Beachcomber Island’s Fresh Horizon

By EXPLORE Fiji Team

She’s all grown up. And in the best way.

Beachcomber Island, one of Fiji’s most iconic resorts in the Mamanuca Group, was once famous as the ultimate party island but has quietly found a new rhythm. You’ll still hear music and feel the friendly buzz, but these days you’ll also see families with little kids, couples stealing quiet moments, and seniors enjoying the soft island life. Almost the entire island is soft sand beneath your feet, giving it that effortless barefoot charm. Only a few areas, including the accommodation spaces, spa, shop, and reception, have solid floors. The new owners have refreshed the resort with comfort and calm, so every holiday feels properly restful without losing the fun. Day visitors and overnight guests alike can enjoy the island’s gentle beaches and easygoing atmosphere.

The Party Island That Found Its Rhythm

For years, Beachcomber was known for its backpacker energy and lively nights under the stars. Ask anyone who travelled Fiji in the ’70s, ’80s or ’90s and they’ll tell you a wild story or two. But islands, like people, can change. Today, Beachcomber leans into its natural beauty and a slower rhythm, welcoming travellers of all ages.

During a recent stay, the view of life on the island was clear: toddlers building sandcastles, grandparents stretched out on beach loungers with paperbacks, and young couples wandering hand in hand to dinner. The soundtrack is still tropical, a mix of friendly chatter, softer music, and the gentle crushing of waves on the shore, but the vibe feels balanced, with room for adventure, laughter and for quiet alike. Even the evening playlist has softened; you might hear a rendition of ‘Islands in the Stream’ drifting across the lagoon, a far cry from the former disco and hard rock days. The resort’s friendly staff makes your day or night stays enjoyable. We were also delighted in spotting Pacific Reef Herons, one grey and one white, elegant wading birds hunting along the shoreline and rocks.

A $10 Million Makeover

The change isn’t just in the vibe. Beachcomber is undergoing a FJD $10 million renovation under its new owners, Vision Hotels Australia, to transform it into a premier 4-star destination. All existing rooms are being fully refurbished, and 40 brand-new bures are being added, expanding the resort’s capacity to about 90. The Sand Bar and Kana Vinaka Restaurant have been upgraded, and a new kitchen led by a talented head chef offers refreshed menus. The final phase of upgrades is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026.

Even with its fresh look and new spaces, Beachcomber stays rooted in the community and the natural world. The thatched bures are lovingly made from reeds gathered in nearby villages. Local artwork adorns the walls, and the resort plays an active role in protecting sea turtles through their Turtle Conservation Program. Guests can interact with Fiji’s gentle Hawksbill turtles in an exclusive private encounter, as well as enjoy other island life. Sustainability is part of the rhythm of the island, letting guests soak up the sun, sand, and sea while knowing they’re treading lightly.

Rooms and Island Life

The bures and rooms are airy and inviting, from Ocean View King & Twin Rooms to Beachfront Bures and Deluxe Oceanview Bures. For breathtaking sunsets, we enjoyed the view from the island’s Sunset Wing (SSW), where panoramic scenes over the Mamanucas and neighbouring islands made the perfect backdrop for photos and selfies, evening relaxation with bubbles and tropical cocktails.

Guests also enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the island and access to free non-motorised water equipment, including kayaks, snorkel gear, stand-up paddleboards, and bodyboards. Daily fish feeding and coral viewing sessions add extra magic to every stay.

Hammocks invite guests to sway the day away, whether in the shade or soaking up the sea breeze. There’s also a swimming pool, tucked close to the new spa, perfect for a refreshing dip. A small shop makes it easy to grab essentials or souvenirs without leaving the island.

The Spa by the Sea

The new 6-room Day Spa is a quiet sanctuary near the water. After our week of travel, the deep tissue massage was the perfect reset. Guests can also try the Traditional Fijian Bobo massage, hot stone treatments, facials, or shorter de-stress rituals, each leaving you refreshed and ready for more island adventures. The Hair Station adds fun island flair, offering braids, beading, and extensions. After a morning snorkel or paddleboard session, slipping into a spa treatment feels like pressing pause on the world.

Food With Fresh Energy

Dining at Beachcomber balances Fijian classics with international flavours. Every day begins with a complimentary hot and cold buffet breakfast, giving guests choices before heading off for a swim, snorkel, or a day trip. Lunch is a buffet of fresh dishes, and dinner is a la carte four nights a week, with themed buffet nights featuring Asian, Italian, and ‘Lovo’, traditional Fijian cuisine cooked in an earth oven. Fresh reef fish, tropical fruits, coconut curries, stir fries, and lovo-inspired dishes all feature alongside the inventive new options from the head chef.

All meals are enjoyed in Kana Vinaka Restaurant, with the Sand Bar lively yet relaxed throughout the day and night, serving up cocktails and barista coffees alongside sundowners, with a gentle breeze and the lagoon stretching out before you.

Adventures Above and Below

Beachcomber has introduced three new snorkelling spots for guests – each one with its own magic beneath the waves:

• Coral Gardens: A shallow, crystal-clear patch filled with vibrant corals and clouds of small, colourful fish, perfect for a relaxed, picture-perfect snorkel.
• Rainbow Bommies: Towering coral formations rising just below the surface, where turtles and reef fish glide by.
• Nemo’s Dropoff: Follows the reef’s edge with caves, sea fans, and the chance to spot bigger pelagic visitors like mackerel and trevally.

Excursions stretch the fun even further. Guests can spend a lazy day at Cloud 9, the floating bar and pizzeria in the middle of the ocean; or at Seventh Heaven, another floating paradise with cocktails on tap. There’s also Malamala Beach Club, the world’s first island beach club, for a luxury escape. For something truly special, Honeymoon Cay offers a private, secluded sandbank for couples or the family to enjoy.

Those wanting a deeper connection to place can join Beachcomber’s Cultural Tour, which takes guests into a Fijian village to experience traditions and warm hospitality firsthand.

Getting There

Arrival point • Fly into Nadi International Airport. From there, get to Port Denarau Marina on Denarau Island – about a 15-minute drive.
Resort Boat Transfers • Beachcomber runs scheduled high-speed boat transfers between Port Denarau Marina and the island.

Day Trip Option • Depart from Port Denarau at 10 AM, return to Port Denarau at 4:45 PM. Buffet BBQ lunch with beverages included. • Book here: Beachcomber Day Trips

Families, Couples, and Everyone In-Between
Beachcomber welcomes everyone now – families enjoy safe swimming spots, couples find corners for romance, and seniors can relax without missing the energy. There’s still beach volleyball and touch rugby, music, and evening fun, but it’s tempered by calm mornings and slow afternoons, letting every guest find their own pace.

Still the Beachcomber You Love
What hasn’t changed? The crystal-clear turquoise waters, the ease of walking the island in minutes, and the feeling that time moves differently here. Beachcomber keeps its fun-loving spirit, now blended with comfort, community care, and spaces to just be.

Photos sourced from Beachcomber Island Resort, Fiji.

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