Visit this island to dodge Thailand's 'The White Lotus' boom

National Geographic

19-02-2025

Spend a day at sea
Just as Koh Samui is surrounded by the Ang Thong National Marine Park, Malolo Island also has extraordinary ocean adventures accessible by boat. While the characters of The White Lotus simply cruise around on Gary's yacht in episode four, you won't regret packing a snorkel to see the magnificent coral reefs. For a more hands-on experience in marine restoration, join the Coral Gardeners, an organization that tends to coral nurseries and transplants coral to damaged reefs to help restore the delicate ecosystem.
Visitors staying on Malolo Island can arrange a day trip to other islands in the Mamanuca archipelago, like South Sea Island, where active vacationers can go kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming.
Photograph by Don Mammoser, Shutterstock
Set-jetters shouldn't miss the nearby Monuriki Island where the movie Cast Away, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year—was filmed. Sidney James Cox, a private tour guide with ToursByLocals recommends heading to the iconic island for a hike. 'Many people love to take a day trip to Monuriki Island, known as 'Castaway Island.' There are short hikes to amazing viewpoints here, and you can see many pristine beaches.' Malolo Island and the surrounding area are ideal for watersports. 'Paddleboarding, swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and sailing are all fun ways to get out in the ocean,' explains Cox. Adventurous wave riders can take a 30-minute boat ride to the famous, but challenging Cloudbreak surf spot, known for its world-class lef-hand wave that breaks over a shallow reef.
Embrace local Fijian traditions and culture
Visitors to Malolo Island can immerse themselves in Fijian culture and learn about traditions such as meke performances, a traditional Fijian dance combined with song and storytelling to share the island's history, culture, and values. It's not uncommon for local resorts to host or feature these traditional performances on-site. Visitors to the island should also witness firsthand a lovo—a customary feast cooked in an underground oven. This Fijian feast usually consists of a slow-cooked chicken with sweet cassava as well as other meats and root vegetables marinated in flavorful local herbs and coconut milk.
While on Malolo Island, visitors can't leave without trying kava. Fiji's national drink is made from dried yaqona root, a pepper plant. An acquired taste, the calming, intoxicating beverage hits the palate with bitter, earthy overtones, but the social aspects of the kava ceremony are what you will truly remember. Commonly practiced in Pacific Islands, the traditional ritual involves drinking the mildly sedative drink served from a communal bowl (tanoa) into coconut shells (bilo) to participants sitting in a circle. Kava gives the taster a numbing sensation in their mouth, followed by a mellow, relaxed feeling, amplified by the charm of being welcomed into a circle of strangers.
Ravitu compares the importance of culture in Koh Samui and Malolo, saying, 'Both islands have a strong cultural identity, with Malolo embracing Fijian traditions that you can experience firsthand when visiting the neighboring village. This hospitality is driven by the upbringing of the Fijians where their traditional community mindset and welcoming ways are extended to tourists visiting the islands. Visitors often experience these cultural practices firsthand, such as the kava ceremony. This traditional ritual not only allows guests to connect with locals but also fosters a sense of belonging and shared experience.'