a sand bar above water with a fantastic surrounding reef. Our only disappointment was there wasn’t more time for snorkelling. A hint for this trip is the price includes up to 8 people, so you can split the cost with other guests.
2. Sunset Cruise
This is, as the title suggests, a delightful cruise around the island at sunset. This trip includes sparkling wine with chef’s canapés as you listen to the sounds of one of the talented Likuliku guitarists you as you sail towards the sunset. We really enjoyed this cruise, which was capped off by our romantic dinner by the lagoon. Heaven!
3. Picnic on Honeymoon Island
The aptly named Honeymoon Island is the perfect place for romance and serenity. This private, tiny, uninhabited island is only a 15 minute boat ride from the resort but a world away from reality. The best part about this place is its all yours for the 2 to 3 hours of your stay. There’s a palm-roofed bure and snorkelling is available on the reefs just off the beach, plus there’s a hike to the top of the island. During our wet season stay the weather was clear but very, very hot and humid so we spent most of our time snorkelling, enjoying our picnic lunch and swimming.
Does Likuliku Lagoon Resort allow kids?
No, Likuliku Island Resort doesn’t allow kids. Likuliku Lagoon Resort is very focused on romance, serenity and pampering, and doesn’t welcome children under 17. However, if you’re travelling with kids you can stay nearby at Likuliku’s sister property. Malolo Island Resort, family friendly neighbouring resort that is located a short boat ride away on another part of the island.
Rainbows, solos and family bonding
Fiji is one of the loveliest and most accepting destinations on the planet. At Likuliku Lagoon Resort you will find a rainbow of guests, all enjoying the same wonderful welcome, service and pampering. During our stay, there were heterosexual couples, same sex couples, solo travellers and mothers and daughters enjoying a girls’ getaway. All of us appreciated the wonderful service and warmth of the beautiful Fijian staff. We really enjoyed chatting with them and seeing their smiling faces each morning and throughout the day.
The “it” factor that makes Likuliku worth every cent
When you arrive at Likuliku Lagoon Resort you are greeted with “Welcome Home”, which might sound cheesy anywhere else, but here it feels genuine. You soon discover, after only a short time, that Likuliku isn’t just beautiful because of its surroundings; it’s also the warmth of the Fijians that makes it special. When the staff stopped to say hello and enquire about my day or offer a suggestion for something that I might enjoy doing, it made me feel as if I was staying with friends.
One thing that’s very important here and throughout Fiji is the need for you to embrace “Island Time”. This doesn’t mean you will get bad or poor service; it’s about slowing down and taking the time to savour this very special place. Our only disappointment was our four night stay at Likuliku Lagoon Resort felt like it was over all too soon.
Disclosure: The writers travelled with assistance from Likuliku Lagoon Resort and would not hesitate to stay at this beautiful resort again at their own expense.
If you’re heading to Fiji, don’t forget to read our tips for choosing the perfect Fiji holiday, our suggestions for getting around Fiji, and our reviews of Castaway Island Resort, Cloud 9, Outrigger on the Lagoon, and the Sheraton Fiji at Denarau.
