This is not really a blog post more of a review but for testing purposes here we go.

Maqai Resort, Fiji

Our objective when booking Maqai Resort was somewhere remote and very close to the beach so we could chill down. 

Well remote it certainly is. A 1hr 15 min flight from Nadi where row 7 gets you the back of the plane, followed by a 30 min taxi ride hugging the edge of the coast over very bouncy terrain, and finally a 30 minute boat ride in an open skiff. Well there is an extra step if it’s low tide and that’s a 20 minute wade along the rocks until you come across the resort. 

Please don’t let the journey there put you off. Maqai is paradise, all be it a cost effective one. The staff are amazing, from Big Tony, Johnny the barman, Tex with her incredible laugh..the kitchen ladies who I apologise to for forgetting their names but who dished out wonderful food. We were lucky to have the co owners Angie and Shaw there during our visit. The whole crew have created a wonderful vibe.

We wanted close to the beach, well at high tide the distance between your bed and the sea is roughly 5m. Close enough! This was in one of the beachfront bure’s. They are basic, cold shower but who needs a hot showers in the tropics, a loo that opens to the garden (you can use the bure back door as a toilet door if you require more privacy), comfy double beds with mosquito nets, a hammock to chill in and a deck looking out across the beach to the reef.

And chill down we certainly did. Maqai is just perfect for doing nothing. There are kayaks to borrow, snorkelling off the beach or a snorkelling trip to Black Rock Beach, jungle walk at the back of the accommodation, village visit, reefs to be surfed and the ping pong table. We just chilled for most of the 7 nights we were there. Dragging ourselves for a quick snorkel every now and again. 

Maqui met all of our objectives and more besides. We had great conversations over dinner with the other guests. All meals are served in a communal area. With the exception of breakfast no one meal was the same during the 7 nights and the food was fabulous. Joining in the Kava ceremony is a must, and if you consume enough they will name the main Kava bowl after you. The bar has been set very high we understand. 

Some tips for your journey and stay, grab some ear plugs for the plane ride from Nadi, certainly helps block out the noise from the engines, bring a bin liner or something similar to pop your bag in for the boat ride there and back just in case it’s a little bouncy or raining. The taxi stops at a little store just after the airport, to stock up on some essentials. If you have your own snorkel, mask and flippers bring them. The resort does have a selection but if it’s busy you may luck out on your size. Bring a small torch, the ones you can wear are really useful. Have a pair if reef shoes handy in case it’s low tide when you arrive and they really useful. And be warned if Tony invites you to play ping pong don’t let his size fool you, he’s a demon with a table tennis bat. Most of all do visit Maqai, you won’t regret it.