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

Yahoo

19-02-2025

The luxury resorts and picturesque destinations featured on the popular series The White Lotus have inspired fans and increased tourism to the real stars of the show, but not every locale has been able to adequately handle the influx of new visitors. The first season of The White Lotus led to a 386 percent increase in availability checks at the Four Seasons Maui in Wailea and the second season inspired tourists to visit Taormina, Sicily. And for the third season, Thailand—including key destinations like Koh Samui—will not be immune to the 'The White Lotus Effect.'
Although Koh Samui looks stunning on the show, behind the scenes the infrastructure is already overburdened by tourism, according to the Thailand Environment Institute, a non-profit focused on sustainable development issues. There are currently 200,000 tons of waste—mostly from single-use plastics—sitting in Koh Samui and while the government is moving 60 tons of waste per day off the island, it can't keep up with the 180 to 200 tons being generated per day.
Unfortunately, the new season of The White Lotus—sparking a new wave of wanderlust—may exacerbate the island's waste issues with the increase in additional tourists set-jetting to the Koh Samui, part of the Chumphon Archipelago in Thailand.
However, for an idyllic tropical adventure, White Lotus fans should consider visiting Malolo Island, the largest of Fiji's Mamanuca Islands. This island is only a 10-minute helicopter ride from Nadi International Airport (NAN) or a 45-minute boat ride from Port Denarau. The 95-square-mile island of Koh Samui saw 3.4 million tourists in 2023, with numbers.
Whereas, the country of Fiji—more than 330 islands—saw just over 1 million visitors in 2024. While this was a record high for the vacation destination, Fiji has fewer tourists than Koh Samui, which makes Malolo Island a less-crowded option with similar perks as the island used as the White Lotus backdrop in Season 3.
(Related: A look at The White Lotus location and six more blockbuster backdrops.)
Malolo Island and Koh Samui are warm and humid year-round with rainy and dry seasons. Malolo boasts an average temperature of 79°F (26°C), and in Koh Samui, average temps are between 82-90°F (28-32°C) with higher humidity. Both islands' clear, blue ocean water brimming with coral gardens attract snorkelers and divers. The visual appeal of Malolo Island is also strikingly similar to the Thai islands with hallmark palm trees and fine white sand, spotted with blooming frangipani trees.
Unlike Koh Samui's more boisterous nightlife, Malolo Island's daylight hours are usually ruled by fun water sports and activities, such as snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, surfing, and kayaking. At night, this Fijian island is quieter than Koh Samui, and free of late-night parties. However, resorts typically have lively beach bars serving cocktails in the evening. Don't miss out on the sunsets while visiting Malolo Island. Peni Ravitu, a tour guide with Tourism Fiji, says the sunsets are especially remarkable.
Fiji's renowned friendly hospitality is just as famous as the welcoming vibe in Thailand. Here, people are greeted with bula instead of sawatdee-ka, but the joyful smiles and enthusiastic waves will still make visitors feel welcome. Cox says, 'Fijians are renowned for our natural friendliness, embodied in the spirit of 'bula'. Bula is a greeting you'll hear everywhere, and it means more than just 'hello'. It's a wish for the other person's good health, and an expression of joy, community, and connection.'
She continues, 'Whether you're walking through a village, checking into a hotel, or just passing someone on the street, you'll likely be greeted with a big smile and a heartfelt bula! Our friendliness never feels forced; it's just who we are. People always remark upon our smiles and our warm hospitality, which we bestow freely upon each other and visitors. There's a strong emphasis in Fiji on respect and generosity, and people, here, genuinely take pleasure in making others feel at home.'
In addition to the weather, health and wellness programs are in abundance when visiting Malolo Island as well as Koh Samui. The 3rd season of The White Lotus has a strong emphasis on mental and physical health, and fans can replicate many of the soothing scenes on Malolo Island, like practicing yoga in a thatched shala or relaxing with a soothing massage. Or find simple movement and meditation in a hike up to Malolo Hill to watch the sunrise.
In the second episode, Valentin (Arnas Fedaravičius) tells Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan) and Laurie (Carrie Coon) that they had biometrics of women half their age. If you're curious about your own, wellness screenings are available from the Ayurveda practitioners at Six Senses Fiji, starting with a biomarker evaluation, resulting in recommended ways to optimize your body's health. The spa at Six Senses Fiji has the same natural beauty as the White Lotus spa and offers a similar breadth of treatments and programs, including guided meditation and chakra balancing.
(Related: Cave meditation to colonics: 5 ways to experience Thai wellness on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.)
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.
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.
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.'
(Related: Here's everything you need to know about Fiji.)
While season 3 of The White Lotus was filmed in several Thailand locations, such as Phuket, Bangkok, and Koh Samui, the main location for the eponymous hotel is the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. Malolo Island also offers a range of luxurious accommodations, including 4- and 5-star resorts and standalone villas inspired by Fijian bures (thatched bungalows).
At Six Senses Fiji, a GEM (Guest Experience Maker) helps ensure you have a seamless stay in one of their pool villas or two to five-bedroom residences and enjoy the amenities such as their KaloKalo Cinema under the stars. Six Senses has a Koh Samui location, and in real life, it is similar to The White Lotus-style accommodations and its health and wellness focus seen in season 3.
For an adults-only experience, Likuliku Lagoon Resort is tranquil and romantic, with overwater bungalows in addition to their beachfront bures. Whereas its family-friendly sister resort, Malolo Island Resort, features a treehouse kids' club.
Michelle Stansbury is a San Diego-based freelance writer who writes about travel, food, and parenting. Follow her on Instagram.