<strong>Operation paradise:</strong> Opened in 2013, Cloud 9 bobs above Roro Reef in the Mamanuca archipelago, about 45 minutes off the west coast of Fiji via speedboat.
Operation paradise: Opened in 2013, Cloud 9 bobs above Roro Reef in the Mamanuca archipelago, about 45 minutes off the west coast of Fiji via speedboat.
John Tor
<strong>Jump right in: </strong>"We wanted people to be able to move easily in and out of the water, to have some dry areas, and also plenty of shade," says Wachtel. "The over-water structure allows guests to access the reef in a way that's not possible if we were to have just set up on land."
Jump right in: "We wanted people to be able to move easily in and out of the water, to have some dry areas, and also plenty of shade," says Wachtel. "The over-water structure allows guests to access the reef in a way that's not possible if we were to have just set up on land."
Luke Thompson
<strong>Surf's up: </strong>If a floating bar in the middle of the South Pacific sounds like someone's pipe dream -- that's not too far off the mark. An Australian DJ, sailor and avid surfer, Bar'el Wachtel, co-founder of Cloud 9, imagined the remote bar during a surfing trip in Fiji.
Surf's up: If a floating bar in the middle of the South Pacific sounds like someone's pipe dream -- that's not too far off the mark. An Australian DJ, sailor and avid surfer, Bar'el Wachtel, co-founder of Cloud 9, imagined the remote bar during a surfing trip in Fiji.
Hilife
<strong>Big break: </strong>"Surfing brought me to Fiji as a visitor about five years ago," says Wachtel. "It's a really tricky place to surf, because the breaks are so isolated. You really need a boat to access everything. We thought it'd be amazing to have a meeting place, closer to the breaks."
Big break: "Surfing brought me to Fiji as a visitor about five years ago," says Wachtel. "It's a really tricky place to surf, because the breaks are so isolated. You really need a boat to access everything. We thought it'd be amazing to have a meeting place, closer to the breaks."
Hilife
<strong>The perfect spot:</strong> They finally settled on a lagoon, about a half-mile northwest of Fiji's famous Cloudbreak swell. Thanks to surrounding islands, the relatively shallow water is generally protected from the strongest winds and waves.
The perfect spot: They finally settled on a lagoon, about a half-mile northwest of Fiji's famous Cloudbreak swell. Thanks to surrounding islands, the relatively shallow water is generally protected from the strongest winds and waves.
Alari Teede
<strong>Easy breezy: </strong>Attached to a single mooring, the two-story platform sways with the breeze. But in the case of a heavy storm, a speedboat can tug the two-story platform wooden restaurant to safety in about 30 minutes.
Easy breezy: Attached to a single mooring, the two-story platform sways with the breeze. But in the case of a heavy storm, a speedboat can tug the two-story platform wooden restaurant to safety in about 30 minutes.
John Tor
<strong>Going green</strong>: Designed by Fiji-based Australian architect Lisa Philp, the floating restaurant was constructed using three different types of local woods -- mahogany, raintree and treated pine. The structure sits atop two pontoons, while white canvas tarps provide shade. Solar panels power the entire operation.
Going green: Designed by Fiji-based Australian architect Lisa Philp, the floating restaurant was constructed using three different types of local woods -- mahogany, raintree and treated pine. The structure sits atop two pontoons, while white canvas tarps provide shade. Solar panels power the entire operation.
Hilife
<strong>Cutting-edge music:</strong> 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.
Cutting-edge music: 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.
Anais Chaine Photography
<strong>Lunch is served:</strong> Served on thick wood butchers' boards, thin crust, wood-fired pizza is the order of the day. There are about six options available, including classic Margherita, Hawaiian (topped with ham and pineapple) and a four-cheese white pizza.
Lunch is served: Served on thick wood butchers' boards, thin crust, wood-fired pizza is the order of the day. There are about six options available, including classic Margherita, Hawaiian (topped with ham and pineapple) and a four-cheese white pizza.
Anais Chaine Photography
<strong>Grab a slice</strong>: It's maybe not the best pizza we've ever had, but we were impressed with the homemade dough (made fresh every morning) and crispy crust.
Grab a slice: It's maybe not the best pizza we've ever had, but we were impressed with the homemade dough (made fresh every morning) and crispy crust.
Anais Chaine Photography
<strong>Keep it simple: </strong>"Pizza was an elegant solution, because we have environmental considerations out here," says Wachtel. "With a full menu, you need to have a full kitchen."
Keep it simple: "Pizza was an elegant solution, because we have environmental considerations out here," says Wachtel. "With a full menu, you need to have a full kitchen."
Anais Chaine Photography
<strong>Low-waste policy:</strong> "Waste is obviously a very important logistical consideration for us -- we have to transport everything back to the mainland and we want to preserve the beauty of the area, so we do everything we can to minimize waste."
Low-waste policy: "Waste is obviously a very important logistical consideration for us -- we have to transport everything back to the mainland and we want to preserve the beauty of the area, so we do everything we can to minimize waste."
Anais Chaine Photography
<strong>Taste the rainbow:</strong> At the bar, day drinkers can enjoy tropical cocktails from every shade in the rainbow, a few local beers like Fiji Gold and Fiji Bitter, and a handful of wines and bubbly. "Obviously having a fully stocked bar was very important," recalls Wachtel. "We wanted to have the raddest lounge bar in the world -- a meeting place in the middle of the ocean."
Taste the rainbow: At the bar, day drinkers can enjoy tropical cocktails from every shade in the rainbow, a few local beers like Fiji Gold and Fiji Bitter, and a handful of wines and bubbly. "Obviously having a fully stocked bar was very important," recalls Wachtel. "We wanted to have the raddest lounge bar in the world -- a meeting place in the middle of the ocean."
Anais Chaine Photography