At the community school, the children, like their parents, showered us in song and dance.

Inside is a spacious living area with warm, natural tones running throughout.

In every room the furniture is positioned to draw your attention out towards the view.

Wakaya Club and Spa’s villa on the beach

Credit:Courtesy of Wakaya Club and Spa

This sanctuary brings outdoor bathing to you.

An open-air lava rock shower bathed in natural light and a garden-facing tub invites a sanctum for relaxation.

Food and Drink

Stacey Wreathall/Travel + Leisure

The island cooks what the island grows.

Villa living room

Courtesy of Wakaya Club and Spa

WakayasAuthentic Fijian Culinary Programis married beautifully with the resort’s pledge to sustainability.

Pastry chef Kelera Cegu makes this buttery, sweet loaf as an accompaniment to breakfast.

Lethally delicious, it became our favorite thing to smuggle from the table and snack on throughout the day.

Guestroom villa

Courtesy of Wakaya Club and Spa

Experiences and Amenities

Taking care of your every need comes naturally in Fijian hospitality.

From dietary requirements to drink preferencesto activities, whatever you desire is just one request away.

A highlight during our stay was being chauffeured to the southeastern side of the island for a secluded picnic.

Interior bathroom room in villa at Wakaya Club and Spa

Courtesy of Wakaya Club and Spa

If youve ever imagined what the ultimate private beach dining experience would look like, this is it.

Emerging through dense tropical forest, we arrived atTuburua Beach.

Our luxury lunch hamper of goodies included lobster pasta and gooey chocolate brownies.

Wakaya Club and Spa’s breakfast

Stacey Wreathall/Travel + Leisure

In turn, we were instructed to clap, pick up the bowl, and drink.

A tribe leader dressed in ceremonial attire kneeled before me.

I was mesmerized and distracted all at once, and completely forgot what I needed to do.

Beach under the palm trees at Wakaya Club and Spa in Fiji

Stacey Wreathall/Travel + Leisure

Pick up the bowl!

I could barely see his lips move, but I realized he was urging me to play my part.

According to Sonny, the Island was taken at the hands of the Ovalau warriors in about 300 B.C.

Wakaya Club and Spa Fiji resort island’s beach with cushions

Stacey Wreathall/Travel + Leisure

To avoid certain death, the Wakayan village chief jumped off a cliff at Double Bay.

Out of loyalty, the villagers followed him.

This is the Island’s legacy, he told us.

Spa treatment with banana leaves at Wakaya Club and Spa

Courtesy of Wakaya Club and Spa

To this day, support, trust, and mentorship keep the community bonds tight.

Here, relaxation began with a nourishing foot scrub.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The Wakaya Marine Reserve is home to 16,000 square kilometers of sea life.

Aerial view of clear bottom kayak on clear blue waters at Wakaya Club and Spa

Courtesy of Wakaya Club and Spa

It’s one of the best locations for regularly spotting manta rays, too.

Spending time with Gordon and his team, we were treated to a snorkeling spectacle.

This is a PADI five-star gold palm dive resort, so diving adventures are always accessible.

Aerial view of Wakaya Club and Spa, an island resort in Fiji

Courtesy of Wakaya Club and Spa

We, on the other hand, enjoyed the marine life from a shallower depth.

Finding the Best Value

When you stay at Wakaya, you buy into exclusivity.

This bang out of intimacy and connection starts with nightly rates of $2,500 USD for a garden-view bure.