Ratua Private Island Resort

This was our second time at Ratua. We have never been to a resort more than once but would come back a third time. It’s under new management and has new energy, ideas and money being invested in it. ||I really like the new restaurant area and the landscaping is amazing. The papaya trees and vegetable gardens were something that I really enjoyed seeing. It would be cool to pick your own papaya one day. ||The snorkelling off the beach is even better than last time. The coral is very healthy but there was more diversity of fish. I over heard people off a super yacht saying how good it was too. ||We go to the pacific islands every year and something no one talks about is the wind. It is almost always blowing and can make it difficult to enjoy the beach and water. Ratua is the most sheltered place we have been to. ||As said earlier we would look to come back again and pleased to hear that management are looking at charter flight options direct to their airfield. I would definitely be interested in this option. Especially linking up with other New Zealand visitors to share the cost of the charter.

Ratua is a very special place with beautiful caring people working there. We loved everything about it, the quirky rooms with the best sunset views and the water right out front, colourful coral, fish and so many turtles. Relaxing massages, amazing food (local ingredients, some grown and raised on the island) and endless coconuts. And the beautiful horses, to swim with them was a unique and wonderful experience.||We were made to feel like part of the Ratua family. New owners and management have plans to make this place even better while retaining its charm. We look forward to visiting again.||Forgot to mention the great fishing!

We anchored off Ratua island and were welcomed onto the resort to use the facilities and eat there. The resort is stunning and the service and hospitality outstanding. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming and the food was delicious. We loved having the opportunity to wake up in the mornings looking out onto the beautiful resort and we would highly recommend it to anyone. Thank you for a wonderful few days.

Ratua is so peaceful. We only stayed for 3 nights and wish we had have stayed longer. We snorkelled with huge turtles, swam with horses and had amazing massages at the spa. Staff were very accommodating, as we have some fussy eaters.

We spent an amazing 6 days on Ratua which were absolutely magnificent. The setting is a turquoiuse lagoon, the huts are rustic open air style but that made it special. The staff were amazing. Our teenage boys went out fishing with Sam and caught two big yellow fin tunas (30kg and 18kg!). Short boat trip to Malo Blue hole and then everyday snorkeling, kayaking and swimming. We did a daytrip to Santo to see Champagne Beach and Nanda blue whole which were stunning. A highlight was the kava legend evening in the last day and a fire show by local performers. |We had sunshine every day. Apparently the resort has just changed ownership and the new owner wants to upgrade it significanlty. I hope it doesnt loose its charm, the pacific island layed back style and the little bit of imperfection it has now is just perfect in itself.

The images wont do it justice not unless you experience this one of a kind island for yourself. It is truly paradise on earth and made for a very special holiday for our family. What makes Ratua so special? It has to be the many experiences that you just become in awe of. The traditional villas give you a taste of how island living should be, blending in perfectly with the tropical environment. And these villas are located only a few short steps away from your own private beach, perfect for a morning snorkel. Experiencing sea life will not stop their, and swimming / paddleboarding with the turtles is an unforgettable experience (and yes, one of my turtle encounters took place only 50 metres off Ratua Island.....truly jaw dropping). The poise and grace of these turtles only adds to the tranquility that you are surrounded with on the island.||Even if the water is not your thing, although it is pretty hard not to dive in with 4 different shades of beautiful blues staring back at you every moment on the island, there is plenty to keep you busy on land. We enjoyed an incredible spa treatment in the over water spa while our daughter experienced navigating the island on horse back followed by a very unique end to their horse riding trek....swimming with the horses! yes, you heard me right!||What makes all of the above experiences possible...the people. Our hosts were incredible and we are grateful to have met them. The people of Ratua play a critical part in making the Ratua experience what it is and i can not fault them. All our needs were taken care of and we already miss the beautiful people we met (I must admit it was quite emotional leaving by boat on the last day).||It truly does feel like the land that time forgot...we would return in a heart beat. I think you will be hard pressed to find any place on earth that delivers the unique experience that Ratua does...||Go on.... "time is the only currency you spend without knowing your final balance"....and time spent on Ratua is sooooo worth it

Paradise found! What an exceptional experience our family had at Ratua Private Island Resort. Thank you to all the wonderful staff who made our stay our most memorable holiday yet. Everything was perfect, the warm and genuine service, exquisite fine dining, breathtaking scenery, we loved every second and can't wait to come back.

While not perfect, this place is very special. It was in transition to new owners when we were there, so a few things needed to be updated and I'm sure they will be. That said, part of the charm is its rusticity, so I really hope they don't make it too schmick. The island is the perfect size - big enough to really explore (see cows, sheep, goats, ride horses, hunt for crabs in the mangroves, etc) and have villas well apart. The people are amazing: we will remember locals like Johnny, Sale, Henry, Sam, Ollie and many more for a long time, who were like friends to us. The locals who did the fire show were great too - personalised, not slick like you'd get in Fiji. Just an incredible adventure if you have kids - highly recommended.