A day on Cloud 9
Surrounding Cloud 9, Roro Reef provides colorful underwater scenery.
John Tor
Cloud 9 was mostly a hangout for serious surfers when it first opened, but the guest list has expanded considerably over the years to include young couples, groups of friends and even a few families.
With two daily sessions, Wachtel estimates that the place welcomes roughly 200 visitors a day during peak season.
When guests disembark from the ferry, they tend to find their own little nook.
Each level offers varied seating arrangements, including large day beds, shaded communal tables, bar seating and rows of sun-soaked reclining chairs.
Once settled, you can rent snorkel gear, jump from the top deck and swim around the reef, where you'll find colorful coral and a smattering of fascinating fish.
"A lot of places offer a party on an island, but I was attracted to this project because it's unique and it's authentic," says Wachtel.
"You get the feeling of being really far out, but you still have a sense of proximity to a lot of important tourist destinations, such as Port Denarau."
“It allows guests to access the reef in a way that's not possible if we were to have just set up on land.”
The floating paradise also lures music lovers from all over the world, thanks to a rotating roster of guest DJs, including international DJ Ant J. Steep -- an Australian DJ and composer who fills the air with mellow, moody electronic beats.
"Since I was coming from a music background, it was important for me to figure out a way to throw parties out here and provide a cutting-edge music policy," says Wachtel.
Following each guest DJ performance, Wachtel uploads the set to Cloud 9's Soundcloud account so visitors can tune in at home.