I've been to Nukubati before and had the most gorgeous, romantic trip, but this time around I had promised myself that despite the amazing snorkeling and lure of the sunbed, I wouldn't go back without having a dive certificate under my belt so I could visit the creatures of the deep.
The Nukubati team organised for a dive instructor to come over to the island from the mainland for four days and myself and two other lovely gentlemen completed our Open Water course right on the shores and inner reefs of Nukubati. I thought the course was bliss, but the best part came when I had my certificate in my hand and was able to go out with the activities team and see what really lurked out there in the deep blue.
As it turns out, the next four days comprised of my eyes constantly popping out of my head. We came across schools of Giant Batfish, Baracuda and Trevally, I spotted Clown Fish (Nemo!), giant rays, huge Hump-Nosed Parrot Fish, Leopard Sharks, Reef Sharks, Bronze Whalers, Sea Turtles... and here's the clincher... on the way back from a particularly amazing dive one day, we came across a Whale Shark!!! We didn't even know they were found in that part of Fiji, but were so thrilled when we came across it that we all grabbed our snorkels and jumped right in, swimming around with the 5m-long fish until it finally swam off about 20 minutes later. It was just the most magical day of my entire life.
Having dived at Nukubati, and listening to the other, more experienced divers talk about the dives we did, I can only come to one conclusion: that I was completely spoiled by the beauty of it all and I'd be lucky to ever have such great experiences underwater again!
I'm still counting my lucky stars...
Oh, and spending Christmas and New Year's in an island paradise, surrounded by some of the happiest, most naturally joyful people I've ever met wasn't half bad either ;-)
I can't wait to go back!

What a wonderful eight days. Having returned to Sydney I am now faced with having to deal with real time. Upon arriving on the island to a fantastic welcome from the magnificant staff I was informed that I was now in "Fiji Time" and that the island was all about relaxing. The welcoming drink and a fabulous breakfast of fresh fruit grown in the island banished the early start form Nadi.

After being settled into my buree the biggest decision I had to make was whether I lazed under the coconut tree, took a swim in the warm waters or went for a paddle around the island. As this was New Year's eve I elected to have a swim and laze under the coconut trees. The evening was Bollywood and the staff went to extraordinary lengths to ensure that everybody got into the spirit of the evening. The food was outstanding and reflected the Indian night with fish, goat and vegetable curries.

In the following days I went fishing and caught spanish makeral, trevelley, coral trout and barracutta. The guys on the boat always ensured that we came back with a catch some of which was shared with the villagers. The diving on the reefs is as good as I have experienced and caters for all categories of peole form the novice to the experienced.

The cuisine each night was varied to reflect the local produce including most of the fruit and vegetables whic are grown on the island. The fresh bread of a morning was eagerly awaited by most guests.

The staff are magnificant and ensure that everybody that stays experiences "traditional Fijian culture" something that is not available at other resorts in Fiji despite what is claimed.

I can't wait to go back which is something that all the other guests in the other six burees were doing some for the sixth time.

We stayed for a week at Nukubati for our honeymoon in early December and it was just magical. We were greeted by staff singing a welcome song - sounds cliche but makes you feel so special. I'll never forget the iced towels they brought us to wipe our sweaty faces.
It felt like time might stand still. On our first day we took a very long nap to the sounds of waves and birdsong. When we woke up they brought us sunset drinks. And we learned that there's no set time for having meals. The chef is constantly producing wonderfully simple but delicious meals of seafood, with fresh vegetables from the back garden, and we wished that we could have homemade bread like that at home too! Even though my husband and I don't drink alcohol, we enjoyed the fruit and the coconut juice very much - they would decorate the coconut with fresh flowers which seems to make the juice taste extra sweet.
Sometimes we would order the meal served in our own bure for extra privacy, but the only downside is that the dessert would often have melted. It's probably more romantic to eat at the tables in the dining room - set with tablecloth, flowers, candlelight, looking onto a postcard view of the beach and the coconut trees swaying, with soft music in the background.
The weather is a little wet in December, but that didn't stop us from going outside, in fact we took our paddle boats out and laid back on the boat while the warm raindrops gave us a whole body massage! At sunset, you can't help but lay back on your private beach and sigh at how beautiful it is.
We especially loved their attention to detail & individualised service, like putting a tray of water outside the doorstep for washing the feet before entering, putting on the mosquito repellent burner when you sit down for dinner, placing a towel on the bench in the boat so you won't burn your bottom, driving the boat so you land right outside your doorstep, etc etc...
The highlight was definitely the sandbank picnic - we spent an hour eating all the food they prepared for us, and then snorkelled around the private island amongst tropical fish. Plus I was taken on a trip to the local village for Sunday church service, and the children's songs and smiles will forever remain in my heart. We were also treated to their annual staff christmas party, and shared lots of laughs along with drinks of kava and music.
When we arrived back, we had almost forgotten how it is like to carry a wallet and actually hear the mobile phone ringing again. Vinaka to Jenny and all your lovely staff!

We spent a week of our honeymoon at Nukubati in November and have taken away many happy memories of our time there. Nukubati really is the perferct place to escape the everyday - no phones, no tv... nothing to distract you from relaxing! We spent a lot of time reading and dozing in the honeymoon bure which is lovely and private, with a little bit of swimming, snorkelling and some fishing thrown in for good measure. The champagne and canapes which were served each afternoon were a definite highlight of our stay, as was the boat ride to the private island for our picnic lunch. The staff were really friendly and always obliging, and they certainly helped make for an authenitic and thoroughly enjoyable Fijian experience.