When you first hear Cloud 9, you have an image of bliss, heaven and perfection regardless of what it’s about, where it is or what it represents, right?
Located in a turquoise lagoon with pristine 360-degrees views, Fiji’s Cloud 9 makes a great one day trip from Nadi. Not only is the boat ride out to Cloud 9 magical, but once on-board, you can swim, snorkel, sunbathe and eat Italian wood-fired pizza while drinking cocktails all afternoon.
On deck at Cloud 9
Getting to Cloud 9
If you’re based in Nadi for part or all of your Fiji stay, Cloud 9 is a fun way to spend an afternoon. Getting there is quite easy — everything is taken care of once you book with them. Boats leave out of Port Denarau Marina and in about an hour, you’ll be pulling up to a floating cocktail bar with a wood pizza oven. Yes, really.
Cloud 9 is around ten minutes from Namotu and Tavarua and a 15 minute speed boat ride from Musket Cove, Lomani, Funky Fish, Tropica, Casteway, Malolo and Plantation Island Resort, which we hope to review one day. They are also about 25 minutes from Mana Island Resort, Beachcomber and Bounty Island and roughly 35 minutes from Tokoriki.
Fun on Board
The ambiance is youthful and fun. This translates into music playing during the entire course of your stay on Cloud 9. If you’re after a quiet relaxing time to sunbathe and sip drinks while romantically gazing into your partner’s eyes, this isn’t the trip. The Cloud 9 experience is more like a party on the water, where you can also swim and snorkel.
Cocktail anyone?
The water, the views and the atmosphere are all blissful — when you look out onto the horizon, you’ll be thinking to yourself: Am I so glad I booked a ticket to Fiji. The waters are still that pristine!
Swimming in Crystal Clear Waters
While there really isn’t any reef or coral to be found, the water is crystal clear and it’s warm. I attempted snorkeling (if you don’t bring your own, there’s an additional charge to rent) but there really isn’t much to see in the way of rich colors on the ocean’s floor where Cloud 9 is located, but the water is SO clear that you may want to use a mask regardless. While I spotted a few small fish, it’s also not the place to really see fish and marine life. That said, the swimming is truly just about as perfect as it gets.
Drinks & Pizza on Board
The fun part comes with dance music, a cocktail bar and a wood oven which makes surprisingly good pizza and there are a variety of toppings you can choose.
Above, drinks on the deck and below the bar which is tucked inside so it’s a covered area should you want to escape the sun and fun for awhile.
Below, the oven where they make the pizza in real time as you watch.
Views Along the Way
After you leave the harbour, there are plenty of breathtaking views of mountains and seascapes on your way out to Cloud 9 that you won’t want to miss. Bring your camera and enjoy the journey and of course… the panoramic eye candy in all directions!
Approaching Cloud 9
As you approach Cloud 9, this is what it looks like from the boat which transfers you there. Most of the photos you may see on Cloud 9 may be aerial views and from above, it looks mighty spectacular and luxurious.
Above and below: Cloud 9 at a distance.
Other Things to Know
If you want to organize watersports in advance (jetboards, jetski or parasailing for example), they can help set that up but you do need to book in advance. As an aside, you can opt to visit Cloud 9 in a more luxurious way, via sea plane. They also have international DJs who come to play each month.
There are two environmentally friendly marine toilets for guests on board (one for male and one for females) but neither are wheelchair friendly if that’s a consideration.
They provide day beds, long chairs, benches and tables but you obviously need to bring your own towel. Another thing to note is that they don’t take cash — only credit cards.
Cloud 9 can accommodate up to 100 people at any one time and while you can bring children, they make sure to note that it is a place where people drink alcohol and smoke. For more information and photos, visit their website. Also be sure to visit our Fiji page and our section on the South Pacific.
Details
Cloud 9
Mamanuca Islands, Fiji
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Note: we were guests of Cloud 9 but all opinions expressed are entirely our own.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
