Malolo Lailai Island Travel Guide

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One thing I did do whilst on the island was take time out to shoot some birds. There were species here I was unfamiliar with and, due to the types of trees and the fact that they're spaced out, it made it easier to shoot them than when I'm at home in Australia.
You didn't have far to go to get a picture of a bulbul, they're at every breakfast table, along with the Indian mynah, that you go to.
The finches you're more likely to find in the grass collecting seeds and, rather obviously, the herons can be found along the shoreline.
I used to love watching the woodswallows, in flight they can glide almost as good as a raptor, so unusual for a relatively small bird.

Dick's Place is a quaint bistro situated alongside the swimming pool and near the beach. You can see the ocean from your seats and watch the sunset. The food is not gold medal awarding winning type dishes, but is more than satisfactory for quality, portion sizes and variety. They have a special pig on the spit night which is a buffet style evening at a set price. You can eat as much as you like and believe me after that meal you might need one of the little golf carts to take you back to your bure!
The bar is pretty simple. Staff are friendly and can make a good cocktail. They're not the cheapest cocktails, but if you get in with the specials, then you can come out quite happy. They are also quite happy to make any requests when they're not too busy.

Favorite Dish: My favourite dish would have to be the pig on the spit. You simply can't beat the value for money and the amount of food you get.

This is a tiny little extension alongside the marina and wharves. A small little island bar in the sand that has BBQ facilities. You can purchase your own meat from The Trader and then the bar has all plates and cutlery ready there for you. The prices of the drinks have gone up over the years, but obviously you could expect that. Fiji Bitter goes for about FJ$5 a bottle. This is a great place to meet people from all over the island and also people who bring their boat into the marina choose this as their watering hole.

Dress Code: Casual as you like. No shoes required as its on the sand. All you need to be is comfortable.

There are 3 different ways that you can arrive at Malalo Lailai:

1) Private water taxi - this is by far the most expensive and costs around FJ$600. This works out ok if there are quite a few of you. We have about 10 of us, so it didn't work out much more than the ferry. You can find the water taxis at Denarau Marina.

2) Malolo Cat - The ferry costs about FJ$50 one way and takes roughly an hour to get there. Its a large ferry and comfortable. Probably the most common way of getting there.

3) Pacific Sun - These small aircraft are great and I loved flying in them. If you're afraid of heights or afraid of small aircraft, then I wouldn't fly them. But for the price of under FJ$50 and a 20min flight....you can't go wrong.

Luggage and bags: Depending on how long you're going for really...but lets say a nice weeks holiday. One large suitcase for one person is more than enough. You'll always want your smaller beach bag for the camera, cell phone, wallet etc

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: You really don't need anything more than shorts and singlets for the guys and wrap arounds and bikinis for the girls. Jandals/sandals are essential as well as your collection of hats ladies. If you spend some time in Nadi you can buy anything you've forgotten pretty cheap there. You could get away with a pair of jeans for the evening when dining, but really not essential.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Just your usual. Don't forget sunscreen or mosquito repellent. These two will be your life blood over there. During the day, you'll burn to a crisp if you're in the sun too long (although, the UV factor is nowhere near as high as New Zealand's sun). And in the evening, you be eaten alive by mossies. A good idea is to get the island strenght repellent that has DEET in it. DEET is the ingredient that protects you from dengue feaver.

Photo Equipment: If you're a keen photographer, you will be in double heaven paradise here. Sooo many photo ops available. From the amazing sunsets, to the crystal waters and wicked views from the top. Also, if you have underwater equipment or housing for your point and shoot, make sure you bring that too as the sealife is truely amazing.

At Musket Cove you can hire mountain bikes for the day. These are a great way of exploring the island. We went for a ride to the top of the hill and got some great photos. You can also got riding all through the coconut plantation. If you go all the way down past the airstrip, then there is a huge beautiful white sand beach that no one ever uses. Its like having you own private beach. Malolo Lailai is approxiamately 500+ acres, so there are plenty of places to explore.

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If you're into water sports then you may well enjoy your stay on Plantation Island. So much to choose from, diving, snorkelling, fishing, canoeing, sailing, parasailing, swimming and riding on something towed behind a boat, not to mention swimming.

Equipment: The stuff like canoes, catamarans etc, can be hired at reasonable rates while snorkelling gear and beach towels are supplied for no extra cost.