Belo Vula Resort

Getting to the island from Lautoka was convenient, but the beach was covered in rubbish, broken bottles, and glass. It felt unsafe and unusable, and was the dirtiest beach we'd experienced in Fiji. We came for a day trip hoping to enjoy the beach and island hospitality. We wouldn't return or recommend it.

The staff made the place feel welcoming. They were always happy to chat and offer advice, and the captain took us to Lautoka whenever we wanted. We could arrange a pickup time or just call for a ride back. The chef was great too, made vegetarian food for me at a cheaper price, and even showed my partner how to open a coconut we found. We liked the sandy beach and saw lots of fish. Kayaks, both single and double, and paddle boards were available to rent, and we took a double kayak around the island. Belo Vula resort worked perfectly for us. It's just off Lautoka, so we could go into the city and then take the boat back to relax. It's very affordable, and made us question the pricier resort on Lautoka's waterfront, basically opposite Belo Vula resort, which doesn't even have a beach you can visit.

The beach was the highlight for our kids. The water was crystal clear, and they felt safe playing there. They also had fun on the paddleboard and kayaks. Being so close to Lautoka was handy too. The boat dock is just minutes away, with mobile services, Western Union, food courts, and markets selling authentic Fijian clothing nearby. We stayed in a spacious, comfortable, clean Bure after an easy check-in. The boat ride from Lautoka was small but sturdy, and the operators were welcoming and courteous, even after sunset. The resort is about 30 minutes from Nadi Airport. Breakfast was a simple continental offering, and you could order hot food during the day. The chef was great with special requests and made authentic Indian home-cooked meals for our kids, which really mattered to us. At first, the staff were very friendly and helpful, but their service got less attentive near the end of our stay. Meeting the warm, welcoming owner was a highlight. Having visited Smugglers Cove and Club Fiji in Nadi, we preferred Belo Vula for our family. It could use more investment in maintenance and more consistent service, and it has a rustic feel compared with larger commercial resorts. Still, it gave us a more authentic, less commercialized Fijian experience, with lovely water, accommodating food, and easy access to local life.

The place felt quiet and secluded, just what my best friend and I wanted: somewhere affordable where we could simply be. Our villa was gorgeous, with a huge room, double bed, fridge, and amenities. It was on an island, with a boat to the mainland when needed. It's about 30 minutes from Nadi and 45 minutes to an hour from Denarau. You need to figure out the taxi system and find a reliable company. We used Epic, which was clean, reliable, and fair. Only three villas were booked during our four days, so we had our own barman, Mathew. We got to know the chef early on, and Salem went to the mainland to buy crabs and make his own Chilli Crab. It was beyond our dreams, amazing. On our last night he made another incredible fish dish, see photos. We took over the sound system and danced several nights with drinks flowing, gin and tonic, and baileys and milk. Vinaka Mathew! We talked with everyone and were invited to join some of the women drinking Kava. They watched us spend the afternoon drinking it. Keep in mind that everywhere on the mainland off Denarau is similar, run down, with little or no money going into the country itself. Beaches everywhere get rubbish washed up every day, and staff are out cleaning it each morning to make sure guests have the best stay possible at Belo Vula. We spotted rubbish on the ocean floor while snorkeling, but that's the case across south east Asia too. If we come back to Fiji, this is where we'll stay. Vinaka Mathew, Salem, Miriam, Albert (boat driver), Luke (boat driver), Mila, Arave, and everyone who welcomed us or let us insert ourselves into your lives 😂