In a remote corner of the world, hidden from maps and legends, there lies a bay of otherworldly splendor. Natewa Bay is no ordinary place; from the moment I first arrived, I felt welcomed by a magical ambiance. Natewa feels like a mystical portal, where timelines and dimensions merge, shifting in and out.
On my island of Vanua Levu we have two extraordinary bays — Natewa Bay and Savusavu Bay. My Tavola Villa overlooks stunning Savusavu Bay. And just a short drive away is Natewa Bay, the largest bay in the South Pacific. There is no marine traffic in Natewa, there are no towns on her shores, and her volcanic peaks shimmer like emeralds under the sun. Because the corals shift in the bay, making navigation treacherous, you are likely to spy just a few boats — or perhaps just a single craft — when you venture out. Natewa is unlike anything I have ever experienced. It is a serene and pristine sanctuary. She’s an underwater heaven on earth.
My enthusiasm for Natewa is boundless. I have giggled with her dolphins, turned to see a manta leaping in the sun, and been the fortunate witness of baby sharks thriving in a protected nook of a sandbar. As well, the coral gardens are absolutely captivating. A kaleidoscope of neon colors is just below the surface — chartreuse greens and yellows of leather corals, electric blues of tropical fish and radiant purples of fan corals. Simply mesmerizing.
And so I was raving to guests about Natewa Bay as we bounced along the rutted track to meet Sara and Matthew of Ocean Ventures Fiji. One guest turned to me and asked, “Monica, you don’t think you’ve overpromised, do you?!”
Ooooops.
Well truthfully, I didn’t think it was possible to overpromise. After all, Natewa is ethereal. But, he did have a point, and I felt a bit chagrined. Because as a hospitality professional, we’re responsible for delivering the experience, without being so personally invested.
Off we went for our first snorkel together. Beautiful. We clambered back to the boat and devoured Sara’s yummy banana bread. Then off to the next snorkeling site. Sara and I stayed on board, and Matthew and my guests dove in for another snorkel. I had just settled into a comfy spot on the bow, drying out in the sun, when I heard a huge WHOOOOOOSH.
I bolted upright and Sara hollered, “WHALE!!!!” A breaching whale was just beyond Matthew and my guests. Honestly, so close, you could play together. One more breach and this majestic creature bid us adieu. It was incredible, and I am still in awe when I tell the story even now.
When my guest got back to the boat, he exclaimed, “You DID NOT overpromise!”
Hahaha. Natewa is otherworldly. She always delivers.
In November I’m offering back-to-back week-long retreats at Tavola. If you’re an entrepreneur, this is an exceptional opportunity to rejuvenate and reimagine. I find that the energies of Fiji transport me. It’s a place where time expands, where you’re nurtured and reset to your natural self, and where the energies of the islands ignite your creativity. Please consider joining me. I’d love the pleasure of your company. (Take a peek at an upcoming Stillness Retreat in Fiji.)
And yes, we will be going to magical and mystical Natewa Bay. She is truly a portal — a living remnant of a paradise that whispers to those who listen, that beckons to those who seek the sublime, and where the beauty of the natural world meets the enchantment of the divine.
