Stretching across 17 acres of the island of Vanua Levu, Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort offers an unforgettable Fijian escape. Beautifully balancing experiences for divers, couples, families, nature enthusiasts, and more, the staff at this resort know how to make a wide variety of guests happy.
Accommodations
Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort features 25 Fijian-style bures or cottages with garden and ocean views. My garden view bure featured a king bed and day bed; even though I was traveling solo, the day bed was handy, allowing space to lay out assorted travel gear. The room was notably spacious. Add a rollaway and a family of four could have made the space work.
With hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings topped with thatch roofs, wooden louvres (with screens), and fresh flowers, the space had a welcoming Fijian vibe. The bathroom offered a larger vanity with two sinks and a generous walk-in shower stocked with Pure Fiji toiletries.
While you will find creature comforts including a French Press coffee maker, electric kettle, and small refrigerator, there are no phones or televisions.
Public Spaces and Facilities
Although the rooms are comfortable and inviting, the point of a stay here is to be out and about. Said to be the only resort in Fiji with two marine biologists on staff, there’s a plethora of included activities to fill your vacation days. Guided snorkeling trips take place both day and night, and glass-bottom boat trips are offered for folks who prefer to stay dry. Mangrove tours explain how tropical plants are crucial to preventing erosion.
The long list of recreational options includes kayaking and paddle boarding, yoga, tennis, and pickleball. If you prefer to enjoy doing nothing, it’s easy to find a quiet spot on the beach or lounge at the oceanside pool.
Folks wishing to venture off property can visit a local village or go on a guided hike to a waterfall. And yes, you’ll want to wear a bathing suit under your hiking clothes.
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Scuba Diving Paradise
The resort bears the name of Jean-Michel Cousteau, but it is not owned or operated by the environmentalist, film producer, and son of ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau. However, Jean-Michel Cousteau is said to regularly visit the resort and the onsite dive center that also bears his name.
A dream for scuba divers, the resort offers easy access to the Namena Marine Reserve. In many instances, surface intervals (the time a diver must spend on the surface in between dives) are often spent lounging at the resort as opposed to waiting on the boat because the dive sites are located so close to the property. Diving gear is available for rent from the diving center, but if luggage space allows, I recommended divers bring along their personal gear.
Dining
Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort operates as an all-inclusive, so all meals are included in the cost of a stay. The open-air restaurant boasts stellar water views and is divided into two sections; one side is for families, and the other is for adults. Inspired by the property’s 15-acre farm, menu options during my stay included chia seed pudding with fresh coconut and tropical fruit, warm walnut and banana bread, grilled halloumi and watermelon salad, and jerk chicken. Menus changed daily and provided numerous options at every meal.
Paradise for Kids
The Bula Club boasts some of the best kid-friendly programming I’ve come across in years, in part because the staff marine biologists work with the kids on a daily basis. Children under five receive a dedicated nanny, while six to twelve-year-olds join buddy groups. There’s even a program for teenagers with the option to include scuba instruction.
Good to Know
After landing at Fiji’s Nadi International Airport (NAN), a staff member greets guests and escorts them to the domestic terminal for the one-hour flight to Savusavu. After landing, a shuttle takes guests to the resort. It’s about a 20-minute scenic drive.
The starting rate for two adults and three children up to age 15 is $1,101. A list of everything included in the rate is found here.
Check rates for the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort online at Expedia or Hotels.com.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, but as always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
