Resort Report: Matava Eco Resort

Matava Eco Adventure Resort is an off-grid oasis where you can escape from civilization and play Robinson Crusoe in a magnificent natural setting while still enjoying warm showers, soft bedding, delicious gourmet meals and some of the finest diving on the planet. The resort is nestled into the shoreline of a remote bay on the northeast corner of Kadavu Island, surrounded by pristine rain forests and overlooking the world's fourth largest barrier reef – the Great Astrolabe.

Kadavu is Fiji's fourth largest island, but home to fewer than 10,000 people. More than 75 percent of its land area remains wild and untouched rainforest, and large areas of the island have no roads. Getting to Matava requires a boat ride from the island's only airport across the lagoons and bays of the south coast to an isolated beach.

Guests are housed in traditional Fijian bures crafted from sustainable island woods and other natural materials. These stand-alone dwellings are handcrafted and finely finished with polished mahogany timber floors. They offer high cathedral ceilings, picture windows displaying lagoon and ocean views, and decks positioned for privacy. Solar power and solar hot water provide essential creature comforts. For those who just have to stay connected, the resort  does provide WiFi in public areas.

With just 10 Oceanfront and Oceanview Villas nestled into the surrounding rainforest, the vibe at Matava is relaxed and personal. Staff members greet guests by name, and meals become social events with a family-like atmosphere. Menus are crafted from ingredients harvested from the sea and picked fresh daily from the resort's organic gardens and groves. The dining terrace provides sweeping views of the reef and a memorable setting for dinners served by lantern light under the stars. An on-site spa offers a range of therapies and makes use of natural Fijian-made products.

Matava Resort is home to Mad Fish Dive Centre, the only dive operation located directly on the Great Astrolabe Reef. Astrolabe is famous in diving circles for its pristine corals, diverse marine life and reliable manta ray encounters. The reef line forms a protected lagoon that encompasses Kadavu and Ono Island, providing a wide range of diving environments on both sheltered interior sites and the outside slopes and walls of the reef. Among the experienced divers can expect are sheltered coral gardens, fish-laden offshore pinnacles, high-energy drift dives and walls and slopes covered in profusions of hard and soft corals.

A signature site is Manta Reef, which is one of the few locations in the world where both reef and oceanic manta rays can be encountered on a consistent basis. Channels such as Naiqoro Passage hold sharks and swirling schools of tuna, giant trevally, mahi-mahi and snapper, while sites on the open-water side of the reef provide additional chances for sightings of passing pelagics, including humpback whales, tiger sharks, whale sharks, billfish and tuna.

Mad Fish is a PADI 5 Star Dive Center, operating two fast launches that carry a maximum of twelve divers and have the range and speed to access the entire length of the Great Astrolabe Reef. In addition to daily two-tank dives and snorkel trips, the shop offers 3-tank excursions to the northern sites beyond Ono Island and continues to make exploratory trips to new sites all along the reef. Mataworks in conjunction with the neighboring village of Kadavu Koro to maintain a marine reserve protected from any sort of fishing, shell collecting and reef walking. The shallows of this reserve are a favorite with snorkelers.

In addition to diving and snorkeling, Matava Resor tis located near several remote, world-class surfing reef breaks. Both reef and blue water fishing trips can be arranged. Sea kayaks are available to explore the pristine shores and beaches of Kadavu and Ono Islands, with itineraries ranging from one-day excursions to two and four-day paddles with overnight stays in local villages. The lush rainforests that surround the resort hold footpaths that can be enjoyed by hikers and bird watchers, either as guided or self-guided walks. Guests also have the opportunity to experience the authentic culture of the region by participating in traditional kava ceremonies and lovo feasts or attending a meke, which is a celebration of traditional song, music and dance.

Kadavu Island is served by both scheduled and charter flights from Suva's Nausori International Airport and Nadi International Airport. After landing on Kadavu, guests transfer to a boat for a 45-minute ride to Matavad. Also available is seaplane service from Nadi directly to the resort. A majority of the resort's lighting and electrical devices are 12-volt systems operating on solar power. 120/240V power is available for charging cameras, strobes and laptops.

Caradonna has negotiated special rates on inclusive dive and adventure packages at Matava Resort and can arrange air-inclusive itineraries from North America. Book online, email sales@caradonna.com or give our expert agents a call at 800-330-6611 to learn more about this unique property and all the adventures that await in Fiji.