1. Chill Out on Cloud 9
Hovering above dazzling RoRo reef near Malolo island, Cloud 9’s floating two-tier bar is one of the dreamiest spots to spend a lazy afternoon. In just under 15 minutes from Port Denarau, you could be sunbathing on one of their loungers or doing somersaults off the top deck. Serving wood-fired pizzas, cool cocktails, and laid-back tunes all day long, it’s the perfect mid-ocean party or chill-out spot. Book some snorkels to explore the surrounding reef or pre-arrange more watersports for even more fun on the water.
2. Visit the Sawa-i-Lau Caves
No trip to the Yasawa Islands is complete without a stopover at the outstanding Sawa-i-Lau caves in the northern part of the chain. Both limestone caverns are dominated by luminous saltwater swimming pools; the first lit by a natural overhead vent and the second, more secretive cave, only accessed by an underwater tunnel. Steeped in mystery and local legend, they are an extremely popular day trip destination. Staying in the area gets you there early with a much better chance of avoiding the crowds.
3. Visit Malamala Beach Club
The world’s first island beach club is a tiny drop of sandy perfection just 25-minutes from Port Denarau. A popular day trip option, it has everything you love about beach clubs; from an eye-popping pool and chilled playlist right down to private cabanas and attentive butler service. But you’ll really want to go for the gorgeous vistas and mouth-watering menu.
Malamala’s Pacific-infused a la carte menu bursts with tempting light bites and shared platters that’ll have your tastebuds doing flips. Paired with a delicious curated cocktail by the pool, it’s one of the most heavenly ways to unwind. When you’re ready to leave your daybed, grab a set of complementary snorkels, kayaks or paddleboards and explore the warm shallows that wrap around the island. Day passes will get you discounts on the trip if you return within 7 days.
4. Visit a Pearl Farm
The first thing you’ll notice about JHunter pearls is their unusual earthy hues of metallic blues, cool greens and bright bronzes. At just 2500 pearls per harvest, they are the rarest pearls in the world and coveted by top European jewellers. Peek behind the curtains and see how they’re made at the JHunter pearl farm in Savusavu Bay. On the tour, you’ll learn how they load and clean the lines and even watch them seeding or harvesting during the season. Bring your own snorkels if you want to swim over the shell beds as well. The tour ends back at their showroom where you’ll see the final product – and maybe even grab a few of these gorgeous gems for yourself too!
