Ownership of luxury boutique Dolphin Island Fiji has changed hands, recently returning to the original family after Huka Lodges offloaded the asset it acquired in the late 1980s.
Located off the coast of Rakiraki in the northern part of Viti Levu, the 14-acre all-inclusive Dolphin Island Fiji accommodates a maximum of eight guests in four luxurious bures. Due to its size, it is not uncommon that a booked couple will have exclusive-use of the resort.
Requiring a three-night minimum stay, the primary market for the propertry is Australian travellers, followed by guests from the United States, which since the pandemic, has overtaken the Kiwi market that’s currently experiecing a lull. European honeymooners are another strong source market, says Susan Magi, the Australian representative for Dolphin Island Fiji.
The island takes around 20 minutes to stroll around, and guests can swim directly off the beach that surrounds the island, and snorkel in the crystal clear waters. Two private islands nearby are also accessible to guests by boat for a picnic lunch.
Guests are quickly welcomed and made to feel at home by resort manager and head chef, Dawn Simpson, who has lived on the island for the past 40 years. Visitors can be as active or as relaxed as they like, with their time truly their own, Magi says.
Dolphin Island offers access to a genuine and authentic relationship with Fijian culture, making it possible for guests to immerse themselves in the kava ceremony, tapa cloth making, listen to all the amazing legends and stories passed down the generations from the village elders, enjoy the beautiful voices raised in song and join the rhythm of the drums accompanying the traditional dances.
The property is accessed from the mainland on a 10 minute boat ride from the wharf in Rakiraki. The destination itself is a scenic 2.5 hour road transfer from Nadi, passing through dozens of local Fijian communities. Land transfers are included in the rate. Guests also have the option of a 35-minute heli-transfer into and out of Dolphin Private Island, cutting the journey time down considerably.
While most bookings for Dolphin Island Fiji tend to come direct, the change in ownership has triggered a response to re-establishment ties with the trade and travel advisors directly.
Magi works directly with advisors, offering nett rates, enabling partners to set their own costs. She acts a personal concierge for travel advisors, able to provide all the answers a client may have about the resort and their stay.
Magi was in Sydney last week where she hosted an intimitate gathering of travel advisor at Cafe Sydney.
Lead image, back row from left, are: Ken Higgins, Travel Associates Mosman; Helen George, The Honeymoon Boutique; Kevin Looney, AirBnB APAC; Wendy MacFarlane, NorthShore Travel; Lisa Caldwell, Spencer Travel; Julie Li, Lux Voyages; Lynn Ormiston, Luxperience and Susan Magi, Dolphin Island Fiji.
Front row, left to right: Allan Hopper, Hopperound Cruise & Travel; Mario Paez, Plantdwellers; Anya Hollstein, Travel Associates Blues Point; Geda Selim, Envoyage Miranda; Janene Pendleton, Envoyage Drummoyne; Johnny Papas, Quintessentially Travel and Michelle Adamcewicz, HelmsBriscoe.
Contact Susan at Dolphin Private Island for enquiries at reservations@dolphinislandfiji.com.
