Fiji

A 500-year-old coral formation that resembles an underwater garden, the Cabbage Patch dive site on Kadavu Island is well worth the visit but watch out for the cheeky ghost pipefish that love to unexpectedly pop out to surprise visitors. For fans of the original Blue Lagoon movie, the Sawa-i-Lau Caves were the location for the infamous film and still hold sway as one of Fiji’s most captivating sites with a brace of turquoise water filled caverns that offer the opportunity for a cooling dip. Local legend has it that a giant hawk once carried off a princess from a nearby village, and her grieving prince called on the sea winds to track the hawk and avenge her death.

Create your own love story over dinner at Yasawa Island Resort & Spa where al fresco dining overlooking a world-renowned beach and out to the ocean provides ample sustenance and inspiration. Lovers of spice can enjoy an authentically fragrant Fijian curry, and much more. Or, immerse yourself in local gastronomy with a traditional lovo and meke evening at Otto & Fanny’s on Tavewa Island. Here you can join in the fun of cooking in a communal underground fire pit (lovo) and watching the mesmerising storytelling dance (meke) performed by both men and women.

Secluded bays and gigantic manta rays make the teeny tiny island of Nanuya Balayu the perfect spot to drop anchor with no less than 40 dive sites thronging this jewel in the Yasawa island chain crown. These spellbinding sea creatures, which can span up to seven metres wide glide effortlessly through the water and to swim with them in their natural habitat is a truly awe-inspiring lifetime experience.