Things to Do (Aside from Yoga!)

In between the yoga sessions there’s time to relax and laze by the pool – or there’s a wealth of things to do and places to explore, both inside and outside Daku. You can climb a mountain, visit a pearl farm, snorkel the fantastic coral reefs, go diving, watch tapa (traditional bark cloth) being made, sip a cocktail… You can be lazy or active just as you choose. Here’s a snapshot of what you can do:

Snorkeling: Savusavu has some of Fiji’s best snorkelling, with hard and soft coral reefs, multicoloured fish, marine invertebrates –all to be seen in our clear warm seas. You can hire our boat to get to the reef ($35 each – and about 15/30 minutes away depending which site you visit) or take a cab 4 km down the road and clamber over the stones on the beach and swim out to Split Rock. You can even snorkel the small reef directly outside Daku – not as spectacular as the main reef but still very pleasant. www.snorkelinginfiji.com

Diving: if you have a PADI Openwater certificate, you can go SCUBA diving with some of the world’s best dive operators based in Savusavu. We’re 40 minutes from Namena Marine Reserve, one of Fiji’s outstanding dive spots. And of course you can always think about staying on for a few days after the yoga course and getting your certificate if you don’t already have it. Have a look at our dive specials at www.divinginfiji.info.

Hiking: take a stroll, take a hike…turn left out of our drive and it’s 5 km to the end of the road and the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort; turn right and its 1.5 km into Savusavu. Go back behind Daku and up our road which goes right up the mountain and through some beautiful rain trees for a steep, sweaty and rewarding 3 km hike. You’ll need a pair of trainers and a bottle of water for this one.If you go at first light, you should see some of the bird life – have a look at Daku Bird Watching Tours for more on this.

Beachcombing: our beaches are very tidal – at high tide they disappear, whilst at low tide they spread out in a wide sweep of sandy shore and reef flats. Go fossicking for broken coral, shells and driftwood. Take a pair of reef shoes and a picnic to Devodara beach 10 km away, where you can explore the reef at low tide – hundreds of brittle star fish, a few blue starfish, the occasional eel and even a shy sea snake.

Tapa making: Tapa is the traditional Fijian decorated bark cloth used for ceremonial occasions. One of our staff, Mereoni Tadulala, has kept up the tradition and is pleased to show you how she beats out the bark, dries it and then paints it with colours made from mangrove roots. It’s a very Zen hour of watching her slowly build up the decorations to a finished piece.

Massage: every yoga course has a free half hour spa massage session – and nearly everyone goes back for more later in the week. ($60 / $70)

Pearl Farm: Savusavu Bay is home to J.Hunter Pearls who grow and sell their range of beautiful black, gold and green pearls. They will show you how they insert the bead into the oyster and create the colour, and they’ll take you out in their glass bottomed boat to look at the oyster ropes – you can take along a snorkel and have a close look. And of course they sell them in their shop – they are premium priced but make a unique and beautiful piece of jewellery by which to remember your trip. (Pearl Farm visit: $25)

Shopping in Savusavu: the nearby town of Savusavu is 1.5 km away – a 25 minute walk or a 4 minute (and FJ$3) cab ride. It’s a quaint friendly little place where you will never be hassled or pressed to buy. Go and see the local fruit and vegetable market; visit the handicraft store; inspect the paintings and jewellery and handicrafts at the shops in the Copra Shed – and stop in for an excellent fruit smoothie at the Captain’s Cafe. Buy a brightly coloured sulu or have a shirt made at the local tailor’s. Have a drink at the Yacht Club or the Planter’s Club.

Boat trips: you can hire our boat to take a trip across the bay to the little white sand beach of Mutuku, or the black sand beach of Valaga Bay. Take a picnic, snorkel and mask and spin out half a day enjoying the South Pacific. (FJ$80 -150 depending on numbers.)

Or just lie by the pool… read a book in the shade of our covered deck; listen to your iPod whilst you bask in the sun; take it all at your own pace.