Royal Davui

This ten-acre Fijian island is popular with honeymooners.

• The warmth of the local staff
• The activities like hiking to a waterfall on a neighboring island
• Vale No. 12 with its Jacuzzi perched above a reef
• The two-room spa, which uses local, sustainable products

This private island resort off the southeastern coast of Viti Levu is a popular honeymoon and wedding destination. The ten-acre island lies just off of the famous Beqa Lagoon, one of Fiji’s most spectacular dive sites. Tucked into its lush jungle foliage and perched over white sand beaches and turquoise seas are fifteen ‘vales,’ or Fijian villas. An open-air, multi-level main house serves as the island’s nerve center with a small boutique, bar and restaurant. In addition to a main pool area, where the marine center arranges for kayaks, snorkeling, sailing, surfing, diving and fishing, there is a spa with two treatment rooms, each one of which comes with a private relaxation lounge overlooking the resort’s reef.

When the tide is low, it takes about seven minutes to walk around the island via its various sandy beaches. A marine sanctuary surrounds the island, so its reef system brims with sea life. Without even getting into the water, you can spy dozens of colorful fish darting in the shallows. The staff will accompany you on a snorkel to point out highlights. Among the most popular water sports are the shark feeding dives off of Beqa, where a shark conservation area attracts seven species of sharks.

Hikers can head to Beqa Island for a waterfall hike or a village visit. More adventurous types can also take advantage of Royal Davui’s proximity to Pacific Harbour, which is known as the soft adventure capital of Viti Levu, and sign up for excursions for zip-lining, white-water rafting or four-wheel buggy treks through the rainforest. One of the great surf breaks lies a half-hour boat ride away as well. But of course, many opt to do little more than lounge on one of the island’s beaches or by the pool or in their Vale.

Each Vale has spectacular views and a plunge pool from which to enjoy them. The owner, a Fijian fishing tycoon with a strong history of conservation, insisted that each Vale be sited in such a way as not to require any old growth trees to be cut down. (The Banyan tree around which the restaurant was built is more than 200 years old.) The result: rooms that feel like high-end eco-resort suites or modern tree houses with the convenience of air-conditioning but without the distraction of TVs or internet. Under pitched thatched roofs are mosquito-net-draped beds facing floor-to-ceiling glass doors that lead out to wrap-around balconies. Gaugin-esque South Pacific paintings add a dash of color to the design scheme, which emphasizes natural woods, thatch and white linens. Expect an emphasis on nature and simplicity more than on indulgent luxury.

There is no fitness center on the island nor a place to run, so fitness fanatics will need to get their exercise on or in the water. Also internet service is available only at the restaurant area and library.

Young honeymooners who want a tropical vacation with the opportunity for lots of activities and families (one came back three times in one year). Those who might get island fever or who want to be anonymous should book elsewhere. It is not a big island and though there are various beaches (and one sandbar, a short boat ride away, where during low tide, you can book yourself for a picnic), you will see guests at every meal so there is a forced togetherness. Each day, the names of arrivals are printed in the daily bulletin.

The resort offers flights from Nadi to Pacific Harbour on its own plane or a chartered one. From Pacific Harbour it is a 30-minute boat ride to the island. The boat that brings you over is a dive boat with rubber matting on the floor and towels on the seat—hardly a grand greeting—but the welcome of the staff when you arrive will sweep away misgivings.