When we were on the ferry heading home from Mana Island last year we spotted Castaway Island Resort and put it on our bucket list. The waters around it, Hobie Cats sitting on the beach, and the pure joy and relaxation of the people on their way home was what we wanted for our next family holiday.

While we knew that our family seriously needed a holiday with just the four of us we weren’t planning one. That was until Mark got an email about ridiculously cheap international flights. He called me when I was in the office (at my weakest) and I said “let’s do it!”. I left all the research up to Mark so I don’t know if we ended up spending what we saved on accommodation, but I will say the family therapy and full reset was worth it.

Snorkeling, Sailing and South Pacific Serenity

If you’re dreaming of a family holiday in Fiji that combines adventure, relaxation, and real connection with nature, let me tell you — Castaway Island Resort is everything you’re looking for.

Our family trip to this island paradise was filled with unforgettable moments, ocean adventures, and barefoot luxury that’s hard to beat. The resort book in our room even said “if you’re not barefoot at dinner you’re overdressed” which was perfect. I kicked off my crocs and ran on the sand the moment we had been shown our room.

👉 Check out Castaway Island Resort here

🌊 Snorkeling Right Off Castaway Island Beach

Most mornings began with a splash — literally. Just steps from our beachfront bure on the south side of the island, we slipped into the crystal-clear waters for some of the easiest and most vibrant snorkeling we’ve ever done.

The coral gardens were teeming with tropical fish, and the water was warm and inviting, perfect for families and beginner snorkelers alike. What the tide was doing would determine where and when we snorkeled, and we really connected with this moon cycle by rising with the sun and going to bed not long after dark.

No doubt our snorkeling adventures were made better by the presence of the Counting Coral team who were stationed at Castaway Island Resort whilst we were visiting. They are there working to revive and rehabilitate the coral reefs by installing a coral sculpture to improve the gene bank.

👉You can donate to Counting Coral and find out more about the great work they are doing here

🎥 Watch our snorkeling adventures here:

⛵ Sailing Castaway Island Resort’s Hobie

One of the highlights of our trip was setting sail off the beach of the resort. Sailing in Fiji is peaceful and breathtaking — we felt like we were the only ones on the ocean. The waters are so warm that you don’t get cold sailing in choppy waters which were a blast.

Mark went sailing on one Hobie with Lara and I went on the other with Livs on our first day there. Then the next day the four of us took one Hobie out together because the breeze had calmed down and other guests were brave enough to go for a sail. The conditions were so perfect that on our last day there ten year old Livs decided to take the boat out by herself, and she did great.

Please note that the Aquatic Attendants are very professional and caring. They would not have let us take the boats out, especially with our babies, on the first windy day if Mark hadn’t shown them videos of the girls loving sailing their MJs in 18 knots at home.

🎥 Watch the full sailing experience here:

Snorkeling The Outer Reef

With the overcast weather the first few days of our stay, then the windy day that put snorkeling off our family list of activities, we were starting to think that we weren’t going to splurge on an activity. But then the sun came out and we booked an outer reef snorkel. We’re sure glad we did!

The moment we stepped off the boat we were surrounded by colourful coral and fish. This was a great relief for us as we were sad to see lots of unhealthy coral close to the resort. The impact we humans have on our environment is undeniable. I’m just grateful that our children have gotten to have the experiences in nature that they have.

We chose to wear rash shirts so we didn’t have to wear as much sunscreen, but I have decided to invest in a rash shirt with a zip before our next tropical adventure. The sunscreen we packed for our holiday is reef safe, and we were lucky enough to be gifted a tube of Counting Coral Reef Safe Sunscreen which is the nicest eco friendly sunscreen I’ve used, and we’ve tried a few. They aren’t selling this online yet, but when they start to I will add a link here.

Mark and Livs captured great footage with Livs’ 10th birthday present, a DJI Action 4 which we teamed with the diving accessory set that floats.

🌬️ Nature at Our Doorstep (Literally)

Our bure sat right on the water, so close to nature that we woke one morning to find waves spraying the doors! The tide was high, and I could hear the wind building through the early hours of the morning. It was wild and exciting.

Since we didn’t pack our wet weather gear we relaxed in our room and waited for the tide to go down before walking to breakfast. Again, it was great to feel so connected to nature.

That day water activities were off, so we relaxed by the resort pool, sipping mocktails from the swim-up bar, reading our books and soaking in the island calm. To our delight Lara and Livs also played like siblings who unconditionally love each other and never fight. And no, I didn’t even have to bribe them. We were all just that chilled.

Ditch the Fast Boat: Our Family’s Surprisingly Affordable Helicopter Adventure to Castaway Island, Fiji

Navigating the stunning Mamanuca Islands of Fiji doesn’t have to break the bank, even when you’re dreaming of a scenic helicopter transfer! On our latest Fiji family holiday, we unlocked an unforgettable journey to Castaway Island Resort by helicopter. It was so much more affordable than we ever imagined. Forget those assumptions that a helicopter ride is just for the “cashed up”. For us it was a surprisingly economical option for our family vacation.

The last time we were in Fiji with the in-laws, we saw people arriving at Mana Island by helicopter. Naturally we thought they must be rolling in money. We also talked about how incredible it would be to see Fiji’s vibrant reefs with a bird’s eye view.

Fast forward to this trip, and Mark popped the question: could we splurge on a helicopter trip? Our plane was landing too late for the regular ferry, meaning we’d have to take a fast boat anyway.

My instant thought was, “No way, we can’t afford that!” But then I decided not to be a killjoy. Instead, I encouraged Mark to get a quote from the helicopter company. And boy, were we delightfully surprised by what came back!

We traveled during the off-season, and in May 2025, it only cost our family of four an additional $310 to go by helicopter compared to taking a fast boat with land transfers.

For us, combining an adventure experience like this with our transfer was an absolute no-brainer. We landed feeling on top of the world after our fast, smooth, breathtaking flight.

Do yourself a favour if you’re visiting Fiji and get a quote from Island Hoppers. Chances are the helicopter might be the perfect option for your family.

🏝️ Why Castaway Island Resort Is Perfect for Families

From the friendly Fijian staff and incredible kids’ activities to the pristine beaches and laid-back island vibe, Castaway Island Resort felt like a true escape. It’s safe, welcoming, and full of authentic island charm. Whether you’re traveling with teens, little ones, or older family members, there’s something for everyone here.

The kids loved the buffet which had a different theme every night and Mark loved having steak for dinner most nights from the a la carte menu. There were a few stand out entrees that I won’t talk up incase the menu changes before you get to visit.

The home made ice cream was SOOOO good though that they will never be able to take it off the menu. I may have tried the girls orange ice cream when they came back to the table with it. AND then got my own ice cream cone to joyfully sing and skip like a little kid back to our beurre for bed.

Castaway Island Resort is the perfect place to reconnect with your inner child and find your joy.

💡 Book your family holiday to Castaway Island Resort:
👉 https://www.castawayfiji.com

This trip was a reminder of how powerful it is to slow down, unplug, and connect — with each other and the world around us. If you’re planning a family trip to Fiji, Castaway Island should be at the top of your list. 🌺

Let me know if you’d like a printable packing list for a family snorkeling trip, or more gear recommendations — I’d love to share what worked for us! Including the fact that the four of us only wore our Crocs through the airports and spent most of the day barefoot or with flippers on when we were snorkeling.

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