Matana Beach Resort - Dive Kadavu
Navuatu Village, Vunisea Fiji
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#1 of 1 small hotel in Kadavu Island
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HOTEL STYLE
Quaint
Property amenities
Paid wifi
Pool / beach towels
Free breakfast
Beach
Canoeing
Babysitting
Books, DVDs, music for children
Airport transportation
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Kids' meals
Snack bar
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Diving
Hiking
Snorkelling
Darts
Fishing
Board games / puzzles
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Full body massage
Massage
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Shared lounge / TV area
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
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Room features
Private beach
Housekeeping
Safe
Bottled water
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Location
Navuatu Village, Vunisea Fiji
Getting there
Rental CarsSee all Kadavu Island car hire
100Reviews3Q+A24Room tips
ReviewsWe perform checks on reviews.Tripadvisor’s approach to reviewsBefore posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
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Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
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Matana is a quality 3 star resort, but a 5 star experience you will not find anywhere else. It has no gold taps, but it has everything you need. Bures are a good size, clean, tidy and serviced every day. There is no air conditioning, the resort runs on solar and generator power. However the Bures have adjustable louvres all around and a fan so it was never too hot. The resort is right on the beach and we spent many hours snorkelling on the reefs near the resort as well as snorkelling from the dive boat. We paddled kayaks to Long Beach, Fiji's longest beach, we visited Vunisea and with others from the resort went to the island football and netball competitions and visited a local waterfall. We went on a boat trip to a village where women make traditional cooking pots and had a wonderful experience of being welcomed to the village, shown how they make pottery and a fun singing, dancing, kava session before being sung to as we left. Matanas manager, Joanna made us feel welcome and she was always interested in how we were doing. In fact all the staff at Matana were wonderful and the local people we met were friendly and made us feel welcome wherever we were. The meals (all included) were excellent, with local and international dishes including local fish and lobster. Our last night was particularly memorable when we had dinner at the beach accompanied by local singing and Kava. It was a real holiday, a delightful experience. We enjoyed every moment and will definitely be back.…
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Date of stay: November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
One of the best sunsets you'll ever experience at Matana. Tranquility, serenity, culinary exquisiteness showcasing local cuisine and talent, and the best of Fijian hospitality you'll get at any 5 star resort. Vinaka vakalevu Joana and your team for making our stay memorable. Can't wait to return....cheers to 2020! Loloma kei na masu, J&V.
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
My girlfriend and me were at Kadavu in March 2019 for a few days and we decided on last minute to dive. We contacted Storm, the manager of Matana, and he organized five very professional dives just for the both of us. The first dive just to get confident in the water... again, two beautiful dives at the reef not far away from the resort (Yellow Wall and Peter´s Place) and two more at dives at Galoa to spot manta rays. This last two dives were really special. Again, just the three of us in the water and a huge manta. Amazing moment that we´ll never forget. And last but not least, after the dive we ate at Phillip´s place, a fisherman, who was our boat captain. Thanks again for this incredible experience and adventure. We´ll never forget those beautiful days at Kadavu. Hope to see you soon, Storm... here, there or anywhere. Greetings from Berlin, Germany Felipe…
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Date of stay: March 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
I wish I could give 4.5 stars to Matana / Dive Kadavu. We have visited four times in 20 years and would go back in a heartbeat. It's not for everyone, but for those who prioritize diving, snorkeling, being in what has to be one of the most beautiful places on the planet, it is 5 stars. We call it Dive Camp. It's not lux and not upscale, it's just wonderful. These things get 5 stars from our group of nine: * The people. The resort is primarily staffed by villagers from right next door. We have known many of them for years, miss so much those who have passed on or moved on to other places. We left a lot of tears on the beach when we departed. *The diving and snorkeling. We had two old divers, three new divers and three snorkelers. The reef is amazing and in wonderful condition, which is getting sadly rare in today's climate. All of us were accomodated so well, every consideration given to our PADI certification completion, skills and desires. Wonderful boat captain, dive guide, PADI instructor. No cattle boats here. The twin hull catamaran dive boat is a breeze to dive from. Even though we arrived two days after Typhoon Gita had passed by and visibility was not as great as usual, the dive sites chosen by the staff were superb. * The food - lunches and dinners were excellent, lots of food, lots of variety. Breakfast suffered a bit from sameness, but no one went away hungry. * The most beautiful beach in the world, usually the only footprints were our own. Matana faces west, so sunsets were jaw dropping. * The quiet and seclusion. Only accessible by boat, no roads, just the stars and the moon and the heavens at night. * The personal responsiveness of Conny, one of the owners. She was a pleasure to deal with in the planning process. And thanks for the complimentary champagne! These things get less than five stars: * The maintenance . . . it's not what it once was. We were a little taken aback by the discarded items here and there, the fans in two of our bures that made a horrible racket, the grounds that were once so lovingly tended. I don't know if the current (apparently absentee) owners are not aware of maintenance issues or if there is a downturn in visits to these more remote types of dive resorts that just make it harder to put the time and money into maintenance. We were all comfortable (the beds in Bures 1,2,7, 8 , and 10 were fantastic), but I cannot help but think that this could be become an even bigger problem in attracting guests. If you are a diver, or a seeker of peace and solitude, and tolerant of a few glitches, go to Matana. It really is heaven.…
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Date of stay: February 2018Trip type: Travelled with friends
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Stay in the bures on the south end, the older 'duplex' and the two on the north end are...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
3 Helpful votes
Helpful
We stayed for a week on the island. The rooms are big, lighten and comfortable, we got a free upgrade to a 2 bedroom Bure, with a living area. You get your own porch as well, which has a cage outside to keep your scuba diving gear and an outside shower to wash it. The manager Joe is great, friendly and very accommodating. Diving - you don't dive in the great astrobale reef, but the sites there are lovely and have better visibility and weather. The diving boat was the best we've been on in Fiji. We got a very personal diving experience from the DM (Sol), even though at some day we were 7 divers. We defiantly recommend going to the Manta Ray dive! We saw around 8 Mantas there and they seem pretty regular. Not typical to Fiji the price includes both transfers and all meals. Food was fine, but the portions are pretty small. Overall we enjoyed our stay there very much, thank you Matana! …
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Date of stay: October 2017Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Matana is a beautiful spot on Kadavu. Joe the manager was fantastic. We were the only ones in the resort but with 3 villages next door the locals kept us entertained. The snorkelling was fantastic. The meals were good island cooking and very tasty with plenty of food. The only negative was that the resort is being neglected by the owners. It does need some basic maintenance (bathrooms retiled) but everything was very clean & tidy. If you decide to go with locals for fishing trip just make sure before you go you know exactly what you are getting for your money. Would definitely come again.
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Date of stay: September 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: All bures are on beach
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
My fiancé Jim and I stayed with Jo and his team for a week in early August 2017 and had the best holiday ever. Jo and his team looked after us so lovely. We brought some gifts for the neighbouring village Women's Committee and the women were so lovely to me. We were given the best fale in the resort (where the Prime Minister stays) and it was so clean and lovely. Right on the beach front with fabulous snorkelling in front and via boat trips. The food was plentiful and the drinks cheap! The boat crew were wonderful particularly when I sprained my ankle. On our last day we had a romantic picnic on a neighbouring gorgeous beach! We will definitely be back it was so relaxing, and a fabulous local people. We would have liked an umu and more fish with our meals - but the deal was so cheap we could not complain. I strongly recommend getting to know your lovely local hosts and attending the church service, and taking some items they would very much appreciate. We took some fishing gear and wool for the ladies for their woven mats (their major income earning source). Thank you so much Jo you and the team were fantastic - kindest regards and love to every one Kim and Jim…
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Date of stay: August 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Take something for the local people and ask for the room the Prime Minister sleeps in
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Layback barefoot resort. very friendly staff. For diving, Joe is a very professional and experienced, witty and funny instructor who made it a great experience for our children (12 and 15) to get certified in Open Water Diving. Luisa is a great chef and food was delicious and plentiful. Hot water showers are a delight. If you want sterile luxury, go to Denarau. If you want Fijian hospitality, go to Matana!
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Date of stay: August 2017Trip type: Travelled with family
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip: Preferably bures on the southern side
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
This is lovely resort with very comfortable bures. We got there just after they fixed the problem with the electricity and we had plenty of power. Even when the power is off in the middle of the night the lights in the bathroom work which is handy. Plenty of water pressure in the shower; there is also a faucet and shower head outside by the porch of the bure so we could rinse off gear and feet before going into the room; real luxury after experiencing a severe water shortage in the Yasawas. The last 2 days (of 5) we even had abundant hot water. The food was very tasty although a little short of fresh produce. The staff was uniformly helpful and friendly. Joe the resident manager is a great guy and it was a pleasure getting to know him. We even had a kava evening with 4 guests, two yachts in for dinner and some local people. Really a pleasant welcoming place. Iguanas and birds pointed out to us by helpful staff. Joe does have a struggle keeping things working. While we were there the compressor was not working which created real problems since it is a diving resort. Joe had to really scramble to find a place to fill tanks. We are snorkelers so it was OK for us. When we did go out with the dive boat it was always to places with fabulous snorkeling and the divers came back very happy too. Most Fiji resorts seem to struggle to keep things running in remote locations with absentee owners. We'd go back to Matana.…
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Date of stay: July 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: buses near village are noisy
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
We (family of 4) stayed here early July 2017. During our stay the generator did not function and we only had power in the evening. I think that should be fixed now, but please check beforehand. It did not bother us much. We truly enjoyed the simplicity and beautiful setting. The staff is very friendly and made us feel welcome. Meals are okay but simple. During part of the week we were the only guests. The (temporary) manager is doing a great job and on top of that is running a very good dive centre. Excellent diving after just short boat rides.
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Date of stay: July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
ALSO KNOWN AS
matana beach resort - dive kadavu hotel kadavu island
LOCATION
FijiKadavu ArchipelagoKadavu Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
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Frequently Asked Questions about Matana Beach Resort - Dive Kadavu
What are some of the property amenities at Matana Beach Resort - Dive Kadavu?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at Matana Beach Resort - Dive Kadavu?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Does Matana Beach Resort - Dive Kadavu have airport transportation?
Yes, Matana Beach Resort - Dive Kadavu offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.