"Absolutely brilliant time - beautiful beaches, sunsets, people, staff, food and music - the Chief even knew Irish songs! Vinaka - we'll be back"
-- Julie & Maircad, Tyrone, Ireland

"This is the cleanest accommodation, most beautiful food & friendliest people I have met in my 6 month world travels!"
--Lara, Vancouver, Canada

"A very beautiful place and the best beach in the Yasawas. The staff are lovely, and I hope that this place remains as un spoilt as it is now"
-- Karl & Nikki, Woolston, England

"Spectacular setting, magnificent beach, the clearest water I have ever seen."
-- Fiona - County Kildare, Ireland

'This place was incredible! I will definitely be back - thank you for your amazing hospitality. Best place in Fiji is Oarsman's Bay Lodge. DON'T LET THIS PLACE CHANGE.'
--Jess - San Diego, CA

"Wow... I think that I have finally found paradise! Absolutely fantastic beach and staff and I''ll certainly be recommending Oarsman's Bay to everyone I meet on my travels!"
--Clare - Bournemouth, England

"Oarsman's beach really is magnificent. Soft white sand, intimate yet not crowded, with stunning views of surrounding mountains and free lounge chairs on the beach where we relax on soft white towels"
"As the sun sets, gasps of awe can be hard from speechless tourists as they gaze upon nature's unfathomable beauty; the sunsets here are truly unforgettable".
--Meggan Brummer & Gil Shapira - Air Pacific Islands

"The first time I came to Oarsman's was two years ago. I enjoyed it so much that I had to come back. Now it's my second home! The beach here is the best in Fiji if not the best in the world. The staff graciously welcome each guest into their home and consequently each guest is treated as part of the family.
--Kelly - San Diego, California

"Exceeded all my expectations - paradise! I will be back.
--Andrew and Amelia - London, England

"Spectacular setting, magnificent beach, the clearest water I have ever seen.
--Fiona - Kildare, Ireland

"We just love this place. The beach, the food, everything! Hope we will be back someday.
--Anne-Lise and Steinar - Norway

"Magic place - one of God's great creations. If only our stay could have been longer.
--Doug and Dorelle - Brisbane (September 2003)

"After visiting a couple of party Islands it was great to come here and chill out. An amazingly beautiful place, great people and lovely food. Vinaka.
--Tania - Kent, England

"Thank you for our lovely family holiday on your beautiful Island amongst wonderful people. See you all next year for the third holiday. Beautiful sunsets, night skies and bright morning stars.
--Jim, Ruth and family - Sydney, Australia

"Oarsman's Bay has exceeded our expectations in every way - lovely accommodation, very friendly staff, beautiful beach and Island. We have had a fantastic stay and hate to leave. We'll recommend this resort to anyone heading to Fiji.
--Kirsty and Cameron - Reading, UK

"One of the most beautiful beaches I have seen, with a wonderful staff and plenty to keep us occupied no matter what the weather is."
--Kerry - Gold Coast, Australia (July 2003)

"Thank you all for a wonderful time and all your help. Oarsman's is the best resort experience in the Yasawas.
--Joshua - Kaneohe, Hawaii

"A unique gem off the beaten path. Incredible staff. All wants and needs were met. Vinaka
--John and Maggie - Virginia, USA

"Fantastic Island and Resort with everyone so friendly. Thank you all for a great time. I will come back.
--Helen from Hampshire,

"We had the perfect holiday in this tropical paradise. Amazing beach, wonderful staff and great times.
--Rebecca - Adelaide, Australia

"Superb! Fantastic singing and music on a beautiful Island in the sun - great people and friendship. We will return.
--Alison and Jackie - London, UK

"A perfect start to my very quick world tour. Fabulous snorkeling, great swimming, delicious food and good company.
--Sarah - London, UK

"Absolutely stunning! Fantastic snorkeling, beautiful village, wonderful food, very friendly staff and the most heavenly and tranquil place to stay. We will tell EVERYONE when we get home and hope to be back soon.
--Emma and George - Lemington Spa, UK

"Thank you for a fantastic six days of relaxation. The bay is beautiful and the staff very friendly and helpful. I look forward to coming back soon.
--Barnaby - Sommerset, UK

"Thank you for sharing your little piece of paradise with us! I'm sure this is the Fiji at the heart of everyone's imagination. Wonderful time.
--Adele - Victoria, Australia

"The most relaxing place on this planet. The staff is excellent and the beer is cold.
--Randy - Texas, USA

"Lovely, kind, generous people. Thanks for the care and the friendships. Beautiful island and beautiful people.
--Wendy, Dan and family - Kamloops, Canada

"Best beach in Fiji. Staff very friendly and helpful. Accommodation superb. Food is delicious and great reef for snorkeling. Thanks for the sunshine. This is the one stop shop in Fiji!
--Ron & Chrissy - Singleton, Australia

"The past couple of days have been absolutely amazing - I never knew a beach could be so beautiful. The food was delicious, the atmosphere fun and the constant smiles on the staff's faces mean I definitely want to come back with friends and family.
--Cheryl - England

"Stunning beach, beautiful sea, great snorkeling, every need catered for, what more could you wish for? Thanks for a lovely holiday.
--Paul & Charlotte - Brighton, UK

"Oarsman's Bay is the most beautiful place ever and well deserves its reputation as the nicest Yasawa Resort. It's a very special place and I'll definitely plan to return.
--Charlotte - London, UK

"I've loved the month that I have stayed here at Oarsman's. The Island of Nacula is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Even more than that beauty, I have treasured the people here who have treated us so well. Vinaka.
--Michelle - Eugene, Oregon, USA

"Here there is the best beach in the Yasawa Islands with the staff the most hospitable.
--Eddie and Anna Maria - Napoli, Italy

"Best Resort we've stayed at in Fiji. Great people, very friendly, beautiful food and fantastic beach.
--Barry - England

This was the most amazing experience for my family. We were blown away by Oarsman's Bay Lodge. Everything was incredible. The beach is the best beach we have ever seen, and we have seen many good beaches all the way up the east coast of Australia (not including surf beaches though). The interaction with the staff and village was a life altering experience in itself. We did get to know many of the staff and they became like close friends to us very quickly. We were initially concerned that our children may get a little bored at a quiet place like this, but it was the opposite. Having left Oarsman's Bay after our 4 day stay we then went to Plantation Island for 5 days. We only lasted 2. Having been spoilt by the staff at Oarsman's and having been mesmerized by the locations beauty we could not return quick enough. Even our kids wanted to go back. My 2 young sons loved the interaction with the young guys in the village and lodge. They would show them how to get coconuts, how to spear fish in "real" reefs, how to play island style volleyball and rugby, and how to dance to great Fijian themes at their party nights.
We will never forget watching our kids being entertained by The Chief Ratu Epeli playing nursery rhymes with his guitar under a palm tree ( he loves to show off his musical talents )or playing musical chairs in the sand floor dining room after dinner. Here he had set up his synthizer and his ukulele and showed that even the big chief had rhythm. The women of the village at the resort were just incredible with our kids. We had heard that Fijian women are good with kids but we were amazed at how much they loved our children. They quickly became like their big sisters to them as well as their guardians. They not only cared for them they really did enjoy playing with them and involving them with everything they did. As for Natalie and I, maybe we don't travel enough, but we just loved the place. The food was fantastic, the beach side Bures are compact and basic but comfortable enough with toilet, hot shower and right on the beach. An incredible beach. The water is crystal clean, postcard aqua blue, and the fine sand is perfect white and continues out for miles. We saw other beaches that are only sand at high tide. The reef at either end of the beach is the best reef we saw in the area ( even better than Blue Lagoon ). The fish were abundant, of all colors and they would swim around you as if they were more inquisitive about us. The Bure style accommodation and the whole layout of the resort can make you feel you are on a deserted island. A short stroll in either direction along the beach and you cannot see the resort or any other development. It is incredibly silent. Just the sound of tiny waves lapping onto the sand. You can nearly hear the scatter of the Hermit crabs as they move about in all directions.
There are daily activities you can join in with or just do nothing (lay in a hammock and read, dream or stare at the colors of the ever changing waters). Having kids we decided to go on most of the tours. The village trip was fantastic. To see how they live and how happy they are was great for us (especially for our kids). We also went to Easter Sunday mass. We were amazed by how neat and tidy all of the children of the village looked in their best clothes. All clothes are hand washed and they don't have irons. We couldn't work out how their clothes we so well pressed. The singing in the church made the hair on the back of your neck stand up. It was if this was a professional choir. Their voices and harmony was an experience in itself to hear. Other tours included reef hoping (snorkeling on a shallow reef a long way out off shore), visiting the underwater caves (probably one of the scariest things I have done - not for kids), hiking up the hills at the back of the resort (hot, real hot, but what a vie), visit and snorkel at Blue Lagoon and other activities. Even the nights were fantastic. Make sure you tell the barman to put plenty of whatever you drink in the fridge. Sometimes we ordered a bottle of wine and there was none in the fridge but plenty on the shelf. It must be cold please. Each night after dinner the staff would have some form of short entertainment. They love to sing and dance. Friday and Saturday is Kava night. The Chief is in great spirits and loves the guests to join in. We loved it. For hours we would all (that is at least 20 Fijian staff, The Chief, and most guests - especially the backpackers) sit around the Kava bowl relaxed, singing and laughing together. The Chief loves to be the center attraction. He actually can sing and can play anything on his guitar. What an amazing experience. You really do feel lost from the rest of the world.
Clear silent starlight nights with no phones, radio, television, newspapers, cars, etc. Nothing to worry about. What will tomorrow bring? Will it be different? Do you want it to be different. Today has been so perfect, could tomorrow be any better. You don't care because tomorrow will be another perfect day with new experiences you will never forget. Smiling faces, peaceful minds all set in a perfect location.
We must go back - one day. Our friends will never change. We hope we don't.
-- Sharkey Family - Melbourne
Australia