Which Island to Choose in the Mamanucas
With 333 islands to choose from in Fiji, choosing just one island to spend your time in paradise is more than a little overwhelming! At least you have narrowed it down to the stunning group of islands known as the Mamanuca Islands. Even then, there are over 20 islands to explore among the turquoise blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. To make the decision a little easier to make, we’ve put together this list of the ten best islands in the Mamanuca Islands!
While it’s extremely unlikely that you’ll be disappointed by any of the islands you arrive on in the Mamanuca Islands, you’ll still want to spend your time in a place that’s special to you. We’ve picked out all the stand-out islands in the Mamanuca Islands, with contrasting experiences, resorts and villages available so all tastes and moods are met! Plus, take a look at our 25 Best Resorts in the Mamanuca Islands to help make your decision on an island to spend some time on.
Table of Contents
1. Malolo Island (Malolo Levu)
As the largest island in the Mamanuca Islands, Malolo Island cannot be ignored! There are many reasons to love this island, including its range of accommodations to suit any traveller, including Malolo Island Resort, Six Senses Fiji, Tropica Island Resort, Likuliku Lagoon Resort and Funky Fish Resort. Should you want to visit Malolo Island for the day, it’s completely possible with day trips to Malolo Island Resort available with South Sea Cruises.
But if you’re looking for a little bit of culture, Malolo Island is one of the very few islands in the Mamanucas that has Fijian villages. Villages like the Yaro village are open for tours, church services and school visits with selected accommodation and tour providers on the island. Visiting a Fijian village is a great insight into another way of life, with no frills or elaborate displays for tourists. You’ll get a genuine insight into the Fijian culture.
© FijiPocketGuide.com2. Namotu Island
Fiji is renowned for its epic surf scene, especially in the Mamanuca Islands. While you’ll find some world-class waves like Cloudbreak via boat, the waves are right on your doorstep on Namotu Island. Reef breaks, like Swimming Pools and Namotu Lefts, are the closest to Namotu Island, which is far less intimidating than the massive Cloudbreak. Other breaks in the area include Desperations, Restaurants and Wilkies. All in all, head to Namotu Island if you’re looking for some serious surf. Learn more about each of the breaks mentioned in the 10 Best Places to Surf in the Mamanuca Islands or stay on the island as detailed in the 10 Best Surf Resorts in the Mamanuca Islands.
Day trips to and around Namotu Island are available with Coral Cats. Water taxis are also available for on-demand transfers to Namotu, as explained in How to Catch a Water Taxi in Fiji.
© FijiPocketGuide.com3. Mana Island
Survivor fans rejoice! Mana Island has been the filming location for the Survivor TV series for many years now, so if you want to walk in Jeff’s footsteps, then this is the place. As for some other amazing qualities of Mana Island, the island has a wide range of accommodations and experiences. Meet locals from the island’s villages, as well as like-minded adventure travellers at two of the island’s backpacker accommodations. Alternatively, the island also hosts the mid-range Mana Island Resort & Spa, where guests can treat themselves to spa treatments, dine at the restaurants and stay in bures on the beach.
If you don’t have the time (or funds) to stay on the island, you can book your day trip to Mana Island with South Sea Cruises and island-hopping tours with Vuda Water Taxis & Island-Hopping. Water taxis are also available for on-demand transfers to Mana Island, as explained in How to Catch a Water Taxi in Fiji.
© South Sea Cruises4. Tavarua Island
Although the island is close to some amazing surf spots (many of which are the same as Namotu Island), Tavarua Island is better known for that island in Fiji that’s shaped like a heart! Of course, you can’t see the heart shape of the island until you hit the skies, so consider booking a scenic flight by helicopter, plane or seaplane to get a wonderful picture opportunity. We recommend the 25-minute Mamanuca Scenic Tour with Heli-Tours Fiji! What’s more, you can even stay on this tiny island in its very own resort, which has a restaurant.
Book a day trip toward Tavarua with Coral Cats. Water taxis are also available for on-demand transfers to Tavarua, as explained in How to Catch a Water Taxi in Fiji.
© FijiPocketGuide.com5. Monuriki Island
Monuriki is a stunning uninhabited island in the Mamanucas that was used as the filming location for the blockbuster Cast Away, starring Tom Hanks. Although nothing from the movie set remains, Monuriki is best visited to experience Fiji’s island nature. No resorts, no restaurants, no villages… Just an island of pure, untamed beauty.
Day trips are often available from nearby resorts, like Mana Island, Tokoriki Island and Matamanoa Island, as well as cruises with Cruisin Fiji and Whale’s Tale from Port Denarau and island-hopping tours with Vuda Water Taxis from Vuda Marina. Learn more about day trips in the 5 Best Mamanuca Day Trips From Mamanuca Resorts & Denarau.
© Captain Cook Cruises6. Malolo Lailai
Just south of Malolo Island, Malolo Lailai is another spectacular island that has it all: Plantation Island Resort, Lomani Island Resort, Musket Cove Resort & Marina, a golf course and easy transport connections (yes, there’s even an airstrip). Aside from stunning beaches and views of other islands in the Mamanucas, the island is close to some top diving locations! Non-experienced divers can enjoy the calm waters of coral reefs full of tropical fish, while certified divers have the choice of The Supermarket (one of the best shark dives in Fiji), Castaway Passage, and the Salamanda Shipwreck. Plus, Malolo Lailai is just a short boat ride to the Seventh Heaven and Cloud 9 floating bars.
Malolo Lailai Island is accessible through resort transfers on the Malolo Cat ferry and through private boat transfers with Musket Cove – see How to Take the Ferry to the Mamanuca Islands. The island is also one of the most accessible for private sailing yachts, being home to the Musket Cove Marina, which you can learn more about in The Sailing Guide to Fiji.
© FijiPocketGuide.com7. Vomo Island
Looking for luxury on a remote island? Then Vomo is the place. Two private islands await in this isolated corner of the Mamanuca Group. The VOMO Island Resort owns the whole island, so you have the whole island to explore, play and relax. Sandy beaches, corals and crystal clear waters surround the forest-filled island. Plus, the towering rocky cliffs of the neighbouring Vomo Lailai never fail to take your breath away.
Vomo Island can be accessed on resort transfers with South Sea Cruises, water taxis such as SeaFiji and Mamanuca Express, and sailing charters such as TradeWinds.
© FijiPocketGuide.com8. Tokoriki Island
With two amazing island getaway resorts and a dive shop hosting a wealth of experiences, Tokoriki Island is your one-stop island for all of Fiji’s must-do experiences. Relax with spa treatments before resting at your romantic beachfront bure or join a scuba dive or snorkel safari to see vibrant marine life. Whatever adventure or relaxing island getaway you’re looking for, you’ll find one to suit on Tokoriki Island. Book your stay on the island with Tokoriki Island Resort or Sheraton Resort & Spa Tokoriki Island.
© FijiPocketGuide.com9. Beachcomber Island
Beachcomber proves that you don’t have to be loaded with cash to experience an island resort in Fiji! This tiny island in the Mamanucas is home to the Beachcomber Island Resort, offering some of the most popular day trips from the mainland and being a great place to stay for the young and young at heart. Enjoy fun activities both on land and in the water, as well as island excursions so you can explore a little more.
Beachcomber Island Resort offers its own transfers from Port Denarau and the Anchorage Beach Resort in Vuda, while South Sea Cruises also offers transfers. Learn more about transfers in our Mamanuca Transport Guide: 7 Ways to Get to (& Around) the Mamanuca Islands.
© FijiPocketGuide.com10. Matamanoa Island
Escape to this small but beautiful island with its own adults-only resort, Matamanoa Island Resort. The island, backed by a lush forest hill, is perfect for hiking with amazing vistas over the Mamanuca Islands. You’ll find a wealth of complimentary cultural experiences, such as Fijian cooking lessons, basket weaving, language lessons, sulu tying and much more! Of course, there’s always room for adventure with scuba diving, snorkelling, village visits and island excursions.
© FijiPocketGuide.comMore About the Mamanuca Islands
That’s it for our guide to the Mamanuca Islands; for more information about this stunning island group, check out the following articles:
- 20 Best Things to Do in the Mamanuca Islands
- 25 Best Resorts in the Mamanuca Islands
- 30 Tips for Travelling in Fiji
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in our Complete Guide to the Mamanuca Islands.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Fiji and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Mamanuca Environment Society (Regional conservation website)
- Tourism Suncoast (Regional tourism website)
- Tourism Fiji (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Revenue & Customs Service (Customs and visitor taxes - Updated [2025])
- Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (Tourism statistics - Updated [2025])
- Land Transport Authority (Road safety advice - Updated [2025])
- Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
- Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
- Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
- Mamanuca Environment Society (Regional conservation website)
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