Independent review for Crusoe's Retreat on the Coral Coast in Fiji Islands

crusoes retreat hotel location picture

Crusoe's Retreat offers the convenience of being on the mainland but with an intimate feel being located ten minutes drive from the main road tucked into a pristine bay and surrounded by virgin tropical rainforest and adjacent to a traditional Fijian village. Crusoe's benefits from having easy access to the International Airport, close to the fabulous sightseeing around Pacific Harbour and with exceptional offshore coral reefs and shark dives into Beqa Lagoon.

Recommended For:
  • Couples & Scuba Diving Enthusiasts
  • Secluded Beach & Rainforest Location
  • Sightseeing - Sigatoka & Pacific Harbour
Quick Facts
  • 29 Rooms
  • Mainland Rural - Beachfront Location
  • Restaurant & Bar, Swimming Pool

Crusoe's Retreat Information & Facts

  • Hotel Location:    Beach Front, 10mins off Coral Coast highway, South Viti Levu Island
  • Getting There:   2 hrs 15mins by road from Nadi Airport
  • Unique Qualities:    Intimate resort tucked away in bay surrounded by rainforest
  • Ideal for:    Couples & Adventurous Families
  • Hotel Features:    29 Bures, Swimming Pool, Mountain Bikes
  • Dining:    Restaurant at the hotel - restaurants of Pacific Harbour 25 mins by road
  • Children Policy:    All ages welcome
  • Local Attractions / Tours:    Villages, Waterfall Trek, Rainforest, Navua River, Pacific Harbour Golf
  • The Beach:    Good - secluded fine white sand stretching for a mile
  • The Ocean:    Reasonable swimming in lagoon but shallow at low tide
  • Snorkelling:    Good off beach
  • Other Activities:    Scuba Diving, Kayaking

Room Information

The Sea View bures are perched on the lower hillside beside the main resort area. Each of the three bures is split into two separate accommodations but with each bure have good privacy from one another and private entrances and verandas to enjoy the views.

. sea view bure setting
. sea view bures
. sea view bathroom
. sea view inside

The four deluxe Sea View bures are perched on the hillside above the main resort area and accessible by steps. These bures offer stunning views over the plantation gardens and over the lagoon with a serene ambience. Accommodation offers spacious interior living with polished wooden floors, two Queen size beds (or Queen and two singles for families), high ceilings with ceiling fan and great views from the private veranda.

. deluxe sea view bures
. deluxe sea view inside
. deluxe with two beds
. sea view bathroom

Seaside bures are located close to the swimming pool and main resort area and with access to the beachfront along a pathway. These bures have ceramic floors, high ceilings and open plan living with two Queen size beds or Queen and two singles for small families and a small veranda overlooking the gardens.

. sea side bures
. sea side bathroom
. sea side inside
. sea side bathroom

The deluxe Sea Side bures are located close to the beachfront, arranged in a line extending along a pathway from the restaurant to the beach. These bures have polished wooden floors, open air high ceiling roofs with exposed wooden beams and thatch roofing giving them a traditional feel. The four poster Queen size bed is laced with mosquito net giving it a romantic ambience and there's a seating area, a large en-suite bathroom with open air shower and a large wooden veranda with partial views of the ocean through the gardens.

. deluxe sea side bures
. deluxe sea side bures
. deluxe sea side deck

. deluxe sea side interior
. deluxe sleeping area
. deluxe bathroom
. to open air shower

Hotel Amenities

The restaurant is located on the lower end of the hillside with lovely views overlooking the signature "Crusoes Footprint" swimming pool, the exotic plantation style gardens and out over the lagoon. The resort operates a tour desk for all day excursions.

Fijian Village Experience

Crusoes is located adjacent to a traditional Fijian village and guests are welcomed to interact with village life, to fish with the women, to visit the plantations and experience village life with the ever curious school kids. Yaqona ceremonies can be arranged or the resort offers kava sessions with the resort staff. most of whom live in the village. Handcraft and traditional cooking demonstrations can be arranged as well as guided walks into the rainforest.

Scuba Diving

Crusoes Retreat is a great scuba diving destination with a good variety of sites (from beginner to advance) located within fifteen minutes boat ride from the beachfront. The resort operates its own PADI certified dive centre with daily dives usually in groups of six people.

HANGING OUT
Drop into deep blue ocean and swim into a sheer wall with large soft corals and gorgonian fans.

SCARY DEEP
A sheer wall. Beautiful gorgonian fans with chrinoids attached. Large stingrays are seen here.

SHARK POINT
A sheer wall running northwest meets another wall running north. The current runs usually from south to east. As the current strengthens so does the action.

THE DUNGEON
This dive begins on a coral wall bottoming out at 12 metres. Here we can see maori wrasse, turtles, schools of clown triggerfish. Giant clams live here as do different types of clownfish. The site deepens on the southern side and drops into the abyss.

VITAWATAWA CHANNEL
Begins at a shallow mooring ( 6 metres ). Home to lionfish, giant cod, trumpetfish, schooling baitfish and juvenile batfish. Turtles can be seen here.