Malolo Lailai (Little Malolo) is 600 acres of rich volcanic land surrounded by 9.3km of pristine white sand beaches and stunning tropical reefs. The island is home to three popular resorts, a number of residential houses, a marina and yacht club, nine hole golf course, an airstip, a sheltered harbour and anchorage, a small supermarket, various boutique shops, medical centre, day spa, salon, multiple bars, cafes and restaurants, incredible people, plus a vast range of tourist facilities, activities and excursions.
Located 20km North/West off the Nadi coast of Fiji's mainland island of Viti Levu, Malolo Lailai is the most developed and second largest island of the Mamanuca Group. The larger island of Malolo lies off the northern most point of Malolo Lailai, separated by a small isthmus that can be crossed at low tide.
Malolo Lailai can be reached in 50 minutes from Port Denarau by the Malolo Cat ferry with 3 scheduled services daily
Malolo Lailai is the only freehold land in the Mamanuca Islands Group. Indeed, freehold land for tourism development is extremely rare anywhere in Fiji. This has enabled private enterprise to prosper on Malolo Lailai without the limitations with leasing from traditional landowners.
It began as an ancient caldera releasing lava like molasses folding from a spoon. Palm trees - not yet invented. The far away glaciers melted and water filled Malolo Bay seeding life with a propensity for paradise in its DNA.
The uninhabited island of Malolo Lailai was sold by Nadroga chief Ratu Kini to cotton grower John Thomson.
Thomson died four years later, and ownership passed to American entrepreneur Louis Armstrong. When Armstrong went bankrupt, the island reverted to the Mortgage Agency of Australasia.
In November 1891, plantation magnate James Borron bought the island. He then granted a 70-year lease to the Chinese Wong Ket family to cultivate coconut palms and produce copra.
Richard “Dick” Smith, Reginald “Reg” Raffe, and Sir Ian MacFarlane jointly acquired Malolo Lailai, adding an airstrip, private homes, and guest lodges.
The three partners split their land holdings and Reg Raffe opened Plantation Village (now Plantation Island Resort) with ten bures.
Dick Smith focused on developing Musket Cove, then called Dick's Place, welcoming its first guests on 3 October 1975 with 12 traditional bures. The resort’s restaurant, Dick’s Place, honours him and the original name.
Sir Ian MacFarlane sold his share to Smith and Raffe. The consolidated 400 acres (162 ha) supports the original coconut plantation plus organic agriculture supplying produce to the island’s resorts.
Reg Raffe's children, Reardon, Barron, Jayson & Hannah established Lomani Resort, a boutique, adults only, luxury resort on the western point of the island.
Dick Smith lived on the island until his passing in July 2012, aged 81.
Reg Raffe passed away in January 2014 aged 89.
Everything you see on Malolo Lailai today is thanks to these two great men. Their achievements are carried forward by the next generation of Smith’s and Raffe’s who grew up on the island and continue to manifest their fathers legacies.
Malolo Lailai is home to three popular resorts.
The resorts each have their own distinct tourist markets. Their close proximity along the protected west side of the island means you can enjoy the beach front amenities and restaurants of all.
The largest is Plantation Island Resort with around 180 units. The resort is aimed primarily at families with young children. There's a daily kids club, three swimming pools, enclosed swimming lagoon and water park, 9-hole golf course, snack bar, shops and three restaurants (serving kids meals at 5pm with movies after). For kids there's a continuous stream of organised activities keeping them busy from sunrise to bedtime. The beach front is the best on the island with plenty of palm-tree shade and swimming at all tides.
The islands newest resort, Lomani Island Resort & Spa, is adjacent to Plantation with 15 spacious suites. Lomani has a no kids policy, adding peace and quiet to its sedate and luxurious atmosphere. With exquisite food, unique cocktails and 5 star service, Lomani is an experience in sophisticated leisure and tranquility.
The islands premier resort is Musket Cove Island Resort & Marina set partly along inland waterways. The lagoon bures are built with veranda's over the water and offer spacious modern living and air-conditioning. The garden Villas are larger split level accommodations and ideal for families. The beach front and garden bures are more traditional thatched roof bungalows with local vibes. The palm fringed cove overlooks a protected lagoon which drains at low tide making swimming a tidal affair. Occupying the largest part of the island and with the highest peaks and many tracks, you can spend days exploring its many beaches, grass and bush lands, plantations and facilities.