LAST week we looked at Nanuku Resort and Spa, formerly Taunovo Bay Resort, as the quintessential South Pacific paradise and ideal cultural setting for creating events of a lifetime.
This week, we will look at activities offered by the resort and its business outlook for the future.
Activities
Activities at the resort can be tailored to whatever suits your interest and are organised on a one-on-one basis.
“Our purpose-built Lomana spa and wellness centre includes a fitness centre (with personal trainer on standby), hair salon, Cakava creative workshop, Lailai children’s club, guest library and games room,” says resort general manager Karen Taylor.
She said the Cakava creative workshop, Lailai children’s club, guest library and games room were located at the Club House and provided a variety of guest experiences, introduction to Fijian arts, crafts and culture.
There is a range of non-motorised water sports to choose from. The resort also offers a game of beach table tennis, snorkelling or paddleboard on the reef, or sailing on the resort catamaran.
She said informative medicine and food safaris also offered the opportunity for cultural interaction on village and church visits.
Non-motorised activities are complimentary and include kayaking, stand-up paddle boards, snorkelling, sailing, beach table tennis, daily Lailai club program, church services, Fijian music participation with the ukulele, lali drum beating and davui shell blowing, couple massage lessons, cooking classes, group yoga classes and meke dance class.
“Private meke (dance) classes and spectacular firewalking demonstrations can also be arranged in the privacy of your residence or suite, for a night you’ll never forget,” she said.
Nanuku’s private island
The resort’s private island is located 20 minutes from Nanuku Resort and Spa in the famous Beqa lagoon system of coral reefs.
Ms Taylor said guests would find a quintessential deserted island with white sand beach, lush rainforest, swaying coconut palms and sandy trails meandering through the shaded canopy.
“Our island is just two acres in total and is surrounded by clear, azure waters and spectacular sandy beaches for private swimming, snorkelling and beachcombing. The surrounding reef system teems with marine life and exotic corals.
“Enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch for the ultimate five-star castaway experience. Guided snorkel excursions and scuba diving can be arranged with one of the professional local dive operators,” she said.
Food safari
Resort operation manager Vesi Lodoviko said their food safari was an exclusive activity organised by the resort for its guest.
He said the Pacific Harbour and Navua area had a lot of farms and this had been utilised by the resort as a tourist attraction.
Mr Lodoviko said part of the safari was to visit Spice Fiji at Wainadoi, Navua market, crab farm, hydroponic farm, ginger farm and prawn farm.
“As a tour guide, we explain how root crops are transported down to the Navua River straight to the market. Some of them buy produce at cheap prices and bring it back to the resort to cook themselves.”
At the crab farm, he said, guests were taught how to identity matured crabs, which were ready to be harvested.
“We also visited Vakabalea to show them the ginger, dalo and tavioka farms. We show them how crops are planted on a rotation basis at the farm. We then visit the hydroponic farm to buy spinach and other vegetables,” Mr Lodoviko said.
Nanuku Cove Estates
The estate was launched last year, boasting 34 large levelled freehold lots complete with power, water, telecom and gas supply.
The beachfront subdivision along the Queens Rd is part of the overall Nanuku Resort development, which was being carried out on 2.5 kilometres of beachfront and 490 acres of freehold property, according to resort owner and Chicago-based Bixby Bridge Capital principal David Williams.
The company had invested more than $US15million (($F26.8m) in the project with several infrastructure improvements and potential future development opportunities still in the planning stages.
“To complete this major expansion and construction work, the project has directly employed over 190 workers from the area with an additional 60 workers indirectly employed.
“When you look at the tremendous growth in Fijian tourism numbers, the trends are looking very good. We are bullish on Fiji and appreciate the support from the Fijian Government to complete our investment project.
“We plan to continue investing in anticipation of continued growth of Fijian tourism — as are others up and down the Coral Coast.”
He said the freehold lots were ideal for those wanting a home on a private, secluded beach or those looking for well-positioned holiday homes.
