Exploring The Value Of Turtle Island

Turtle Island, Fiji, is a 500-acre private island retreat in the heart of the Yasawa archipelago. Accessible only by seaplane or boat, the exclusive island accommodates a maximum of 28 guests and 90 staff members. The island was purchased in 1972 by US native Richard Evanson, who transformed it into a luxurious getaway with sustainability and community at its heart. The all-inclusive packages, which include accommodation, food, drink, activities, and a 30-minute massage, start at around \$2450 per night, with a minimum stay of five nights. With its white sand beaches, culinary excellence, and expansive reef, Turtle Island offers an unparalleled experience in one of Fiji's best-kept secrets.

Turtle Island, Fiji

The island accommodates only 14 couples at a time, with each bure assigned a "Bure Mama" to cater to the guests' needs. The tariff includes all food, drinks, activities, and a 30-minute massage. Guests can enjoy horseback riding, snorkelling, windsurfing, and fishing, or simply relax on the white sand beaches and explore the expansive reef. The island is known for its sustainability initiatives, with solar power, vegetable gardens, and a high level of self-sustainability.

The cost of a stay at Turtle Island, Fiji, is approximately $2800 USD per night for two people, with a minimum stay of five nights. This includes all food, drink, and activities, with the exception of spa treatments and gift shop purchases. The peak season for travel to the island is from May to October, when the weather is less hot, wet, and humid.

Turtle Island has a rich history, with the Natukani people of Nacula as its original owners. The island's name comes from the turtles that were historically consumed by sailors, and today, the island participates in turtle conservation by auctioning them to guests and releasing them back into the lagoon. The auction proceeds go towards the Turtle Island Staff Fund.

The island has also served as the filming location for the 1980 movie "Blue Lagoon," and as a honeymoon destination for celebrities such as Britney Spears and Kevin Federline. With its combination of luxury, sustainability, and warm Fijian hospitality, Turtle Island offers a unique and exclusive vacation experience.

Turtle Island, a creation myth

Turtle Island is a name for Earth or North America, used by some American Indigenous peoples and Indigenous rights activists. The name is derived from a creation myth common to several Indigenous peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands of North America. The creation myth of Turtle Island is shared by various tribes, including the Iroquois, the Lenape, the Ojibwe, the Haudenosaunee, and the Cree.

According to the Iroquois and Haudenosaunee oral tradition, the earth was envisioned as a "great island floating in space" or a "place of eternal peace." The creation story typically involves a pregnant Sky Woman who falls from a hole in the Sky World or a tree and is gently guided down by birds onto the back of a turtle. In some versions, her gratitude towards the animals causes the earth to grow around her, forming Turtle Island. In other variants, the animals retrieve mud from the bottom of the water, which expands on the turtle's back and becomes the new land for Sky Woman and her descendants.

The Lenape creation story of the "Great Turtle" shares similarities with the Iroquois and Haudenosaunee narratives. In the Lenape tradition, Kishelamàkânk, the spirit of the creator, dreams of the world as it is today, including the Earth with its mountains, forests, animals, and humans. After awakening from his dream, Kishelamàkânk, along with helper spirits, sets about creating the Earth as he envisioned it.

The Ojibwe oral tradition of Turtle Island also begins with a flooded Earth, cleansed by the Creator to start anew following feuding among peoples. Nanabush, a supernatural being with the power to create life, asks various animals to dive deep and retrieve soil to recreate the world. The muskrat succeeds in this perilous task, bringing back wet soil that is placed on a turtle's back, thus forming Turtle Island.

These creation stories, featuring a turtle that holds the world on its back, are often referred to as "earth-diver myths." They highlight the turtle as a symbol of life and reinforce the spiritual and cultural beliefs of Indigenous peoples.

Turtle Island, a name for North America

Turtle Island is a name used by some Indigenous American peoples and Indigenous rights activists to refer to North America. The name is derived from a creation myth common to several Indigenous peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands of North America.

According to the oral tradition of the Haudenosaunee (or "Iroquois"), the earth was envisioned as a "great island floating in space" and a "place of eternal peace". In their creation story, a pregnant Sky Woman falls through a hole in the sky and is gently guided down by birds that place her on the back of a turtle. The animals then bring forth mud from the bottom of the water, which grows on top of the turtle's back and forms a new land for Sky Woman and her descendants. This land is called Turtle Island.

Similar stories are told by other Indigenous groups, including the Ojibwe and the Lenape. In the Lenape story, the creator Kishelamàkânk dreams of the world as we know it and then creates it with the help of helper spirits. When a problem arises due to a magical bear tooth that humans start fighting over, Kishelamàkânk sends down a spirit, Nanapush, to bring everyone back together. Nanapush plays a song that stops a great flood and asks the animals which of them he can put the rest of the animals on. The turtle volunteers, saying he will float and they can all stay on him. Nanapush then asks the animals to dive down and bring him some of the old Earth to place on the turtle's back, but only the muskrat succeeds, sacrificing his life in the process. Nanapush puts the earth on the turtle's back, and the turtle begins to grow until it becomes a huge expanse of land.

The name "Turtle Island" has been used by many Indigenous cultures in North America and both native and non-native activists, especially since the 1970s when the term came into wider usage. American author and ecologist Gary Snyder, for example, has used the term in his Pulitzer Prize-winning book of poetry, 'Turtle Island'. The name has also been adopted by organizations such as Turtle Island News and the Toronto Zoo’s Turtle Island Conservation program. Efforts have been made to reclaim traditional Indigenous place names, such as the Ogimaa Mikana project, which prompted the re-introduction of Ojibwe place names to Toronto streets.

In addition to the cultural and spiritual significance of Turtle Island, there are also physical locations named Turtle Island. There is a private island resort called Turtle Island in Fiji, which offers luxury accommodations, warm service, sustainability practices, and community engagement. This Turtle Island is a 500-acre island in the Yasawa archipelago, accessible only by seaplane or boat. It was purchased in 1972 by US native Richard Evanson, who transformed it into an exclusive retreat. The island has appeared in films such as the 1980 remake of "Blue Lagoon".

Turtle Island, a private island

Turtle Island is a 500-acre private island in Fiji, located in the heart of the Yasawa archipelago. Accessible only by seaplane or boat, the island offers an exclusive and luxurious retreat for couples seeking a unique and relaxing vacation experience.

The island was purchased in 1972 by US native Richard Evanson Sr., who transformed it into a pristine paradise. Evanson's friendship with a local, Joe Naisali, played a pivotal role in the island's history and its current ethos of serving its guests with Fijian charm and hospitality.

Turtle Island offers an all-inclusive package that includes accommodation, food, drinks, activities, and a 30-minute massage. The island features 14 beachfront bures, each with a personalised wooden tile and a dedicated hammock and deck chairs on the beach. The bures are assigned their own private beach every second day, ensuring guests have a tranquil and intimate experience.

The food on Turtle Island is a highlight, with most produce grown or caught locally. Guests can enjoy everything from lobster salad and steak to fresh seafood and delicious home-baked bread. The resort also offers private dining options at scenic locations across the island, including floating pontoons and the spa deck.

In addition to the exceptional dining, Turtle Island provides a range of activities for guests to enjoy. These include horseback riding, snorkelling, windsurfing, and crab hunting. The island also has a spa, offering massages and herbal therapies.

The cost of a stay at Turtle Island starts at $2800 USD per night for two people, with a minimum stay of five nights. The island has a high guest return rate, with around 50% of guests booking a return package.

Turtle Island is more than just a resort—it's an exclusive, luxurious, and sustainable private island escape, offering a truly unforgettable vacation experience in the heart of Fiji.

Turtle Island, an exclusive resort

The resort features 14 beachfront bures, each with a personalised wooden tile above the entrance that guests can take home as a souvenir. Each bure has a day bed, chairs, a private hammock, and deck chairs on the beach, maximising the stunning views and offering privacy to guests. The bures also include a sitting room, a large bedroom, and an open-plan bathroom with his-and-her showers, sinks, and toilets. The fridge is stocked according to guests' preferences, and the bar includes plunger coffee, tea, and freshly baked cookies and brownies.

The staff at Turtle Island are exceptional and create a warm and friendly atmosphere. Each bure has a 'Bure Mama', a dedicated concierge who takes care of the guests and helps with tidying the rooms and laundering their clothes. The staff know each guest by name and make them feel like part of the family.

The food at Turtle Island is another key part of its appeal, with much of the produce grown on the island itself. The resort offers communal dining experiences, such as the Grill and the Mongolian barbecue, as well as private dining options at scenic locations. The cuisine includes lobster salad, steak and potatoes, lobster bisque, grilled fish, and local seafood like giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, and Spanish mackerel.

Turtle Island offers a range of activities, including horseback riding, snorkelling, windsurfing, and crab hunting. The resort also has a spa with incredible massages using Pure Fiji products.

Turtle Island is more than just a resort; it is a place where guests can connect with nature, indulge in luxury, and create lasting memories.

Frequently asked questions