Lurking off the southern Coral Coast of Viti Levu, Beqa Island rises from the centre of its magical lagoon, green and lush and unspoilt. Despite being so close to Suva, Beqa (pronounced Ben-ga) has no roads, no towns and only a few scattered and isolated villages. Rocky verdant headlands jut out into the calm waters of Beqa Lagoon, embracing sandy bays filled with coral wonderlands.

It is on one of these headlands that you can find Beqa Lagoon Resort. The resort's bures are spread through the garden and along the shore line amongst neatly tended gardens, with access to two beaches, either side of the point. The main restaurant and reception area is located by the pool and fish pond, with views across the sea to Viti Levu.

Tucked amongst the coconut palms, just a few yards back from the beach, the beachfront bures are elegantly finished with rattan & bamboo and decorated with colorful fabric and local works of art. Every beachfront bure has its own spacious courtyard with a plunge pool and bamboo fence to ensure your privacy. The Honeymoon bure also has a romantic outdoor shower. Inside are spectacular en suite marble-lined bathrooms, king sized beds, and sitting rooms with double bed and chairs . The verandah has a table, lounge chairs and a lovely view of the beach and sea beyond. A few yards' walk towards the beach,and you will find a cozy hammock to flop down in with a good book.

The resort's 1000 square foot 2-bedroom bures are perfect for families; air-conditioned with bathroom and shower room, the upstairs units have a balcony and downstairs have verndahs.

Just behind the resort the land slopes gently upwards to lush rainforest. A short hike up the hillside, you will find yourself at the base of an impressive waterfall. After cooling off a bit in the pool you can hike further up the path. And right at sunset you hit the top of the trail where you can look out over the entire lagoon. With a little more ambition and time you could hike to the top of the mountain where you can see the entire island from one place.

Beqa's diving is a mixture of patch reefs and pinnacles within the lagoon, and deeper walls with passing pelagics on the out sideof the main reef. Soft corals flourish in the clear water, the lagoon flushed twice daily by the tides. The inner lagoon dives are gentle, shallow and easy, while some of the passes are more challenging on a fast tide. 20 minutes across the open sea to Pacific Harbour and you can dive with the bull sharks and tiger sharks of Shark Reef.

Beqa offers excellent value for money in a private and remote setting, but at the same time accessible from the mainland. A few days at Beqa tie in very neatly with the Fiji Aggressor, which docks at Suva.