Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji: Everything You Need to Know!

What’s so great about Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji? Families, couples, honeymooners, adventurers and experiential travellers, lend us your ears and read on about one of Fiji’s best mainland resorts here!

Boasting of the largest private island in Fiji hosting the one resort, the Shangri-La Yanuca Island is undisputedly one of the most luxurious options when it comes to any category of holidaying. With a cornucopia of options to fulfil nearly any desire when it comes to accommodations, dining, fun, experiences and relaxation – the benchmark of hospitality set by this resort is intimidating… but in a good way!

The 109-acre private island resort is linked to the mainland via a causeway and the international airport is just 45 minutes away. Once guests disembark and clear customs, the ride to the resort is pure magic. The road winds through the olive-green forested hills on one side and the crystal-clear waters of the Pacific on the other. Do ask your driver to stop on the way – the selfies are epic! The cab will cross the mainland across the causeway to the private island of Yanuca and you’ve arrived. 

Making your way across the causeway from mainland Fiji takes you into a whole new realm. The warm Fijian welcome makes you feel you’ve slipped into a timeless haven. Indeed, the leisurely pace here imbues you with a sense of peace and calm.

Accommodations at Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji

The sprawling resort offers travellers over 442 rooms and suites with a total of 12 choices. Starting with the comfortable Reef Deluxe Rooms (perfect for couples on a budget!), the range of accommodations go up to luxe suites like the Yanuca Lagoon Suites and the ultra-posh Reef Suite.

In a rare departure from other resorts which place a premium on beach-facing or ocean-facing accommodations, the resort makes a bold statement with all of its 442 rooms and suites facing the crystal-blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Travellers can choose from over 8 categories of rooms and 4 of suites. In your Reef Bure suite, soak in the panoramic sea view from a spacious balcony and cocoon yourself in a dream-like refuge of serenity, privacy, and comfort.

The Shangri-La Fiji’s accommodations incorporate Fijian-inspired art and décor with magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean and the coral reef, bringing to life its theme of ‘exceptional comfort in the exotic tropics’!

The accommodations all come with private balconies overlooking either the ocean-front, the vast resort gardens or the expansive lagoon pool. The bathrooms have complimentary Shangri-La premium toiletries, plush bathrobes, towels and slippers. There is free WiFi for posting selfies onto social media and keeping in touch with the world, in-room safes and coffee-tea makers. The suites pamper guests with additional living rooms, marble soaking tubs and the best views to fully appreciate Fiji’s beauty. 

But the resort also goes the extra mile for honeymooners and couples – an adults-only wing, consist of secluded one-bedroom Reef Bures. These units feature separate living and dining areas, unimpeded views of the reefs and the ocean and a complimentary golf cart over and above the standard amenities and facilities.

For a complete list of the rooms and suites at the resort, check out our property page.

Activities & Experiences at Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji

In short, the resort has a library of activities and experiences that would require 5 minutes of ‘speed-talking’ to go through just once. Were one to try them all out, we recommend going for a semi-permanent stay! Humour aside, we’ve highlighted ‘just a few’ of our absolute favourites and winners. 

The vast resort can be truly admired by guests on a leisurely evening or morning walk around the private island. Besides, the Shangri-La’s Marine Education Centre provides for a look into the amazing biodiversity of the location and a chance to explore the fragile coral reef ecosystem and the resident marine life. The more adventurous can try their hand at windsurfing, jet-skiing and kayaking around the resort’s glassy green waters. There is also a Sea Sports Centre for those who looking to dive the emerald deeps.

For a relaxed speed setting, there is nothing to beat a snooze on a hammock by the golden sand beach looking over the deep-water lagoon. There are three pools, one of them an adults-only zone. The resort’s inflatable water park and Little Chiefs Cool Club Zone have proved to be a big hit with families, while the adults can chill out at the Golden Cowrie Lounge. 

Culturally-inclined travellers can rejoice in learning about traditional Fijian handicrafts or visiting the nearby Marau village. The Shangri-La Fiji hosts regular cultural evenings – the Lovo feast nights and Polynesian dance performances are not to be missed!

Of course, there’s also the nine-hole golf course, the two tennis courts and a whole bunch of activities that we’re going to sneeze out. Travellers can choose to go for a Resort Bike Tour, a Kayak Mangrove Tour, an Off-Site Bike Tour, a Kaba hiking experience, Fish House cleaning meet at Marine Centre, a nature walk through the property, crab races, scavenger hunts, aqua aerobics, softball, cricket, bochee, rugby, soccer, beach volleyball, kava ceremony, firewalk evenings, tribal drummers sessions and pool basketball… And that’s just for adults. There’s an equally long list for kiddies and teens!

Dining at Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji

With so much attention to given to accommodations and experiences, it wouldn’t do at all to leave dining as an after-thought. And you’re right, they haven’t. With a choice of four distinct restaurants and two bars, there’s something new to experiment with every meal! The Beach Bar & Grill is the resort’s newest addition – it offers casual dining and great views of the lagoon and pool areas. Then, the Lagoon Terrace Restaurant is the place to go for hearty buffets, live cooking stations and a warm, family environment. There’s even a dedicated kids’ area! 

But what about couples and something romantic to spice up a tropical Fijian holiday?

Head over to the Takali Asian Kitchen at the Shangri-La Fijian Resort. Set next to the lagoon with serene views, it’s a great place for all-day Asian lunches and seafood dinners. And for those looking for European cuisine, the Golden Cowrie Coastal Italian Restaurant boasts of trained chefs excelling in Italian fare (do try the homemade pasta!). For cocktails and evening constitutionals, the Bilo Bar and the resort’s Black Marlin Tropical Bar are famous for signature tropical cocktails as well as a sizeable list of wines and liquors. 

There, we’ve covered accommodations, dining, things to do and varied experiences travellers can choose from at the luxurious Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji. Also see “All You Need to Know about Shangri-La Fiji and COVID Safety!“. For details and fab deals on family holidays, honeymoons and getaways at the Shangri-La Fiji, check out our property page. And if you’re visiting Fiji for the first time, check out our ‘Fiji for first-timers’ blog. Our South Pacific Specialists sat down and made a nice list of everything that can come in handy like airport locations, flight times, banks and ATM information, internet connectivity, what to wear and so on and so forth. Hey, a little prep makes for happy holidays, yeah?