Under Canvas Grand Canyon
At Matava, you will find your spirit of adventure as you experience the magnificent beauty of a remote unspoiled tropical Fijian Island. Plunging volcanic rainforest slopes meet azure coral lagoons and the Great Astrolabe Barrier Reef await discovery. There are no roads, no noise, no stress. Traditional thatched Fijian Bures hug the jungle fringes. Each have private sun decks overlooking the turquoise lagoon. Matava offers the unique blend of eco lodges and a little bit of luxury for a maximum of only 22 guests. Traditional thatched Fijian ‘bures’ with polished timber floors, louvre windows, timber four poster beds and private decks are nestled in the rainforest to offer privacy, comfort and superb ocean views. The Oceanview Bures are across the stream and offer spectacular panoramas of The Great Astrolabe Reef and surrounding offshore islands. The top-end Honeymoon Bures are scattered up on the hill behind Matava to ensure complete privacy and stunning vistas across the ocean. The bures have solar powered lighting, solar hot water and no carbon footprint. Due to its remote location and design, Matava, does not accept family bookings with children under age 7 and offers no child care or kid’s program.
Mad Fish Dive Centre is the on-site PADI 5 Star Dive Centre and caters to all levels of diver. They will take you to sites varying in depths, currents and visibility ranging from 20 – 100m where you can expect a kaleidoscope of colorful corals and the wonderful marine life of the world renowned Great Astrolabe Barrier Reef. The Signature Dive Site, Manta Reef, is home to Manta Rays all year round for divers and snorkelers.
At Matava, you may snorkel marine reserves, explore jungle trails, kayak mangrove bays, experience the real Fijian culture, picnic deserted beaches or just pamper yourself in the Spa. You can even catch dinner from the offshore game-fishing boat, Bite Me Too.
Relax in the splendor of your private en-suite bure as you contemplate the stunning sunset and anticipate the evening’s dinner of fresh fish, fruits and organic vegetables, grown right before your very eyes and served by lantern light on the ocean terrace. Far from the madding crowd, unplug and recharge at Matava, Fiji’s Premier Eco-Adventure Resort.
There are several ways to get to Kadavu Island and Matava Resort. Fiji Link serves the island of Kadavu with daily flights from Nadi and Suva. The direct flight from Nadi International Airport is on most days of the week. The flight from Suva is on Mondays.
Traveling by domestic flight from Nadi to Kadavu takes approximately 40 minutes. Restroom facilities are available at Kadavu airport though very little else. You are now officially off the beaten path !
Upon arrival you will be met by one of the resort’s boatmen who will load you and your luggage into a truck for a 5 minute ride to the guest transfer boat. The truck may stop for a few minutes along the way to collect some resort supplies. The boat will be waiting at anchor in a small calm mangrove bay.
Depending on the tide, you may have to walk out in ankle deep water to board.
The boat is covered though you may wish to have sunscreen and sunglasses handy. The ride to the resort takes about 45 minutes depending on the tide and weather conditions. It is a wonderful scenic ride so you might wish to have your camera handy.
SCUBA DIVING!
Mad Fish Dive Centre is Matava’s on site PADI 5 Star Dive Centre. They dive the The Great Astrolabe Barrier Reef extensively and cater for all levels of diver from beginner to experienced. Mad Fish Dive Centre will take you to sites varying in depths, currents and visibility ranging from 20 – 100m where you can expect a kaleidoscope of colorful corals and wonderful marine life – we can assure you that you won’t be disappointed.
The Signature Dive Site – Manta Reef is a site where guests can dive and sometimes snorkel with Manta Rays all year round. The reef is a feeding station but occasionally mantas stop for a clean above the reef. We have a resident population as well as occasional pelagic manta visits. The site is a submerged reef outside of the Great Astrolabe Barrier Reef and is about a 40 minute boat ride from the Resort.
SNORKELING!
The Great Astrolable Barrier reef is the world’s 4th longest Barrier Reef and runs along the South side of Kadavu Island and up to the North Astrolabe Reef. Consisting of 75 miles of pristine hard and soft corals, it creates extensive sheltered coral lagoons where guests can enjoy snorkeling over coral gardens filled with countless colorful reef fish, starfish and critters. There are 5 main passageways through the reef, all withing a short boat ride of Matava Resort.
The area directly in front of the Resort, including Waya Island, is a Marine Reserve and has excellent snorkeling areas. Guests can snorkel out, take a resort kayak or we are happy to drop you by skiff. Between the resort and the fringing coral is an area of sea-grass. If you have a good eye and a bit of patience you can find seahorses hiding in the fronds! The fringing coral hosts all the main species of fish seen out on the Barrier Reef as well as many juvenile species. If you keep an eye on the deep water you may see the occasional eagle ray or manta cruise by.
OCEAN KAYAKING & MORE!
Go sea kayaking and experience a unique cultural adventure with our partners and Kadavu Island expert guiding company Tamarillo Tropical Expeditions. Explore our backyard: the Pacific Island wilderness of Kadavu and Ono Islands. Sea-kayak, swim, snorkel and trek through some of the region’s most scenic and special places. Experience authentic Fijian village life, culture and hospitality. Skilled indigenous guides will introduce you to their land, sea and culture in the remote environment surrounding Matava Resort. Their local knowledge and experience will ensure your safety and enjoyment of these fascinating journeys.
…and don’t forget about….THE BAMBOO SPA!
Choose your path through this sanctuary, with a promising selection of natural treatments lovingly made with uniquely Fijian plant extracts – heavenly massages and wraps, miraculous facials, and the most luxurious of spa pedicures and manicures.
Matava Resort is a small and intimate getaway designed to blend in with its natural environment. Traditional thatched Fijian bures nestled on the edge of the rainforest look out over the Pacific ocean and Great Astrolabe barrier reef. It is the resort’s policy to minimize their impact on the environment and to promote and support ecologically sound conservation measures in our community.
Working in conjunction with our neighboring village of Kadavu Koro, Matava has established a marine reserve from the boundary of the Matava foreshore extending out to encompass the opposite Waya island. This area is protected from any sort of fishing, shell collecting and reef walking. They have also helped the village of Nacomoto establish a marine reserve in their waters. Each time we dive there, we make a contribution to the village. This clearly benefits all parties. The diving is superb, the village gets income and the fish have a sanctuary to breed. Our divers often dive in the Naiqoro Passage marine reserve and we make further contributions to support this initiative. Our guests are asked to make a small voluntary contribution to these marine reserves when they check-out. This money is used in their support and to promote marine conservation measures taken by our local villages.
Pack For A Purpose & Matava join forces
Matava has committed to being part of the Pack For A Purpose initiative. Help Pack For A Purpose make a difference in the lives of children around the world. Use available space in your luggage to provide supplies to the communities you visit. If just 500 individuals pack 5 lbs (2.27 kgs) each, we can provide 1.25 tons of Supplies!
Shark Free Marine Initiative
Matava organizes Fiji to be the first country to fully participate in the Shark Free Marina Initiative.
Matava, Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort, and Bite Me Gamefishing Charters take the leading role in the world with a major shark conservation initiative in the game fishing community. The International Shark-Free Marina Initiative works with marinas, boaters and fishermen to develop policy designed to protect a vital component of the oceans health, our sharks.
