10 Luxury Experiences in the Yasawa Islands

Last Updated: 22 July, 2025

The Most Luxurious Things to Do in the Yasawa Islands

Looking for exceptional ways to spend your time in Fiji? Want to celebrate a special occasion or “just because”? You won’t find much better than the breathtaking islands of the Yasawas. With secluded five-star resorts and private islands, a luxurious stay in the Yasawas isn’t too difficult to find. With that, the Yasawas’ luxury resorts provide some sensational experiences to treasure forever, striking a fine balance of island adventures and R&R.

While you’re here, take a look at our Luxury Guide to the Yasawa Islands.

1. Fly to Your Luxury Resort on a Scenic Seaplane Flight

While there are many ways to get to the Yasawa Islands from Fiji’s mainland, taking a 20-30 minute seaplane flight combines luxurious intimacy and spectacular views. Air operators like Pacific Island Air and Heli-Tours Fiji depart from Nadi International Airport and Port Denarau, transferring passengers to the Yasawa Island resorts. Learn more about the experience in our guides, Where to Hire a Plane or Seaplane in Fiji and Where to Hire a Helicopter in Fiji.

Location: Tours depart from Nadi Airport, Namaka, Nadi, and Narewa Road, Denarau, Nadi, while transfers can be arranged from Nadi/Denarau hotels. Flights can also be arranged to depart from your chosen resort in the Yasawa Islands.

10 Luxury Activities in the Yasawa Islands

2. Scuba Dive at Unspoiled Reefs

Needless to say, scuba diving among the stunning coral gardens of the Yasawas is the ultimate “spoil yourself” water activity. With water temperatures at 27°C (75°F), scuba diving in the Yasawas is a comfortable and mesmerising experience. The five-star Turtle Island Fiji includes one dive per day with their stay, equipping you with all the gear you need, as well as an expert guide. At the luxury Yasawa Island Resort & Spa, guests have the opportunity to dive in unspoiled coral reefs moments away from the resort.

Location: See the link above or the 20 Best Dive Resorts in Fiji for recommendations and their locations.

10 Luxury Experiences in the Yasawa Islands

3. Glide Across the Waters in Windsurfing

While kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding are both fantastic ways to get out on the water and explore the secluded coves and inlets of your chosen island, luxury resorts in the Yasawas offer windsurfing to amp up the experience. Turtle Island Fiji, for instance, has windsurfing equipment for guests to catch the wind for an adrenaline rush or gently glide across the water in the tropical breeze. Learn more about this popular watersport in the 5 Best Places to Windsurf in Fiji.

Location: Turtle Island, the central (Blue Lagoon) region of the Yasawa Islands.

-luxury-things-to-do-in-the-yasawa-islands

4. Swim with Giant Manta Rays

A spectacular underwater experience not to be missed in the Yasawas is swimming with giant manta rays. These agile creatures are magnificent to watch gliding in the water, swimming through the Yasawa currents between May and September. Join the staff of five-star resorts like the Navutu Stars Resort for an unforgettable experience. Alternatively, you have plenty of more options for a mesmerising swim with these agile creatures, as listed in The Guide to Swimming with Manta Rays in Fiji.

Location: Navutu Stars – North coast of Yanggeta Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands. Also, see the link above for recommendations and their locations.

5. Indulge in a Luxurious Beachfront Massage

Every luxury escape to the Yasawas deserves a bit of R&R, and there’s nowhere more blissful than your luxury resort spa. While each luxury resort has its own spa to find your quiet zen, the Yasawa Island Resort‘s spa is a top choice. The award-winning spa has open-air treatment rooms overhanging the beach, giving you the most spectacular views and soothing island breeze to go with your indulgent treatment. See our 10 Best Spas in the Yasawa Islands for more spa inspiration.

Location: See the link above for recommendations and their locations.

6. Observe Fijian Cooking Demonstrations

Fijian culture is incredibly accessible from your luxury island. Resorts work in harmony with local villages, with village chiefs giving permission for guests to visit the villages and see ancient traditions being played out in everyday life. While kava ceremonies, meke cultural dancing and lovo feasts are a staple of a holiday in the Yasawa Islands, luxury resorts offer special cultural experiences. Choose the Yasawa Island Resort for their Fijian cooking demonstrations, or Navutu Stars offers guided “Medicine Walks” to discover ancient Fijian remedies. For more like this, don’t miss the 10 Best Foodie Experiences in the Yasawa Islands.

Location: Yasawa Island Resort – West coast of Yasawa Island, northern region of the Yasawa Islands. Navutu Stars – North coast of Yanggeta Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands.

7. Go Horse Riding Along a Private Beach

A unique land activity that you will struggle to find elsewhere in the Yasawas is horseback riding. Turtle Island Fiji has beautiful horses where guests have the opportunity to take gentle rides along the private beaches or an exciting canter along the water’s edge. A popular horse trek is to a secluded spot on the island to watch the sunrise and enjoy a Champagne breakfast, but you’ll find a few more options in the 10 Best Horse Riding Tours in Fiji.

Location: Turtle Island, the central (Blue Lagoon) region of the Yasawa Islands.

8. Treat Her to a Private Beach Picnic

Sure, the fine dining restaurants of the Yasawa Islands’ luxury resorts are where you’re really going to treat your tastebuds, but it’s the unique dining experiences that we get the most excited about. Swap your crowded restaurant experience for a private beach picnic – available at all the luxury resorts in the Yasawas. Or how about dining on a decorated private pontoon with Turtle Island Fiji?

Location: See The Food Guide to the Yasawa Islands: Places to Eat & Food Resorts for more recommendations and their locations.

9. Enjoy a Day’s Fishing – Game Fishing or Island-Style

Hiring a fishing charter is another exciting way to get out on the water. Join Navutu Stars Resort on their brand new cabin 30ft powerboat to catch game fish in the Yasawa’s outer reefs. We’re talking mahimahi, yellowfin tuna, sailfish and much more – just check out What Types of Fish Can You Fish For in Fiji? Alternatively, the resort offers handline fishing and spearfishing to fish like a local. What’s more, if you want to experience the Yasawa Islands on a fish day trip, Reel Fish Fiji offers just that! Learn more about incorporating angling into your Yasawa getaway in The Complete Guide to Fishing in Fiji.

Location: See recommendations and their locations in the 10 Best Fishing Resorts in Fiji. Reel Fish Fiji departs from Port Denarau, Denarau Island, Vivit Levu – see the 10 Best Fishing Charters in Denarau.

10. Attend a Dinner Party on the Mountaintops

There are some spectacular settings for some fine dining in the Yasawa Islands. Turtle Island Fiji hosts nightly dinner parties around its private island, from among the tropical gardens to the island’s mountaintops. Or choose your setting at the Navutu Stars, whether it’s a candlelit dinner under the main veranda or gazing across the ocean from their romantic sunset deck. Learn more about dining in the Yasawas in our Food Guide to the Yasawa Islands.

Location: Navutu Stars – North coast of Yanggeta Island, the central region of the Yasawa Islands. Turtle Island, the central (Blue Lagoon) region of the Yasawa Islands.

More About Luxury Activities in the Yasawa Islands and Fiji

That’s it for the best luxury activities in the Yasawa Islands. Browse more of our insightful guides to help plan the trip of a lifetime:

Finally, take a moment to look at The Complete Luxury Travel Guide to Fiji. Trust us, there are a lot of essential tips there.

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:

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])

Our editorial standards: At Fiji Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura (Lora) S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of Fiji Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Fiji. She knows the islands inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Fiji’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

About Laura About Our Team