Get in touch with your inner Robinson Crusoe

Serious offers are being accepted for a Fijian island of just under 11ha situated off the west coast of Viti Levu, northwest of Fiji's city of Nadi, in the middle of the Mamanuca Island Group in the Koro Sea.

"Yadua Island is centrally located and ideal for tourism resort development, and it could sell for significantly less than its estimated value," says Rick Kermode, senior property broker with Knight Frank in Ellerslie who is selling the island under a deadline private treaty expiring on July 10.

Also called known as Nautonivono, Kermode says Yadua Island (pronounced Yan-du-a) is "a perfect green jewel set in deep blue sea - uninhabited, untouched, and with a hint of neighbouring isles on the horizon.

It's hard to believe that the island is just a 10-minute flight from Nadi.

"Some of the world's premier diving and surfing sites can be found within minutes of the island which is just one of reason why Yadua is so ideal for tourism development. The island is just a short boat ride from almost every major resort and tourist attraction in the area," he says.

Architectural plans that have been drawn up for a luxury resort with a complex of holiday villas could be made available to the island's purchasers.

"If this concept for Yadua's development was pursued, with its eco-friendly sensibilities that make full use of the island's stunning topography, it would be a stand-out among Fijian island resorts," Kermode says.

"The proposal envisages an airy, Balinese-styled central hotel core with winding pathways connecting to 10 Fijian-styled accommodation bures _ each having its own private area and sweeping sea views.

"The project would also include a marina, recreational areas for water sports, tracks through the island's forests, and most strikingly, a man-made lagoon in the hollow of the island's ancient volcanic crater."

Kermode says a realistic alternative for Yadua would be for someone to purchase it as a site to construct their own private South Pacific holiday hideaway home.

"It's also a perfect size for personal use if someone wants an island of their own on which to build a luxury residence." Opportunities for investment in Yadua are available as an entire purchase or a half share by taking up a 50 per cent share in the New Zealand company that owns the island.

Kermode says he knows Fiji well, having been born and raised there. He is well known in the islands, having represented Fiji as an athlete at two Commonwealth Games and two South Pacific Games.

Sir Ron Kermode, his father, was the first elected Speaker of the House of Representatives when Fiji became independent in 1970 and he later was appointed the Acting Chief Justice of Fiji.

"Members of our family have been extensively involved in the development of the Fiji tourist industry," he says.

"Because of the South Pacific's strong tourism economy, real estate investment in Fiji has historically been some of the most profitable in the region _ and it continues to thrive even in the global economic downturn."

While he has primarily been involved in selling and leasing commercial real estate since 1996, Kermode says he has also been involved in selling and leasing more than 2200ha of Fijian Islands.

In addition to marketing Yadua, Kermode is also the master agent for the sale of a number of Fiji islands. These include Robinson Crusoe Island, an existing successful backpacker island, Nanuya Balavu island and three freehold islands in the Lau group.