Lawaki Beach House, together with Fiji Village Stay, offers a unique combo
Beqa is a beautifully mountainous island covered in tropical rainforest, only 10 Km (6.2 miles) from the coast of the main Fijian Island of Viti Levu. While it is easy to get to, it feels so remote, with 3,000 people living traditional lifestyles here in 9 villages, getting around by boat, as there are no roads. The mountain peak of this 36 square kilometer (14 square mile) island is 462 metres (1,500 feet), dropping through dramatic slopes and valleys to the coral reef coastline within beautiful Beqa lagoon.
On the south-western coast lie the twin villages of Naceva and Naiseuseu, joined by traditional family linkages, but with separate characters. These villages are partnered by Lawaki Beach House, owned and run by Sam Tawake-Bachofner, a native of Naceva village, and his Swiss wife Christine.
Wanting to bring income and other benefits to the local communities, Sam and Christine work closely with the two villages, employing many of them in the Beach House, and engaging in projects such as a school lunch programme, a school “bus” boat, and a marine protected area fronting the Beach House.
Over the past few years, the villagers expressed an interest in wanting to host guests in their own homes. Supported by Lawaki Beach House, and working with student groups from the USA, Australia, and Fiji, they developed their own cultural programmes that allow you to get to know them as family, and learn what it is like to really live in a village.
Choose your village (or go to both!) for an immersion into true Fijian hospitality and culture, and start and finish at Lawaki Beach House
Situated on its own private beach on the beautiful island of Beqa (pronounce Mbengga), Lawaki Beach House is the ideal place to relax, swim, snorkel and enjoy your holidays or leisure time. Lawaki Beach House is owned and operated by a Fijian-Swiss couple.
the larger of the two villages with 65 houses, a kindergarten and primary school, and a church, Naceva is 3 km / 1.9 miles south of Lawaki Beach House, reached by a short boat ride. Some of the inhabitants work in a nearby resort, and are used to short visits from guests
The smaller and closer of the two villages, with 28 houses and a church, lying in a sheltered bay 2 km / 1.3 miles north of Lawaki Beach House. It can be reached by a short boat ride or a low tide walk along the coastline. Some of the inhabitants work at Lawaki Beach House, but otherwise this village gets few visitors
3 nights programme preparation and teaching at lawaki beach house, including experiences in the marine protected area, followed by cultural immersion programmes of any desired length in either or both villages. 2 or 3 nights back at Lawaki Beach House to debrief and carry out syllabus requirements. It is also possible to add a stay at a full-amenity resort in Pacific Harbour at either end of this programme such as The Pearl, Uprising Beach Resort or Club Oceanus.
We are developing a multi-day hike with incorporated village stays. Until this is complete, day hikes are available from Lawaki Beach House or the villages.
Make Lawaki Beach House your starting point, for a few days of relaxation, comfort and fun. Snorkel the marine park, hike through the rainforest, have a massage, read a book… bliss…. During your stay meet some of the local staff, who are from the village or villages you will be visiting. Then choose how you would like to split up your stay. The Lawaki Beach House/ Village combination can be split up however you would like, these are just a few ideas:
