Sau Bay Resort and Spa

Sau Bay Resort & Spa is an intimate, dive-focused hideaway tucked inside a sheltered bay near Taveuni, placing guests within minutes of Fiji’s world-famous Rainbow Reef and the Great White Wall. The resort combines small‑group luxury diving, oceanfront and oceanview bures, a waterfront spa, and access to a rich house reef, making it ideal for serious divers and ocean‑centric travelers looking for an all‑inclusive style experience in a quiet, natural setting.

Summary
Sau Bay Resort & Spa sits on over 100 acres of private rainforest fringing a calm, protected bay, with all bures positioned either directly on the water or with elevated ocean views just steps from the beach and house reef. The property markets itself around small‑group luxury diving, high‑end mattresses and linens, personalized service, and easy access to Rainbow Reef, with on‑site PADI training and a dedicated nitrox facility designed for serious divers. Guests can expect a boutique feel, attentive staff, and all‑inclusive style packages that bundle accommodation, meals, diving, and non‑motorized water activities into a streamlined stay.

Location
Sau Bay Resort & Spa is located on Na Sau Bay, off the southeastern side of Vanua Levu, reached most commonly via Taveuni or Savusavu in Fiji’s northern region. Guests typically fly into Taveuni (Matei Airport, often listed as TVU) or Savusavu (SVU), then transfer by vehicle and boat to the resort, with the bay’s sheltered position offering calm approach conditions. The resort emphasizes being reachable from both Savusavu and Taveuni while still feeling remote and removed from busier tourist hubs.
Airport transfers are usually arranged directly through the resort or via partner operators and may involve a combination of road and boat segments; final routing depends on the arrival airport and flight schedule. Advance coordination is recommended so boat transfers line up with domestic flights, especially for afternoon or evening arrivals.

Highlights
Boutique dive resort in a secluded bay, around 5 minutes by boat from Rainbow Reef and the Somosomo Strait.
Fiji’s first PADI Eco Center with an on‑site PADI dive operation, small‑group diving focus, and a dedicated nitrox system.
All bures are oceanfront or oceanview and set within tropical gardens, with easy access to a rich house reef suitable for shore snorkeling and diving.
Waterfront spa, private oceanfront dining pavilion, and chef‑driven cuisine featuring fresh local produce and seafood.
Complimentary in‑room Wi‑Fi, air‑conditioning in most bures, and thoughtful in‑room touches like French press coffee, a stocked minibar, and turndown service.
Total room inventory is small (a handful of bures and villas), allowing for a quiet atmosphere, personalized dive planning, and flexible scheduling.
Easy access to drift dives, soft coral gardens, manta encounters (seasonal), and signature sites such as the Great White Wall.

Quick reference (for divers):
Dive center: On‑site PADI Eco Center with full dive shop and training.
Total rooms: A compact mix of Deluxe Oceanfront, Two Bedroom Oceanfront, a Luxury Tented “Treehouse” and a Luxury Oceanview Bure.
Wi‑Fi: Complimentary in rooms and common areas.
Nitrox: Available via a modern nitrox facility (surcharge applies).
Nearest airports: Taveuni (TVU) and Savusavu (SVU), reached via domestic flights from Nadi.
Transfers: Boat/road combinations arranged from both Taveuni and Savusavu.
House reef: Yes – accessible from shore for snorkeling and supervised diving.

Resort Facilities and Features
The resort layout emphasizes privacy, with bures spaced among manicured tropical gardens along the waterfront and in slightly elevated positions facing the bay. Guests have direct access to the beach and house reef, with most shared facilities – restaurant, bar, spa, dive center – clustered near the shoreline for easy movement between eating, relaxing, and diving.
Facilities include a waterfront spa, on‑site dining pavilion, bar, lounge areas, dive center, equipment storage, and walking trails into the surrounding rainforest. Non‑motorized watersports such as kayaks and stand‑up paddleboards are generally available on an unlimited basis for in‑bay exploring when conditions permit.

Itineraries
A typical diver’s stay can be structured around morning and afternoon boat dives, with optional night or blackwater dives depending on conditions and guest interest. Guests often schedule 7‑night or longer stays to combine Rainbow Reef dives with downtime in the spa, cultural experiences, and time exploring the resort’s rainforest acreage.
Sample day pattern (flexible by conditions):
Morning: Breakfast followed by a two‑tank boat dive on Rainbow Reef or nearby walls.
Afternoon: Third dive or excursion, plus snorkeling or kayaking on the house reef.
Evening: Sunset drinks, dinner, and optional night or blackwater dive on selected nights.

Additional Information
The resort positions itself as suitable for certified divers, couples, and small groups seeking a quiet atmosphere; children are generally welcomed only above a certain age, maintaining a calm setting for most of the year.
The resort partners with local communities and promotes eco‑initiatives through its PADI Eco Center designation, along with complimentary eco‑focused activities such as reef talks and guided nature walks. Some activities, particularly spa services and certain paid excursions, carry additional charges and should be booked on site or in advance through Apex Ocean Travel.

Currency: Fijian dollars (FJD), with major international credit cards commonly used for on‑site purchases and incidentals. Guests arriving with other currencies can typically exchange money or withdraw local currency in larger towns before transferring to the resort, as there are no banks in Na Sau Bay itself.

Electrical Outlets: The resort follows Fiji’s standard electrical system, using 240V power and Type I outlets (the same three‑pin angled configuration used in Australia and New Zealand), so travelers from North America and much of Europe will need appropriate plug adapters and, if necessary, a voltage converter for incompatible devices.

Time Zone: Fiji operates on Fiji Time (FJT), which is UTC +12, with seasonal adjustments sometimes bringing the offset to UTC +13 during daylight savings periods.

Language: English is widely spoken at the resort, as it is one of Fiji’s official languages, and most staff will also speak Fijian (iTaukei) and often Fiji Hindi, allowing for smooth communication with international visitors as well as local partners and communities

Number of Rooms
Sau Bay operates as a boutique property with a small number of bures and villas, including:
Deluxe Oceanfront Bures (single‑bedroom units)
Deluxe Oceanfront Two Bedroom Bure (villa‑style unit)
Luxury Tented “Treehouse” Bure
Luxury Oceanview Bure
The limited total inventory helps maintain low diver‑to‑guide ratios and an uncrowded feel around the property and dive boats. For exact room count at time of booking, please confirm with Apex Ocean Travel as inventory may change with upgrades or additions.

House Reef Availability
The resort fronts a protected bay with a fringing reef that functions as a convenient house reef, reachable directly from shore or via a short paddle. Guests often snorkel the bay independently and can arrange guided shore dives or check‑out dives with the on‑site dive team, conditions and experience level permitting. The sheltered nature of the bay typically provides calmer water than open‑coast sites, making it suitable for relaxed exploring between boat dives.

Dive Shop Location
Sau Bay’s dive operation and PADI training center are located on site at the resort, close to the main jetty and boat boarding area. The setup includes compressor and nitrox systems, gear storage, rinse tanks, and briefing spaces, allowing guests to walk from their bure to the dive center in just a few minutes.
The resort is recognized as Fiji’s first PADI Eco Center and runs a full spectrum of PADI courses from beginner through advanced specialties, subject to instructor availability. This integration of rooms, dining, and dive shop under one property simplifies logistics for both individual divers and groups.

Seasons
Fiji’s northern region generally experiences warm tropical conditions year‑round, with subtle changes in rainfall, water temperature, and plankton levels influencing diving.
Dry season (approx. May–October): Cooler air and water temperatures with generally clearer water and slightly reduced rainfall; often considered prime time for visibility.
Wet season (approx. November–April): Warmer air and sea temperatures, higher rainfall, and a greater chance of storms, which can enhance soft coral blooms with added nutrients.
High season usually aligns with drier months and major holiday periods, while lower rates may be found in shoulder and wetter months; availability and pricing should always be confirmed for specific dates.

Diving
Sau Bay’s on‑site dive operation specializes in small groups, typically organizing boat loads to keep underwater encounters uncrowded and tailored to diver experience. Boats depart directly from the resort’s dock, with Rainbow Reef sites reachable in roughly 5–15 minutes depending on conditions and specific site choice.
Standard offerings include guided fun dives, PADI training, night dives, and – for experienced divers – blackwater dives held offshore in deep water without a reef bottom, showcasing pelagic and vertical‑migrating species. Surface intervals may take place back at the resort or on the boat depending on site and schedule.

Dive Sites
The headline attraction is Rainbow Reef, known for its dense soft coral coverage, color contrasts, and combination of walls, bommies, and channels influenced by tidal flows of the Somosomo Strait. Signature sites accessible from Sau Bay include the Great White Wall (famous for white soft corals visible on specific current and lighting windows) and several other reefs with varied current profiles suitable for intermediate to advanced drift diving.

Many sites offer moderate depths suitable for recreational limits, though some areas can feature stronger currents; the dive team selects sites daily based on tides, experience levels, and conditions. Macro life, reef fish density, and healthy hard and soft corals make the area attractive to photographers across skill levels.

Diving Facilities
The dive center includes:
On‑site compressors and a dedicated nitrox system.
Gear storage, rinse tanks, and drying areas close to the jetty.
A small fleet of purpose‑built dive boats equipped with safety gear and shade.
Briefing and debriefing spaces, plus support for camera handling and basic troubleshooting.
Rental equipment is available for those not traveling with full kit, with separate pricing for BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, computers, and specialty accessories. A camera‑friendly setup and access to blackwater dives make this a strong option for underwater photographers.

Land Activities
On land, guests can explore rainforest trails within the resort’s private 100‑acre property, participate in cultural experiences arranged with local communities, or simply relax at the spa and beach. Birdwatching, guided nature walks, and village visits are commonly offered, subject to weather and community calendar.
Non‑motorized watersports such as kayaks and stand‑up paddleboards are usually available at no extra charge, making it easy to explore the calm bay between dive sessions. Spa treatments provide a post‑dive recovery option, complementing the resort’s quiet, low‑density atmosphere.

Wildlife Encounters
Marine life around Rainbow Reef includes reef fish swarms, soft coral gardens, reef sharks, turtles, and macro species such as nudibranchs and crustaceans, with occasional pelagic visitors passing through channels. Seasonal manta ray activity is a major draw for the region, with specialized manta‑focused packages promoting a very high likelihood of in‑water encounters in peak times.
On land and in the rainforest, guests may encounter native birds, tropical plant life, and intertidal species along the shoreline. Visibility, water temperature, and specific wildlife sightings vary by time of year and daily conditions.