Fiji Sea Salt

 Fiji Sea Salt was started by Jone at Viani Bay Resort and Dive Academy a few years ago.  He started in a small shack spending a few years perfecting the process.

We had the honor of attending this monumental event.  The minister was coming to Viani Bay – the first time in the history of the bay.  They are here to celebrate the opening of the new Fiji Sea Salt facility.

Several dignitaries, the media for Fiji Times, family, friends, and staff gather around for the presentation and ceremony.

Viani Bay Resort hosted a special lovo and feast after the ceremony. They served close to 75 people.  Everyone enjoyed, pork, chicken, beef stir fry, fish, taro, salad and more during the feast.

They had a beautiful display of all the Fiji Sea Salt Flavors and a few of their coconut oils.

They sell over 16 different varieties of sea salt.  Each infused with fresh herbs and spices.  They also sell Extra Virgin Coconut Oil in 5 different varieties and 2 more to come.

Viani Bay Resort applied for and received a special cooperative grant from the government.  The government contributes 2/3 ($80,000 Fijian) of the cost and the applicant contributes 1/3 ($40,000 Fijian). 

The government started the co-op to help the local economy, created 7 new jobs, and enrich the Fijian culture.

The Making of Fiji Sea Salt

During Covid, Jone decided to revive and modernize the ancient Fijian tradition of harvesting sea salt. 

He spent a year perfecting his craft and is now the only manufacturer of Fleur de Sel (the highest grade of sea salt) in Fiji.

The quality of the salt is define by the processing of the water. 

Jone harvests the salt from the deep turquoise waters of Taveuni.

Workers then pour the sea water into large vats and boiled to evaporate the water. Once the water has evaporated the salt crystals float up to the surface creating Fleur de Sel. 

The water never touches the ground during the entire process which is entirely manual.

Jone takes the salt crystals and filters them, then sun-dries them, and then infuses them with natural herbs and spices.

They have their herbs, nuts, seaweed drying in a special enclosed area for optimal flavor.

 

A close up of the wide variety of sea salt flavors.

Our blog posts run 6-8 weeks behind actual live events.

We celebrated the grand opening of Fiji Sea Salt on 2 July 2025 in Viani Bay.

Be sure to check out the beauty of Viani Bay in our last blog post.

Fiji Sea Salt on No Foreign Land.

The Beauty of Viani Bay

Viani Bay is a large bay located close to Fiji’s renowned Rainbow Reef.  There are two dive resorts here: Viani Bay Resort and Dive Academy and Dolphin Bay Retreat

Several other dive resorts take tourists to Rainbow Reef including Paradise Dive Resort, Taveuni Dive Resort, and Rainbow Reef Diving.

We met Marina and Jone a few years ago.  They own and operate Viani Bay Resort and Dive Academy.  They are super cruiser friendly, offer delicious meals, have lovely grounds, and wonderful dive tours.

Hikes and Walks in Viani Bay

We decided to walk from Viani Bay, over the hill, and through the mangroves to The Remote Resort.  We did this walk coming the other way so we had somewhat of a track.

It is 2hours and 3.7 miles there, including a few wrong turns.  But we all made it!

We enjoyed a delicious lunch and headed back.  Long day, but totally worth the effort!

It started out just being Chris, Sarah (SeaGlub) and Sugar Shack.  But then others heard about our lofty goals and wanted to join the adventure.  We ended up with Kevin and Stacy (Free Spirit), Pierre and Marie (Viva), and Craig and Ray (Russala).

We came across a property called Na Vale Walu on a different walk  This unique home sits on 36 acres of free hold land.  There is main house and guest house and both come fully furnished.  Could be yours for $600,000 USD.

Matt attempted to climb a palm tree but only made it half way up (or is it across).

There is lots of exploring to do around this pretty bay.  We walk along the water’s edge and see a variety of Fijian houses.  Some are nicer than others, but they all have the same gorgeous view.

There is a small church and a primary school.

Our blog posts run 6-8 weeks behind actual live events. 

We were here during the first part of July 2025.

We learn all about Fiji Salt which was created by Jwww.noforeignland.com/place/5250864870588416ohne at Viani Bay Resort.  Don’t miss this next blog post.

In our last blog post we share the pristine shores of Rabi Island.

Find Viani Bay on No Foreign Land

Prisitine Shores of Rabi Island

We enjoy several days at the pristine bay of Albert Cove on Rabi Island.  The beaches are gorgeous with over hanging palm trees.  The waters are turquoise and teaming with life and the Banaban community are friendly and welcoming.

Albert Cove, Rabi Island

Albert Cove, Rabi Island

Albert Cove, Rabi Isla

Matt and I with Sugar Shack on the background.

Albert Cove, Rabi

Albert Cove, Rabi

You can see why this place enchanted us….

Albert Cove, Rabi Island

Albert Cove, Rabi Island

The Locals

The locals are not Fijian, as we shared in our last post “Rabi Island: A Tortured Beginning to Thriving.” 

There is no village located on Albert Cove.  However, we met several locals that walk 2 hours from the main village in Elizabeth Cove.  They come here to harvest copra.

We continued on down the beach and met Thomas and Pauline. 

They moved here after they decided lead a more quiet and quality life on Albert Cove.  

Thomas and Pauline invited us to sit and enjoy the shade as they told us stories of their great grandparents migration from Banaba to Rabi Island.

They sent their cousin up a tree to retrieve coconuts.  He was so quick and nimble as he scurried up to the top of the tree (over 15 meters tall).

A Hike to Smiling Bay

Thomas told us that he could take us to Smiling Bay which is on the other side of the island.  

It was a 45 minute walk, about 1 mile each way, along a fairly easy trail. 

We met some more Banabans who were harvesting copra once we arrived.

Super beautiful bay and truly lovely people.  What a pleasure it was to visit here.

Find Rabi Island on No Foreign Land

Our blog posts run 6-8 weeks behind actual live events.  We visited Rabi Island toward the end of June 2025.