Here are some photographs taken in 1997, during a stay at this wonderful resort.
The island was owned by Malcolm Forbes from 1972 until 2003, when it was bought by Dietrich Mateschitz, head of the Red Bull energy drink company. It is currently being developed with a "7-star" resort.
(Update: Their website is up and running: www.laucala.com)
Those of you who were lucky enough to stay at this resort before it closed down will remember the absolute magic in the island and it's people. It is no wonder that Malcolm Forbes chose this island to be his final resting place.
References:
Wikipedia article on Laucala
Current Weather Report in Laucala Bay
Nice satellite view from Wikimapia
Page from Melissa McCoy's travel agency site who used to book vacations here.
Current Laucala Island web page.
News:
12 July 2000, Cyber Diver News Network, "Armed Rebel Supporters Seize Fiji Forbes Laucala Resort"
29 July 2000, International Herald Tribune, "Forbes Estate Selling Fiji's 'Idyllic' Laucala"
25 March 2001, New York Times, "A Quiet (Again) Island, on the Block"
12 April 2006, Austrian Times, "Red Bull Boss Buys Fiji Island"
15 January 2008, Fijian Custom and Culture blog, "Laucala in a Class of it's Own"
21 June 2008, Fiji Times, "Private Isle Rid of Rats"
23 June 2008, Fijilive article, "Developers Mum on Fiji's 7-Star Resort"
10 December 2008, Fiji Times, "ATR42 Lands on Laucala"
03 June 2009, Robb Report, "Ten Top Summer Getaways: Laucala Island"
21 August 2009, Robb Report article, "Laucala Island, Fiji"