Uepi Island Resort is located on Uepi Island, a barrier reef island, covered in tropical rainforest, with white sandy beaches, on the edge of the beautiful Marovo Lagoon.

The island is only 2 miles long and only 600m wide, and is a crescent shape, giving a large protected bay and beach, perfect for swimming, snorkelling and just plain relaxing. One side of the island faces into the shallow lagoon, where as the seaward side drops into 2,000m of 'The Slot', a deep sea passage, where the diving is spectacular!  Mantas, sharks, dolphins and even orcas, can be spotted passing through, and in the shallower water, a myriad of smaller fish create underwater rainbows over the reef.

The Uepi Island Resort is at one end of the island set amongst landscaped gardens, and is bordered by tropical rainforest, with clear walking tracks.

The Resort can accommodate a maximum of 32 guests in 6 bungalows, 2 Units and 2 Guest Rooms, though they usually only have around 20 or less guests most of the time, so you won't feel overcrowded.

The 2 Guest Rooms are in 1 detached building, No 7, set back from the beach in the gardens and on a slight rise with lovely views of the Marovo Lagoon.  7A is a larger room with a King bed, ensuite shower room and separate toilet with complimentary organic and biodegradable toiletries, a small kitchenette area with fridge, sink and tea and coffee making facilities and a private deck with chairs to enjoy the view. 7B is slightly smaller, with an ensuite shower room with complimentary toiletries, a double bed and a single bed, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities and a private deck.  Being slightly higher, these rooms benefit from sea breezes, which, with the ceiling fan, help keep the rooms pleasantly cool.

The 2 Units are also in 1 detached building, but are more separated than the Guest Rooms. Located close to the beach, amongst the tropical gardens, each unit has 1 large room, with either 1 King or 2 single beds, ensuite bathroom with complimentary toiletries and separate toilet, kitchenette area with fridge, sink and tea and coffee making facilities, chair and small table, louvered windows to allow the breezes through and blinds for privacy at night, and ceiling fan and a private sun area with lovely views of Marovo Lagoon.

The 2 Garden Bungalows are set in their own little garden areas, just a short stroll to the beach.  They have 1 King or 2 twin beds, ensuite shower room with complimentary toiletries and separate toilet, small kitchenette area with fridge and tea and coffee making facilities, a sitting area with table and chairs and a private shaded deck with sun loungers and hammock.

The 4 Beachfront Bungalows (all renovated in 2007) are right on the beachfront, set amongst the shady palm trees.  They offer 1 King or 2 twin beds, a small kitchenette area with fridge and tea and coffee making facilities, a large sitting area with table and chairs, a work desk and chair and a shaded private deck with sun loungers and a hammock.  2 of these bungalows have been set up as family rooms with extra beds to accommodate families with children or groups of friends.

Meals are included at Uepi, and the majority of the food is organic and locally sourced.  They have their own kitchen garden, which supplies fruit, vegetables and salads, eggs, chickens and pork is reared nearby, and fresh fish and seafood is caught out in the lagoon, and could be different each day. Breakfast and dinner are served in the main dining room and lunch is either delivered to your room, or could be packed up as a picnic, if you are out and about.  Drinks are not included, but they have a good selection of popular soft and alcoholic drinks at the bar, and if you wish, they don't mind if you bring a small bottle of your favourite tipple with you.

Uepi Island Resort is first and foremost a dive resort, with its own dive shop, instructors and a jetty out front which puts you straight into the action. Harmless Black Tip Reef Sharks mingle with colourful reef fish in the crystal clear water right under the jetty, and further out, turtles, rays, dolphins and if you're really lucky, the odd orca could swim by.  Many other water activites are also available, including swimming, snorkelling, sea kayaking, glass-bottomed paddle boarding, hobie cat sailing, sail boarding and fishing. Some are complimentary, some will incur a small charge.  If you are not into diving, though, there are other activities you can enjoy.  The resort can also arrange cultural activities and village visits, to villages on nearby islands, jungle trails wind through the surrounding rainforest and there are many picturesque, quiet beaches for you to spend a relaxing day with a picnic and a loved one!  The resort also has an extensive library, and if you are into photography, inspiration is all around, above and below the waterline!

Although there is 24 hour power supplied by a generator, there is no Wi-Fi.  The only technology you should take with you is your camera, and preferably an underwater one, as well, and the water is so clear and the sealife so prolific, you will be snapping away for hours!

The Uepi Island Resort is not luxury, by western standards, but it is comfortable, and reasonably well equipped.  The staff are very friendly, and because there are only a few other guests, you get to know everyone quite quickly.  You also have to remember you are in a tropical rainforest with all the associated insect and wildlife that lives there, so if you have a phobia about insects or little lizard-type creatures that you might find on your deck, then Uepi may not be ideal.  But if you are into all wildlife, and up for fascinating encounters with amazing marine life, then a visit to Uepi Island Resort could be right up your jungle path!

Click HERE to visit the hotel's own website