Matamanoa Island Resort Review | Fiji’s Adults-Only Paradise
Image: Front of Matamanoa Resort
Few places in the world truly feel like a hidden tropical paradise, but Matamanoa Island Resort delivers on that promise.
From the moment you approach by boat, the view is nothing short of magical. The water around you shifts from deep blue to a crystal-clear, glassy turquoise, revealing an underwater world teeming with marine life. As the island comes into view, with its white-sand beaches, towering palms, and jungle-covered volcanic cliffs, it feels like stepping into the pages of a storybook paradise.
Image: Matamanoa Resort pool area
Arriving to Matamanoa Island
We highly recommend taking the Purple Turtle transfer over the South Sea Ferry, it's similar in pricing, includes airport pick-up, and is a much more seamless experience. Stepping off the boat, you’re greeted by the warm smiles of the staff, ready with a heartfelt Fijian welcome. The resort’s open-air lobby and palm-fringed pool area immediately set the tone for relaxation, with luxury dome loungers scattered around, perfect for lazing in the sun.
When we arrived, it was impossible to ignore the sheer joy on the faces of other guests, cocktails in hand, soaking up the sun, looking as if they had just discovered the ultimate island secret.
Check in was very relaxed, as we sat down on the couches by the bar and enjoyed our welcome drink while they grabbed our keys.
Image: Matamanoa Resort Beachfront Bungalow Room
Rooms
Our advice? Upgrade to a Beachfront or Oceanfront Bungalow, trust us, it’s worth it.
While the interior garden rooms are very reasonably priced, they are set amongst the interior island lush greenery, and can feel a bit enclosed. There are also a lot of mosquitos in the island’s interior, making it hard to sit and enjoy the outdoor space. By contrast, the beachfront bungalows offer breathtaking ocean views, immediate beach access, and a private plunge pool, all while being steps away from the sand.
The bungalows have traditional Fijian design influences with modern comforts. Think high thatched ceilings that give an airy, open feel, while the spacious layout ensures maximum comfort. Rooms include:
Block-out curtains for a deep, uninterrupted sleep.
A kitchenette and fridge for keeping snacks and drinks on hand.
A shaded Palapa daybed—perfect for afternoon siestas or reading with the ocean breeze.
A private plunge pool to cool off with a cocktail in hand.
The pathway to the bungalow is lined with towering palms, hibiscus, and local fruit trees like breadfruit and noni, adding to the sense of seclusion. From our deck, we could hear nothing but the gentle waves and the occasional call of tropical birds—it was pure island bliss.
Image: Matamanoa Resort Restaurant
Dining
Matamanoa is a completely secluded island, with just one restaurant and a small shop that stocks a limited selection of crisps, chocolate bars, and sodas, so we’d recommend bringing some of your own snacks. There’s a supermarket at Denarau Marina, which is a great spot to pick up a few essentials before your boat transfer to the island.
The resort’s main restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert, with breakfast included in the stay. Mornings here start with hearty cooked meals, fresh pastries, tropical fruits, and coffee. I particularly enjoyed my daily omelet, while my husband swore by the eggs Benedict. The staff were very accommodating of my gluten-free diet and made sure I had plenty of options, but I did notice that vegan and vegetarian choices were somewhat limited across the menus.
Lunch was the least inspired meal of the day, offering comfort foods like noodles and burgers. Because of this, we often chose to have a big breakfast, skip lunch, and go all out for dinner.
Dinner was where the menu truly shined, with a rotating selection of dishes each night. The variety ranged from locally inspired dishes to Asian fusion and Italian flavors. While it wasn’t the most refined fine-dining experience, the portions were generous, the pricing was reasonable, and the flavors were solidly enjoyable. Some standouts included the steak and spicy crab, both of which were hearty, well-prepared meals for under $50 USD, a great deal considering that nearly all food needs to be transported to the island.
Of course, no day was complete without a sunset cocktail at the bar, where guests would gather to soak in the golden hues over the ocean. It was the perfect way to wind down, with the island’s serene, romantic atmosphere setting the stage for yet another perfect evening in paradise.
Image: View from top of Matamanoa Island
Activities
The real star of the show is definitely Matamanoa’s reef, which lines the outside of the island and creates a calm lagoon perfect for snorkeling. The reef dramatically drops off into an unbelievable coral wall, offering some of the most spectacular off-shore snorkeling we’ve ever experienced. The coral and marine life here are thriving, with an unprecedented variety of fish, soft corals, and vibrant reef formations. We spotted small reef sharks, the occasional eagle ray, and even a giant Napoleon wrasse gliding just off the reef. It’s a snorkeler’s dream, with clear waters and endless marine biodiversity to explore.
One of the best things about the atmosphere on the island was the sense of shared excitement among fellow diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. Every day, guests would return from their excursions beaming with excitement, eager to swap stories about the incredible marine life they had just encountered. We met the loveliest people, bonding over our love for the ocean, sharing GoPro videos of our best sightings, and exchanging recommendations for future dive spots. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or someone just getting into snorkeling, the community vibe at Matamanoa adds an extra layer of magic to the experience.
Outside of snorkeling guest can partake in a range of complimentary activities like basket weaving, cooking classes, an educational nature walk, and kayaking.
Image: Beach on Matamanoa Island, with Monuriki Island in the background
The Beach
Matamanoa’s beach is picture-perfect Fiji, soft, white sand, vibrant turquoise waters, and a dramatic rugged cliffside framing the island’s edge. The water is so clear that you can see fish swimming beneath you as you wade in. Whether you’re snorkeling, kayaking, or simply floating in the warm shallows, it’s impossible not to be in awe of the untouched beauty surrounding you.
Service
Matamanoa’s service leans into the laidback, island-time ethos that’s typical of Fiji and the South Pacific. If you’ve never visited Fiji or the Cook Islands before, be prepared for a relaxed pace—no one is in a hurry, and nothing runs exactly on time. While the service wasn’t overly attentive or polished, it was always warm, genuine, and welcoming. The staff were authentically kind and made us feel at home, even if things moved at a more leisurely pace than some may expect.
Final Thoughts
Matamanoa is the perfect escape for couples, honeymooners, and anyone looking for a serene, adults-only retreat. If you’re seeking a quiet island paradise, where you can alternate between relaxing by your plunge pool, exploring the reef, and sipping cocktails by the beach, this is the place.
Final Tip: If you can, we recommend booking at 4 nights at Matamanoa and 3 nights Tokoriki Island Resort. You can easily transfer between the two islands, and it allows you enough time to truly soak in the magic of the Mamanucas. It’s the kind of place you’ll wish you never had to leave.
Note: Hotels featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. We are fully reader funded and appreciate your support.
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