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.

A view from the beach of Horseshoe Bay on Matagi Island

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.^[1]

In 1874, an offer of cession by the Fijian Chiefs at that time was accepted, and Fiji was proclaimed a possession and dependency of the British Crown. In 1878, a Fijian princess named Adi Matila, purchased Matagi / Matangi Island and a portion of the neighboring Qamea Island from James Turpin. Adi Matila later married Frederick Smith, an immigrant from Australia. Their son, George Smith married Flora Mitchell, and the couple created a copra (coconut) plantation on the island. Their son, George Frederick Smith, had two daughters, Flora and Penelope (known as Chick), who are the current trustees of the island. Flora Smith married Noel Douglas, a 4th generation Taveuni planter of Scottish and Irish descent. In 1986 Noel and Flora discontinued the plantation and developed the 240 acre Matangi Private Island Resort.

Climate

Climate is warm and tropical year-round, even in the islands’ “winter” months. The average temperature in Fiji is 25 °C (77 °F), but it can climb to above 30 °C (86 °F) in summer (December and January) and sink to 18 °C (64 °F) in winter (July and August). The trade winds, which blow from the southeast, usually prevail from May to October (the drier winter months). In December and January, the winds often shift and come from the east, bringing rainfall with them.

References

External links

• Matangi Island Resort

Coordinates: 16°44′0″S 179°45′3″W / 16.73333°S 179.75083°W / -16.73333; -179.75083