'Everyone is going to Fiji, but you should visit this island that’s only 45 minutes away instead.'

You know the feeling when you come back from a holiday and feel like you need a holiday from the holiday? You crammed in so many activities, did so much sightseeing and didn't want to waste any of that precious time away that, in the end, you just came back feeling more tired?

Don't get me wrong, these types of holidays have their time and place. But after being there one too many times, I'm now a firm believer there are two types of holidays:

Doing holidays and doing-nothing holidays.

And this time around, I needed a doing-nothing holiday. That's why, when deciding where to go with my husband, the destination needed to tick lots of boxes. Close by on a plane. Beaches and a pool. Not crowded. Tropical. Relaxing. And I found it. Tokoriki Island in Fiji.

Now, Fiji is a popular destination for Australians. But when speaking to locals, you'd be surprised how many of us don't venture outside Suva, Nadi and even Denarau Island. Just beyond this are the Mamanuca Islands, a group of about 20 islands, with Tokoriki being one of them.

They are less crowded and just as easy to get to. And trust me, once you get there, you won't want to leave.

Getting to Tokoriki Island.

There's a reason so many of us choose Fiji as our holiday destination: it's super easy to get to by plane, and the flight is a quick and easy four hours, often less.

We flew with Fiji Airways to Nadi International Airport where we got a transfer by Tewaka to Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort. The car ride took about 30 minutes and from there, we boarded a private boat transfer that dropped us off straight onto the beach of Tokoriki Island, which took another 45 minutes.

An actual picture of heaven. Image: Supplied.

Aside from a private boat transfer that can easily be arranged by your hotel, there are other options to get there. South Sea Cruises runs a daily catamaran from Port Denarau to Tokoriki from 12pm-2pm and then returning from 2pm-3:15pm, which is how we came back.

But the benefit of a private transfer is it doesn't matter what time your flight gets in, so you could likely book the cheapest flight based on less popular times. When looking to book flights, we found those that lined up with the daily catamaran were more expensive.

Another option that is also more flexible is a helicopter ride to enjoy the incredible aerial views, which is an experience in itself, landing on Sheraton Resort and Spa, Tokoriki Island's helipad.

Stay at Sheraton Resort and Spa, Tokoriki Island, Fiji.

When we arrived at Sheraton Resort and Spa, Tokoriki Island, it was like stepping into a scene from The White Lotus. I have never seen water that blue and sand that white. Those from the resort told us the beach is often likened to being in the Maldives, and it's easy to see why. It was also awarded TripAdvisor's Traveller's Choice Award in 2021.

The hotel staff are incredibly friendly and really make an effort to ensure you are as comfortable as possible. Their phrase of choice is "welcome home" and while I wish I lived in a beachfront resort with cocktails on call, what it's actually about is the hospitality of Fijian culture, where they make you feel like family.

The family-friendly resort has 101 guest rooms, and you can choose between an island view, ocean view or an oceanfront room. Our room sat directly on the beachfront, and we could hear the sound of the ocean from our room.

The view from our room. Image: Supplied.

The resort has two adults-only rooms that have a private plunge pool. If you are travelling in a bigger group, the family island view room can accommodate up to four guests and is great for larger groups.

Each room has a private furnished patio, a large bed, TV, lounge chairs, plenty of wardrobe space and a large bathroom with a shower and double sinks. And can I say if you haven't slept in a Sheraton bed, you have not lived. There is a reason they sell them, they are that comfortable. Have I contemplated buying one more than once? Yes.

What to do and eat.

Do a cocktail masterclass by the ocean.

After we arrived and settled in, at sunset we did a cocktail masterclass on the beach. It was the perfect way to kick off our holiday of relaxation. Once we got to the beach, a table was set up with all the alcohol, mixers, fresh fruit and even a little wreath hat for the ice.

The only way to drink cocktails. Image: Supplied.

The bartender who was making our cocktails used Blue Turtle gin, which is the first gin to be distilled in Fiji, and Absolut Vodka flavoured with kava, a traditional Fijian drink made from the crushed roots of the Piper methysticum plant. It's a mild sedative that is used commonly in ceremonies and social gatherings.

Watch: Cocktails on the beach on Tokoriki Island. Post continues below.

Can I say I highly recommend enjoying a cocktail while you can feel the water from the ocean lapping up on your feet.

Have dinner at Waitui House Restaurant.

From there, we enjoyed dinner at Waitui House Restaurant. This is the main option for food as it has all-day dining and lots of different options on its menu using locally sourced seafood and grass-fed meats. It is also where you can have a buffet breakfast, along with included menu options and coffee before setting out on your activities for the day.

The seafood at Waitui House Restaurant is all locally sourced. Image: Supplied.

We were lucky enough to experience a locally curated menu from Chef G, who is in charge of the restaurant and also grows lots of his own fruits and vegetables on the island. After taking a tour of his garden, we learnt that Chef G brings lots of clippings back to the island and experiments with what he can grow to use in his kitchen, which then becomes the basis for many of his dishes.

See below for the menu:

Entrées

• Cassava, taro, white parsnip and kumara (sweet potato) chips

• Scallops with pumpkin purée and dragon fruit foam

• Kokoda (Fijian ceviche with wahoo)

Palate cleanser

• Lemon sorbet

Main

• Snapper, lobster, calamari with white wine sauce and root vegetables

Dessert

• Lemon cheesecake with ginger snaps and coffee crème brûlée with chocolate biscuits

Visit Monuriki Island.

The following day, we did the Monuriki snorkelling trip, which takes you by boat to dive along Mana sandbar and the reef of Monuriki before visiting Monuriki Island, where Castaway and Survivor were filmed. And can I say, it did not disappoint.

Yes, Tom Hanks was here. Image: Supplied.

One of my absolute favourite things to do on holiday is go snorkelling and I have been lucky enough to snorkel in some incredible spots, from the Great Barrier Reef, to Hawaii and Niue. So I have high expectations when it comes to what I see, and the snorkelling in Fiji is amazing.

The water is so warm you could explore it for hours, it is salty, so you will buoy, making it easy for beginners, and you get to see so much stunning Fijian marine life you wouldn't see anywhere else.

After snorkelling, we stopped on the Mana sandbar before visiting Monuriki Island, where our guide took us for a walking tour. We learnt about the island itself, how the locals use its flora and fauna to create canoes, make medicines and, of course, how to find a good coconut for drinking and crack it open. (Hot tip: if it sounds hollow, it's good for milk and if it doesn't, it's good for coconut cream.)

Lay by the pool and order snacks.

When we came back from Monuriki Island, we plopped ourselves next to the pool and spent the afternoon there. The resort has a large heated infinity pool overlooking the ocean where we spent a lot of our time.

Where we spend a lot of our time. Image: Supplied.

There are lots of sunbeds to choose from and cute little cabanas along the ocean side. The pool was never crowded, and I highly recommend an afternoon swim before dinner. There is also a swim-up bar attached to the pool if you feel like a drink, and you can order snacks to your sunbed from The Sala Lounge and Pool Bar. They serve pizzas, gourmet burgers, meat dishes and signature salads for lunch.

Enjoy a sunset dinner at Curcuma.

It would be illegal to stay at Tokoriki Island and not have dinner at Curcuma. After posting to Instagram about where I was staying, a colleague messaged me to say the food here was incredible and, honestly, I would have eaten there every day if I could.

I dream about this food. Image: Supplied.

The restaurant itself has a view overlooking the ocean, perfect for dinner at sunset. I've never seen a purple and lilac sunset like it. Curcuma's dishes are Indian-fusion and while everything we ate was delicious, the standouts for me were the beef samosa, batata vada, chicken makhani and beef vindaloo. I'm salivating thinking about it.

Have a room-service breakfast on the beach.

The next day, we opted for a room-service breakfast to take in the stunning view from our room. The hotel will come and set up a table outside your room to enjoy and ordering from the menu in your room is quick and easy.

This was here in 30 minutes from ordering. Image: Supplied.

I tried to order something that wasn't available at the buffet breakfast or on the menu at the restaurant to try something different, so we had Fijian coconut porridge, a continental breakfast with an omelette, a bakery basket, and tea and coffee. There's nothing quite like enjoying breakfast while looking out at the beach in your robe.

Do a guided snorkelling tour.

You really don't have to go far to enjoy snorkelling in Fiji. You can snorkel right off Tokoriki Island anytime you like. But if you'd like to venture further out, there are lots of water activities and options that can be organised by Kai Wai Watersports Fiji. And I can tell you, you will not find more friendly or hospitable staff to organise your activities. Do yourself a favour and ask for Jim.

For our second snorkelling trip, we did a guided tour of the Plantation sandbar and I saw things I had never seen before. We saw a clown fish (yes, Nemo) floating around an anemone and even a barracuda. The water was so clear, the transparency was amazing. I didn't need to come up once for over an hour to clear my goggles, so I could just take in all the incredible marine life uninterrupted.

Hi Nemo. Image: Supplied.

On the way back to Tokoriki Island, we enjoyed a beautiful picnic basket on the boat organised by the hotel.

It included:

• Fruit platter

• BLT and chicken wraps

• Beetroot and artichoke dips with chips

• Ginger cookies

• Fiji water

Get a massage at the Retreat Spa.

There is no such thing as a relaxing holiday without a massage and at Tokoriki Retreat Spa, you have lots of options. You can choose from massages, facials, waxing, pedicures and lots of other services.

The Tokoriki Retreat Spa is like a hidden oasis. Image: Supplied.

My husband and I had a one-hour couple's massage, and I've never felt more relaxed in my life. The massage therapist had amazing technique and knew how to balance creating a relaxing experience while also releasing muscle tension. She asked what pressure was preferred throughout and adjusted accordingly. I also liked that they used Pure Fiji products to make the experience authentic.

After a very relaxing week, as we prepared to leave the island, a group of the hotel staff gathered around and began to sing a farewell song in Fijian. Its meaning was to have a safe trip home, to say thank you for the memories and good luck and goodbye. I couldn't have thought of a more special way to end our trip than that.

Where is your favourite place to stay in Fiji? Tell us in the comments section below.

Mamamia travelled as a guest of Sheraton Hotels and Resorts. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's own.

Featured image: Supplied/Valentina Todoroska.