Freestyling in Fiji: Way down in Kokomo

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This was published 6 years ago

Freestyling in Fiji: Way down in Kokomo

By Ute Junker
Billionaire developer Lang Walker owns Kokomo Private Island Fiji.

Billionaire developer Lang Walker owns Kokomo Private Island Fiji. Credit: Nikki To

The staff at Kokomo Private Island can read your mind. Or so it seems on my first morning at Fiji's newest luxury resort. I'm enjoying my coffee, looking out over the reef and thinking it's a perfect day for a snorkel. Suddenly a smiling staff member is by my side.

"Hi, I'm Hannah, and I'm one of the dive instructors," she says. "Would you like to come for a snorkel today?"

Telepathy doesn't really come into it, of course. When I arrived, I mentioned to a staff member that I was keen to explore the Great Astrolabe Reef, one of the world's largest barrier reefs, which surrounds the island. That information has clearly been passed on. This seamless service soon becomes one of my favourite things about Kokomo. Mind you, my list of favourite things about Kokomo is a long one.

There are the staff, who are always looking for ways to help. I lose track of the number of times that, while walking to my villa, a staff member driving an electric buggy stops to ask, "Can I take you somewhere?" I rarely take them up on the offer; I really enjoy the walk through the lush landscapes, dense with bougainvilleas and spider lilies, elephant ears and hibiscus.

The villas are also on my list. My one-bedroom beachfront villa measures a massive 117 square metres and includes both indoor and outdoor showers and a bath big enough to host a party in. The villa is fronted by a huge deck complete with swimming pool, deck chairs, daybeds and more. I love falling asleep to the sound of waves washing on the shore almost as much as I love stepping from my room onto the beach every morning.

The beach, that's also on the list. So is the reef. Each time I go snorkelling I am amazed by the multicoloured corals and the plentiful fish life. We snorkel over canyons of huge plate corals and around bommies crowded with brilliantly hued corals, all purple and green, orange and red. We see parrotfish and pufferfish, clownfish and wrasse, turtles and reef sharks. All of this is just a 15- minute boat ride from shore, and there are no other snorkellers in sight.

Then there is the food. Kokomo is an intimate resort – apart from the 21 beachfront villas, there are just six residences, designed for families – but there are plenty of dining options. Asian flavours are on the menu at the beachcomber-styled Walker de Plank – or they would be, if there were a menu. Instead, chef Caroline asks what you feel like eating, and then offers you a number of options. If you feel like fresh reef fish, for instance, you might want to have it served in a curry, in a stir-fry or straight from the grill.

Chef Anthony Healy dishes up more formal meals at the Beach Shack, where superb multicourse menus feature dishes such as pork belly and cockles, and poached egg with truffled potato puree and brik pastry. Then there is the Poolside Cabana, which dishes up superior pizzas that can also be delivered to your room. Alternatively, you might ask the staff to organise a private dinner in one of several secret spots around the island.

Most of the island's activities centre on the water, from snorkelling and diving to fishing, kayaking and paddle boarding. However, the staff are happy to tailor activities to your interests. One guest tells me that, after chatting with the trainer at the gym, she was invited to have an impromptu boxing lesson. Another guest admires the beautifully crafted shell hangings that decorate the resort, and is offered the opportunity to make one herself.

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Me, I ask about the food – specifically, where the island sources its ingredients – and get invited on a fascinating tour of the 2.5-hectare gardens, which supply everything from bananas to eggs, courtesy of some the newly arrived free-range chickens. There are even vanilla vines planted on a terraced hillside.

Kokomo would be my pick for a romantic escape, but it is equally well set up for families. There is a terrific kids' club, and each of the sprawling residences – which have up to six bedrooms – come complete with chef, nanny and butler. When billionaire developer Lang Walker announced he was going to build Kokomo, he said he wanted to deliver the best resort in Fiji. He may just have achieved his goal.

TRIP NOTES

MORE

traveller.com.au/fiji

kokomoislandfiji.com

FLY

Virgin Australia, Fiji Airways, Qantas and Jetstar all fly to Nadi. A 45-minute flight by seaplane or helicopter takes you to Kokomo. See virginaustralia.com, fijiairways.com, qantas.com, jetstar.com

STAY

A one-bedroom beachfront villa costs $US1995 a night, which includes all meals, non-alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi laundry and island activities. See kokomoislandfiji.com

Ute Junker was a guest of Kokomo Private Island.

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