Have you ever dreamed of a perfect honeymoon getaway if money’s no object ?� Well, your dream can come true if you head down to Dolphin Island in Fiji.

Dolphin Island is a magical private island paradise just a 10 minute cruise off the Fijian mainland. Surrounded by crystal-clear, turquoise water, wafted by soft sea breezes with beautiful sunsets, and framed by palm trees, a Dolphin Island honeymoon has to be the ultimate honeymoon if you can afford to go there in the first place!

Dolphin Island

On Dolphin Island there are just two dwellings or Bures sitting side by side, both built using elements of traditional Fijian architecture and design. Being on an exclusive-use basis, you will be the only guests on the island at any one time. The maximum guest numbers is four couples.

The two Bures on Dolphin island

The two Bures are built up off the ground with wide spacious verandas to maximise the sea breezes and face the setting sun. One Bure is purely for dining and relaxing, whilst the other one has two completely separate double suites �with private bathrooms.

Unwind in this relaxing getaway

Both structures are air conditioned and utterly comfortable with views out to sea.

The bures have wooden beams hewn from local trees, and a dark local cloth covers the walls. The furniture is handcrafted.

Traditional Fijian warmth and hospitality is provided by the host couple Stanley and Dawn Simpson. They will look after you as little or as much as you want ensuring a supply of delicious meals, drinks and a cocktail (or two) are presented according to your taste. They have knowledge of Dolphin Island and the surrounding South Pacific ocean and coral reefs which you may explore using the lodge�s snorkelling equipment, kayak and catamaran. At low tide, try walking around the entire edge of the island for a close observation of reef life and remains of ancient Fijian fishing pools. A picnic area and sleep out room exist at the opposite side of the island where there is also a sandy beach with loungers for sunbathing.

To get to Dolphin Island, you have to get to Fiji first, which is an eleven-hour flight from Los Angeles, but only four hours from Auckland, Sydney, and Brisbane.

The least expensive option to get to Dolphin Island from Fiji is a two-hour drive around the coast to Rakiraki, followed by a 10 minute boat trip. Alternatively you can use helicopter or seaplane but these are expensive options.

Sounds great?� Then be prepared to cough up NZD $2,950 �per day for one guest or two on a double room basis.

Have you ever heard of Socotra Island? I bet you haven’t. The name Socotra is derived from a Sanscrit name meaning “The Island of Bliss”. Socotra is like an island from the Lost World, millions of years old. Known for decades as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean, it is the world’s tenth richest island for endemic plant species. It is the biggest and the most beautiful island in the Middle East, 125 kilometers in length and 45 kilometers across. Everything is strangely different on the island: wildlife, nature, flora and fauna and the� bizarre rock formations.

Socotra Island.....the Lost World

Amazing Socotra Island Scene

The island’s landscape is one of contrasts with isolated nature preserves and picturesque sandy beaches.� If you walk around the island, you feel yourself being transported into a whole new world….like a world that you see in fantasy movies…or some of you may feel that you have travelled back in time to a different era. The island is teeming with 700 over extremely rare species of flora and fauna, about one third of which are endemic and can be found nowhere else in the world!

Stunning!

What A Sight!

What an unusual landscape!

The plants look so alien, like a science fiction creation. Probably the most famous plant is the Dracena Cinnibaris or Dragon’s Blood Tree.� The branches spread out and appear like a flying saucer hovering over the landscape.

Dragon's Blood Tree

Weird Looking Trees!

How Beautiful!

There is another weird plant known as adenium obesium or the Desert Rose. Doesn’t� the trunk look like an elephant leg?

The Desert Rose

Looks like a giant species of our local "fook kui hua"

The plant's roots seem to penetrate into bare rocks!

I am lost for words!

That looks like the lower torso of a man diving.

This is the “butcha” vegetable.

Looks like an ancient jar to me!

And this is the dendrosicyos socotranum or the Cucumber Tree……..doesn’t it look weird?

Cucumber Tree

The island has been declared a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO. Although the island has over 40,000 inhabitants, there are almost no roads on the island.� The island is geared towards eco-tourism and sustaining the local economy and way of life.

Paradise?

Di Gob Cave

Seeking shelter under giant umbrella?

Welcome to Dream World!

The island is a bird paradise with over 180 species of birds, 6 of which are not found anywhere else in the world.

Bird Paradise

Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis

If you are into diving, you should try the diving spots of the island. There are interesting shipwrecks for you to explore apart from the usual coral reefs and bountiful fishes.

Shipwrecks awaiting your exploration

Oh gosh……what a paradise.