We are snorkelers, not divers, and we weren't sure we would be able to see well from the surface. But I largely snorkeled the house reef twice a day, and it was super satisfying. There were also boat trips out to the rainbow reef which were also excellent for snorkeling. The accommodations and the staff were superb, the food was plentiful and delicious. There is a large staff with capacity to organize a variety of activities to satisfy -- bird-watching, hiking, getting into to town to shop for souvenirs. We even had some elderly persons with us who mostly hung out and relaxed in the pool. Regardless of athletic and diving ability, I would recommend this destination to anyone.
We were picked up at a remote jetty on Vanua Levu and it truly seemed that we had arrived in Paradise at the dock on the island of Taveuni. The arrival was a bit overwhelming, starting with foot massages and a lot of information. Our bure was beautiful and very comfortable. Since the purpose of our trip was SCUBA, we did remember that we were assigned a time to analyze our Nitrox tanks in preparation for the dives of the following morning. After 3 dives a day, we were sometimes too tired to take advantage of all of the activities surrounding us. The food was excellent and the diving was outstanding as was the dive team who made everything easy for us.
We had booked a smaller, less expensive spot on Taveuni, and found out about a month prior that it might be up for sale. So rather than scramble, we looked for other places. Paradise was available, but definitely a splurge in our budget. But, the inclusions with the package made it very appealing. The only bure available was the most expensive, and only available for 5 of the 6 nights we needed. Another bure was open for the last night and we would rather move spots on the property than check out for another night elsewhere. We felt welcome the second we were picked up from the airport. Points of interest were pointed out along the way. Part of the drive is quite bumpy. Entering the property we were led to reception, and taken to a table with refreshments to sign in. We each received a foot massage, and offered lunch. Our bure was ready, the Honeymoon. It’s the largest, ocean view. There’s a large lanai with a couch, a daybed, a hammock and table and chairs. Inside there’s a separate bedroom, sitting area and the bath has 2 sinks, interior and outside shower, plus a tub outside. There’s a kettle and a fridge. The room has all you need…safe, hair dryer, toiletries, umbrellas and air conditioning. The smaller bure we had for our last night (Orchid) was only a bit smaller, with only one sink and no outside tub, but still very nice. The lanai was smaller with only the table and chairs, but still had a daybed. This was ocean view. There are also smaller accommodations as well. Everyone on the staff was so friendly, made you feel very special. Our new room was even decorated with flowers as was our first one when we moved in. That was a nice extra touch. This place caters primarily to divers. There are two dive boats, and at least one goes out per day. The main destination is rainbow reef, a prized dive spot, and there is at least one other choice depending on currents. We tagged along on the dive boat twice as we are snorkelers. They have a guide to take you over the reef, snorkeler or diver. On the days we didn’t go on the boat, we snorkelled from the dock. Best to head out when the tide is up. As you face the ocean, to the left of the dock, heading towards the school, there’s a beautiful reef, that’s much closer to the surface than Rainbow Reef. We found several spots where there were Anenome fish…both Clark’s and Fiji (Nemo’s cousins). There were many varieties of fish here. When you sit down to breakfast, you are also given the lunch and dinner menus to preselect your meals. There are also daily specials. Food was excellent. Our package was breakfast, one course for lunch, two for dinner. We chose to split an appetizer and a dessert. Midweek…maybe Thursday night, is Fiji night. Dinner is started in the Lovo, earth oven. You can watch them prep and unearth the dinner. We got a bit of Fiji history from the guys doing the Lovo. Dinner is traditional, with music and dancing, plus a Kava ceremony. We had so much food that night, couldn’t do the meal justice. And…there’s a bakery on site that makes delicious breads and cinnamon buns (which were provided on the dive trips). You can get good massages at the resort. On top of dive/snorkel trips, there are also cultural trips away from the resort. The pool area is very nice, and there are seats and loungers in various locations over the property. The dive shop has equipment to use. For every event, someone beats on the hollowed out log-drum and announces what’s up…departure time (boat), happy hour, Lovo time etc. We felt so fortunate to round out our Fiji vacation here. Staff are exceptional. We only met Terri, one of the owners. She was always around to chat with, arrange things, answer questions. Truly felt pampered here. A big thank you to everyone at Paradise!…
We had an amazing time here! Diving was great. However avoid the big cattle boat that takes up to 30 divers! The small boats are much better less stressful. The friendly staff like Flo made our trip. She was very helpful and kind to us! Highly recommended!!@
Paradise delivers everything it promises and more - beautiful setting, delicious meals, attentive staff and superb diving. We stayed for three nights and the attention to detail was outstanding. Definitely top of my list of places to return and enjoy more of the amenities
Friends of ours invited us to Paradise to help them celebrate their wedding anniversary. We had never been there before but, boy oh boy, are we ever keen to go back. Everything about the holiday was extreme pleasure. Getting to Taveuni from Australia was super easy, and even the road trip from Matei airstrip was scenic and promised so much for our destination, and what a destination! Paradise Resort is the ultimate in dive resort luxury. The bures are super comfortable, the meals are plentiful and cater to all dietary needs (my wife is coeliac and lactose free - and was never short of eating options at meal times). The diving is out of this world - some of the best coral drift dives I've ever done. The staff at Paradise are 1st class, top shelf, wonderful. Sonni made our meal times the most fun. My wife and the rest of the ladies on the trip made full use of the spa massage packages and all attested to the wonder of these treatments. Terri and Allen went out of their way to make the stay an absolute pleasure, and the Seafood Banquet we had for the wedding anniversary was out of this world. I cannot recommend this destination highly enough for a fantastic couples retreat or a group holiday for diving friends. Thankyou Paradise Taveuni for an absolute life experience!…
To sum up how amazing Paradise Taveuni is in one review is a difficult task. From the time you arrive at the resort it really feels like paradise - the staff provides a very warm welcome along with a foot massage that is the perfect way to start your stay. We first visited in January 2019 as part of a large dive group and were able to get back in September 2022. We met so many wonderful people from literally around the world (Fiji, USA, New Zealand, Australia, England, Austria, France) so word of this hidden gem is getting out. It is a place my wife and I hope to visit many more times in the future. Rainbow Reef is the prettiest place we’ve dove in our 16 years of diving, which includes trips to various places including Belize, Mexico, & Hawaii. The healthy, colorful reefs with hard & soft corals and amazing marine life is like no other place. If you decide not to boat dive and just dive/snorkel Paradise’s house reef, then you’re in for a treat! My only regret this past trip is not diving it more. One of the great things about Paradise Taveuni is that it is more than a dive resort. Even if you don't dive, this resort is for you. The resort has a beautiful pool and many other activities including snorkeling, fishing, hikes to waterfalls, and village tours. Another great thing about Paradise is the food! No buffet lines here. You get to pick from various options and they even have great vegetarian & vegan options. The staff at Paradise is some of the best we have ever encountered. If you decide to go, here are a few tips. Definitely research the seasons in Fiji that are reversed from the USA. Also, if you’re a diver, go when the tides are right to experience the Great White Wall, which is beautiful!…
We brought 5 of our friends with us and the staff looked after us all across all areas. From reception to restuarant, diving and special trips. We couldn't thank them more highly for an amazing stay. we love diving and dived in many places around the globe and came back here to somosomo straight to dive the world renowned white wall, but there are so many other dive sites, we do love cabbage patch, vuna dive sites etc and the house reef out the front of the resort is the best house reef i have seen. as a bonus we had our wedding anniversary there and it felt like a wedding the way they treated us and were so keen to make it extra special. The boat is well fitted out and even has a head and a clean dry area and upper deck. easy to dive, enter and exit. Safe profiles and well looked after throughout. …
My husband and I recently completed our 3rd trip to Paradise in Fiji. This resort is unlike any other. From the minute you arrive you are treated like family with personalized attention. It is a small resort with the most beautiful setting I have ever seen. There is great snorkeling and diving right off the resort and dive trips to the renowned Rainbow Reef. The food is beyond compare prepared by an excellent chef. There are many activities to choose from along with spa services. We cannot wait for our next trip.
This was our fourth visit to Paradise over a 12 year period, initially as a couple and now with our young family. We really love these trips, Paradise absolutely lives up to its namesake, both in terms of the incredible location and the amazing team who make our visits so special. We were greeted on arrival with a big welcome back from owner Terri and the team, followed by a drink and amazing foot massage. Such a great way to start a holiday, we always feel as though the weight of the world is lifted when we arrive. The resort is perched on the edge of the Somo Somo Strait, perfectly sheltered from the prevailing winds. It faces west, so expect jaw-dropping amazing sunsets against a back drop of Vanua Levu and cumulus clouds that boil off the hills. It is easy to spend hours just soaking up the sun in this location while sipping a drink and staring at the calm blue ocean. We love the food here, the menu gives a great selection of local fare (much of this is grown in resort gardens), western, Asian and Fijian-Indian dishes. The kitchen was always very accommodating if we needed something specific for the kids or between-meal snacks. I also had a dinner of coconut crab one night, a great experience!don’t miss the bakery also, the fresh cinnamon scrolls are a real treat! Rooms are very comfortable and well appointed. Our Bure was air conditioned and kept spotlessly clean, despite the efforts of our children. My wife frequented the spa and loved the various treatments they offer, particularly the deep tissue massages - also very reasonably priced. We snorkelled each day out the front of the resort, it’s an amazing reef to see right on the doorstep and it looks better than we have ever seen it before. Amazing fish life - there is even a n anemone fish (‘Nemo’), right below the ladder to the water. We enjoyed watching a large school of baitfish each day as they circled and swirled on the edge reef like they were waiting for National Geographic to come and make a documentary. Aside from the above, the Paradise team are incredible. Our kids were well looked after each day by a lovely nanny and our youngest was indulged and doted upon by all the resort staff. Nothing was too hard for the Paradise team who went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed - snacks for the kids, last minute baby sitting and so much more. Special mentions for Anna, Soni, Liti, Vuni and Maikheli! We appreciate also the personal involvement of owners Terri and Allan, who each take the time to chat with guests and facilitate any wishes they have. We’re so glad to be able to keep having the Paradise experience, the team have had some challenging times in the past following both Tropical Cyclone Winston and Covid, so it is great to see Paradise has not lost its shine and continues to get better everytime we visit. 5 stars is really not enough, make sure Paradise is on your bucket list!…
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