Down In Kokomo

A new private island resort in Fiji aims to rewrite the rules of barefoot luxury

- Eliza O'Hare

THE BEST THING ABOUT KOKOMO ISLAND in Fiji? Just everything. There are few places that can match the pure, lush spectacle of Fiji at any time, but this new resort, created by property developer Lang Walker (“I thought I would give it one year and $10 million; it’s been six years and $130 million,” he says of the project) is a game changer. Walker has thrown his half-century of experience in global property development and his accrued standards in luxury travel (they’re pretty high) at the island, and it’s that killer combination that gives Kokomo a point of difference amid Fiji’s wash of primal beauty and flat-out indulgence. This is a whole new level of South Pacific magnificence. And it’s just four hours from Sydney or Brisbane.

Here it is. Yaukuve Island, the island Kokomo sits on, is part of the Kadavu group, the southernmost cluster of islands in Fiji. These are quite different from the sandy cays to the north of the mainland, Viti Levu. They’re volcanic, which makes them dramatically beautiful and, in many places, elevated, affording majestic views over neighbouring islands and reefs. It also means you’re likely to catch balmy Pacific trade winds to soften hotter days. The Kadavus are encircled by the majestic Great Astrolabe Reef, the fourth largest in the world, which creates a natural lagoon around the islands. Marlin, tuna, and mahi mahi are all found here, as well as a cacophony of wondrous tropical species, which is why the Dive Shack on Kokomo has taken priority. Jale Valentine, who heads Kokomo Dive Team, has been diving for 17 years and grew up on Taveuni Island (near Kokomo’s closest competitor, Laucala Island, owned by Red Bull’s Dietrich Mateschitz). Diving the Astrolabe Reef is bucket-list stuff, and included in your stay at Kokomo.