Matangi Private Island Resort is a privately owned Fiji island, 240-acres in size, with a collapsed volcanic caldera shape like a horseshoe. We are located an hour and 15 minutes flight from Nadi International Airport in Fiji’s breathtaking Northern group of islands in the heart of the South Pacific.

Matangi Private Island Resort is owned and operated by the Douglas family. Their ancestors were among the first Europeans to settle in Fiji and from the 1870s, lived on Matangi Island working the land as a coconut and cattle plantation. Their family members were all born and brought up in the islands and enjoy an inherent connection to the land, culture and people. In 1987, they decided to share Matangi Island with the rest of the world, and since then, have welcomed up to 1000 guests per year, many of which return year after year, making it their own home away from home in paradise.

Matangi Private Island Resort offers a total of eleven beachfront Bures and three Tree House Bures, all boasting gorgeous views across the Tasman Strait, towards neighbouring islands. A ‘bure’ is the Fijian word for bungalow. All accommodations are handcrafted to traditional design, using local timbers, bamboo and coconut palm thatch to blend into the tropical environment and harmonise with the climate. The high ceilings and large louvre windows ensure the bures are kept cool without the use of air-conditioning. While traditional in design, all bures feature modern amenities. The central restaurant, with a large wooden deck over the water, likewise offers a cuisine combining both contemporary and traditional tastes.

Ten of the island’s 240-acres is dedicated to the resort and has been carefully landscaped around the existing large trees using exotic and colourful plants to attract tropical birds including the orange dove and parakeet. The rest of the island is lush tropical jungle with a high volcanic rim enclosing a gorgeous Horseshoe Bay fringed by a secluded white sand beach.

The island is surrounded by thriving coral reefs and aquamarine waters which await your exploration. If you are looking for your own private Fiji island, an exclusive resort, the romance of the South Seas, a small number of guests, a great number of staff, private beaches, spa services, excellent scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing, local village interaction, hiking and a multitude of other things to do, then Matangi is for you. We look forward to welcoming you as a guest at Matangi Private Island Resort, Fiji.

Accommodations

Matangi Private Island Resort features some of the most unique accommodation in Fiji. Inspired by the authentic Fijian and South Pacific style of home, our eleven Beachfront Bures and three Tree House Bures are all built from natural local materials including bamboo, coconut palm thatch and local hardwoods.

With high ceilings acting as a natural air-conditioner and cool tiled floors, our bures have been designed for absolute comfort to cope with our tropical climate. While visually appealing in design, all bures feature modern day luxuries including 24-hour electricity, hot water, ample 240-volt power outlets and high quality beds and linen. We do not offer televisions, telephones or air-conditioning in order to retain an uncluttered atmosphere free of modern distractions. Telephone and email services are available from our office. Fresh drinking water (not FIJI bottled water) is provided free of charge at all times, and your bure is stocked daily. Please do not drink our tap water as it is not of drinking quality.

Each bure is unique and located approximately 20-metres from our beach’s high water mark. All bures are generously spaced ensuring ample privacy, within lush tropical gardens, but all the resort's facilities are in easy walking distance. You won't be bothered by any motorised vehicles other than a small tractor which is used occasionally by our garden keepers. Matangi offers a truly relaxing and peaceful atmosphere.

All bures feature spacious sleeping and living areas, king size bed, day bed, ceiling fans, mini bar, ensuite bathroom facilities and private verandah. We strive to provide an impeccable service so you can unwind and be pampered - your maid will service your bure daily, launder your clothes, replenish your towel supply and turn down your sheets at night.

Matangi offers three types of accommodation: Standard Bure, Deluxe Bure, Tree House Bure

Tree House Bures

The most luxurious of our accommodation styles are our three unique Tree House Bures, which were the first of their kind in Fiji. These gorgeous dwellings, built around trees on the steep cliffs overlooking the beach, were the idea of a past guest who visited Matangi many years ago. He saw a large Pacific Almond tree close to the beach that was ideal for a tree house and so one was built.

Two subsequent Tree House Bures were built further into the cliff side and feature outdoor lava rock showers as well as conventional indoor showers. The Tree House Bures feature separate living and sleeping areas with king size bed, ceiling fans and a large timber deck with breath-taking views across the Tasman Strait.

These Tree House Bures are perfect for honeymooners and couples wanting a romantic getaway with greater privacy. The Tree House Bures can accommodate a maximum of two adults (double occupancy only). A mini-bar stocked with bottled FIJI water, soft drinks and local beer is replenished daily. Tea and coffee making facilities are also available for your convenience.

Deluxe Bures

Seven of our eleven Bures are Deluxe. In true South Pacific island style, they are round in shape and feature indoor and outdoor showers constructed of lava rocks with coral inlay designs. Each Deluxe Bure is furnished with a king size bed, day bed, ceiling fans and private verandah only steps away from the beach. Deluxe Bures can accommodate a maximum of three adults or two adults and two children plus one infant in a crib. A mini-bar stocked with bottled FIJI water, soft drinks and local beer is replenished daily. Tea and coffee making facilities are also available for your convenience.

Standard Bures

Four of our eleven Bures are Standard. Each Standard Bure features a separate living and sleeping area with king size bed, day bed, ceiling fans and private verandah. Standard Bures can accommodate a maximum of three adults or two adults and two children plus one infant in a crib. A mini-bar stocked with bottled FIJI water, soft drinks and local beer is replenished daily. Tea and coffee making facilities are also available for your convenience.

Weddings

• Before the Day

Matangi’s intimate setting and relaxed atmosphere makes it the perfect location for a memorable Fiji wedding. Every wedding at Matangi is a unique occasion - all you need to do is obtain your marriage licence, choose when and where you would like your wedding, who you would like as witnesses and the resort will do the rest.

• Wedding Formalities

Marriage Licence Registration

A marriage licence must be obtained from the local District Officer on the island of Taveuni prior to your wedding. Birth certificates and passports must be produced as well as a Single Status Certificate or a Statutory Declaration witnessed by two people. Divorce papers are essential, if applicable. A death certificate is required in the case of a widow/widower re-marrying. Fiji marriage licences are accepted worldwide.

All arrangements for your transport to the District Officer on Taveuni will be made by the resort and all transportation costs are included in our package price. The District Office is located at the Waiyevo Government Station, a 15-minute car ride from Taveuni’s Matei airport. If possible, registration will be coordinated with your arrival into Taveuni. (Registration cannot be done on weekends or public holidays.

Other Wedding Formalities

Guests can choose from the beach, the deck over the ocean, the lawn or the open bure on our beach front. Most weddings take place during the afternoons but are available at anytime. Staff members often serve as witnesses, if required.

Wedding Ceremony

Wedding ceremonies are performed by a minister of religion from either the Methodist or Catholic denominations, or a marriage celebrant. The wedding ceremony is a very simple one. Add some personal touches to make it an even more memorable occasion.

Wedding Photography

Both digital and standard photography in 36-exp film can be arranged. Our digital photographer, Ian Osborn, is a writer and photographer who has written and published several books on the islands. Ian will post 6 images on the internet the day after your wedding for all your family and friends back home to view.

Chrys Ayley takes standard photography with 36-exp film. Chrys will have your photos developed and delivered to you in a tapa covered photo album.

All photography packages include round-trip Nadi/Taveuni/Nadi flights, round-trip Taveuni/Matangi/ Taveuni car and boat transfers, accommodation, all meals and photography services.

• Island Wedding Fiji $1,300.00
• Renewal of Vows Fiji $1,100.00

Activites

Matangi Island Resort offers a wonderful variety of activities including snorkellling, scuba diving, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, water-skiing, light tackle sport fishing, hiking, private beach excursions, a half day trip to the Bouma Waterfalls on the island of Taveuni (weekly) and a village tour on the island of Qamea (weekly). Our staff maintain a daily activities board - just write in your name on the board at the activities centre indicating the day, time and activity you want and our staff will have everything in place for you.

All activities (except for scuba diving, water skiing, light tackle sport fishing and day excursions) are free of charge with all the required gear provided. For more information on scuba diving, fishing, village visits and our weekly tours, please ask a member of the dive crew or our activities staff.

Snorkelling equipment is provided free of charge and can be done right off the resort's beach which is also a popular scuba diving spot. Horseshoe Bay at the back end of our island offers exceptional snorkelling in calm turquoise waters. We can also arrange snorkelling trips to nearby reefs.

Matangi Island is protected within a large reef system making kayaking around the island easy and safe. We have sea-kayaks on the island which are yours to use at your leisure. Matangi boasts stunning sea cliffs which are part of the collapsed volcanic crater, spectacular when viewed close up. At the back end of the island is tranquil Horseshoe Bay where calm clear waters allow you to explore coral reefs and observe the spectacular marine life.

Horseshoe Bay also boasts a secluded picture-perfect white sand beach backed by tropical forest and steep cliffs offering the most romantic stopover. It takes just 1 hour to kayak all the way around Matangi and less than half an hour to Horseshoe Bay. Qamea Island, which lies just a mile off our resort, is another exceptional kayaking trip. Qamea has lots of small coves, large bays and sandy beaches to explore and takes about half an hour to reach If you want to explore these areas but are not comfortable on a kayak, one of our activities staff will take you there in an outboard powered skiff.

Windsurfing and sailing are also available at no extra charge and can be used to explore the island or ride the winds that channel through the Tasman Straits between our island and adjacent Qamea island. Water-skiing is available at an additional charge.

Matangi offers two exceptional hiking trails. A steep climb from the resort takes you to the summit of Matangi where you can look down into spectacular Horseshoe Bay. You can then walk through light tropical rain forest along the crater rim for great views across the sea and towards the islands of Qamea and Laucala. Large volcanic rocks line this rim with steep drops either side to give you a unique perspective of how an extinct crater looks like.

Take time to listen to the birds and if you are patient, you'll spot orange doves, honeyeaters and other tropical birds. This trail leads down to our coastal walk around the south eastern side of the island, through our old coconut plantations where cows, goats, pigs and horses remain. The coastal walk passes alongside several sand beaches and offers lovely coastal views.

Full/Half Day Excursions

Taveuni Island is the third largest island in Fiji and is known as the Garden Island for its lush tropical rain forest, endemic bird life and beautiful National Parks. The most breathtaking scenery on Taveuni is along its east coast, which Matangi lies off, and the boat ride from our island takes just 30-minutes. Our weekly trip to Tavoro Falls in the Bouma National Heritage Park is complimentary, but there is an entrance fee payable to the Park Administration of FJ$8.00 per adult and FJ$4.00 per child with funds going to the up-keep and continued protection of the islands valuable natural resources. Tavoro Falls is a series of three large waterfalls hidden in tropical forest. The first waterfall is a 10-minute walk from the park entrance and offers swimming and great photographic opportunities.

The second waterfall is a 30-minute hike along a maintained trail with spectacular views of the coast and offshore islands. The final waterfall is another 40-minute hike, although this trail is more strenuous and rugged, not on our standard itinerary. Matangi staff members will accompany you to serve lunch and afternoon tea. Take good walking shoes and plenty of film.

On the northeast coast of Taveuni is the stunning Lavena Coastal Walk, also within the Bouma National Heritage Park. The hike starts at picturesque Lavena Village with its sweeping white sand beach and continues along a maintained trail for 3-miles along a secluded uninhabited coastline passing small cove beaches, waterfalls, river crossings and wonderful coastal scenery. A guide at Lavena is available for hire and it’s possible to kayak in one direction and walk back the other. Our staff at Matangi will arrange for boat transfers to Taveuni and taxi transfers to Lavena at our standard rates.

Your Fiji holiday would not be complete without a visit to a traditional Fijian village. Time and time again our guests come back from the village praising this as their unique memory of Fiji. This trip takes you by boat to a secluded village on the neighbouring island of Qamea. At the village beach you are greeted by the local hosts for a stroll through the village and then taken to the village hall to meet the chief and his people.

Join them for some kava (Fiji’s national drink) and enjoy songs and traditional dances performed especially for you. This is a great opportunity to share some stories with the locals and experience Fijian culture while taking some wonderful photographs. As a return gesture, the Matangi Island Resort office organises a token monetary contribution from guests to assist the village in its community projects, such as maintenance to school buildings and church affairs.

Dining

Matangi's chefs offer you a variety of cuisine from traditional Fijian fare, to European, American and Pacific Rim favourites. They will happily cater to special dietary needs. All meals are included in our nightly tariff and are served from the resort’s dining bure with its large wooden deck sitting right over the water. Alternatively, you can arrange a private dinner under the stars on the beach. Room service is also available during normal meal times.

Matangi’s meals include an array of fresh fish and seafood caught by local fishermen, imported meats, green salads, locally grown fresh vegetables, tropical fruit from our gardens, freshly baked bread and sumptuous desserts. A large selection of world class Australian and New Zealand wines and champagnes are available to accompany any of our fine meals.

The rhythmic beating of the lali (traditional wooden drum) will announce the commencement of all meals.

Breakfast consists of a variety of fresh tropical fruits, fruit juices, cereals, freshly baked breads, pastries, banana loaf and muffins. This is followed by a hot breakfast of your choice including eggs any way you like, bacon, sausages, ham, pancakes, hash browns and omelettes.

Lunch is a more casual affair with a choice of fresh salads, fish, stir-fry, sandwiches made with freshly baked breads, quiches or pizzas followed by tropical fruits, fruit salad, mousse or ice cream.

Lunch is either a buffet or a set menu, taking into account the personal tastes and preferences of each guest. Romantic picnic lunches can be arranged on request at one of our secluded beach locations.

Dinner is usually a three-course meal or a buffet feast. An entrée / starter of soups or cocktails is followed by a choice of meats or fish for your main. This is complimented by a selection of fresh vegetables or salads and finished with mouth-watering desserts.

Freshly baked cookies, tropical fruit, brewed coffee and tea are available throughout the day. Afternoon tea is served between 3 and 4 pm, offering a selection of freshly baked cakes and / or cookies.

Special dietary needs are catered for with advance notice. Children under the age of 12 are required to have their evening meals earlier than the normal dinner service. Inquire at the office for more information.

On the Deck

Our newly refurbished seaside ‘Deck’ houses our Dining Room and Bar. Built from local hardwood over the water, you can enjoy both indoor and outdoor dining with cool sea breezes and lovely views across to Qamea, Taveuni and Rabi islands.

During the day, lounge at the Bar, or sunbathe on the Deck. At night, the Bar is a great gathering place to enjoy a sunset cocktail with fellow guests, meet your hosts, the Douglas family, and to enjoy the serenading and impromptu guitar sessions of the local Fijian staff.

The Bar offers a full range of beverages both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Local and imported beers are available, as are a fine selection of imported wines and champagnes. Enjoy our exotic cocktails, made from our local Fijian rum and fresh tropical fruits. Non-alcoholic drinks including fruit cocktails, FIJI bottled water and soda pop is also available. The Bar is open throughout the day and in the evenings.

Fijian Feast

A traditional Fijian feast is called a 'Lovo' and a must try during your stay. Food is wrapped in banana leaves and cooked on hot river rocks under the ground.

Romantic Dinners

At Matangi we appreciate the romance of the South Seas and offer all our guests the opportunity to have a romantic candle-light dinner by the sea. If you are celebrating a special occasion please let us know so we can arrange a special night for you. Private picnics can also be arranged. Ask our activities staff to book Horseshoe Bay or any of our private beaches for your picnic.