Volivoli Beach Resort

Dive resort · Fiji · Rakiraki, Suncoast, Viti Levu · Official Website

The resort and its turquoise shallows from above

Volivoli point and the reef from the air

Booking by Tour Leader Club

6 room types · Over 90 dive sites · house reef

Volivoli Beach Resort sits on the northernmost tip of Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island. Seventeen acres of headland with a private beach, thirty-three rooms and villas — all with 180-degree ocean views — and three generations of the Darling family who live and dive the Bligh Water here.

The story starts in 1993, when Steve Darling Senior came over from Murchison, New Zealand, to project-manage the last thirty-five kilometres of the Kings Road from Rakiraki to Suva, bringing his wife Gail and two sons with him. The boys went to the local school and learned to dive at a small dive shop called Ra Divers. In 2004 the family bought that dive shop — Fiji’s longest established operation, running since 1990 — in April 2005 the Volivoli beach site, and in November they opened a backpackers lodge on it. By 2010 there were sixty-five dorm beds. Cyclone Winston hit in February 2016; the resort reopened that November and has rebuilt into the four-star boutique property it is today.

The reason to come is the Bligh Water, also known as the Vatu-i-Ra Passage. Ra Divers call it Fiji’s number one dive region and the soft coral capital of the world: over ninety dive sites across nine regions, more than 390 species of coral and over 2,300 fish species, and reefs that rise from a thousand metres to within a metre of the surface in sheer walls. Sites like Breathtaker, Mellow Yellow, Black Magic Mountain, E-6, Golden Dreams, Dream Maker, Amazing Maze, Heaven’s Door, Mt Mutiny and Pure Magic are mostly within twenty minutes by boat. Ra Divers are the only operator diving the Bligh Water 365 days a year.

Then there are the three house reefs right off the beach. They are shallow go-slow macro sites — pipefish, seahorses, frogfish, nudibranchs, octopus, crustaceans, anemones — and they are free and unlimited, around the clock, for guests on a dive package. Two wrecks lie close by as well: the MV Ovalau II and the Papuan Explorer.

The dive shop is on site, a few paces from the water: four Coltri MCH16 compressors, two nitrox membrane plants, sixteen fill whips and over three hundred aluminium cylinders in 63, 80 and 100 cubic feet, all with Pro-Valves for DIN or Yoke. There is an O2 booster pump, three-litre cylinders for rebreathers, Sofnolime 797 and fully rigged 40s for bail-out and solo divers. Photographers get a fourteen-workstation camera room with 56 international charging points, 28 USB chargers and fourteen airguns. This is the only operator in Fiji actively supporting CCR, SCR and sidemount.

Ashore there is an infinity-edge pool with a swim-up bar, the open-air Nuku Restaurant, the beachfront Ra Bar & Grill beside the dive shop, the Daulomani Day Spa above the water and a boutique stocked with Fijian craft. Meals run on a compulsory plan — breakfast and dinner, or breakfast, lunch and dinner — with a Meke and Lovo night on Thursdays and a beach barbecue on Sundays.

No markup

You pay exactly the rate the resort publishes. On top of that, only the actual bank costs of currency conversion and the international transfer — no commission of ours.

We run the deal

Correspondence with the resort, holding the room, the contract, booking confirmation and all paperwork are on our side. There is nothing for you to arrange yourself.

Card payment

We accept payment by card through Stripe and issue an invoice. The transfer to the resort is our job — you do not have to find a way to pay abroad.

Support all the way

We help you choose the room and dates, work out the dive package, answer questions about flights and gear, and stay in touch until you are home.

The exact amount is confirmed when we hold your booking: it includes the resort's rate at the day's exchange rate plus the actual transfer costs. No hidden fees.

About the resort

Country: Fiji
Location: Rakiraki, Suncoast, Viti Levu
Nearest airport: Nadi International Airport — about 2.5 hours by road
Transfer: The resort describes the drive from Nadi as a scenic two-and-a-half-hour trip; no transfer service is listed on the site
House reef: Three house reefs off the beach, shallow go-slow macro sites; free and unlimited around the clock for guests on a dive package
Dive sites: Over 90
Dive centre: Ra Divers — Fiji's longest established dive operation, running since 1990, a certified dive training centre
Nitrox: Two membrane plants — a Coltri LP713 and a Nuvair LP750
Rooms: 33
Internet: Wi-Fi in rooms through the available connection options; high-speed Wi-Fi included in the conference centre
Languages: [English]

At the resort

Private beach on seventeen acres of headland

Infinity-edge pool with ocean views

Swim-up pool bar

Open-air Nuku Restaurant overlooking the pool and ocean

Beachfront Ra Bar & Grill by the dive shop, with draft beer

Daulomani Day Spa above the water, using Essence of Fiji products

Boutique with Fijian craft, open 8:00–16:30

Ra Divers dive shop a few paces from the water

Fourteen-workstation camera room

Air-conditioned poolside conference centre

Kayaks, paddleboards and snorkelling gear complimentary

Beach volleyball and resort games

Over a hundred staff from the surrounding villages

Diving

Over 90 dive sites across nine Bligh Water regions

Boat trips of 12 to 50 minutes; the best sites within 20 minutes

Over 390 coral species and more than 2,300 fish species

Three house reefs free and unlimited for guests on a dive package

The MV Ovalau II and Papuan Explorer wrecks nearby

Bligh Water dived 365 days a year

Four Coltri MCH16 compressors and two nitrox membrane plants

Over 300 aluminium cylinders in 63, 80 and 100 cu ft, DIN and Yoke

Active support for CCR and SCR rebreathers and sidemount

A 14-workstation camera room with international charging points

Nine instructors, training from first dive to professional courses

Ra Divers have been on the Bligh Water since 1990. An O2 booster pump, three-litre oxygen and diluent cylinders, Sofnolime 797 and fully rigged 40s for bail-out and independent divers are all on site, and no adaptors need to be carried. The resort runs an eighteen-month internship and DMT programme for young people from the surrounding villages; many of the dive team are graduates of it.

Dining

A compulsory meal plan for all guests

Half board — cooked and tropical breakfast plus a three-course à la carte dinner

Full board — the same plus a two-course lunch

Nuku Restaurant — breakfast 6:30–10:00, lunch 12:00–14:30, dinner 17:00–20:30

Beachfront Ra Bar & Grill with bar snacks and draft beer

Swim-up pool bar with cocktails and beer

Meke and Lovo night on Thursdays, beach barbecue on Sundays

Tea, coffee and filtered water included

Vegetarian dishes and special diets on request

The kitchen runs on local produce: herbs, lettuce and eggs come from farms down the road that grow exclusively for the resort, vegetables and fruit are bought at the market daily, and seafood is sourced from the surrounding region. The cheeses — halloumi, ricotta, lebna — are made on site, and the honey is local. Signature dishes include the Fijian kokoda, sushi, chicken kara-age and a smoked walu tian with fresh ota fiddlehead fern. Lobster and seasonal speciality seafood are not part of the meal plan and carry a surcharge. Children 12 and under stay and eat free on a one-to-one basis with a full-paying adult on the equivalent meal plan.

Things to do

Snorkel safari to the outer reefs, about two hours

Spinner dolphin encounter with snorkelling, about 2.5 hours

Sunset cruise over the Bligh Water with canapés, about two hours

Island excursion with a landing on a secluded island

Kayaks and paddleboards complimentary from the beach dive shop

Sport fishing aboard Half Cast, day and multi-day charters

Daulomani Day Spa — massage, wraps, facials, manicure and pedicure

Soni's inland trips — Rakiraki, Nabalasere Waterfall, the Snake Cave

Weaving hats, bags and jewellery from coconut fronds

Romantic beach dinner at sunset

Beach volleyball and crab racing

Kayaks, paddleboards and snorkelling gear are complimentary from the beachside dive shop. Soni is a village elder from Rakiraki who spent fifteen years as the Darling family's dining room manager before starting his own business. His routes take in the tomb of the last cannibal chief Ratu Udreudre, the local market, a village with a kava ceremony and a meke dance, and the Church of the Black Christ with Jean Charlot's triptych. Separately there is a six-hour trip to the Nabalasere Waterfall with a one-kilometre hike from the village, and a visit to the limestone Snake Cave at Wailotua.

Rooms

Room

View: 180-degree ocean views

Beds: One queen bed and two single beds

A wide view over the Bligh Water and Nananu-i-Ra Island from the balcony. Finished in sustainable hardwoods, with large ceiling fans, air conditioning, tea and coffee facilities and a balcony with deck chairs. The resort points to this category for friends travelling together and for families.

Balcony with deck chairs and ocean views Air conditioning and large ceiling fans Tea and coffee facilities Room safe Hairdryer, iron and board, free toiletries Desk Beach and resort pool access

Room

View: Ocean view

Beds: Two queen beds

The most spacious of the affordable options: two queen beds, a large double hand basin ensuite, tea and coffee facilities and plenty of room to lay out dive gear. A private patio to take coffee onto while the sun comes up over the ocean. Capacity is two adults and two children, or three adults.

Private patio with ocean views Large ensuite with two hand basins Space to store dive gear Air conditioning and ceiling fan Fridge Tea and coffee facilities Room safe Hairdryer, iron and board, free toiletries

Villa with private pool

View: Ocean views over a private pool

Beds: Two queen beds

New villas set at the edge of the resort: two queen beds, a bathroom with double sinks, a small lounge opening onto a private patio and pool, and beyond it the South Pacific and nearby Malake Island. A kitchenette and washing machine are included. Capacity is two adults and two children, or three adults.

Private pool and courtyard Spacious veranda with outdoor furniture Lounge area Kitchenette and fridge Washing machine Air conditioning and large ceiling fans Room safe Hairdryer, iron and board, free toiletries

Villa

View: Ocean view

Beds: One queen bed

A modern take on a traditional Fijian home: a queen bed, an ensuite bathroom, a private lounge and a large balcony set among gardens of bird of paradise, wild frangipani and hibiscus. Uninterrupted panoramic views over the Bligh Water. The resort points to this category for couples and honeymooners. Capacity is two people.

Large balcony with sunbeds Lounge area Kitchenette with microwave and fridge Air conditioning and large ceiling fans Sofa beds for children only Room safe Hairdryer, iron and board, free toiletries

Villa with private pool

View: Ocean views over a private pool

Beds: Two king beds

Four villas tucked at the front edge of the property, overlooking the South Pacific and nearby Malake Island. Two king beds, two bathrooms, a washing machine and clothesline, a lounge, a spacious veranda with outdoor furniture, a private courtyard and pool. Step out for a morning walk along the water's edge, or grab a snorkel and fins and head onto the house reef. Capacity is four.

Private pool and courtyard Two bathrooms Spacious veranda with outdoor furniture Lounge area Kitchenette and fridge Washing machine Air conditioning and large ceiling fans Room safe

Villa

View: Ocean view

Beds: Two king beds and two single beds

A two-bedroom villa, a modern take on a traditional Fijian home: two large bedrooms, each with a king bed and its own bathroom, two more single beds in the lounge, a dining table and an outdoor patio. The kitchen has a microwave, fridge and washing machine. Capacity is six people.

Two bedrooms with private bathrooms Lounge with two single beds Kitchen with microwave and fridge Dining table indoors and outdoors Spacious veranda with outdoor furniture Washing machine Air conditioning and large ceiling fans Room safe

When to go

Best time: The dry season from May to November — cooler, with lighter winds
Water temperature: About 26 °C from July to October, about 28 °C from February to June
Air temperature: Averaging 25 °C in the dry season and up to 31 °C in the wetter months, dropping to 21 °C in the evenings

The Fijian year splits into a wet and a dry season. The wet runs from November to April, with heavy brief showers, and it is the cyclone window. The dry runs from May to November, with cooler temperatures and slight to moderate winds. For exposure the resort suggests a 3 mm shorty and possibly a rash vest in the warmer months, and a 3–5 mm full suit the rest of the year. Anyone who feels the cold, especially on repeat dives, should bring an extra vest or hood.

Getting there

The nearest airport is Nadi International. From there it is about two and a half hours by road: a scenic drive past azure coastline, dense green jungle and fresh fruit stands, with the occasional stop for a cow, a wild horse or a barefoot farmer crossing the road.

The resort is in the province of Ra, on the Suncoast — said to get more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in Fiji — on the northern tip of Viti Levu near the town of Rakiraki.

No transfer service is listed on the resort’s site; the drive from Nadi is described as a trip you make yourself.