Likuliku Lagoon Resort is an adults-only resort on Malolo Island in the Mamanuca group, about 25 km from Nadi International Airport, and it is one of very few places in Fiji where you can sleep in a bure built over the lagoon. It has 45 bures in three categories, rates include meals and non-motorised watersports, and guests must be 17 or older. It suits couples who want a quiet, full-service island stay that is still easy to reach from Nadi.
The three bure categories compared
All 45 bures hold a maximum of two guests and share the same core comforts: king bed, double vanities, air conditioning plus ceiling fans, a separate lounge area, an espresso machine, a refrigerator and daily housekeeping with evening turn-down. The differences are location, size and whether you get a private pool. The resort's accommodation page lists the full inclusions.
| Category | How many | Size | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over-Water Bure | 10 | 91 m² (980 sq ft) | Deck over the lagoon with direct ocean access, stone bathtub |
| Deluxe Beachfront Bure | 29 | 100 m² (1,075 sq ft) | Private plunge pool, daybed, garden courtyard with outdoor shower |
| Beachfront Bure | 6 | Check with the resort | Beach and lagoon access, daybed, courtyard outdoor shower, no plunge pool |
The counts come from the resort's own figures: 35 beachfront-style bures, of which 29 have plunge pools. A handful of bures in each category can be set up with twin beds, which is useful for friends travelling together; ask for this at booking rather than on arrival.
Overwater or beachfront: how to choose
The overwater bures are the reason most people look at Likuliku, and with only ten of them they can book up well ahead in the drier months. According to the over-water bure page, each has a separate bathing pavilion, a deep stone tub, a deck with loungers, binoculars for reef watching and a daily canapé plate from the chef. You swim straight off your own deck at higher tides.
The Deluxe Beachfront Bures are slightly larger and trade the over-water setting for a private plunge pool and a walled courtyard. For guests who spend afternoons reading and swimming at "home" rather than on the main beach, that pool gets a lot of use. They also tend to cost less than the overwater bures.
- Choose overwater for a honeymoon or milestone trip where the setting is the point, and if you are comfortable with steps and water all around.
- Choose Deluxe Beachfront for longer stays, more privacy at ground level and a pool for the hottest part of the day.
- Choose Beachfront if you want the same resort, meals and lagoon for less and won't miss a private pool.
- Split the stay: the resort allows you to combine categories, so a few nights beachfront followed by a few nights overwater is a sensible way to manage cost.
The adults-only policy and who it suits
The booking terms are clear: no guests under 17 and no day visitors. That second point matters on Malolo, where several family resorts share the island. At Likuliku you won't see day-trip boats unloading onto your beach.
In our experience it fits these travellers best:
- Honeymooners and couples marking an anniversary who want overwater accommodation without flying on to French Polynesia.
- Travellers who prefer a smaller resort with a calm atmosphere and set-menu style dining over a large resort with many restaurants.
- Couples who like snorkelling, paddling and sailing straight from the beach but don't need a full day of organised excursions.
It is less suited to families (they can't stay), to anyone wanting nightlife or a choice of restaurants within walking distance, or to divers who want a dedicated dive resort. For those trips, compare it against the options in our Fiji luxury resorts guide.
What the rate includes
Rates are quoted in Fijian dollars per bure for two people. Per the resort's rates page, the standard inclusions are:
- Three meals a day at Fijiana, the main restaurant, with menus that change daily, plus a poolside lunch menu.
- One dinner at Saluwaki, the smaller concept restaurant serving Asian-style small plates.
- Non-motorised watersports: kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, small catamarans, windsurfers and snorkelling gear.
- Complimentary land-based activities and weekly cultural evenings, including a Fijian cultural show and a fire and dance performance.
- Bottled water daily and Wi-Fi with limited streaming.
Not included: transfers, diving, spa treatments at Tatadra Spa, paid excursions and extra meals outside the inclusions. Meals follow a 3 pm check-in and 11 am check-out, so dinner is included on arrival day and breakfast on departure day. Lunch on arrival day is charged if you arrive early, and late check-out carries a fee.
Two money points catch people out: there are no ATMs on the island, and a 2.5% fee applies to card payments. Prices change, so treat any figure you see online as a guide and check current rates when booking.
Getting to Likuliku from Nadi
There are three ways across, all listed on the resort's island transfers page:
| Option | Departs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| South Sea Cruises catamaran | Denarau Marina, three times daily | Morning and midday sailings take about 2 hours via other islands; the afternoon sailing is direct at about 55 minutes |
| Seafiji water taxi | Port Denarau | Private, shared or scheduled seat-in-boat options; good for arrival times that miss the catamaran |
| Island Hoppers helicopter | Nadi Airport and Denarau | Daylight only, no flights before 8 am, weight limits apply, can be delayed by weather |
Flights from North America usually land in Nadi early in the morning. The catamaran is the most economical choice, but the morning sailing makes several stops, and check-in isn't until 3 pm anyway. Many couples either rest at a Nadi or Denarau hotel and take the direct afternoon boat, or pay for the helicopter and treat the reef views on the way over as part of the trip. Our Mamanuca Islands guide covers how Malolo compares with the other islands in the group.
Dining, dietary needs and quiet time
Fijiana is an open-air restaurant facing the lagoon, with a menu built on local seafood, tropical fruit and garden produce. Poolside service covers casual lunches such as wood-fired pizza and salad bowls. Private dining can also be arranged; ask the resort about settings and cost.
Give the resort at least 48 hours' notice of dietary requirements; they need it to plan for an island kitchen. There is no room service, and kosher meals aren't available. For many couples, a late-afternoon paddle along the lagoon or a treatment at Tatadra Spa is as much a part of the stay as the meals. A fresh coconut water on your deck is easy to arrange.
Planning notes
Book overwater bures early for June to October and the year-end holidays. The festive period carries a minimum stay and a New Year's Eve surcharge. Rates are in Fijian dollars, so the Canadian-dollar cost moves with the exchange rate. Get travel insurance that covers cyclone disruption: the resort doesn't refund unused nights for weather. If Likuliku is on a shortlist with other romantic stays, our Fiji honeymoon resorts page sets out the alternatives, and we can price categories and transfers together when you plan with us.
Frequently asked questions
Can children stay at Likuliku Lagoon Resort?
No. The resort accepts guests aged 17 and over only, and it does not take day visitors.
How many nights should we book at Likuliku?
Four to six nights works well for most couples. Fewer than three nights means a large share of the stay goes to transfers, and the included cultural evenings run on set days of the week.
Is diving included in the rate?
No. Snorkelling gear and non-motorised watersports are included, but diving is charged separately from the resort's activity price list.