Castaway Island, Fiji, is marking its 60th anniversary with a year-long programme that celebrates the resort’s heritage while highlighting its growing focus on environmental conservation and sustainable tourism.
Fiji: Located on Qalito Island in Fiji’s Mamanuca archipelago, the beachfront resort first welcomed guests on July 6, 1966. What began as a small property with just four traditional bures has grown into one of Fiji’s longest-running island resorts and a well-known destination for barefoot island hospitality.
The anniversary celebrations will continue through the end of 2026, combining heritage activities, guest engagement programmes and sustainability initiatives. The resort is also inviting former guests and long-serving team members to contribute photographs, videos and personal memories as part of a storytelling campaign documenting its six-decade journey.
The property underwent a major transformation in 1992 under the ownership of Geoffrey Shaw, helping establish Castaway Island as a prominent name in Fiji’s tourism sector. The resort’s legacy continues through employees who have spent decades working on the island and families who have returned across generations.
Sustainability Remains a Key Focus
Now operated by OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels, Castaway Island has strengthened its conservation efforts through the company’s OUTRIGGER Zone programme.
In 2025, the resort introduced a Sculptural Coral Gene Bank in partnership with Counting Coral to support the regeneration of surrounding reefs. The initiative features more than 500 selected parent corals intended to help strengthen long-term reef restoration efforts.
The resort also supported the return of 15 endangered Fijian Crested Iguanas to Qalito Island, marking their first presence there in more than four decades. In addition, Castaway Island became the second property in Fiji to receive Green Key Certification, recognising its commitment to sustainable tourism practices.
Steven Andrews, General Manager of Castaway Island, Fiji, said the resort’s six-decade journey has been shaped by its guests, employees and the connections created across generations. He added that the property remains focused on preserving its legacy while welcoming a new generation of travellers.
Week-Long Anniversary Program
The main 60th-anniversary festivities are scheduled from November 22 to 28, 2026, with events inspired by the 1960s, the decade when the resort opened.
The programme will include a traditional Fijian welcome ceremony, a returnee guest appreciation event, a management cocktail evening, and an environmental day featuring coral-planting activities. A cocktail gala on November 27 will serve as the centrepiece of the celebrations, bringing together government representatives, returning guests and community partners.
Through the anniversary programme, Castaway Island aims to showcase its history, Fijian cultural connections and commitment to conservation while looking ahead to the next chapter of its tourism journey.
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