Treasure Island Resort, Fiji

There are not many resorts in the Mamanuca Islands that sit on their own dedicated coral cay. Most island resorts in this group share their island with other properties, a village, or a stretch of undeveloped land. Treasure Island — the one the resort actually sits on — is a 14.5-acre circular coral cay, and it’s occupied entirely by this resort. That means the white sand beach that rings the island’s perimeter is the resort’s beach, the reef system surrounding the cay is the resort’s reef, and guests who want to snorkel just walk from their bure to the water’s edge.

That location is the resort’s single strongest argument. The island itself is genuinely lovely. The same cannot be said, without qualification, about the resort facilities — and this guide will be direct about where that gap exists.

Nakelo Treasure Island Resort is a 3-star island resort on Treasure Island in the Mamanuca Islands, reached by high-speed ferry from Port Denarau in approximately 60 minutes or by the resort’s own private launch from Vuda Marina in around 30. Its 78 bures span three categories — Oceanview Bures, Premium Oceanview Bures, and Premium Beachfront Bures — on a circular coral cay where white sand wraps the entire shoreline. Beyond the accommodation, the property runs a three-tiered pool complex, an on-site spa, a PADI dive centre, and a turtle rehabilitation centre, with dining across the Eluvuka Restaurant, Matasawa Teppanyaki, and Takia Bar. The Little Treasures Kids Club caters for children aged 4 to 12. Rates from $269 per night.

This guide covers the accommodation, reef and diving, kids club, activities, dining, transfers, and an honest assessment of what you need to know before you commit.

Accommodation

The resort has 78 bures in total — a compact property by Mamanuca standards, which can work in guests’ favour in terms of getting a quieter experience, but means there’s less redundancy when facilities fail. All bures are built in traditional Fijian style and include air conditioning, private balcony, mini-bar, tea and coffee facilities, and in-room safe. The three categories differ primarily in size, bed configuration, and position relative to the beach.

A note before the specifics: these bures are not recently renovated. The resort has been operating since 1972 under its original Treasure Island Resort branding, and maintenance is inconsistent. Some rooms are immaculate and comfortable; others have broken air conditioning, mould in bathrooms, and water pressure problems. How much this matters depends on how you’re using the room — those who spend most of the day on the reef and only return to sleep will be more forgiving than guests expecting a well-maintained hotel room experience.

Oceanview Bure

The entry category at 40 sqm. Configured with one king-sized bed and one single bed, sleeping up to three adults or two adults and two children. Private balcony, air conditioning, mini-bar, and tea and coffee facilities are standard. The oceanview positioning means water views from the balcony without being on the beach itself — a meaningful distinction when the bures in this category are a short walk from the sand rather than steps away.

For travellers who are primarily here for the reef and the island experience rather than waking up with sand at the door, the Oceanview Bure is the practical way to access Treasure Island at the lower end of the price range.

Premium Oceanview Bure

At 50 sqm, this category adds a little more space, a separate shower, and double vanities. The bed configuration accommodates up to four guests — one king and two singles — making it the appropriate choice for families of four in this price bracket. Positioned closer to the beach than the standard Oceanview category, giving faster access to the water without the full premium of a beachfront location.

Interconnecting configurations are available in this category, worth noting if you’re travelling with family members who need their own space.

Premium Beachfront Bure

The resort’s top tier, positioned on the beach frontage with direct views across the lagoon. These bures have higher ceilings than the other categories and enlarged bathrooms, along with the same bed configuration as the Premium Oceanview — one king and two singles, sleeping up to four. The beachfront position is what you’re paying for: step off the balcony and the sand is immediately underfoot.

The setting is hard to fault; the execution is variable. Maintenance shortfalls affect all room categories, including the beachfront tier.

Swimming Pool & Beach

The pool complex is three-tiered and includes a children’s pool — a practical consideration for families with younger children who aren’t ready to be in the ocean unsupervised. The main pool has sun loungers and umbrella shade, and given the compact size of the island, most bures are a short walk from the water.

The beach is the island’s most consistent asset. Because Treasure Island is a circular coral cay, white sand runs around the entire perimeter — there is no bad side of the island for beach access, and the 360-degree shoreline means guests can follow the shade or the light depending on the time of day. The sand is fine, the water is clear, and the beach is sheltered enough at most points to be swimmable in typical conditions.

At low tide, parts of the reef around the island become exposed, which affects swimming in those sections. High tide is generally the better time for ocean swimming, and snorkelling is possible at almost any tide given the depth of the surrounding reef.

Diving & Snorkelling

This is the resort’s clearest strength and the reason many guests specifically choose Treasure Island over alternatives in the Mamanucas.

The coral reef surrounding the island is in good condition and accessible without a boat transfer — you walk into the water from the beach and you’re on the reef. The marine life is diverse: reef fish including parrotfish, surgeonfish, and wrasse are common, the coral coverage is healthy, and the island’s position within the Mamanuca group places it near waters that are part of a marine park. Water clarity in this part of the Mamanucas is typically excellent, with visibility often exceeding 20 metres on calm days.

Snorkelling equipment is included for guests, which removes the equipment hire cost that some island resorts add to their activity lists. Guided snorkel safaris are also available for guests who want a more structured introduction to the reef.

The resort operates a PADI dive centre. Note that the dive centre has on occasion not been operational when guests arrive. If diving is a primary reason for the trip, confirm current dive centre operational status directly with the resort at booking time. When the dive centre is running, it offers programs from introductory dives through to open water certification.

The coral surrounding this cay is the property’s most reliable feature — it tends to be the thing that holds the experience together even when other aspects disappoint.

Kids Club

The Little Treasures Kids Club is open to children aged 4 to 12, with three daily sessions: 9:30am to noon, 2:00pm to 4:00pm, and 7:00pm to 9:00pm. The evening session is a practical addition for parents who want adult dinner time without logistics.

The club is housed in a purpose-built bure in the centre of the island, separated from the main entertainment area. Staff are locally hired and child care trained. Activities lean into the island environment and Fijian culture: traditional Fijian language lessons, basket weaving, participation in lovo preparations (the traditional underground oven feast), meke performances (traditional Fijian songs and dance), beach games, and water activities appropriate to age groups.

The turtle rehabilitation centre on the island is an additional draw for children and families — guests can interact with turtles being rehabilitated before release, which holds a child’s attention in a way that a pool game doesn’t. Iguana feeding and fish feeding are also available as supervised activities.

The kids club is one of the resort’s genuine strengths, outperforming the accommodation and dining.

Watersports & Activities

Non-motorised water activities are included for guests: kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkelling equipment. These are genuinely useful inclusions for a reef-surrounded island — guests can take a kayak around the island’s perimeter, which gives a different perspective on the 360-degree beach, or paddle out to the reef edge for snorkelling without needing to pay per activity.

Motorised and higher-intensity activities come at an additional cost: jet ski safaris and parasailing are available. The open water around Treasure Island and its calm lagoon areas provide reasonable conditions for both.

Land-based activities include a tennis court, mini golf, beach volleyball, a billiards table, and table tennis. Cultural experiences are offered throughout the week — traditional Fijian cooking demonstrations, weaving lessons, and regular evening meke performances. These aren’t token gestures; they’re programming that has run at this resort since it opened and that the Fijian staff are genuinely engaged in delivering.

The turtle rehabilitation centre is worth spending time at regardless of whether you have children with you. The centre’s purpose is conservation — turtles in various stages of rehabilitation — and it’s one of the features that distinguishes Treasure Island from resorts that have only the beach and the pool to offer when the weather turns.

Sandbar picnic experiences are available for a special occasion — the resort arranges a private setup on a nearby sandbar, which is the kind of experience that is more memorable than most alternative anniversary dinner options.

Dining

Eluvuka Restaurant

The main dining venue, operating for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with both buffet and à la carte options. Breakfast is generally the most reliable meal here — the tropical fruit, pastries, and hot breakfast options perform consistently. Dinner is more variable.

The dinner buffet is priced at approximately $70 per person, and food quality at this price point is inconsistent. Recurring issues include food running out before the end of service, overcooked proteins, and salad options past their best. On better nights the food is good, variety is satisfying, and portions are adequate. What you get at Eluvuka depends on staffing and occupancy on a given night.

A kids’ menu is available, and children aged 4 to 11 eat free with parental meal packages.

Matasawa Teppanyaki

The resort’s Japanese-inspired alternative dining venue. Teppanyaki nights — where food is cooked at the table on a hotplate — are the standout dining experience on the island, with pricing around $100 per person. For guests who find the main restaurant disappointing, the Teppanyaki evening is the most reliable higher-quality option. Budget for at least one Teppanyaki dinner as part of your stay.

Takia Bar

The resort’s bar operation, handling cocktails, cold beer, and the range of spirits and soft drinks expected at an island resort. The bar is positioned to capture the social atmosphere of the pool and beach zones during the day and serves as the evening gathering point. Live entertainment and cultural performances happen in the evenings — the Fijian staff-run meke performances are genuine cultural experiences rather than polished tourist productions, and they’re worth attending at least once.

Getting to Treasure Island

The resort operates two transfer options, which is more flexible than most Mamanuca island resorts.

From Port Denarau Marina (South Sea Cruises or Sea Fiji): The standard route for most guests. High-speed catamaran services run between Port Denarau and the outer Mamanuca Islands, with the journey to Treasure Island taking approximately 60 minutes depending on sea conditions and stops at other islands en route. Port Denarau is approximately 20–25 minutes by road from Nadi International Airport. Confirm departure times with the resort at booking as schedules vary seasonally.

From Vuda Marina (Resort’s own launch, Tui Elevuka): Vuda Marina is approximately 15 minutes north of Nadi Airport, and the resort’s private high-speed launch covers the distance to Treasure Island in around 30 minutes. This is a faster and more direct transfer than the Port Denarau ferry, avoiding the longer crossing and intermediate stops. Check with the resort directly for launch scheduling.

Helicopter transfer is available for guests who want the aerial perspective of the Mamanuca reef from above. This runs considerably more expensive than either water transfer option but delivers the fastest crossing and a genuinely memorable arrival.

Practical note: Luggage handling on arrival can be slow — allow time and flag any time-sensitive requirements (medical, infant care) with the resort before arrival.

Final Thoughts

Treasure Island Resort occupies a remarkable piece of geography — a small coral cay island with white sand on every side and a healthy reef system that genuinely rewards anyone who gets in the water. That part of the experience is not in question, and it’s not easily replicated elsewhere in the Mamanucas at this price point.

The resort facilities are a different story. At 3-star pricing from $269 per night, clean, functional rooms and food that justifies $70 per person at dinner are reasonable expectations. These expectations are met inconsistently. Some guests arrive, find everything working well, love the island, love the reef, and leave with the kind of trip they came looking for. Others encounter maintenance issues on day one, food that disappoints for three nights running, and service that isn’t able to fix what’s broken.

If you’re considering Treasure Island, the island itself is the reason to go. Set your accommodation expectations at practical rather than polished. Do not book this resort expecting a premium hotel product — the Eluvuka Restaurant is not a premium dining experience and some bures are showing decades of wear. If you’re a snorkeller or a diver, the reef is likely to deliver on your primary motivation for the trip even if other things disappoint.

Before booking: call the resort, ask directly about current room conditions and dive centre operational status, and read recent online reviews rather than relying on any overall average. The average hides a spread that matters when you’re planning a family trip from overseas.

For travellers who want the coral cay island experience, are primarily reef-motivated, and can hold the accommodation expectations at a realistic 3-star standard, Treasure Island can deliver a memorable Fiji stay. For guests whose holiday is shaped by their room and their meals as much as the beach, the honest picture above gives enough warning to look at alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Treasure Island Resort located?

Treasure Island Resort sits on Treasure Island, its own 14.5-acre coral cay in the Mamanuca Islands, approximately 17 kilometres from Nadi Airport. It’s the only resort on the island, which gives it the 360-degree beach perimeter and exclusive reef access that distinguish it from resorts sharing larger islands with other properties.

How do I get to Treasure Island Resort from Nadi?

There are two main options. The resort’s private high-speed launch, the Tui Elevuka, departs from Vuda Marina (approximately 15 minutes north of Nadi Airport) and reaches the island in about 30 minutes — the faster and more direct route. Alternatively, high-speed ferry services operated by South Sea Cruises and Sea Fiji run from Port Denarau Marina (20–25 minutes from the airport), with the crossing to Treasure Island taking approximately 60 minutes. Confirm schedules with the resort at the time of booking, as they vary seasonally. Helicopter transfer is also available.

How many rooms does Treasure Island Resort have?

The resort has 78 bures across three categories: Oceanview Bures (40 sqm, sleeps up to 3), Premium Oceanview Bures (50 sqm, sleeps up to 4), and Premium Beachfront Bures (50 sqm, direct beach access, sleeps up to 4). Interconnecting configurations are available in the Premium Oceanview and Premium Beachfront categories for families needing adjacent bures.

What is the snorkelling like at Treasure Island?

The reef surrounding the island is genuinely good — healthy coral, strong fish diversity, and water that’s walkable into from the beach without needing a boat transfer. Snorkelling equipment is included in the stay. The island sits within a marine park area and the water clarity is typically very good. This is the resort’s most consistently strong feature.

Does the resort have a dive centre?

A PADI dive centre is listed as an on-site facility. However, the dive centre has not always been operational when guests arrive, requiring alternative arrangements. If diving is a primary reason for choosing this resort, confirm current dive centre operational status with the resort directly before booking.

What is the kids club at Treasure Island like?

The Little Treasures Kids Club is open to children aged 4 to 12, running three daily sessions (9:30am–noon, 2–4pm, and 7–9pm). Activities include traditional Fijian language lessons, basket weaving, lovo preparation, meke performances, beach games, and water activities. The evening session is a practical option for parents wanting adult dinner time. The kids club and the island’s turtle rehabilitation centre are among the resort’s most positively regarded features.

Is the food at Treasure Island Resort good?

This is an area of genuine inconsistency. The main Eluvuka Restaurant operates buffet and à la carte for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dinner buffet pricing (approximately $70 per person) has drawn criticism relative to the quality and volume of food offered. The Matasawa Teppanyaki experience ($100 per person) receives much more consistent praise. Breakfast is generally better than dinner. Budget for at least one Teppanyaki evening, and approach the main restaurant with moderate expectations.

What should I know before booking Treasure Island Resort?

Read recent reviews — within the last six months — to get a current picture of facility conditions. The resort’s natural setting (the island, the beach, the reef) is genuine and consistently strong. The facilities (rooms, food, maintenance) are inconsistent and have drawn serious complaints, including from guests who booked through promotional platforms and found the property did not match the marketing. Call the resort directly before booking to ask about current room conditions, dive centre status, and any ongoing maintenance. This is a 3-star property in a spectacular natural setting — calibrate expectations accordingly.

By: Sarika Nand