It’s an extended approach to Fiji from London. Not one, however two 11-hour flights with a stopover in LA. However maybe for Moana followers (and there are a variety of them – it’s essentially the most streamed movie of the final 5 years), that simply provides to the attract. The gap seems like we’re entering into one other realm, one solely seen earlier than on-screen, and going through Disney’s Hollywood house feels apt.

It’s the icing on the cake for my 10-year-old daughter, who’s becoming a member of me in Fiji and might’t wait to see Moana 2, which final month broke the Thanksgiving field workplace opening information.

Set in Polynesia, Moana is the daughter of a village chief who – ignoring her father’s warning – units out throughout the Pacific from her fictitious house island of Motonui that has misplaced its sea-faring traditions to revive its good harvests.

Any of Fiji’s 333 volcanic islands might simply be its lush, forested setting. Surrounded by barrier reefs, just like the one Moana is warned to not enterprise exterior, with white seashores and clear seas, coral and coconuts litter the shores.

Moana learns to wayfind by the celebs, currents and climate, stands up for herself and saves her individuals. Plus experiencing magic and demi-gods alongside the way in which. What little one (or grown-up) wouldn’t need to emulate her?

Learn extra: How a floating resort on the Nice Barrier Reef helps shield this delicate ecosystem

My daughter spends our first half-hour in Fiji paddling within the heat ocean shallows, analyzing coral and shell finds, and whispering to the water at First Touchdown Resort. It’s a delight to see her entranced by 4k actual life relatively than a display – and an ideal introduction to Fiji, only a 20-minute drive from Nadi Worldwide airport.

open picture in gallery

We shortly regulate to the slower tempo of life (“It’s known as Fiji time”, a member of workers tells us with a smile) and grow to be accustomed to residing out and in of the water, steps from the seashore. We set off on a crusing journey the subsequent day onboard a drua, a conventional Fijian crusing boat, constructed for village chiefs – as non-sailors, the closest factor we’ll get to a Moana-style vessel. Our captain, Seta, tells us that the boat he constructed himself; fortunately with out the human sacrifice that went together with development (for success”, Seta says) previously.

We lazily float out to Nadi Bay, cease for a swim within the deep blue waters and sail again, studying to direct the boat utilizing the massive steering oar on the way in which. I’m already pleased with my daughter for hopping into the water for a swim as she’s not essentially the most assured at new issues – possibly Moana’s magic is rubbing off extra shortly than I assumed.

We are able to’t wait to look at underwater life extra intently, searching for Moana’s affinity with water, so benefit from superb snorkeling places at our subsequent two stops, Malolo Island Resort and Nanuku Resort.

open picture in gallery

Malolo Island Resort is ready on Malolo Island, an hour’s boat experience from the mainland; simply ft from the seashore we’re handled to the sight of blue starfish and neon-coloured fish of all sizes. My daughter is wide-eyed and grabs my arm to point out me each time we see a brand new species.

Learn extra: Swap Mickey Mouse for Matisse – tips on how to have a culture-filled household journey to Orlando past the theme parks

We additionally study in regards to the initiatives that the resort undertakes on land and sea to help the ecosystem: turtle tagging along with the federal government, Fiji Crested Iguana breeding program with the US Geological Survey and San Diego Zoo are simply two methods of nurturing endangered species; and go to the native village the place the resort has sponsored a village kindergarten to help the subsequent era.

Regardless of the narrow-gauge railways that run all around the mainland to move sugar cane to ports for export, sugar is just the second largest trade to tourism in Fiji. So it’s essential for tourism to be sustainable. The places we go to put on their mission evenly. A senior workers member at Malolo tells me in regards to the bid from a Chinese language consortium that they’ve not too long ago seen off. It had deliberate to construct a mega resort and on line casino on the quiet island, destroying numerous coral reef and obliterating mangroves. “It was simply the fitting factor to do”, she says.

Mangroves retailer 4 occasions as a lot carbon as rainforests, resulting from their pace of development and the quick turnover of leaves and roots, supporting a carbon-rich soil. This truth blows us away once we assist nurture the mangrove nursery at Nanuku Resort, again on the mainland. We accumulate propagules (child mangrove bushes which the mum or dad produces as an alternative of seeds) from the seashore and assist the resort’s conservationist plant them in seedling beds to get stronger earlier than they’ll be planted out alongside the coast within the areas across the resort, which mitigates flood danger for the villagers too.

Learn extra: This well-liked island was ravaged by fires – right here’s what it’s actually like to return

At Nanuku we additionally study coral-planting to advertise the expansion of heat-resistant corals that may address local weather change. On Fiji’s small islands the biodiversity is essential, however so is the meals safety reefs supply in addition to safety from excessive climate – therefore the protection Moana’s tribe really feel inside theirs.

open picture in gallery

Small items of the biggest corals (people who have survived the best temperatures and bleaching cycles previously) are harvested and hooked up to a substrate ‘biscuit’ which is fixed to a reef cage and left underwater to develop. Replanting takes place as soon as they’re well-established.

In case you can re-create Moana magic wherever, it’d simply be Fiji. We’re greeted like long-lost relations with cries of “bula vinaka” (welcome house!), sung farewell songs once we depart. We’re taught passionately about Fijian conservation initiatives and indigenous methods of life in between. There’s one thing awe-inspiring about listening to historical past instantly from the mouths of grass-skirted warriors, like touching the previous, or reaching into a movie.

open picture in gallery

On the coronary heart of Moana is the message to nurture our pure atmosphere, bringing fertility again to Motanui, and it feels applicable for us to be doing the identical. There’s a lot extra to study on this far a part of the world – significantly apparent as we glance out on the huge ocean on our final morning. My daughter places her hand in mine and squeezes it. I’m actually glad we got here to scratch the floor.

Learn extra:One of the best seashores in Australia

The place to remain

First Touchdown Resort

Clio Wooden was a visitor of First Touchdown Resort – positioned on the seashore that’s stated to be the place the place the primary Fijians landed, an intimate and rustic resort, anticipate reasonably priced and all the way down to earth service with a smile in a shocking location.

Malolo Island Resort

An hour’s ferry experience from Fiji’s primary island of Viti Levu, one in every of Fiji’s solely Fijian-owned resorts with an genuine and household vibe; get the total island expertise arriving by boat.

Worth: From £234, as much as 4 sharing

Guide now

Nanuku Resort

Small, luxurious, perfectly-formed, they’ve considered every part, even a nanny for every little one.

Worth: From £383, as much as 4 sharing a Nanuku Suite

Guide now

Novotel Suva Lami Bay

Clear and ideally positioned for Fiji’s capital, Suva, look out the window of your ocean-view room and also you’ll really feel such as you’re floating on the water.

Outrigger Fiji

Bigger, freshly renovated resort with a plethora of actions when you’re the form of household who can’t sit nonetheless, go to the gorgeous Bebe Spa on the hill.

The way to get there

Fly to Fiji from the UK with Fiji Airways through Los Angeles, whole flight time round 21 hours.

For extra info and inspiration on Fiji, go to Tourism Fiji fiji.com.fj; info and reserving Drua Expertise fb.com/druaexperience

Learn extra: One of the best Hawaii seashores to go to for a slice of paradise