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I’ve always said that there are many more things to do in Fiji than just visiting the beaches, but spending time at a beautiful beach club is an absolute must while you’re on the island! And it doesn’t get any better than the Malamala Beach Club.
We have been to Fiji countless times and love it so much that we even got married here! We’ve visited almost all of the accessible surrounding islands on island tours during our travels, so you can trust us when we say that Malamala is special. We even went there during our honeymoon in Fiji with some of our wedding guests!
So if you’re looking for a sleek, modern, and beautiful beach club to visit in Fiji, make sure you read our complete guide below on visiting this slice of paradise!
Don’t have time to read the full article? Malamala Beach Club is a tropical oasis located on a private island 30 minutes from Port Denarau. To get here you will need to book a full-day or half-day tour that includes your hotel transfers, boat ride, and beach club access. Once there you can swim in the turquoise water or gorgeous infinity pool, snorkel, relax on the beach, or indulge in delicious food and cocktails!
1. About Malamala Beach Club
Malamala is a luxury beach club located on its own private island! It’s one of the more modern Fijian beach clubs, so you can expect upbeat music, a premium bar and restaurant, comfy day beds, beautiful beaches, and an infinity pool overlooking the turquoise-blue ocean!
On top of that, there are also private cabanas, Wi-Fi, sun loungers, and incredible service. You can spend the day here relaxing on the beach with a cocktail in hand taking in the amazing views – it’s paradise!
Or if you want to be a bit more active, they have plenty of water activities available. You can go snorkeling, kayaking, or even standup paddleboarding. Basically, the whole island is your playground for the day!
Not only is this unique beach club absolutely beautiful, it’s one of the easiest islands to access from the mainland (but more on that in a moment). This makes it a fantastic way to experience the beauty of the Fijian islands without having to stay overnight at a pricey resort.
Visiting Malamala Beach Club is one of the best tours in Fiji! It’s truly one of the most beautiful places we have been and we know you’ll think so too!
2. Where is Malamala Beach Club?
Malamala Beach Club is on Malamala Island. This is a small island that’s just off the western coast of Viti Levu, aka Fiji’s “mainland.” It is part of the beautiful group of islands called the Mamanuca Islands.
Since it’s a private island, the only way to get there is by boat of course! You must book a tour to visit the island which includes your round-trip ferry and beach club access. Boats to the beach club depart from Port Denarau Marina, and the tour includes free coach transfers to the port from most hotels in Denarau, Nadi, Wailoaloa, and the Coral Coast.
While there are lots of great things to do in Nadi and Denarau, they don’t have much of an “island vibe” and the Coral Coast is beautiful, but the coral beaches aren’t the most comfortable places to lounge and swim. So while you’re in this part of Fiji, it’s definitely worth hopping on a boat over to Malamala for the day. You’ll get that real Fiji island paradise experience that draws so many people here.
The boat ride to Malamala Beach Club took us about 30 minutes, which makes it one of the closest islands that you can visit from the mainland. And why waste time on a boat when you could be hanging out on a postcard-perfect beach with a cocktail in hand?!
3. How much does it cost to visit Malamala Beach Club?
It depends on whether you want to go for a half or a full day (but I would recommend the latter).
A half-day pass costs around $75 USD per person for a 4-hour trip, while a full-day pass costs $84 USD per person for 8 hours. So it’s only about $10 USD extra to spend double the amount of time there! And believe me, with so much to explore on this island paradise, you’ll want the extra time!
With limited spots on the island, you’ll want to book your day trip pass in advance to secure your spot. We love booking with Viator because they allow free cancellation or rebooking up to 24 hours before the tour in case you need to make any changes!
Related Read: Tours to Malamala are offered by South Sea Cruises. Read our review of South Sea Cruises (and other top tours they offer) here!
4. What’s included in a Malamala Beach Club pass?
The beach club pass includes access to Malamala as well as a scenic round-trip transfer via a high-speed catamaran. Coach transfers to the port are also included from most hotels.
If you book the half-day tour, it includes complimentary pick-up and drop-off from Denarau, Nadi, or Wailoaloa hotels only. If you are staying outside this area you must make your way to Port Denarau Marina to catch the boat yourself.
For the full-day tour, the $84 USD price includes round-trip transfers from most Nadi, Denarau, Wailoaloa, and Coral Coast/Momi Bay hotels or resorts. It was great not having to worry about getting to the port and having everything taken care of for us. We could all sit back and relax from start to finish!
Your beach club pass also includes towel service, so you don’t need to worry about bringing your own beach towels to the island with you. Plus, you can swap them out for fresh ones if they get too wet! You also get to use all of the island’s non-motorized water sports equipment, which means snorkeling gear, kayaks, and stand-up paddle (SUP) boards.
There’s also free Wi-Fi throughout the beach club which is handy, although you’ll probably be having too much fun to look at your phone. And finally, most of the beach chairs around the island are free, although you can reserve comfier daybeds and cabanas for a fee.
Please note that food and drinks are not included in the day club pass! So make sure you bring some extra cash (or credit card) to the island with you, because you don’t want to miss out on all the delicious options.
5. Where can you visit Malamala Beach Club from?
Both the half-day and full-day tours depart and return to the Port Denarau Marina. The Marina is only a 15-minute drive from Nadi on the main Fijian island of Viti Levu. So as long as you are staying in Nadi or the surrounding area, visiting Malamala will be simple!
The full-day tour to Malamala Beach Club offers pickup from Nadi, Denarau, Wailoaloa, and Coral Coast/Momi Bay hotels and resorts, while the half-day tour only picks up from Denarau, Nadi, or Wailoaloa hotels.
This covers a pretty broad area of western Fiji! If you’re staying elsewhere, then you’ll need to get yourself to Port Denarau at least 30 minutes before your departure time to catch the boat over to the beach club.
We also stopped by Malamala Beach Club when we took a multi-day island hopping tour. If you love easy travel, check out our top Fiji island hopping tours here!
Related Read: If you are stopping over in Fiji on your way to New Zealand (or even if you live there), check out our guide on these unique things to do in New Zealand!
6. How long do you get to spend on the island at Malamala Beach Club?
How long you get will depend on which tour option you pick.
The full-day tour departs Port Denarau at 10 am and then arrives at the island at around 10:30 am. You can then decide to leave the beach club at either 4:15 pm or 5:15 pm, and you can make your mind up about this on the day.
If you choose to leave Malamala at 4:15 pm, you get 5 hours and 45 minutes in total on the island. If you go at 5:15 pm, you get 6 hours and 45 minutes. So either way, it’s a good amount of time to enjoy the beach club!
Meanwhile, the half-day tour leaves Port Denarau for the island at 12 pm. The return times are the same, so you get 2 hours less on the island and can stay for a maximum of 4 hours and 45 minutes if you take the 5:15 pm boat back to the mainland.
We took the 5:15 pm boat back and enjoyed the most beautiful Fijian sunset over the ocean. It was a great end to a perfect day!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
7. Should I reserve sunbeds at Malamala Beach Club?
Yes and no.
There are plenty of free sunbeds around, but they’re first-come, first-serve. So if you want to snag a free one, I suggest taking the full-day tour so that you get to the island early and try to get off the boat first so you can claim the sunbeds of your choice.
However, if you plan to do the half-day tour then we 100% recommend booking daybeds or cabanas. Otherwise, there might not be anywhere to sit by the time you get to the island!
Personally, we didn’t reserve any, but since we got full-day passes, we were able to get free sun beds and had plenty of room to relax. We also spent a lot of time in the infinity pool, snorkeling, and eating at the restaurant rather than lounging around, so we didn’t actually use the day beds that much.
8. What can you pre-book at Malamala Beach Club?
You can book poolside daybeds at Malamala Beach Club, which are more luxurious than the free ones, and they’re in prime locations. They’re definitely comfier and feel more like outdoor couches. You can even share one daybed between two people.
You can also book a private beachfront cabana with your own butler if you’re feeling fancy! The “Beachside Cabana” is meant for only 1-2 people, but if you’re traveling with a bigger group, you can book the “Grand Cabana”, which accommodates up to 8 people. And if you require even more space there’s a “Deluxe Grand Cabana” which fits 8-20 people!
If you want to reserve some of these amenities, you’ll first need to book your Malamala Beach Club passes. Then, once you get your booking confirmation, you can message Malamala through Viator to book the day beds in advance. Prices for a reserved daybed cost between $60-$75 FJD ($27-$34 USD), while the cabanas cost anywhere from $100-$350 FJD ($45- $155 USD) depending on the size.
9. Are children allowed at Malamala Beach Club?
Yes, they are! We think this is a great activity for the whole family. There were many children when we were there having lots of fun playing in the sand and splashing in the waves.
Children of all ages are welcome, and infants aged 0-2 years are free of charge. While children 3 and up actually cost the same as adults at $84 USD for the full-day pass and $75 USD for the half-day pass.
Please note that there is no Kids Club or lifeguards present on the island.
10. Is the snorkeling good at Malamala Beach Club?
Yes! We saw sea turtles, lots of fish, and even small reef sharks, which was pretty awesome. I really enjoyed it, and I definitely recommend making use of the complimentary snorkeling equipment while you’re here.
There is even a dock out into the ocean with stairs that provide easy access to the reef so you don’t have to swim all the way out there if you don’t want to.
However, you don’t even need to snorkel to see marine life. We saw a few small reef sharks from the shore!
Related Read: If you’d rather level up your experience, check out our tips on booking a shark dive in Fiji!
11. Should you book the Malamala half-day pass?
No, personally I don’t think that it’s worth it.
The half-day pass is only $10 USD cheaper than the full-day one. Arriving at the island later than the other guests means that you have almost zero chance of getting a free daybed, so you’ll either have nowhere to sit or end up paying for a daybed. This actually makes the half-day tour more expensive than the full-day one, so it makes no sense to me!
Plus, there is so much to do on this tropical island that I guarantee you would wish you had more time here to enjoy it. We did the full-day tour and I still didn’t want to leave at the end of the day!
Related Read: If you’re looking for another fun experience while in Fiji, we loved our visit to the Fiji Culture Village!
12. Are food and drinks expensive on the island?
As you would expect, prices on the island are a bit more expensive than on the mainland. I mean, it’s a private island, so they’ve got a captive market! However, we actually found them to be reasonable by Fijian standards, and we had no complaints about the food and drinks.
For example, they had a special offer of 5 specialty cocktails for $99 FJD ($44 USD), and the drinks were amazing! Meanwhile, main courses at the restaurant were around $35 FJD ($16 USD) a piece, and desserts were around $18 FJD ($8 USD).
Given the beautiful setting, we felt like the prices were absolutely worth it. You can definitely still have a great time at Malamala even if you are visiting Fiji on a budget.
13. Is Malamala Beach Club the best island tour in Fiji?
If you’re looking for a fun, modern beach club close enough for a day trip from Port Denarau, then yes!
However, if you’re looking for a more rustic, laid-back vibe, then South Sea Island might be a better choice. It’s also around a 30-minute boat ride from Port Denarau.
We’ve visited tons of beach clubs and small islands in Fiji, and Malamala definitely stands out as one of our favorites. We’ve also been to Nadi Tivua Island, Seventh Heaven, and Cloud 9.
Nadi Tivua was really good, but I found it was too far from Port Denarau, whereas Malamala is much closer, so you get to spend more time enjoying the island.
Meanwhile, Seventh Heaven and Cloud 9 are both a lot of fun, but they’re not actually islands. They’re floating platforms out at sea, so they’re very cool, but you don’t get the same beach scenery. It’s nice to experience both (and we wrote this review comparing Seventh Heaven and Cloud 9 to help you decide!). I would recommend visiting one private island beach club and one floating beach club while you’re in Fiji.
Where to Stay in Fiji
There are so many great areas to stay around Fiji. You can choose to stay on the main island of Viti Levu or venture out to the smaller surrounding islands. With so many choices, it can be hard to narrow it down. To help, these are my top picks for each area in Fiji that fit a range of budgets.
Nadi – The Ramada
Located right on Wailoaloa Beach, the Ramada Suites by Wyndham is the most luxurious hotel in this area. It features an exclusive pool and restaurant for guest use only. It is the tallest building in the area offering incredible views of the coastline and sunsets!
Because of its close proximity to the airport (only a 15-minute drive), many people stay here for a night before or after their flight. It’s a good place to spend some time before catching a ferry out to an island. A King Studio Room with a sea view goes for around $200 USD. Check availability and book a stay at the Ramada here!
Port Denarau – Radisson Blu Fiji Resort
The Radisson Blu Resort is just stunning, and for what you get, the price is very reasonable too. This resort is just huge offering tons of activities for both families as well as couples. There is an adults-only pool as well as an area specifically for kids. It is beachfront and offers spa services as well.
Rooms here start from around $400 USD per night and range from standard hotel-style rooms with king beds or two queens, up to two-bedroom suites. Some rooms feature courtyard views while others have a view of the lagoon. All rooms have a balcony and minibar. Check availability and prices at the Radisson Blue Resort here!
Yasawa Islands – Barefoot Manta Island Resort
Barefoot Manta Island Resort is perfect for those wanting a real island getaway experience without paying huge amounts of money. Surrounded by a vibrant protected coral reef, this is the best place to go for ocean lovers. You can even swim with manta rays just off the shore from May-October!
You can easily get to Barefoot Manta Island Resort on the Yasawa Flyer ferry that departs Port Denarau regularly. The ride should take about 3 hours.
They offer dorm beds for only $29 USD a night. There are also private beachfront bungalows available starting at around $200 USD per night. Check prices and availability for Barefoot Manta Island Resort here!
Mamanuca Islands – Beachcomber Island Resort
Beachcomber Island Resort is one of the most popular island resorts to stay in Fiji. Its affordable pricing mixed with its close proximity to Viti Levu make it one of the best places to stay in Fiji. You can reach the Beachcomber Resort from Port Denarau by riding the Yasawa Flyer ferry. The ride should take about 2 hours.
There are many different rooms and bungalows to choose from – something for every budget! Remember all these prices also include ALL your meals. Dorm beds go for as little as $60 USD per night, whereas you can get a standard twin room for $225 USD. Check prices and availability at Beachcomber Island Resort here!
Coral Coast – Maui Palms
Mixing beach life and luxury, the Maui Palms is perfect for those wanting a bit of pampering on their holiday. There are lots of on-site activities and the snorkeling right in front of the resort is great. Expect an infinity pool, games room, bar, restaurant, and beautiful ocean-view villas with private balconies!
The location on the Coral Coast means you don’t need a boat to get there but can still experience some of the tranquility and beautiful beaches you might find on the smaller islands. There are also a few restaurants nearby, so you won’t be confined to the hotel.
Rooms and villas here start at around $250 USD and up. Check prices and availability for the Maui Palms here!
If you’re looking for more info about where to stay in Fiji, be sure to read our blog. It includes detailed info on each area, the best things to do nearby, prices, getting to hotels, and so much more.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
There you have it, everything you need to know about visiting the gorgeous Malamala Beach Club. I hope you found the answers you needed and are ready to book this great day trip. We had a fantastic time soaking in the island vibes and we know you will too!
If you found this guide helpful, then take a peek at our other Fiji blogs, including some favorites below:
12 Things to Know BEFORE Visiting Castaway Island, Fiji (Our Review!)
13 BEST Things to do in Suva – A Guide to Exploring Fiji’s Capital City