Beachcomber Island — Local services in Western

We embarked on a delightful day trip to Beachcomber Island with our 3 and 5-year-old boys. The experience was fantastic. A shuttle picked us up from our hotel and transported us to and from Denarau. However, be mindful of ‘Fiji time,’ resulting in a 30- 45 minute delay for both pickups. Fortunately, we opted for this tour operator, as the boat only had about 20 tourists—far preferable to the crowded 200+ capacity of larger vessels.

Beachcomber Island was idyllic. It struck the perfect balance: small enough for leisurely walks with our young children, yet not overly crowded. During low tide, exploring the island was a breeze. Our kids reveled in discovering sea life in the little pools among the rocky coastline—starfish, tiny crabs, and sea cucumbers. While some coral dotted the sandy areas, it posed no obstacle to walking. However, the coral did make it hard for the kids to swim in the shallow areas. We loved how there was sand throughout the resort, even in the dining areas, very unique and cool. The pool was nice too. There was even a pond with some turtles for the kids to enjoy.

Instead of snorkeling, we chose the glass-bottom boat. Onboard, we all delighted in feeding the colorful fish. Although the glass bottom part of the body provided interesting views, we spotted even more marine life from the boat’s sides. An afternoon snorkeling option was available but got canceled due to strong winds. I doubt our 3-year-old would have managed it anyways, even with a pool noodle or tube. Instead, we enjoyed an engaging coconut presentation.

The morning and afternoon tea consisted of muffin/cake with tea and instant coffee. Lunch was abundant and delicious, with juice, cordial, and water provided.

As a family, this tour suited us perfectly. It wasn't an all inclusive tour like most of the other operators but it was much more reasonably priced. We didn’t need extras like alcohol, stand-up paddleboarding, or kayaking.

It struck me as very weird that when you google search for 'fiji day trips' it would result in during only the all-inclusive big tour operators. We just wanted a tour that provided a glass bottom boat and nothing else but we just couldn't find that online. Even the hotel reception would only recommend the big tour operators. We had to take a taxi to Denarau the day before to find out about other options that weren't all-inclusive, and about...

We booked 7 nights via MyFiji.com part of the Flight Centre group.

Meals There was no buffet breakfast as advertised (set menus of substandard cooked meals with a mish mash of mixed up different un-matched cutlery ) with no fruit juices (cordial for 4 of 7 days), lunch was buffet though you couldn't serve the portions you wanted, they were strictly limited by staff. Dinner was the same as for breakfast though staff tried to charge us FJD $40 for desert Affagado ice cream which was a Magnum icypole with espresso coffee. There was no two showings of traditional cooking in coals for guests. Cockroaches and a mouse were always present in the meals eating area. Just ridiculous.

There was no, to limited ice for drinks.

Accommodation We asked to be moved from Bure 1 to 2 as our toilet was leaking septic waster onto the floor and the door would not shut properly. When we moved to Bure 2 with its filthy stained mattresses that you could feel the springs in again, under our sheets there were over 100 black ants (we were given a can of Mortein for that) , cockroaches under the bed and a mouse freely making its way in and out of the room. The general age (about 1980's) and lack of good running water for showering and cleanliness made your skin crawl.

Often workers were using power-tools past 10pm whilst refurbishing bures.

The Island/rubbish Unlike advertised, there was a fair amount of rubbish including a motor engine with chain in it next to the eating hall, used condoms by the pool, building materials everywhere, used paint tins, drinking cans and icy-pole wrappers shoved in nooks and crannies.

Pool There was no ladder to climb in or out of the pool and accessibility was limited due to building wooden frames and other materials or rubbish. There were no depth signs to designate how deep the pool was.

Beach It should be advertised that you need aqua shoes to walk on the corrally/large rocky sand in and out of the water, and that the off shore snorkelling isn't basked with live coral more than dead coral.

WiFi Limited to non existent on west / ocean side of the island. You were lucky...

Another beautiful day in paradise!

Accommodations are traditional Fijian but rundown. They’re clean enough (although the strong cleaning solution made me think otherwise when I first arrived). Outside the accommodation is paradise. Gorgeous, perfect waters all around.

Food is overall fresh and delicious, except for the one day where I suspect the cook was off, although it does tend to decrease in quality/meat quantity as provisions run down, but the staff do their best and make do. Try the banana bread, chocolate puff pastry and fresh fish dishes. Outstanding.

No issues with water or electricity. Drinks are affordable, at about 10 FJD per mocktail. I carried my own water, but you don’t have to. Massages are also well priced.

I enjoyed the twice daily reef viewing, fish feeding and snorkeling tour. You’re in safe hands with these professionals!

The baby turtles are so very cute, and raised for conservation purposes.

The staff are absolutely lovely and warm. They even invited us to their personal church service on Sunday, and I got to sing some Fijian hymns.

This lovely island may have a reputation as a party island, but I enjoyed my own peace and quiet, and all the other guests were very considerate.

My suggestion would be to bring snacks if you get hungry in between mealtimes, and insect repellant because I got savaged by the mosquitos. Also, beach shoes because the...