How Much Does a Fiji Island Holiday Cost for a Family of Four?
The total Fiji island holiday cost can vary considerably depending on the resort, room category, meals and transfers. The room rate is only part of the equation. Once you add meals, taxes and ferry transfers, the gap between two resorts can run into thousands of dollars.
In this guide, I compare Plantation Island Resort and Castaway Island Fiji for a family of four, two adults and two children aged 6 and 11, to see what a seven-night stay actually costs and what you get for your money.
Prices were checked in October 2026 for a seven-night stay in July 2027.
In this guide
The quick answer: what a week costs for a family of four
Total for the week | Plantation | Castaway |
Entry room | Garden Room: FJ$8,415 (A$5,386) | Island Bure: ~FJ$17,735 (~A$11,350) |
Beachfront | Beachfront Bure: FJ$13,420 (A$8,589) | South Beach Bure: ~FJ$21,075 (~A$13,490) |
2 adults + children aged 6 and 11 | 7 nights | room + three meals a day + island ferry + Nadi–Denarau transfer
A few things to know
Plantation assumes both children qualify for Kids Eat Free and the free Malolo Cat offer on eligible sailings.
Castaway includes an estimated 17.5% allowance for VAT and Tourism Services Tax.
Flights, drinks and activities are extra.
Plantation vs Castaway: what's the difference?
Plantation Island Resort | Castaway Island, Fiji | |
Overall feel | Larger, lively and very family focused | Smaller, quieter and more polished |
Accommodation | Broad range from Garden Rooms to Beachfront Bures | 65 traditional freestanding bures |
Best for | Families wanting lots of facilities, activities and value | Families wanting a more intimate island resort feel |
Dining | Several casual restaurants and bars | Four dining venues |
Kids | Kids club, teen activities and extensive family facilities | Kids club, teen activities and a quieter overall setting |
Setting | Large resort on Malolo Lailai, close to Musket Cove and Lomani | Private island with rainforest, beach and reef |
Day visitors | No equivalent South Sea Cruises resort day trip | Limited South Sea Cruises day visitors, capped at around 20 per day |
Ferry from Denarau | About 50 minutes on the Malolo Cat | About 90 minutes on South Sea Cruises |
Fiji Island Holiday Cost: What You’re Paying For
Accommodation
Plantation | Castaway | |
Entry room | Garden Room: FJ$715/night | Island Bure: FJ$1,439/night |
Beachfront | Beachfront Bure: FJ$1,430/night | South Beach Bure: FJ$1,845/night |
Tax | Included | Not included, 17.5% estimated |
Entry room after tax | FJ$5,005 | ~FJ$11,836 |
Beachfront after tax | FJ$10,010 | ~FJ$15,175 |
Both resorts have additional room categories between the entry-level and beachfront options shown here. These are simply two useful comparison points.
Castaway prices shown use the cheaper Prepay and Save rate; flexible rates were higher.
Castaway totals include an estimated 17.5% tax allowance: 12.5% VAT + 5% Tourism Services Tax.
Meals
Meal plan | Plantation | Castaway |
Breakfast only | Age 12+: FJ$63/day Kids 0–11: free | Age 13+: FJ$52.44/day Child: FJ$23.55/day |
Breakfast + dinner | Age 12+: FJ$146/day Kids 0–11: free | Age 13+: FJ$149.33/day Child: FJ$74.50/day |
Breakfast + lunch + dinner | Age 12+: FJ$209/day Kids 0–11: free | Age 13+: FJ$188.44/day Child: FJ$94.21/day |
All-inclusive | Not offered | Age 18+: FJ$293.33/day Age 13–17: FJ$230.43/day Child: FJ$120.47/day |
7-day full-board total for our family | FJ$2,926 | ~FJ$4,650 including estimated tax |
Full board is used for the main comparison so both resorts include breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Castaway’s all-inclusive plan is the only option with three age bands because the adult rate includes alcoholic beverages. It also includes selected beer, wine and spirits, cocktails, mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks.
You can also pay as you go. If that suits your family better, I’d ask the resort for its current menus before booking and compare what your family would realistically order with the cost of the meal plans.
Getting there
Plantation | Castaway | |
Ferry | Malolo Cat | South Sea Cruises |
Adult return | FJ$242 | FJ$332 |
Child return | Free, aged 0 to 11, selected sailings only | FJ$218 |
Ferry total for our family | FJ$484 | FJ$1,100 |
Nadi–Denarau transfer | Included with eligible Malolo Cat booking | FJ$150 private-transfer |
Plantation’s free child ferry offer is only available on selected Malolo Cat sailings, so check the timetable before booking.
The Castaway total uses a FJ$150 return private-transfer allowance between Nadi Airport and Port Denarau. South Sea Cruises also offers coach transfers, so your actual mainland transfer cost may be lower.
Activities
Both resorts include pools, kids activities and non-motorised watersports.
These are examples of optional extras.
Activity | Plantation | Castaway |
Inflatable water park | Included, ages 5 to 16 | FJ$20 for 1 hour / FJ$35 for 2 hours, ages 8+ and minimum 1.1m |
Dolphin safari | FJ$89 adult / FJ$44.50 child | FJ$172 adult / FJ$86 child |
Water skiing, 15 min | FJ$50 | FJ$67 |
Banana boat, 15 min | FJ$40 per person | FJ$52 adult / FJ$32 child |
Surfing trip | FJ$150 | From FJ$150 |
60-minute massage | FJ$137 | Around FJ$150 |
Prices shown were checked in October 2026 and may change before travel.
What the week actually costs
Plantation Garden | Plantation Beachfront | Castaway Island Bure | Castaway South Beach | |
Room | FJ$5,005 | FJ$10,010 | ~FJ$11,836 | ~FJ$15,175 |
Full board | FJ$2,926 | FJ$2,926 | ~FJ$4,650 | ~FJ$4,650 |
Ferry | FJ$484 | FJ$484 | FJ$1,100 | FJ$1,100 |
Mainland transfer | Included | Included | FJ$150 | FJ$150 |
Week total | FJ$8,415 | FJ$13,420 | ~FJ$17,735 | ~FJ$21,075 |
Approx. AUD | A$5,386 | A$8,589 | ~A$11,350 | ~A$13,490 |
The beachfront comparison is the standout: Plantation comes to about FJ$13,420 for the week versus around FJ$21,075 at Castaway, a difference of roughly FJ$7,655 or A$4,900, which is why comparing room rates alone can be misleading.
Other islands to consider
Malolo Island Resort
Malolo is another option for families wanting a smaller, more traditional island resort with standalone bures.
For the same July dates, an Island Bure for four was FJ$14,013 on the Kids Eat Free package, including the adult full meal plan, qualifying children’s meals and FJ$200 resort credit.
Adding the South Sea Cruises ferry and a FJ$150 mainland transfer allowance brings the week to about FJ$15,263, or around A$9,770. Higher room categories increased the price, with the Kids Eat Free package around FJ$16,282 for an Oceanview Bure and FJ$19,139 for a Deluxe Oceanview Bure.
Mana Island Resort & Spa
Mana also came in well below Castaway for the same dates. An Oceanfront Suite sleeping five was available for FJ$9,240 for seven nights, including breakfast and dinner.
Adding the South Sea Cruises ferry and a FJ$150 mainland transfer allowance brings the total to about FJ$10,766, or around A$6,890, before lunch. It is not directly comparable with the main Plantation and Castaway totals because those include breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Mana also had several discounted packages available, so it is worth comparing the available offers rather than looking only at the standard room rate.
Which should you choose?
The better question isn't simply which island is better. It is which one better suits the holiday you want.
Choose Plantation if...
Plantation makes the most sense if value, family facilities and having plenty to do are high on your list. It also offers plenty of flexibility, with accommodation ranging from Garden Rooms through to Beachfront Bures.
It can work particularly well for larger or multigenerational groups. Plantation, Musket Cove and adults-only Lomani are all on Malolo Lailai, allowing different parts of the same group to choose the accommodation that suits them while staying close by. Musket Cove also gives Plantation guests extra restaurants, bars and a change of scenery.
For about A$8,600 for the week including full board and transfers, Plantation’s Beachfront Bure gives you beachfront accommodation along with the resort’s family facilities. For us, the quieter beachfront location and ability to swim and snorkel directly from the beach would matter more than a more polished resort experience.
Choose Castaway if...
Castaway is likely to suit families wanting a smaller, quieter and more polished resort, and who are comfortable paying more for that experience.
With only 65 bures, it has a more intimate feel than Plantation, with traditional accommodation and a private-island setting. Castaway also accepts a limited number of day visitors, currently capped at around 20 per day through South Sea Cruises.
It may be the better fit if restaurant quality, room finish and a more upmarket atmosphere matter more than getting the lowest overall price.
Still deciding where to stay? See our Best Family Resorts in Fiji: Where to Stay with Kids guide for a broader comparison of Plantation Island, Castaway Island and some of Fiji’s best mainland resorts.
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