Daku Resort

There is a particular kind of place in Fiji where the guests who know it best are the ones who keep coming back. Daku Resort, on the edge of Savusavu Bay on Vanua Levu, is that kind of place. Owned and operated by John and Delia, a couple who have built the resort into something closer to a household than a business, it draws repeat visitors who arrive to the same bay views, the same warmth from the same people, and the same settled calm that is difficult to manufacture and impossible to fake.

Savusavu itself warrants the journey. On Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second-largest island, this small port town has earned a reputation among divers that travels far beyond Fiji. The waters around Savusavu Bay — and nearby Namena Marine Reserve — are considered some of the most biodiverse diving environments on the planet, with Jean-Michel Cousteau naming Fiji the soft-coral capital of the world. Daku Resort sits minutes from Savusavu town, close enough to walk in for the market and local restaurants, far enough that the bay view from the pool is undisturbed.

Daku Resort is a 3-star owner-operated property on Savusavu Bay at 5 Lesiaceva Road, Vanua Levu, with rates starting from $96 per night and a 4.6 TripAdvisor rating from 1,031 reviews — ranking #5 of 10 hotels in Savusavu. Accommodation spans traditional Fijian bures, ocean-view villas with private pools, and a 3-bedroom family house, all sharing a swimming pool with bay views, a poolside bar, and a restaurant. World-class diving is arranged through nearby operators, while kayaking, snorkeling, and on-site massage are available without leaving the property.

This guide covers everything you need to know before booking Daku Resort: the accommodation types, the diving and snorkeling access, the pool and grounds, the dining, the activities, and the logistics of getting to Savusavu from Nadi.

Accommodation

Daku Resort offers three categories of accommodation — each distinct in character, all sharing access to the same bay setting and resort facilities.

Traditional bures are the entry-level option and the most characteristically Fijian — thatched-roof structures with timber interiors, air conditioning, mini-fridge, and a private balcony or deck. The design reflects the setting: unpretentious, practical, and oriented toward the bay. The bures retain a warmth that comes from age and use rather than renovation.

Ocean-view villas with private pools are the step up for guests who want more seclusion and a pool attached to the accommodation itself. Designed for couples or guests who want the bay view from a private terrace without walking to the shared pool. Air conditioning, refrigerator, and in-room safe are all included. Waking up to the bay is one of the standout aspects of staying in these villas.

The 3-bedroom house is the property’s family accommodation — a spacious option with bay and garden views suited to groups or families who want a self-contained living arrangement rather than individual rooms.

All accommodation categories include air conditioning, private balcony or deck, and ocean or bay views. One practical note for villa guests: some units do not have in-room television. Most guests treat this as minor in a setting where the bay view replaces the screen, but it’s worth knowing before you arrive.

Diving and Snorkeling

The diving in and around Savusavu is the reason many guests choose this part of Vanua Levu in the first place. The Namena Marine Reserve, accessible by boat from Savusavu, is ranked among Fiji’s finest and most protected dive environments. The reserve shelters more than 1,100 fish species, 400 known coral species, and four of the world’s seven sea turtle species.

Named dive sites within the reserve include Grand Central Station — a high-current reef point known for large school formations — and Chimneys, a dramatic pinnacle formation encrusted in soft coral. Closer to Savusavu Bay, dive sites include Alice in Wonderland (open reef with walls, swim-throughs, and overhangs), Dreadlocks (named for its hanging yellow soft corals, drawing reef sharks, tuna, trevally, and Spanish mackerel), and Purple Garden (sea fans, sea whips, and nudibranchs through a coral-lined swim-through).

Daku Resort arranges diving through nearby operators including the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort’s dive facility, five to seven minutes down the road. The resort provides a complimentary taxi service each morning to the dive shop, which runs guests out on a modern fast dive boat. Ocean Ventures Fiji is another PADI-certified operator in Savusavu with access to Namena Reserve and Natewa Bay sites. Dive gear and tanks are not operated in-house at Daku, but the logistics of connecting with local operators are handled by the resort.

Snorkeling at Daku doesn’t require a boat. Cross the road from the resort and the shoreline gives immediate access to coral heads in warm, clear water with abundant reef fish. The entry is rocky rather than sandy — suitable for confident swimmers comfortable navigating a coral shoreline entry — and snorkeling gear is available from the resort.

Swimming Pool and Resort Grounds

The pool at Daku Resort sits with a direct view over Savusavu Bay. The bay aspect means the pool functions as a viewing deck as much as a swimming area, with the deep blue of the bay spread out beyond the pool edge throughout the day. Sun loungers and outdoor furniture are positioned around the pool, and the poolside bar keeps drinks and light meals within reach.

The resort grounds are tropical in the way that comes from being genuinely on the bay rather than constructed to look that way. Mature planting, natural light filtered through tree canopy, and the sound of the water on the shoreline give the property a sense of place that smaller Nadi-strip resorts spend considerable money trying to approximate. Pool and beach towels are provided.

Dining

The restaurant at Daku Resort is reliably good and serves in a genuinely warm setting. Breakfast is a buffet covering the full range from tropical fruit through to cooked options. The kitchen accommodates special dietary requirements — gluten-free, vegetarian, and other needs — without difficulty.

Dining at Daku has an informal communal character. The long shared table is an optional arrangement rather than a requirement, but those who take it up find it one of the highlights — a place where strangers become travel companions by the end of the meal. John and Delia are often present during meals, giving the dining experience a genuine owner-operated quality that larger resorts cannot replicate.

The bar and lounge are where the evening settles. Sundowners over the bay, a drink at the poolside bar after diving, or a quiet meal at the end of a long day in the water — the bar works for all of it. The grilled tuna served as part of the day-pass lunch is particularly good — a reliable indicator of what the kitchen does with fresh local fish.

For a nearby activity that pairs well with the resort’s character, the KokoMana chocolate tour is up the street from Daku. KokoMana is an artisan chocolate producer using local cacao, and the tasting tour is the kind of low-key, genuinely local experience that fits naturally into a Savusavu stay.

Activities and Excursions

Daku Resort is not a programmed-activity resort. There’s no entertainment schedule running on a whiteboard in the lobby. What it offers instead is a platform for the things Savusavu does well: diving, water, local culture, and genuine rest.

Kayaking is available from the property — the end of the driveway gives immediate water access, and paddling the bay in the morning is a recurring pleasure for guests. Snorkeling from the shoreline is covered above. Massage is available on-site, arranged through the resort.

Yoga and meditation retreats are held at the property periodically. Susie Spinks, a UK-based yoga and meditation teacher, has run retreats at Daku — an indication of the retreat market the property attracts. If a retreat is running during your dates, it’s worth checking in advance, as it affects the atmosphere of the property for non-retreat guests.

Village visits to local Fijian communities are available to arrange from the resort. The tradition of sevusevu (the kava presentation ceremony upon arrival at a village) applies, and the resort staff advise on what to bring and what to expect.

Savusavu town is within easy reach — close enough that taxis cost very little, and guests who want the market, local restaurants, or a cold drink at the Savusavu Yacht Club can reach them without planning ahead.

Day Passes for Cruise Ship Passengers

Daku Resort offers a day-pass arrangement specifically designed for cruise ship passengers docking in Savusavu. The pass is priced at $75 FJD per person and includes round-trip transfer from the dock, access to the pool, beach, and snorkeling gear, and lunch — including grilled tuna that is particularly well-prepared.

The snorkeling entry from the shoreline is rocky and requires confidence in the water. Guests with young children or limited swimming confidence should ask the resort about conditions and guidance before entering the water independently.

The day-pass arrangement makes Daku one of the more practical options for cruise passengers wanting an authentic bay-facing resort experience in Savusavu. Book in advance, particularly when cruise ships are in port.

Getting to Savusavu

Savusavu is serviced by FijiLink (the domestic arm of Fiji Airways) with direct flights from Nadi International Airport. The flight takes approximately one hour and ten minutes. Multiple flights operate daily — typically departing Nadi around 7am and again at 1:30pm, with the specific schedule varying by season. Booking early is advisable during July–September peak season.

Savusavu Airport is a small domestic facility on the edge of town. From the airport, a taxi to Daku Resort takes a few minutes. The resort offers shuttle bus service and airport transportation that can be arranged in advance — worth doing if you’re arriving with significant luggage or want a confirmed pick-up. Joe, a key member of the resort’s team, is frequently involved in transfers and logistics.

For guests who prefer not to fly, a Goundar Shipping ferry operates between Natovi Jetty (accessible from Suva) and Savusavu. The crossing takes approximately six hours and is a practical option for travellers already based on Viti Levu who want to see the sea journey.

Once in Savusavu, there is no need to rent a car. Taxis are readily available from town, the resort is close to the main road, and the distances involved — to the market, the restaurants, the dive operators — are all taxi-practical.

Final Thoughts

Daku Resort is ranked #5 of 10 hotels in Savusavu. It is not the most lavish option in town — it doesn’t claim to be. The rooms are comfortable rather than polished. Some villas don’t have televisions. None of that appears to matter to the guests who keep coming back.

The 4.6 TripAdvisor rating from over 1,000 reviews is the number that tells the real story. At that volume and over that number of years, a score like that reflects something consistent: owners who are present, staff who remember names, food that delivers, a bay that earns its reputation, and a diving environment that is genuinely world-class.

If your Fiji trip is built around a polished luxury resort with four pools and a nightly entertainment programme, Daku is not your property. If it’s built around world-class diving, a genuine bay view, food cooked with care, and owners who treat their guests as guests rather than room numbers, Daku is exactly right.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Daku Resort located?

Daku Resort is at 5 Lesiaceva Road, Savusavu, Vanua Levu — on the edge of Savusavu Bay, a few minutes from Savusavu town centre. Vanua Levu is Fiji’s second-largest island, reached by a one-hour-ten-minute domestic flight from Nadi International Airport.

Who owns and runs Daku Resort?

Daku Resort is owned and operated by John and Delia, who are present at the property and directly involved in the guest experience. Their hands-on ownership is the primary reason the resort holds its reputation — it functions less like a commercial hotel and more like a private property where guests are received as family. Joe is a key staff member frequently noted by guests for his role in transfers and logistics.

What types of accommodation does Daku Resort offer?

The resort offers three accommodation types: traditional Fijian bures with balcony and bay views, ocean-view villas with private pools suited to couples, and a 3-bedroom house with bay views for families or groups. All categories include air conditioning, a mini-fridge, and private outdoor space. Note that some villa categories do not have in-room televisions.

How good is the diving at Savusavu?

The diving around Savusavu is among the best in the world. The Namena Marine Reserve — accessible by boat from Savusavu — hosts more than 1,100 fish species, 400 coral species, and four sea turtle species. Named dive sites include Grand Central Station, Chimneys, Alice in Wonderland, Dreadlocks, and Purple Garden. Jean-Michel Cousteau coined the phrase “soft-coral capital of the world” to describe Fijian waters, and the sites accessible from Savusavu are among the finest examples.

Does Daku Resort have its own dive operation?

Diving is arranged through nearby operators rather than in-house. The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort’s dive facility is five to seven minutes down the road, and Daku provides a complimentary morning taxi service to the dive shop. Ocean Ventures Fiji is another PADI-certified operator in Savusavu. Both run trips to Namena Marine Reserve and local bay sites.

Can I snorkel directly from the resort?

Yes. Crossing the road from the resort gives access to coral heads and reef fish in warm, clear water suitable for snorkeling. The shoreline entry is rocky rather than sandy, which requires some confidence in the water. Snorkeling gear is available from the resort.

Is there a day pass for cruise ship visitors?

Yes. Daku Resort offers a day pass at $75 FJD per person, which includes round-trip transfer from the Savusavu cruise dock, access to the pool, beach, and snorkeling gear, and lunch. The day pass is worth booking in advance when ships are in port. The grilled tuna at the day-pass lunch is a particular highlight.

How do I get to Savusavu from Nadi?

FijiLink (Fiji Airways domestic) operates daily flights from Nadi International Airport to Savusavu Airport, with a flight time of approximately one hour and ten minutes. Multiple departures operate daily. From Savusavu Airport, a taxi to Daku Resort takes a few minutes. The resort offers shuttle and airport transfer services that can be arranged in advance. A ferry from Natovi Jetty near Suva is an alternative for travellers already on Viti Levu, taking approximately six hours.

Do I need a car in Savusavu?

No. Taxis from Savusavu town are readily available and inexpensive, and the resort is close enough to town to make car rental unnecessary for most guests.

What activities are available near Daku Resort?

Activities accessible from Daku Resort include world-class scuba diving at Namena Marine Reserve and local bay sites, snorkeling from the resort shoreline, kayaking in Savusavu Bay, on-site massage, local village visits, and the KokoMana artisan chocolate tasting tour (up the street from the resort). Yoga and meditation retreats are hosted at the resort periodically. Savusavu town is minutes away for the market, local restaurants, and the Savusavu Yacht Club.

By: Sarika Nand