Malolo is the largest island in the Mamanucas and the one the rest of the group revolves around. It is hilly and green rather than flat and sandy, with two Fijian villages — Solevu and Yaro — and a coastline of small bays, each with a resort tucked into it.
What makes Malolo useful to know is its range. On one island you can choose a friendly family resort, two adults-only retreats (one with Fiji’s first overwater bures), a Six Senses with a pool for every villa, and a surfers’ lodge with dorm beds. The floating bars and the famous surf reefs are a short boat ride away.
The island has a place in history too: in 1840 the United States Exploring Expedition under Charles Wilkes clashed with islanders here, two officers were killed and the expedition burned villages in reprisal. Today the mood could hardly be more different.
Top things to do: Malolo Island
Walk to the top of the island
Trails from the resorts climb to lookouts on Malolo’s grassy ridge — the highest ground in the Mamanucas — for a view over the whole group and back to the mountains of Viti Levu. Go at sunrise or late afternoon; there is no shade.
Visit a village properly
Resorts arrange visits to Solevu or Yaro, often with a kava ceremony, a church service on Sunday or a school visit. Dress modestly, take off your hat and follow your guide’s lead — see the etiquette notes in our travel guide.
Snorkel and dive the barrier reef
The Malolo Barrier Reef shelters the southern side of the group. Resort boats run snorkelling trips to the outer reef and sandbanks, and dive centres visit sites such as Plantation Pinnacles and the passes where reef sharks patrol.
Take a boat to a floating bar
Cloud 9 and Seventh Heaven are both moored in the lagoon south of Malolo, so resort guests are far closer to them than day-trippers from Denarau. See floating bars and Malamala.
How to get to Malolo Island
- By ferry: South Sea Cruises catamarans from Port Denarau call at the Malolo resorts on their Mamanuca run; allow roughly an hour, depending on the stops before yours. Resorts meet the ferry with a small tender.
- By water taxi, seaplane or helicopter: private speedboats run on demand at any hour of daylight, and seaplanes and helicopters from Nadi take 10 to 15 minutes. See getting to the Mamanucas.
- For the day: the Malolo Island Resort day trip from Denarau includes the cruise and lunch — see day cruises.
Insider tips
- Likuliku and Tropica are adults-only; Malolo Island Resort and Six Senses welcome children. Check age policies before you book.
- Meal plans matter here: there are no independent restaurants on the island, so compare what each rate includes.
- The west-facing resorts get the sunsets; bring insect repellent for the hour after dusk.
- Surfers should ask about boat schedules to Cloudbreak, Restaurants and Wilkes — the breaks are 15 to 30 minutes away.
Tours that include Malolo Island
These bookable experiences are the easiest way to see Malolo Island:
Resort day trip from €137 Fiji: Malolo Island Resort Full Day Trip with Lunch
The catamaran calls at several islands on its way to Malolo, so the ride doubles as a sightseeing cruise. On the island you have the day at Malolo Island Resort, with lunch, before the return sailing.
- Scenic cruise calling at other islands on the way
- A day at a family resort on the largest Mamanuca island
- Lunch included
Floating bar day trip from €69 Denarau: Seventh Heaven Floating Bar Day Trip
Seventh Heaven is the other floating pontoon in the Mamanucas: a bar and restaurant on the water with music, daybeds and a reef below for snorkelling. Reviews on GetYourGuide are consistently strong, and it tends to feel a little more relaxed than its better-known neighbour.
- Floating bar and restaurant in the Mamanuca lagoon
- Swimming and snorkelling from the platform
- A calmer mood than a party boat
Sailing day cruise from €109 Fiji: South Sea Sailing Experience with Lunch & Drinks
A day on a large sailing catamaran rather than on an island: morning tea as you leave Denarau, a buffet lunch on board, and stops to swim and snorkel. A good choice if the boat ride is the bit you look forward to most.
- A full day under sail through the Mamanucas
- Buffet lunch and drinks on board
- Swim and snorkel stops in the lagoon
