Treasure Island Resort Fiji Review: A Coral Island in the Mamanucas • Fiji Travel

Elevuka Island is small enough that you can walk its full perimeter in under fifteen minutes. There are no roads, no vehicles, no other businesses, and no other reason to be on it — the island and Treasure Island Resort are, in every practical sense, the same thing. That kind of self-contained simplicity is either exactly what you are looking for in a Fiji holiday or a potential constraint, depending on your travel style. If the idea of a coral-fringed island where everything — accommodation, meals, activities, beach — is within a short walk of everything else sounds appealing, Treasure Island makes a very persuasive case for itself.

Located in the Mamanuca group approximately 20 kilometres from Port Denarau, Treasure Island is accessible by fast cat in around 35 minutes, which puts it comfortably within range of a straightforward transfer from Nadi without the extended boat journey that some of the more remote Yasawa island resorts require. Seaplane access through Turtle Airways is also available for guests who prefer a scenic flight over the reef-scattered ocean to a boat transfer. The resort sits in a sheltered lagoon with calm water, a beach that loops the entire island, and the kind of immediate visual confirmation — turquoise water, white sand, coconut palms — that makes Fiji’s reputation for the postcard-perfect island experience feel genuinely earned.

The Accommodation

Treasure Island offers rooms, bures, and suites across a mix of garden and beachfront configurations. Rates run from approximately FJD $350 per night (around AUD $245) for standard garden-view rooms up to FJD $750 (around AUD $525) for beachfront suites, with considerable variation depending on room type, season, and package inclusions. As with most Fijian island resorts, the pricing structure rewards booking in advance and considering shoulder-season dates if budget is a factor.

The beachfront bures are the most desirable option and deliver what guests reasonably expect from that category — direct access to the beach, views over the lagoon, a degree of privacy that the garden rooms don’t quite replicate. The garden rooms are comfortable and well appointed without the premium, which makes them a sensible choice for families or couples who plan to spend most of their time on the beach or in the water rather than in their room. The resort was renovated in recent years and the condition of the facilities reflects that — the property is well maintained, the soft furnishings are in good order, and the general presentation is above what you might expect at the mid-tier price point.

The island is compact enough that even the garden accommodations are a short walk from the beach, which softens the distinction between room categories more than it might at a larger resort property. You are never more than a few minutes from the water, which is part of what makes the contained geography of Treasure Island work in its favour.

The Beach and Lagoon

The beach at Treasure Island is one of its strongest features. The island is coral-ringed, which means snorkelling is accessible directly from the shore without any requirement for a boat transfer to a reef site — you simply walk into the water and the reef is there. For families with children or guests who are new to snorkelling, this is a genuine advantage: low-effort entry, shallow water close to shore, and the reassurance of being able to stand up if needed.

The lagoon is calm and sheltered, which makes it well suited to families with young children and safe for swimming without significant wave action or current to contend with. The white sand beach extends around the full perimeter of the island, giving guests the option to find a quieter section away from the main beach chairs and activity area if they prefer. In peak season the beach can feel busier — Treasure Island also accepts day visitors through South Sea Cruises, which brings cruise ship day-trippers to the island and adds to the daytime activity levels. If you prefer a quieter beach experience, the far ends of the island away from the main facilities tend to be more peaceful even when the resort is at capacity.

The snorkelling off the beach is genuinely good for a resort-accessible reef — healthy coral, a reasonable variety of reef fish, and clear enough water to make the experience worthwhile without needing dedicated dive equipment. Those looking for more specialised reef experiences can arrange guided snorkel tours or glass-bottom boat trips through the resort activities desk.

Activities and the Water Programme

The activities programme at Treasure Island covers what most Mamanuca island resort guests are looking for. Snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and glass-bottom boat tours make up the core water activities, with volleyball, beach games, and guided walks rounding out the land-based options. Cultural programmes — including meke performances and kava ceremonies — run on a scheduled basis and are a worthwhile addition to an evening, giving guests a genuine (if necessarily brief) introduction to Fijian cultural tradition rather than simply the beach-and-cocktails experience.

Cooking classes are also offered, which work particularly well for guests staying several days who want something different from the routine of beach and pool. Fiji’s food culture — particularly its blending of indigenous, Indian, and Pacific influences — is genuinely interesting to explore, and a hands-on cooking class gives context to the meals you are otherwise simply eating at the restaurant.

The kids’ club is well regarded and runs structured programmes during the day, which matters considerably if you are travelling with younger children and want the option of a few adult hours without the logistics of independent childcare. The supervised, contained nature of the island — no roads, no traffic, a defined perimeter — also makes it an easier environment for parents to allow children some independence than many resort contexts.

Dining

All meals at Treasure Island are taken at the resort restaurant — the island’s size and self-contained nature mean there are no alternative dining options, which is worth understanding before you arrive. The food is reliable and well suited to the family-friendly profile of the property. The buffet format that features for most meals works practically for groups and families, allows for dietary variety, and reduces the waiting time that can make children impatient through a plated-service dinner. Fresh seafood features regularly on the menu and reflects the obvious logistical advantage of a resort sitting in the middle of the Pacific — local fish and shellfish, prepared straightforwardly, is one of the consistent highlights of dining at island resorts in this part of Fiji.

The food is honest and well executed rather than ambitious, which is the appropriate register for a family resort at this price point. Guests looking for a sophisticated fine-dining experience are probably looking at a different category of Mamanuca property. Guests looking for well-prepared, varied food that works for the whole family — including children with predictable tastes — will find the Treasure Island kitchen more than adequate for a week’s stay.

Getting There

The standard transfer to Treasure Island is via South Sea Cruises’ fast cat service from Port Denarau, which takes approximately 35 minutes and runs on a scheduled timetable. The frequency and reliability of this service makes Treasure Island one of the more straightforward Mamanuca island resorts to access — you don’t need to arrange a charter, and the transfer cost is reasonable relative to the more remote island options. The resort can arrange transfers at time of booking, which is the simplest approach for most guests.

Turtle Airways operates seaplane transfers for guests who prefer to arrive by air — the flight is brief but scenic and is worth considering if it fits your budget and schedule, particularly if you are travelling with young children who might find even a 35-minute boat crossing difficult. It also gives you an extraordinary aerial view of the reef system and the surrounding Mamanuca group on arrival, which is a good way to begin a Fiji island holiday.

Who Is Treasure Island Best Suited To?

The resort’s profile is clearly oriented towards families and towards guests for whom reliability and ease are higher priorities than exclusivity or remoteness. First-time Fiji visitors who want a classic Mamanuca island experience — coral reef, calm lagoon, white sand beach, organised activities, all-inclusive convenience — without the extended logistics of a Yasawa trip will find Treasure Island a very workable introduction to the archipelago. The 35-minute transfer from Denarau, the structured kids’ club, the accessible snorkelling from the beach, and the buffet dining all point toward a property that has thought carefully about what its core guests need.

Couples visiting for a romantic getaway will find Treasure Island adequate but not exceptional for that purpose. The beachfront bures offer the seclusion and setting that the category implies, but the family-oriented nature of the resort — including the daytime activity levels and the dining format — means the atmosphere is not primarily geared toward couples seeking quiet. For couples wanting that style of experience, the higher-end Mamanuca properties with adults-only zones or smaller capacity tend to deliver it more fully. At the mid-range price point, however, Treasure Island offers genuinely good value for what it provides, and couples who prioritise the beach and snorkelling experience over resort atmosphere will find plenty here to enjoy.

Final Thoughts

Treasure Island Resort does what it sets out to do well. The island location is beautiful, the lagoon is excellent for families, the snorkelling from the beach is one of the best accessible reef experiences in the Mamanucas at this price point, and the contained, self-sufficient nature of the property makes for an uncomplicated holiday. The recent renovation means the facilities are in good condition, and the short transfer from Denarau keeps the logistics simple.

It is not the most exclusive or the most luxurious property in the Mamanuca group — guests wanting those qualities will need to spend more and look at a different tier of resort. But as a reliable, genuinely beautiful Fijian island experience that suits families particularly well and offers honest value for the mid-range price point, Treasure Island earns its reputation. If you are planning a first Fiji trip with children, or looking for a classic Mamanuca experience without the complexity of the more remote island options, it belongs near the top of your consideration list.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get to Treasure Island Resort in Fiji?

The primary transfer option is the South Sea Cruises fast cat service from Port Denarau, which takes approximately 35 minutes and operates on a scheduled timetable. The resort can arrange this transfer at the time of booking. Seaplane transfers via Turtle Airways are also available for guests who prefer to arrive by air — these are faster and offer excellent views over the reef but are priced at a premium relative to the boat transfer. Both options are reliable and straightforward; the boat is the more cost-effective choice for most travellers.

Is Treasure Island Resort good for families with young children?

Yes — Treasure Island is one of the more family-friendly Mamanuca island resorts. The lagoon is calm and sheltered with no significant wave action, making it safe for young swimmers. The island’s small size and absence of roads or vehicles mean children can move around with relative freedom. The kids’ club runs structured programmes during the day and is well regarded by guests. The buffet-style dining suits families with varied tastes, and the general convenience of having all activities, meals, and accommodation within a short walk reduces the logistical complexity that can make island travel with children challenging.

What is the snorkelling like at Treasure Island Resort?

The snorkelling at Treasure Island is among the more accessible in the Mamanuca group at this price point. The island is surrounded by a coral reef that is reachable directly from the beach without a boat transfer, making it easy to snorkel at any time of day. The reef is healthy, the water is clear, and a reasonable variety of reef fish are reliably present. The lagoon’s calm, shallow conditions also make it suitable for beginner snorkellers and children. Guests wanting guided snorkel experiences or glass-bottom boat tours can arrange these through the resort activities desk.

Does Treasure Island Resort accept day visitors?

Yes — Treasure Island accepts day visitors through South Sea Cruises, and the island is a popular stop for cruise ship day-trippers. This means that daytime beach and activity areas can be busier than at resorts that operate exclusively for overnight guests. Guests seeking quieter beach conditions can generally find more peaceful spots at the less-trafficked ends of the island away from the main facilities, particularly in the early morning or late afternoon when day visitors have departed.

By: Sarika Nand