Certification DetailsDate: 07/11/2023Evaluator: Sam SproalView Bio

PO Box 316
Pacific Harbour, Fiji Islands
P: (679) 992-3230
E: info@surfingfiji.com

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Matanivusi Surf Resort
Viti Levu, Fiji
Surrender Yourself to Paradise

The world’s first STOKE Certified (and first to be recertified) surf resort: Matanivusi has been specifically built for discerning travelers who want surf, seclusion, service, sustainability, and satisfaction. Nestled between the white sandy beach and a meandering creek with a lush rainforest, the resort from its inception in 2000 was developed to protect its amazing location, support local communities and allow guests to explore and learn about Fijian culture and environments.

When the owners, Brian & Donna McDonald, found this surf haven, they discussed the potential for a surf resort while sharing a bowl of kava with elders from the neighboring village of Vunaniu. Before building the six bures and main restaurant/office area, Brian and Donna had an Environmental Impact Study conducted for the property and discussed these findings and their plans for development with the local community before starting construction. Each bure was built around the existing vegetation with minimal clearing to allow for the raised buildings and pathways to be installed a metre above ground level. The native vegetation along the beachfront has been maintained and new plantings protect the beach from any erosion and rising storm surges.

Matanivusi is an ideal getaway with many nature-based activities as well as some of the best surf in Fiji—just across the lagoon from the resort. With the resort’s commitment to sustainability, we’ll be riding these breaks for generations to come.

Matanivusi has been recertified for 2023 under the new STOKE Surf standard v3.0, which weights their sustainability performance into 8 categories instead of 4 as shown below. All performance indicators will be updated with a new website coming in 2024.

Sustainable Management
Section Performance - 92%
Social & Economic Impacts Management
Section Performance - 81%
Cultural Heritage Impacts Management
Section Performance - 88%
Environmental Impact Management
Section Performance - 82%
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Commitment to a Sustainable Future

Sustainability has been a key priority at Matanivusi from the very start, and has been incorporated into all  facets of the resort, from design through to daily operations. We continually strive to refine and increase our level of understanding of sustainability and periodically evaluate the resort’s sustainability credentials in order to implement improvements where possible. The following are the next stages in the evolution of Matanivusi’s operations for a sustainable future:

  • We started a coral planting program with the Vunaniu Surf Club like we had hoped, but we still plan to develop a mangrove reforestation project once the government fixes the road next to the proposed project site.
  • We achieved our goal of switching to solar power in 2015, but we still want to transition to solar thermal hot water.
  • We are exploring the feasibility of assisting in the installation of a suitable waste water/sewerage system in Vunaniu (similar to the resort’s Biolytix wastewater treatment systems).
  • Plans are being made to provide a periodic health clinic at the resort for staff, their families, and local villagers.
  • We will soon complete the transition of all our two-stroke outboard motors to four-stroke engines, which are far more energy efficient (and produce less CO2 emissions) than two-stroke engines.

Thank you for prioritizing sustainability in your surf travel choices,

Brian & Donna McDonald – Matanivusi Owners