Barefoot Kuata Island Resort Review As A Solo Traveler
I visited Fiji last year and island hopping in Fiji’s Yasawa Islands is one of my favorite trips! Solo Fiji travel may not seem common, but it ended up being such a great destination as a solo traveler! The Yasawa Islands of Fiji stole my heart and I loved that there were options ranging from budget friendly dorms to beach-side villas!
I can’t recommend island hopping enough, but if you need help selecting resorts I’m happy to share my experiences! Here is my Barefoot Kuata Island Resort review as a solo traveler.
You may also like:
Before you dive in, I want to be transparent: this article includes affiliate links. This simply means that if you click on the link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission. Rest assured, the article includes my genuine advice and it won’t cost you anything extra. Your support is greatly appreciated. Happy reading!
Barefoot Kuata Island Resort Review
First Impressions
Kuata Island was easily the BEST at first impressions! And when I say the “island” I mean the scenery was so beautiful! It gave me Moana meets Jurassic Park vibes and I loved it! Barefoot Kuata also had someone doing the welcome dance on the rock, similar to what the tribe would have done many years ago. It really added to the whole experience!
As with every resort in Fiji, you will be welcomed with song and Barefoot Kuata did not disappoint. We got our welcome song before even getting off the boat. Bula!
Check-In
Once we stepped onto the beach, we were taken to a welcome area and our luggage was brought over as well. They brought us a welcome drink and then explained the basics. Additionally, there was a biologist/diver who talked about the Bull Shark Dive, which I knew I wanted to do before coming here, though I was still nervous!
They asked us to check-in one at a time as the office was small and there was no reason to all go at once. Again, I stayed in the dorms here and completed the check-in process before being shown the dorms.
First Impression of Barefoot Kuata Island Resort as a Solo Traveler
Since I was the last one to the dorm tent, the only options left were the top of the bunk beds. These were not sturdy bunk beds though! I knew if I needed to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, whoever was on the lower bunk would for sure wake up and probably even fear for her life!
I decided to go back to the office and see if there was other accommodation options. There was another room available and I was about to whip out my credit card to have my own room, when they offered to open the other “dorm” tent. No one else was staying in the third dorm tent (though someone did join me later as they overbooked the guys dorm), but they opened it for me! I was so grateful!
In the end I didn’t have to pay hundreds extra for a private room! The guy who ended up in the tent with me was nice and only there for one night versus my two nights. Overall, it felt like they actually cared!
The bathrooms were nice! I loved the design and they were kept clean! However, there was supposed to be one shower with hot water but I never experienced a hot shower in that stall.
Barefoot Kuata Rents the Land
Some resorts have purchased islands from tribes, but Barefoot Kuata rents the island (at least that is what I was told when I was there). I love this fact! It shows they care not only for profits but also the people. Instead of seeking out an island to purchase, they rent from the people.
Also Barefoot Kuata employs mostly people from the village. They live on the neighboring island and commute daily. They also have employees from the main island who come for weeks at a time, which is common for the resorts, but it seemed that a lot of the employees commuted daily.
Blue Lagoon also gave back to the local village. When I did the village visit, the employee who hosted the tour was from the village and I learned the resort provided food for the elementary school!
Accommodation at Barefoot Kuata Island Resort
Dorms and Shared Bathrooms Review
Since I am providing a Barefoot Kuata Island Resort review as a solo traveler, let’s start with the dorms. They are glamping vibe. It’s a tent, but a sturdy one and it sits on a platform. I had to walk up steps to enter the tent. All of that is great, but I what I didn’t like was the bunk beds!
I’m not against bunk beds and I did stay on the top bunk at the Mantaray Island Resort dorms. However, the two bunk beds at Barefoot Kuata Island Resort were very wobbly!
The shared bathrooms were nice and I loved the vibe of them! However, the two showers that were supposed to have hot water did not have hot water! And it was confirmed by other travelers as well.
Private Room Options at Barefoot Kuata Island Resort
There are other room options at Barefoot Kuata Island Resort! I can’t speak to the cleanliness of the other room types, but they were private! Just like at Blue Lagoon, I had to walk passed the other accommodation options so I can vouch for the fact they are private!
Private room options range from basic room to a beachfront bure! The largest room option sleeps five but it does look like a tight squeeze.
I loved the vibe and views of this island and the design of the resort fit in well!
Privacy and Security | Barefoot Kuata Island Resort Review As A Solo Traveler
Staying in a dorm, means less privacy. However, since the dorms are basically a tent, there isn’t much security in terms of the room. This is not a deal breaker, but it’s worth noting.
The resort has an open feel to it and the employees who live on the island stay near the dorms. I know this because I heard the TV’s. While I never really felt unsafe in Fiji as a solo female traveler, I was asked if I was single by the employee who walked me to the dorm tent area after checking in.
I’m remembering this as I write and kind of laughing about it. That was the only time I remember seeing him so it wasn’t like he stalked me or made me uncomfortable long term. However, asking while escorting me alone to the dorms, with no one else around, made me a little nervous. This was toward the end of my trip in Fiji so I was aware they like to ask personal questions and there wasn’t anything to it.
Overall, I felt safe while in Fiji and while staying at Barefoot Kuata Island Resort.
Dining Experience | Barefoot Kuata Island Resort Review
Dining Plans are Compulsory
It’s worth noting, dining plans are compulsory! This is the case with all resorts in the Yasawa Islands. The main reason is there are little to no options for eating anywhere other than your resort. Some islands, as with Kuata Island, actually have only one resort.
Least Favorite Food in the Yasawa Islands
Of the resorts I stayed at in the Yasawa Islands of Fiji, Barefoot Kuata had the worst food. That is not to say it was terrible, but it’s a very strong last place. Blue Lagoon topped the list if you are wondering.
You can read my review on Blue Lagoon Beach Resort here!
The dining experience was buffet style. The options were decent, but nothing memorable about the food. One positive thing I can say about Barefoot Kuata’s dining experience is the dining area! I loved it!
However, unlike at Blue Lagoon, it was open seating so the solo travelers were not placed at the same table. Overall, it was a more casual vibe. I liked the dining area, but the overall dining experience at Blue Lagoon was much better!
Breakfast at Barefoot Kuata Island Resort
The breakfast was good in that there were plenty of options and all the resorts I stayed at did more buffet style for breakfast. However, Barefoot Kuata didn’t have real coffee. They had instant coffee. You cannot win a breakfast award with instant coffee.
Lunch at Barefoot Kuata Island Resort
Another meal at Barefoot Kuata Island Resort, another buffet. Decent food but again, nothing memorable.
Dinner at Barefoot Kuata Island Resort
Again, the meals are buffet! There were a variety of protein options and the food tasted good, but overall it just wasn’t as good as the other resorts I stayed.
While the food wasn’t my favorite, there was always plenty of options! I never went hungry and the taste was good, but it just wasn’t impressive.
Activities and Recreation at Barefoot Kuata Island Resort
Snorkeling
Every resort I stayed at had a reef right off the beach making snorkeling an easy activity to enjoy! Barefoot Kuata Island Resort was no exception! Additionally, similar to Blue Lagoon, the snorkeling equipment was free to use. You simply check it out from the dive center and return it when finished.
Relaxation
I’m a beach girl and I never used the pool here or at Blue Lagoon. Overall, I wouldn’t say the pool itself looked inviting. However, the area around the pool, with various types of lounge chairs was and is inviting! And the view cannot be beat! I absolutely LOVED Kuata Island!
The pool and lounge chair area is right next to the dining area and bar, so it’s easy to order a drink when desired.
Activities
While staying at Barefoot Kuata as a solo traveler, I did participate in a walk that included a history lesson on the local tribe. It was very interesting and free!
There were also craft activities offered and while I did not participate they looked fun. The activities were offered mid afternoon which could be a great way to spend an hour or two on your vacation!
Tour Options | Barefoot Kuata Island Resort Review as a Solo Traveler
Bull Shark Dive
The main reason I booked at Barefoot Kuata was for the Bull Shark Dive experience! They call it the Awakening Dive and I can vouch for the fact that it is very well run and absolutely amazing!
You can read more about my Bull Shark Dive Experience here!
For the Bull Shark Dive, there are morning and afternoon options. If you stay at Barefoot Kuata, I recommend the morning one since day trippers fill the afternoon tours.
Snorkel with Sharks
If scuba diving isn’t for you (I get it, I’m still nervous about it), then they have tours that snorkel with sharks! Don’t worry! No bull sharks on this tour! Unfortunately I waited too long to sign up for this, so I didn’t get to try it. I was still coming down from the adrenaline of the Bull Shark Dive.
The snorkel tour sounds amazing though, and I can’t imagine it not being a great experience!
Marine Biologist Divers
There are all sorts of opinions out there about Eco-tourism, but this tour was created by a marine biologist and is run my marine biologists! Since a lot of divers need to be on the Bull Shark Dive, I imagine not all are marine biologists. However, I learned while I was there, they are studying the reef and the impact the sharks make on the reef.
They have noticed since doing the Bull Shark Dive that the reef has flourished. It is their hypothesis that in restoring the apex predator to the area, it has positively impacted the whole Eco-system. So they brought in one marine biologist who specializes in reef systems to study their reef!
Another aspect of this I enjoyed is that the marine biologists give educational talks on sharks! I arrived to dinner early one night to hear a talk on sharks and loved it! After the talk, I was able to ask about feeding the sharks and if that changes their behavior, a criticism I had heard before I left for Fiji.
The marine biologist explained that the small tuna heads fed to the bull sharks are a small snack and not significant. They have noted the sharks eat far more than a tuna head each day. Attracting the sharks to the area has also had a positive impact on the reef!
Best time to Visit Fiji as a Solo Traveler
I’m a fan of shoulder seasons and while I did go to Fiji on a shoulder season, it turns out I inadvertently planned my trip during New Zealand and Australia school holidays. However, this ended up being great and I got to meet plenty of people but it didn’t feel overly crowded.
End of September to early October when I was there was perfect! The weather was warm and the ocean was warm enough (though I usually prefer it warmer).
I was told by a local that Summer in the Yasawa Islands can be brutal, but any hot weather place in the Summer will be brutal. However, if you go somewhere you are reliant on fans and not air conditioning, it should be something to keep in mind. During my trip, I actually had moments where I’d need the light jacket I packed whether at night or sitting in the shade.
Fiji is a year round destination so you can’t go too wrong. I’d just suggest avoiding their hot Summer (and typhoon season) from November to April and consider school holidays of Australia and New Zealand if you want to avoid crowds. The busiest times in Fiji are July and August when Australia and New Zealand are on school holidays and want to escape the cold.
Extra Charges
The shark tours do cost extra, but other activities such as the shark talks, or craft activities were free! There is a fee to use credit cards for payments, but this fee follows you around Fiji! Blue Lagoon Beach Resort, Mantaray Island Resort, the Ferry all also charged the fee. So when checking out, if you pay for the meal plan and any tours with a credit card, it will incur a fee!
Other Resorts To Consider
I know this is a Barefoot Kuata Island Resort review as a solo traveler, however, maybe you aren’t convinced or maybe it’s not available for your travel dates. So here are some other resorts to consider.
If you are not planning to do any of the shark encounters, the only other reason to stay in Kuata is for the Kuata views and vibes! And Kuata Island was my favorite!
The best resort I stayed at is the Blue Lagoon Beach Resort. The Octopus Resort is a sister resort to Blue Lagoon Beach Resort. While I did not stay here, I saw the beach from the Ferry and it was beautiful! Since it is a sister resort to Blue Lagoon, I’d imagine the food and experience is similar!
How to Get to Barefoot Kuata Island Resort
I chose the Awesome Adventures Ferry! If you are only staying at Blue Lagoon, you can book a round trip ticket. However, if you are planning to island hop Fiji, consider the Bula Pass! I bought the eight day pass which allowed me to island hop for the week!
Kuata Island is the first of the Yasawa Islands so it’s actually the closest to Nadi! This is why day trippers are common. The ferry is the most common way to get to the island, but you could also elect a sea plane!
Who Should Not Book at Blue Lagoon Beach Resort
If you want the party vibe, this resort is not for you! It’s not a partying type of resort. I also don’t recommend this resort if you are expecting a top notch food experience.
The Pros
The Bull Shark Dive was 10 of 10! If you are interested, then do NOT miss this experience! I also loved this island! It was my favorite! The scenery and views were so unique and special!
The Pros of Barefoot Kuata Island Resort As A Solo Traveler
I also appreciated how the staff worked with me when I said I can’t stay on the top bunk. While I was prepared to fork out money for a private room, I really appreciated that they came up with a solution without me having to do so.
The shared bathrooms were nice (aside from one con: no hot water). I liked the tent vibes as it went well with the island vibes.
The Cons
The food wasn’t great and instant coffee was the only coffee option! Also the pool wasn’t great looking if that is important to you.
The Cons of Barefoot Kuata Island Resort As A Solo Traveler
The shared bathrooms were nice but two were supposed to have hot water and neither did! Other travelers confirmed this so it wasn’t just me and my timing.
I hope this Barefoot Kuata Island Resort review as a solo traveler was helpful for you in deciding if this Fiji resort is for you. I loved my time here, but that is not to say it was a perfect experience. However, the island absolutely won me over! It’s so beautiful! And the bull shark dive was a highlight!
Between the island beauty and the bull shark dive adrenaline, this was the most memorable stop in my Fiji island hopping experience!
