Coconut Grove Beachfront Resort: Three Bures, One Extraordinary Island • Fiji Travel

There is a certain type of travel experience that most people describe but few actually find: the one where the host knows your name before you walk through the door, where the food comes from the garden out back, where the sound you fall asleep to is not a ceiling fan or a television but the actual Pacific Ocean. Coconut Grove Beachfront Resort, on the north shore of Taveuni Island, is that experience. It has been since 1993.

With only three beachfront bures on a single acre of land, this is not a resort in the conventional sense. There is no pool bar, no swim-up cocktail counter, no concierge desk stacked with glossy activity brochures. What there is has earned Coconut Grove a 4.9 out of 5 rating across more than 720 TripAdvisor reviews — one of the highest scores of any accommodation in all of Fiji. Guests come once and book again before they leave.

Starting from around $391 per night, Coconut Grove sits in TripAdvisor’s mid-range category, but the experience it delivers belongs in a conversation with properties that cost three times as much.

Three Bures on the North Shore

The number three matters here. It is the entire business model, the whole philosophy. At any given time, there are exactly three guests or groups of guests staying at Coconut Grove. No crowds at breakfast, no competition for a sun lounger, no strangers walking past your bure at all hours. Just you, the beach, and the South Pacific.

Each bure sits on a small grassy hillside directly above the water on the north shore of Taveuni, near Matei. The ocean is not a view from a distant balcony — it is right there. Guests fall asleep to the sound of the waves. The bures come with a private deck, an open-air shower (the kind that sounds unusual until you stand under it in warm Fijian air), a comfortable bed, and ocean views from every angle that matters.

The rooms are well-maintained, with fresh sheets and thick towels. One practical note: the bure can use additional lighting in the evenings, so bringing a small travel light is useful if you plan to read at night. The accommodation is not minimalist in a designed, architectural sense; it is simple because the setting makes simplicity the obvious choice. When the South Pacific is outside your door, interior decoration becomes a secondary concern.

The private beach access, the open-air bath experience, the ocean-facing deck — these are not luxury features added on top of a standard room. They are the room. The entire experience is built around proximity to the water and the island itself.

Taveuni: The Garden Island of Fiji

Most people who visit Fiji never make it to Taveuni. They fly into Nadi, spend their time on the Mamanuca or Yasawa islands, and leave having seen a beautiful but incomplete version of the country. Taveuni — Fiji’s third-largest island — is where you go when you want to understand what Fiji actually looks like beneath the resort veneer.

The island carries the nickname “the Garden Island” for good reason. Taveuni receives more rainfall than most of Fiji’s other major islands, which means its interior is dense, green, and alive in a way that makes the landscapes look almost surreal. Bouma National Heritage Park, on the island’s eastern coast, contains a series of waterfalls and hiking trails through rainforest that few tourists ever see. The Tavoro Waterfalls — a short hike from the main road — are among the most accessible and impressive in Fiji.

Then there is the International Date Line. The 180th meridian runs through Taveuni, and there is a marker on the island’s coast where you can literally stand with one foot in today and one foot in yesterday.

Taveuni is also home to the Tagimaucia flower, a rare and protected blossom that grows only on a single lake in Fiji’s mountains and appears on the country’s ten-dollar note. Seeing one in bloom requires timing and some effort, but the hike to Lake Tagimaucia is one of the more rewarding walks on the island regardless of what is flowering.

The north side of the island, where Coconut Grove sits near Matei, is the quieter end — a small community with a handful of guesthouses, dive operators, and the island’s airport. Staying at Coconut Grove puts you at the calmer end of an already calm island.

The Women Who Run Coconut Grove

Every conversation about Coconut Grove eventually circles back to the staff. Not in the generic “great service” way that fills hotel review pages everywhere, but in a specific, personal way that suggests something unusual is happening at this property.

The resort is run almost entirely by women from the local villages surrounding Matei. They are collectively known affectionately as “the ladies” — the people guests remember by name, write about in detail months after returning home, and credit with making Taveuni feel like a place they belong.

Sarah and Flori are the key figures in the operation — the ones who hold knowledge of the island and genuine care for guests in equal measure. The welcome on arrival is sung: the staff genuinely sing to you as you arrive, a Fijian tradition that carries real cultural meaning rather than being a performance for tourists. When guests depart, they are sent off with the Isa Lei, the traditional Fijian farewell song. Guests who have experienced this departure describe it as unexpectedly moving — a genuine expression of how the staff feel about the people who come through, not a rehearsed routine.

The staff arrange all excursions, handle airport transfers (included), and adapt meals to dietary requirements without being asked twice. They know the island’s taxi drivers, the best dive operators, the hiking routes, the tide schedules. Staying here is less like checking into a hotel and more like being taken under the wing of people who genuinely know this place.

There is also Biscotte — the resort dog, a fixture around the property whose relaxed presence adds to the overall atmosphere in the way only a well-loved property dog can.

The Restaurant

Coconut Grove’s restaurant is the top-rated dining establishment on Taveuni Island — a distinction it has maintained over many years. On an island with limited dining options, this could be faint praise. The food speaks for itself.

The menu is built on what is available locally: fresh fish from the surrounding waters, home-grown fruits and vegetables from the resort’s own gardens, and chickens raised on the island. The kitchen is genuinely accomplished — not merely functional for a remote island operation, but producing food that would hold its own well beyond Taveuni’s shores.

The kitchen accommodates vegan, vegetarian, and meat-based diets without compromise on any of them. Dietary preferences are taken seriously and adjusted accordingly — request spicier food and the kitchen delivers it precisely. Breakfast is available, including in your room. Complimentary welcome drinks and tea are offered on arrival. Wine, champagne, and a proper coffee service are available. Outdoor dining under the sky, with the ocean in front and the garden behind the kitchen, is the standard setup.

Given that Coconut Grove has only three bures, the restaurant operates for a maximum of six to eight diners on any given evening. That intimacy shapes the food, the pacing, and the experience at the table.

Rainbow Reef and Diving

Taveuni sits at the edge of the Somosomo Strait, which separates it from Vanua Levu to the west. That strait contains Rainbow Reef — one of the most celebrated dive sites in the South Pacific and one of the finest soft coral ecosystems anywhere in the world. The soft corals grow in purples, reds, oranges, and golds that make the underwater environment look deliberately painted.

The Great White Wall is the headline dive — a wall covered in white soft coral that, under the right light conditions, gives the impression of diving through a snowstorm. It is the kind of dive that experienced divers travel specifically to do.

Coconut Grove is located directly on the north shore of Taveuni, making access to the Somosomo Strait and Rainbow Reef straightforward. The staff arrange everything. Experienced local dive operators run the trips, and the resort’s recommendations for dive companies are consistently sound. There is no need to research operators independently.

For non-divers, the snorkelling around the nearby islets is genuinely impressive. The local reef accessible directly from the beach is world-class, and the water conditions on the north side of Taveuni are generally calmer than the more exposed Somosomo Strait dive sites. The beach is swimmable at high tide, and low tide allows for walks along the water’s edge.

Kayaking and canoeing are both available from the resort. Boating and fishing trips can be arranged. The ocean at Coconut Grove is not decoration — it is the central feature of daily life at the property.

Activities and Excursions Beyond the Water

Taveuni rewards the curious traveller with a range of land-based activities that most visitors to Fiji’s resort islands never access. The staff at Coconut Grove organise all of it, including connecting guests with reliable local taxi drivers who know the island well.

The Tavoro Waterfalls within Bouma National Heritage Park are the most accessible major hike from the north end of the island. The trail leads through coastal rainforest to a series of three tiered falls, with the first waterfall reachable within a 30-minute walk. Swimming in the pools beneath the falls is allowed and recommended.

Horseback riding is available on the island and can be arranged through the resort. The pace suits Taveuni — slow, unhurried, with views of the ocean on one side and the forest on the other.

Village visits are possible and encouraged. Taveuni’s villages maintain strong traditions around the kava ceremony, communal life, and the relationship between local families and the land. Given that Coconut Grove’s staff come directly from these communities, there is a natural, genuine connection between the resort and the villages.

The International Date Line marker on the coast is a short trip from Matei. Bird watching is another serious draw — Taveuni is one of the best islands in Fiji for endemic bird species, including the orange dove, found nowhere else on Earth.

Shopping at the nearby Sun City supermarket in Matei covers basics and local provisions for guests who want to pick anything up.

Getting to Taveuni and the Resort

Reaching Taveuni requires a short domestic flight. Two main options exist depending on your entry point into Fiji.

From Nadi International Airport (where most international flights arrive), Fiji Airways operates flights to Taveuni’s Matei Airport. The flight takes approximately 90 minutes and runs several times a week.

From Suva’s Nausori Airport, the flight to Matei is only 40 minutes. If your itinerary includes time in Suva, this is the logical onward connection.

Matei Airport is a small strip on the north end of the island, located very close to Coconut Grove. The resort provides free airport transfers — the staff meet you when you land and take you to the property, just a short drive from the runway. Return flights should be booked in advance, particularly in high season (July to October), as the Taveuni route operates limited capacity.

A note on timing: Taveuni can receive heavy rainfall, particularly in the wet season (November to April). The island’s lushness comes at the cost of some unpredictable weather during these months. June through September offers drier, clearer conditions and is generally considered the best time to visit for diving and hiking.

Who Should Stay Here

Coconut Grove is an exceptionally specific kind of property, and being honest about who it suits best is more useful than a generic recommendation.

This is the right resort if you are looking for quiet. Not the manufactured quiet of a spa retreat, but the real quiet of an island where the loudest sounds are ocean waves and birdsong. If you are arriving after a busy international journey and want to decompress rather than fill your days with activities, Taveuni and Coconut Grove will deliver.

This is also the right choice if personal connection matters to you in travel. If personal connection matters in travel — being known by name, staff who remember food preferences without being reminded, the feeling of being genuinely looked after by people who enjoy their work — this is the place that delivers it.

Solo travellers feature prominently in the guest record, and it is easy to understand why. Staying somewhere with only three bures as a solo person carries none of the awkwardness that solo travel sometimes generates at larger resorts. The staff fold you into the community without making a production of it.

Couples seeking privacy will find it. With only a handful of guests on the property at any time, there are no crowds to navigate, no noise from neighbouring rooms, no intrusions on the beach.

This is not the right resort if you require a swimming pool, a fitness centre, a beach bar with a DJ, a large selection of on-site dining venues, or the kind of resort infrastructure that comes with large properties.

Final Thoughts

Coconut Grove Beachfront Resort has been running since 1993. In that time, it has not tried to expand, compete with larger properties, or modernise itself into something more conventional. It has remained exactly what it set out to be: three bures on a beach, run by women from the surrounding villages, on one of Fiji’s most rewarding islands.

Taveuni itself is worth the extra flight. Rainbow Reef, the Bouma waterfalls, the endemic birds, the relative absence of other tourists — all of it is there, accessible from a single acre of beachfront land on the island’s quieter north shore.

Book early. Three bures fill up.

FAQ

How many rooms does Coconut Grove Beachfront Resort have? The resort has exactly three beachfront bures. This is a permanent and deliberate feature of the property, not a reflection of renovation or seasonal closure. The limited capacity is the central aspect of the Coconut Grove experience — it means the property never has more than a handful of guests at any one time.

How much does it cost to stay at Coconut Grove? Rates start from approximately $391 per night. TripAdvisor categorises the property as mid-range (€€). Given the highly personal service, top-rated restaurant, and beach access included, the pricing represents strong value relative to comparable boutique properties elsewhere in the Pacific.

How do I get to Coconut Grove Beachfront Resort? Fly into Taveuni’s Matei Airport from either Nadi (approximately 90 minutes) or Suva’s Nausori Airport (approximately 40 minutes). The resort is a short drive from the airport, and free airport transfers are included with your booking. The staff will meet you on arrival.

Is the resort suitable for solo travellers? Yes, and notably so. The small guest count and close-knit staff make solo travellers feel included rather than overlooked. The experience is safe, welcoming, and free of the awkwardness that can accompany solo stays at larger resorts.

What is the food like, and can the kitchen handle dietary requirements? The restaurant at Coconut Grove is rated the top dining establishment on Taveuni Island. The kitchen sources fresh fish locally and grows much of its produce on-site or nearby. Vegan, vegetarian, and meat-based menus are all available and well-executed. The staff take dietary preferences seriously and adapt meals accordingly.

What activities are available on Taveuni? Rainbow Reef is the headline attraction — one of the finest soft coral dive sites in the South Pacific. Snorkelling, kayaking, and fishing are available directly from the resort. The staff arrange diving trips with reputable local operators, horseback riding, hikes to the Tavoro Waterfalls in Bouma National Heritage Park, village visits, and guided island tours. The International Date Line marker is nearby and worth visiting.

When is the best time to visit Taveuni? June through September is generally the best window — drier conditions, lower rainfall, and clear water for diving and snorkelling. The wet season (November through April) brings heavier rain, though Taveuni’s lushness peaks during this period. Rainbow Reef is diveable year-round, with visibility varying by season.

Is Coconut Grove family-friendly? The resort has welcomed family groups. However, the small size and lack of a pool or dedicated children’s facilities means it is better suited to families with older children who are comfortable with an outdoor, nature-focused environment. Families seeking organised kids’ clubs or resort-style activities for children would be better served by larger properties.

By: Sarika Nand