hen you first arrive at Matava it feels like you are stepping into a Fijian thatched village of 30 years ago surrounded by rich rain forested hills and panoramic views of the Great Astrolabe Reef.  The architecture and construction of the buildings is traditional, but there are also many contemporary touches like solar power, glass louver windows, polished timber floors and four poster beds. You'll share this paradise on Kadavu with no more than 21 other guests. 

adavu (Fiji's fourth largest island) lies a 3/4 hour flight south of Nadi, and has truly maintained it's identity and cultural values and resisted development.  The majority of the population there resides in coastal villages and live subsistence lifestyles, sharing their jungle paradise with 27 species of birds and one species of reptile found nowhere else but Fiji (and 3 of those bird species are found only on Kadavu, and all 3 can be seen on Matava's grounds!). Cascading waterfalls flow into streams that wend down into mangrove forests fringing rocky shores.  All this overlooks the stunning Great Astrolabe Reef, home to a myriad of marine life for divers and snorkelers.

  fter being met at the airport you will be transported to the resort by boat inside the barrier reef.  Upon arrival at Matava, you can hear the powerful waves breaking on the distant reef that will soothe you to sleep later that night.  There are several different categories of bure, including a Honeymoon bure, superior and standard Ocean View Bures and even a private bure with shared facilities. 

he Honeymoon and Ocean View bures boast panoramic views from their lofty positions on the hillside, looking out over Waya Island and the Great Astrolabe.  Wake in the morning to a symphony of wild birds and breakers on the distant reef.

In competition with more than a thousand dive centres throughout the region, Matava was awarded the great honor of this award as a token of appreciation for all the efforts and initiatives put forward by the company in the last few years.

atava Resort is the result of the passion of Richard Akhtar, an Englishman and admitted dive addict. He was originally drawn to Kadavu back in 2002 by it's pristine and remote location, and the untouched diving of the Astrolabe Reef.  He is a PADI Instructor who has also achieved the Project Aware Go Eco Status for Matava.  Of course the resort is very eco friendly, with their own organic gardens and a sustainable environmental and business practices.  Matava has been awarded the PADI Project AWARE Environmental Achievement Award 2008 for its policies on environmental sustainability

here is no shortage of adventures available at Matava.  For sportsmen, light tackle (Pacific Sailfish, Wahoo, King Mackerel, Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi and Giant Trevally),  or heavy tackle (Marlin, Mahi Mahi or Yellowfin Tuna) game fishing is expertly guided by Adrian aboard "Bite Me". There are also guided treks through the rain forest and along the sea to a nearby village and Kadavu Koro's tri-level waterfall, village stays, cultural events, superlative surfing, and kayaking.  The 2-day Sea Kayaking Trip and Village Stay offers world class

guided kayaking along the edges of the Nacomoto Passage Marine Reserve  using professional equipment combined with rain forest treks, isolated villages and remote beach picnics.  Your local village guides are extremely knowledgeable about the history of the area and the indigenous plants and animals.  The overall experience is one of cultural emersion and exploration.

f course, the snorkeling and diving are dazzling.  Snorkelers will be hypnotized whether investigating one of the island's best fringing reefs just in front of the resort or taking the short boat ride to the main reef itself; the Astrolabe's rainbow of corals and marine life is spectacular.

ivers are constantly amazed at the diversity of sites that are offered.  Of course a favourite is 'Manta Reef', a year round spot where mantas can be consistently found (over 95% of the time).  There aren't  

many places in the world where mantas can be found so dependably.  At 'Big Point' (a recently discovered   deep pinnacle) you will have a ringside seat for some great pelagics.  In fact, many species of shark have been seen in the area from silvertips to tiger sharks, and even whale sharks have been seen in close proximity.  In addition to healthy hard and soft corals, you will see marine life from nudibranchs to the beautiful egg cowries, and balls of barracuda to patrolling sharks; the diving won't disappoint.

ive Me, Matava's new dive boat is a welcome addition that comfortably accommodates 12 divers with 2 Divemasters.  This custom -built boat plies the waters of the Astrolabe Reef, Kadavu's famous diving grounds.

Matava has also recently upgraded the resort, rebuilding the Main Bure and with substantial improvements to  many of the accommodation bures!

The Manta site has been 75-80% reliable year round for over 10 years! 

Pilot Whales!!!