Laucala Island Resort

With a total area of 12 square kilometers, the remote Laucala Island lies in Fiji’s northern archipelago. Part of a group of three smaller islands, Laucala is as rich in history as it is in attractions. After being sold to the United Kingdom in 1874 by a Fijian Monarch, European settlers built a copra plantation to extract coconut oil. Malcolm Forbes later bought the island in 1972, helping to educate the natives and shift the island’s economy away from its copra dependency. After Forbes’ death in 1990, he was buried on the island and it was later purchased by Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2003. Mateschitz, whose net worth is estimated to be around $12 billion, turned the island into a secret hideaway for celebrities.

The private island resort includes several over- the-top excursions such as a private ride in the island’s submarine which is capable of delving as deep as 1,500 feet. The island’s inner reef is ideal for scuba divers who want to experience Fiji’s incredible underwater ecosystem. In addition, you can snorkel and jet ski at your leisure throughout your stay. Laucala’s 18-hole golf course, designed by David McLay Kidd, rests against the base of a mountain and is played less than 200 times each year. The resort is also known for having PGA professionals available for outings on the island. Laucala Island Resort also features a garden-to- table type of appeal, as the island is nearly 85 percent sustainable. The cuisine greatly reflects the island’s fresh produce and seafood, specializing in Teppanyaki barbecue and authentic Asian dishes. A stay on Laucala might rival the cost of a one year college tuition, but its experience holds more value than dollars