On Fiji’s Vomo Island, Warm Vibes Precede a Slice of Local Life (and Luxury)
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How lucky are we to live in a world where Vomo Island exists.
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An unpretentious slice of luxury in the heart of the South Pacific, Vomo offers a private island experience for sun seekers and adventure seekers alike, boasting more than 200 acres of soft sand beach, lush greenery and postcard-worthy hikes.
Located in the Mamanuca Island group of Fiji, Vomo Island is an easy “sunset to sunrise” flight from LA on Fiji Airways (which offers non-stop service from LAX) followed by a scenic 40-minute boat ride from Nadi International Airport. Since re-opening after the pandemic, Vomo has quietly become a go-to destination for travelers looking for a calming retreat that’s (just slightly) off the beaten path. Tucked into the resort’s oceanfront location are 28 luxury villas, as well as six private residences, that can accommodate up to ten guests each.
Here, privacy means your own home, set apart from other residences on the property by lush landscaping and long, sweeping pathways. The crown jewel of Vomo Island is Reef House, a five-bedroom, 10,000 square-foot retreat designed by Mark Richi, co-founder of the award-winning firm, Architecture Building Culture. Mirroring the beige sandy beach with a minimalist and contemporary aesthetic, Reef House features its own private infinity pool, entertaining lounge, indoor/outdoor landing, and a full kitchen, where you can request the resort’s chef for private dining. Your own stretch of beach is just steps from Reef House, putting you — and your feet — right on the Northern shore of the Yasawa Islands.
On a recent visit to Reef House, guests were greeted by a dedicated butler, who tended to everything from booking spa and dinner reservations, to mixing up fresh coconut cocktails for an afternoon in the sun. A staff to guest ratio of 2:1 means service is extra attentive — and personalized. By the end of the first day, the staff know your room temperature preferences, your preferred drink order, and how you like your eggs for breakfast (along with what time to wake you up to enjoy your meal). By the end of the week, they’ll get to know your children’s names, your favorite music to play through the villa’s built-in speakers and your favorite local snacks, which they’ll send home with you in heaps. The level of service here is unmatched.
Days on Vomo Island are spent soaking in the views from the pool, or embarking on one of the resort’s many excursions — all included in the price of the stay. Indeed, one of the most popular activities at Vomo Island is snorkeling, with the resort’s nearby waters boasting some of the best coral reef and aquatic life spotting in the region. It’s not uncommon to spot manta rays during the summer, while tiger sharks get up close and personal (all entirely safe!) with private charters that go out daily with Vomo Island’s dedicated snorkeling team.
Vomo Island is also one of the best places to go diving in Fiji, thanks to Vomo’s PADI Dive Center, which offers certification courses with PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) staff on the property. Once certified, divers have the opportunity to venture out to sea to swim with king fish, turtles and eagle rays; more adventurous travelers can also be taken to the open water for shark diving excursions. Both the snorkeling and diving are overseen by Vomo’s resident marine biologist, Laisenia “Lai” Rokoua, who works with the resort and guests to ensure sustainable and eco-friendly travel.
It’s not just lip service either: Vomo is one of the most sustainable resorts in the region, with non-profit organization, Counting Coral, recently declaring Vomo as the “healthiest” of all Fijian Island properties, when it comes to environmental stewardship. Counting Coral has also installed a massive coral restoration sculpture in Fiji that doubles as both an underwater art installation and a coral gene bank, to promote re-growth and propagation. Dive trips to see this sculpture can now be booked through Vomo.
Aside from diving and snorkeling, days on Vomo Island are spent hiking its lush canopy of trails, which lead to cliffside views of the crystal blue waters down below; watersports, including kayaking and windsurfing; or melting your cares away at the property’s Kui Spa, which incorporates local ingredients and techniques (think: Fijian coconut oil and a traditional bamboo massage) into its many stress-relieving treatments.
For many guests though, it’s not what you do on Vomo Island, but what you don’t do. While WiFi is available throughout the island, this is not a hotel where people spend their time working (or stressing). Coming from the hustle and bustle of L.A., we’re used to people inquiring about our jobs. Here on Vomo Island, we were greeted not with questions of “What do you do?” but rather, “What did you do today?”
Today, we watched the sunrise break from the sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows in our bedroom suite, then sauntered over to our kitchen, where a breakfast platter of island fruit, smoothies and freshly-baked goods awaited us. Then, we went on a hike for views of Mount Vomo, making our way to a majestic viewing point and hilltop yoga deck for a sun salutation. Lunch was served at The Rocks, the resort’s adults-only poolside bar, which served up a delectable platter of Asian-inspired bites paired with surprisingly stiff drinks. An afternoon relaxing by our private pool at Reef House was followed by some unexpected guests in the early evening: the resort’s staff had gathered in our lobby to perform for us the meke, a traditional dance that incorporates storytelling and music. The ceremony included the passing around of kava, a traditional Fijian drink that mixes yaqona (a type of earthy-tasting root) strained with water. Served in a large communal bowl, it was the local staff’s way of welcoming us into their community. The evening ended with a private meal cooked for us by the resort’s gifted chef, with the first pour of wine perfectly timed to the first stars appearing in the sky.
This, is Vomo Island, a place where life is lived to its fullest, yet never to its brink; a place where hospitality runs hand in hand with happiness; and a place you may not have yet visited, but one you’ll return to time and time again. Today, we experienced the best in Fijian dining, entertaining and generosity of spirit. Tomorrow, we’ll experience it all over again. How lucky are we indeed.
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