A Sun-Soaked Escape to Fiji’s Coral Coast

A Sun-Soaked Escape to Fiji’s Coral Coast

Salt air in our hair, skin warm from the sun, and days that unfolded as slowly as the tide. Just two hours from Nadi lies a coastline often overlooked by travelers. The Coral Coast is less crowded, more secluded, and feels like a true escape — with mornings swimming in turquoise waters and sunsets spent horse riding along the beach. 

 

Day One: Arrival in Nadi

Our first night began at the Sheraton, where balconies overlook palm trees and the ocean. The perfect way to slow into Fiji’s rhythm and my favourite stay in Nadi. 

 

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For dinner, as a local, my favourite spot is always Cardo’s in the marina, just a few minutes from the Sheraton. It’s relaxed, warm, and the kind of place where the staff remember your face. The garlic butter mussels are to die for — rich, buttery, and the dish I order every single time. Pair them with their famous frozen chilly margaritas and watch the marina glow as the sun dips.

The next morning started with the Sheraton’s breakfast buffet — tropical fruit, fresh pastries, and, unexpectedly, a chance meeting with Serena and Jana from Love Island. Fiji has a way of turning the ordinary into stories.

Day 2 : Driving to Coral Coast

Leaving the bustle of Nadi behind, we took the two-hour drive down to the Coral Coast — a stretch of winding roads that trace the shoreline, with glimpses of turquoise lagoons and village life along the way. The further you go, the quieter it feels, until the crowds thin and it’s just you, the reef, and the horizon.

Where we stayed :

Our stay was at Maui Palms, the smallest 5-star resort in Fiji. With only a handful of villas, it feels intimate, almost like your own private retreat. The staff are warm and attentive, paying close attention to the smallest details that make your stay feel personal. Because it’s so small, it’s peaceful in a way the larger resorts can’t match — quiet mornings with only the sound of the reef, and nights that feel like you have the whole coastline to yourself. 

Just minutes from our villa, the Maui jetty became our favourite spot on the coast. In the warmth of the afternoon we stretched out by the boats, sunbathing between swims in the reef-protected shallows. Along the jetty, locals set up small stalls with fresh coconuts, cracked open on the spot — sweet, cold, and the perfect refresh after hours in the sun. Horse riding is also available right from the jetty. Even if you have zero experience, the locals will guide you every step of the way. And if you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, you can simply take a picture with the horses against the ocean backdrop — a moment as special as the ride itself.

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Day 3 : Cloud 9

For our final full day, we set off to Cloud 9, Fiji’s famous floating bar anchored in the middle of the Pacific. It’s an easy day trip whether you’re staying along the Coral Coast or back in Nadi — boats depart from Port Denarau with morning and afternoon transfers, making it a perfect last adventure before heading home.

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Once you arrive, time doesn’t feel the same. The bar floats above turquoise shallows, with two decks to spread out on. Hours slip away between jumping from the second story into the ocean, snorkeling over coral gardens, and drying off with cocktails in hand. A wood-fired pizza on the deck, salty skin still drying in the sun, tastes better than any meal could on land.

On the way back, the boat slowed at a sandbank — a stretch of white sand surrounded by nothing but turquoise sea. We stepped into the shallows, lazed around, and sunbathed in the clear water, the horizon stretching endlessly in every direction. It felt like our own private island. On the boat ride back, dolphins swam alongside us, keeping pace as the sun dropped low — Fiji’s way of making sure the memory stays.

Before flying home, we returned to Nadi for one last celebration. We ended the night with a girls’ night out at Havana, a new nightclub that quickly became our favourite. The space is spread across three floors, each offering a different vibe, from island beats to international tracks. The staff were so friendly, and the DJs even played our song requests — turning the night into one that felt like it was just for us.

 For the Duende girls, Fiji wasn’t just an escape — it was a reminder of why we design the way we do. Clothes that move with the tide, that glow in the sun, and that dance until dawn. Pieces made for moments like these, where salt air, laughter, and freedom are all you need.