Matava Resort

Packages starting at: $3800 FD
Why choose Matava Resort? Bordered by the Great Astrolabe Reef Matava is a small and intimate getaway, boasting secluded splendour whilst also satisfying your spirit of adventure. Designed to blend with its natural environment, the setting is traditional thatched Fijian bures nestled in the rainforest and set amidst lush tropical surroundings, and offer privacy, comfort and superb ocean views. A stone's throw away from the Great Astrolabe Reef, Matava offers the perfect environment to scuba dive, snorkel, surf, fish, kayak, trek, visit villages, bird watch or simply relax and unwind in Fiji. A genuine eco-hideaway, designed to cause minimal impact on the environment and to promote conservation awareness with the local community and visitors. Ecologically conscious yet adventure driven, Matava heralds a new breed in holiday experience.
The Diving Diving is on The Great Astrolabe Reef; the world's fourth largest barrier reef and is Fiji's largest living organism Rated as one of the world's premier diving locations offering a great diversity and spectacle in coral structures and marine life Manta Reef is a very special dive and one of the few places in the world where manta rays can be seen regularly. Naiqoro Marine Reserve is abounding with pelagic fish including schools of sharks, wrasse and barracuda, and coral gardens exploding with colour.	The Accommodation Only 9 traditional style bures, built with locally sourced materials, designed to blend in with the lush forest. Ocean View Bures are each on a different level nestled in the rainforest to offer great comfort and superb ocean views. The large louvred windows open onto your private deck with the view across the Pacific Ocean. Honeymoon Bures are in their own nook in the rainforest, and have expansive full length picture windows opening onto your private deck with views across the ocean. These are a true haven of serenity.	REEFsponsible Activities A true eco have, Matava minimizes impact on the environment, and promotes and supports ecologically sound conservation measures in the community. Responsible Tourism shapes all major decisions, from the concept that 'Small Groups Leave Fewer Footprints' to the choice of contractors and suppliers. Solar power, organic farm, treatment of waste water, local employment, and proper land and water management. They also developed the Matava Foundation.
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The Diving

The Great Astrolabe Reef is the world's fourth largest barrier reef and is Fiji's largest living organism. It extends along the entire southern side of Kadavu and stretches for over 120km. It is rated as one of the world's premier diving locations offering a great diversity and spectacle in coral structures and marine life.

The reef adopted its name in 1827 following French explorer Dumont d'Urville's collision with the reef in his vessel "The Astrolabe". There are three major passes into the Great Astrolabe Reef, classified as an oceanic ribbon reef.

The outer reef falls steeply 100ft/30m, followed by gentle sediment and rubble covered slopes to a depth of over 200ft/60m. In some areas parts of the reef have separated from the broad crest and formed pinnacles with valleys in between them. Depths in these valleys are as shallow as 15-30ft/5-10m. There are numerous caverns and caves at all depths. Beyond this the reef wall drops more than 1600m to the ocean floor.

The reefs of this atoll barrier reef fall steeply to 120ft/35m before the first bench, although the northeast corner has numerous pinnacles with shallow passes between them into the lagoon. An automated lighthouse sits atop the Solo Island in the middle of the lagoon.

The North Astrolabe, a circular atoll barrier reef, was recommended for development as a marine reserve and park, and although no action has yet been taken, Mad Fish Dive Centre and Matava are actively supporting the effort.

DIVE SITES

Naiqoro Marine Reserve

Home to some of the most famous Great Astrolabe Reef dive sites, located just north of Matava and Mad Fish Dive Centre, Kadavu, Fiji Island, home to "Spot X" and the "Japanese Gardens". This passage offers one of the finest dives in Fiji, abounding with pelagic fish including schools of sharks, wrasse and barracuda, and coral gardens exploding with colour. The passage is a marine reserve.

Connie's Reef

A critter lover's heaven, Connie's Reef is excellent for those looking for elusive seahorses, Rufus Ghost Pipefish and nudibranchs by the thousands.

Manta Reef

A very special dive and one of the few places in the world where manta rays can be seen regularly.

Wonder Wall

Located along the passage right in front of Matava, don't be subdued by how easy this site is to get to! Cruising packs of Silvertip sharks reside along the channel next to Wonder Wall making this a high energy dive with plenty of action.

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The Accommodation

Drift to sleep to the soothing roar of the waves breaking on the distant reef and be awakened to the call of exotic native wildlife.

Matava caters to a maximum of only 22 guests in lush tropical surrounding ensuring a private haven away from the hustle and bustle of crowds. Traditional thatched Fijian 'bures' with polished timber floors, louvre windows, timber four poster beds and private decks are nestled in the rainforest to offer privacy, comfort and superb ocean views.

Our Oceanview Bures are across the stream and offer spectacular panoramas of The Great Astrolabe Reef and surrounding offshore islands.

Our top-end Honeymoon Bures are scattered back up on the hill behind Matava to ensure complete privacy and stunning vista from the expansive full length picture windows across the ocean.

Immersed in beautiful tropical gardens and surrounded by lush rainforest the Honeymoon Bures are a true heaven of privacy within the beauty of Fiji's natural environment. All these new design bures have new private facilities and expansive private decks. All resort building structures are built using locally grown pine or hardwoods planted for that purpose. They are then finished using traditional methods of thatching and palm weaving. We do not use local wild hardwood trees for lumber. All grey water is piped out to rubble drains for flowers and plants. Bures are designed and orientated to benefit from shade and sea breezes for cooling.

Solar power provides the lighting in all the bures for night time reading and comfort.

Hot water is supplied to all the bures by our eco-friendly Solar Hot Water system.

Matava’s environmental policy does not allow spraying harsh chemicals for pest control, rather natural repellent of the carefully selected shrubs discourages insects and bugs.

Matava leaves areas of land around the resort uncultivated to encourage the growth of native wild flowers and ferns. Part of the resort foreshore is naturally a mangrove shoreline and has been left untouched. Mangroves prevent erosion and provide sanctuary to juvenile fish. No insecticides or herbicides are used on the property. Any plants found around the resort are native to Kadavu or already found on the island. No foreign plant species are brought in to the island.

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REEFsponsible activities

Matava's dedication to responsible tourism is the driving force behind their environmental policy. Far from being an abstract ideal, Responsible Tourism shapes all major decisions - from the concept that 'Small Groups Leave Fewer Footprints' to the choice of contractors and suppliers.

Matava is committed to a style of travel that is environmentally, culturally and socially responsible.

Matava’s adventure style:

• Grass roots travel using local public transport where possible minimises demand for special tourist vehicles and fuel.
• Choosing locally owned accommodation where available and local restaurants and markets for dining, retaining revenue in local communities.
• Directors facilitate communication of our values to guests and local communities, educating them in sustainable tourism practices.
• Employing local crew and guides to aid in guests' understanding of local culture and etiquette.
• Small groups allow guests to experience cultures at first hand, offering greater opportunity for
  cross- cultural understanding.

Matava Resort is committed to putting back into the communities and regions we visit by supporting many aid, development and conservation projects in these areas. Much of this support is through “The Matava Foundation“and guests are invited to contribute.

Environmental Policy:

Matava Resort was designed to blend in with its natural environment, with traditional thatched Fijian bures nestled on the edge of the rainforest, looking out over the Pacific Ocean and Great Astrolabe barrier reef. It is the resort's policy to minimise the impact on the environment and to promote and support ecologically sound conservation measures in the community.

Here’s how Matava is encouraging sustainable tourism:

• Solar Power
• All lighting in the Oceanview accommodation and the main bure is solar powered.
• Resort office also derives all its power from solar energy. The resort does not operate any main generators, only a small emergency back-up generator for the office should the need arise.
• Solar Hot Water
• All new-build accommodation is supplied with hot water derived from solar energy.
• All previously built bures will be renovated to be running on solar heating as well.
• Organic Farm
• Minimise the need to import vegetables and associated transportation carbon emissions by maintaining a large organic garden in the resort grounds.
• Supply local village farmers with seeds and then purchase the fruit and vegetables from them.
  Many fruit trees such as banana and papaya are scattered throughout the grounds.
• Waste Management
• All rubbish is sorted.
• Food waste is fed to local pigs. They compost as much waste as possible for the organic farm.
• Plastic and glass bottles are recycled, as are aluminum cans.
• Batteries and empty aerosol cans are impossible for us to dispose of and we request that guests take these with them to their home country where suitable methods of disposal are available.
• Staffing
• All resort staff are from local villages.
  The resort's annual expenditure is directed, wherever possible, to the local community.
  If it is possible to obtain a product locally, they will do so.
• Water
• The primary reason for the location of Matava Resort is the abundance of natural spring water.
• Water is naturally filtered through the limestone and is of excellent quality.
• Rainwater is still collected at certain locations and used to supply the organic garden and supplement the supply to some of the Ocean view bures.
• Marine Reserves
• Working in conjunction with our neighbouring village of Kadavu Koro, a marine reserve from the boundary of the Matava foreshore extending out to encompass the opposite Waya Island has been established.
• This area is protected from any sort of fishing, shell collecting and reef walking.
• Matava also helped the village of Nacomoto establish a marine reserve in their waters.
• Each time divers visit, a contribution to the village is made. The village gets income and the fish have a sanctuary to breed.
• Divers often visit the Naiqoro Passage marine reserve and contributions are made to support this initiative.
  Guests are encouraged to make a small voluntary contribution to these marine reserves when they check-out. Money is used to support and promote marine conservation measures taken by local villages.

Matava Resort Code of Conduct

Our key principles or code of conduct for operating 'Responsible' Matava adventures:

• Use locally owned infrastructure for accommodation and transport.
• Spread the financial benefits amongst local people and operators.
• Provide employment and leadership opportunities for local people.
• When recruiting our staff and crew, we assess their environmental credentials and then train them to our own standards.
• Respect local customs and culture.
• Provide safe trips for Matava, Mad Fish and Bite Me staff, crew and guests.
• Educate guests and local people about how we travel.
• Limit the negative impacts to daily lifestyles of local people not involved with Matava adventures and expeditions.
• Issue our guests with clear guidelines on responsible tourism. These cover a variety of issues from litter and waste disposal in remote areas, to begging and artefacts. We encourage customers to buy local crafts and support local skills, but never to buy products that exploit wildlife or harm the habitat.
• Limit the physical impact of trips in all destination communities - particularly sensitive natural and cultural environments.
• Provide support to organisations and local communities around Matava and visited by Matava expeditions and adventures.
• Provide fun enjoyable trips to Matava guests.
• Provide opportunities for guests to interact with local people.
• Actively discourage the participation of Matava in activities which exploit animals - wild or domestic.
• Use local operators that adhere to Matava's Responsible Travel Philosophies and provide the best possible service to Matava guests and staff.
• Support and encourage fair employment practices.
• Give our guests the best possible value.

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Sample Packages

Manta Madness
• 7 day of 2 tanks diving (14 dives) with Mad Fish Dive Centre
• 1 day of 3 tanks diving (3 dives) with Mad Fish Dive Centre
• 1 night dive with Mad Fish Dive Centre
• All day free access to shore diving at The Critter Junction
• 10 nights in Oceanview Traditional Bure
• Traditional Lovo Feast and Kava ceremony
• All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, unlimited tea/coffee)
Price per person – F$ 3800.00

Snorkel Fest
• 7 nights in Oceanview Traditional Bure
• 4 dedicated boat snorkel trips to the Great Astrolabe Reef with Mad Fish Dive Centre
• Unlimited snorkelling on our beautiful house reef at The Critter Junction
• Traditional Lovo Feast and Kava ceremony
• All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, unlimited tea/coffee)
Price per person – F$ 2050.00
Mini package - 3 nights (inc: 2 x dedicated boat snorkel trip) - F$ 950.00

Kayak Kadavu
• 7 nights in Oceanview Traditional Bure
• 2 x 1 day Guided Kayak Trips (village overnight option)
• Traditional Lovo Feast and Kava Ceremony
• All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, unlimited tea/coffee)
Price per person – F$ 2200.00
Overnight in Village add F$115pp
Mini package - 3 nights (exc: Lovo Feast) - F$ 1250.00

Trail Blazing
• 7 nights in Oceanview Traditional Bure
• 1 day guided Nacomoto Trek visiting beautiful rainforest and Nacomoto waterfalls
• ½ day guided waterfall trek to the Kadavu Koro falls
• Tei Tei walk – medicine man and plantations
• Traditional Lovo Feast
• All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, unlimited tea/coffee)
Price per person – F$ 2000.00

Contact us for details about different diving packages or custom packages. Matava resort also offers superb Honeymoon Packages!

The REEFsponsibles have teamed up with Uniglobe Geo Travel to provide you with all your travel needs, from your front door to the reef.

Contact us for booking, inquiries or any additional information about our projects and how YOU can help.

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