Matagi Island

Matagi (pronounced [maˈtaŋi]), sometimes written Matangi, is an island the Vanua Levu Group in northern Fiji, situated 16°44 South 179° West. It is one of three tiny volcanic islands grouped to the east of Thurston Point on the island of Taveuni, the others being Qamea and Laucala. Inaccessible until recently, this privately owned island has been turned into a resort for up-market divers.

The horseshoe-shaped islet of 97 hectares (240 acres) lies 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) east of Thurston Point. It is owned by the investor Noel Douglas, whose family are fifth-generation Fijians of Scottish descent and manage the island's resort. Apart from diving, activities include fishing, windsurfing, sailing, water-skiing, and snorkelling. There is a speedboat link between Matagi and Taveuni.

History

It is believed the Fiji Islands were first settled about 3,500 years ago. In 1643, Dutch Navigator Abel Tasman was the first European to discover Fiji’s Northern group of islands including Matagi Island. A whole century had passed before the next explorer came into contact with the “Cannibal Isles”, as Fiji was known then. During this period, conflict and warfare between Fiji’s indigenous tribes, and attempts by the nearby Tongan islanders to occupy the Eastern part of Fiji were rife. Early settlers at this time were a mixture of shipwrecked sailors, whalers, “Blackbirders”, missionaries and traders of mostly sandalwood, sea cucumber and turtle shell.