5 of the Best Fiji Resorts With Epic Pools

From lagoons with slides and waterfalls to your own climate-controlled plunge, Fiji’s pools are as spectacular – and numerous – as its islands.

The most luxurious pool

At COMO Laucala Island – a private island accessed by the resort’s Beechcraft King Air B300 plane – it’s all about five-star luxury. But the jewel in the crown of this piece of paradise is its ultimate swim spot, located in the centre of the resort. It features a glass above-ground lap pool surrounded by a man-made lagoon, complete with swim-up islands and swaying palms.

Each of the resort’s 25 thatch-roofed luxury residences are uniquely placed, either floating above emerald lagoon waters, positioned on a hilltop, set amid the rainforest or beside the rolling waves. Watch the sunset as you take in the uninterrupted views of the sea from your own private plunge pool or outdoor soaking tub. Fancy some local cuisine brought to your doorstep for dinner? Your “Tau” (butler) can help you out.

The best pool for kids

“Children’s pool” is one way of describing what awaits families with a booking for Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort on Viti Levu but “aqua wonderland” might be a better fit. Kids will go crazy jumping into the enormous family-friendly lagoon pool, which is also the venue for water polo with the Kids Club. But parents, fear not: there’s an adjacent adults-only pool complete with a swim-up bar.

The Outrigger offers guests a choice of 47 bures and 205 rooms nestled in the grounds’ verdant gardens. Poolside eats beckon at Baravi Restaurant, which offers cuisines from China, India, Singapore and Thailand, including roadside-style barbecue lamb chops and lovo chicken cooked in an underground oven.

The best private plunge pool

Private plunge pools are one thing; climate-controlled plunge pools overlooking a pristine lagoon teeming with dolphins and turtles are quite another. At Royal Davui Island Resort, 16 luxe villas, each one set within lush, tropical gardens, afford you the utmost privacy as you swim, watch the wildlife and repeat.

At this adults-only all-inclusive resort, you’ll find a variety of personalised dining options focused on Pacific Rim fusion (in locations from a private dining hut to a secluded island picnic for two), decadent seven-day indulgence treatments at Davui Spa (or perhaps a signature warm seashell massage for shorter stays) and an extensive list of activities. The selection is as varied as it is creative, with hot-glass-blowing tours and cooking classes, as well as the more traditional castaway sand cay beach picnics and jetski reef safaris. If a private pool simply isn’t enough, Royal Davui Island Resort can also be hired for exclusive use for the ultimate luxury holiday.

The best poolside cocktail location

At the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa on Denarau Island, stressed-out parents can ditch the rugrats at Niu Beach Club for Kids and make a beeline for the adults-only Waitui Beach Club with its picturesque surrounds.

Collapse into a sun lounge by the generously sized lagoon pool and order a Spicy Frozen Mama (the key ingredient is VulaViti Chilli Vodka). Prefer a swim? Perfect your stroke in the adjacent infinity lap pool or in the cooling waters of the club’s palm-lined beach. Complimentary refreshments are offered between 11am and 3pm, with evening entertainment, canapes and more beverages kicking off at 5pm. Peckish? Lunch and dinner options at Waitui Bar & Grill include yellowfin tuna salad Nicoise and Yasawa green tail lobster.

The best adults-only swimming experience

Situated on Malolo Island in the Mamanuca group, 25km west of Nadi, Likuliku Lagoon Resort is an adults-only resort, famous for its 10 over-water bures – but it also offers garden and beachfront bures (some of the latter come with their own plunge pool).

Laze by the resort’s oversized infinity pool or, better still, take a dip in the temperate waters of Likuliku Lagoon – there’s excellent snorkelling to be had right off the beach, as the lagoon boasts a fringing coral reef.

Then head for Masima Bar, located on its own little island in the lagoon, and order a fresh juice, mocktail or something stronger (we suggest their signature cocktail, Likuliku Lagoon, which comprises a refreshing blend of lemongrass vodka, blue Caracas and lime juice).