Where is Fiji?

Bula! Welcome to the captivating world of Fiji. A tropical paradise nestled in the heart of the South Pacific, with crystal clear waters, coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, shallow lagoons, swaying coconut palms, and white sand beaches. So, where is Fiji?

Fiji is situated in Eastern Melanesia, which is right in the middle of the South Pacific, sitting in between Micronesia, Polynesia, and Australia.  Fiji has more than 330 islands and 500 islets spanning 7,056 square miles, roughly the size of New Jersey. These islands form a mosaic of natural beauty, diverse cultures, and endless adventures.

Fiji has a central location in the South Pacific region. It’s about 1,100 miles north of Aukland, New Zealand, almost 2,000 miles northeast of Sydney, Australia, and 3,100 miles southwest of Hawaii. Fiji is midway between the countries of Vanuatu and Tonga, its closest neighbors.

The central ocean location helps make Fiji a hub in the South Pacific. With one of the largest populations and GDPs among the tourism-dependent economies in the South Pacific, this vibrant nation known for its diverse cultures and lush landscapes draws visitors from all corners of the globe.

How to Get There and Get Around

The easiest way to reach these tropical Pacific islands from the U.S. is through Fiji Airways’s direct flights from Honolulu (approximately 7 hours), Los Angeles, and San Francisco (approximately 10-hour flights) to Nadi International Airport.

Several direct international flights from other South Pacific islands, New Zealand, Australia, and Korea land at Nadi International Airport on the Fiji island Viti Levu. Viti Levu is the international gateway to the Fiji Islands. Once landed, there are several options to get to different Fiji islands.

Things to Note if You Visit Fiji:

• On Sundays, Fijians have a rest day, where boats may not run, and tourist sites could be closed.
• Cash is the most widely used payment method in Fiji. No banks or ATMs are on the small islands, so bring enough cash or take it out at the airport. There are ATMs in Ba, Labasa, Lautoka, Nadi, Nausori, Savusavu, Sigatoka, Suva, and Tavua. It is remarked that all the larger places take credit cards, but you shouldn’t rely on them.

You can access the larger Fiji islands of Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Kadavu, Denarau, Yasawa, and Mamanuca by air and sea from Viti Levu. Taking domestic flights from the Nadi airport, you can fly into Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Kadavu, Yasawa, and Mamanuca Islands. Denarau Island is 25 minutes south of the Nadi Airport, connected to Vit Levu by a causeway, which you can get to by taxi, public bus service, or private transfer. Cruises and ferry services also leave from Viti Levu to Vanua Levu, Taveuni, and Kadavu.

Other options to island hop are to take a domestic flight out of the Suva airport to Vanua Levu, access the Yassawa Islands by boats from Port Denarau or Lautoka, take a water taxi from Port Denarau to the Mamanuca Islands, and even travel to the Lomaiviti Islands by plane, which is a ten-minute flight from Nausori Airport or reach them by ferry from Suva. However, if you want to explore some of the remote islands of Fiji, your best option is to charter a sailing vessel.

Want to Know More? Here’s a breakdown of Fiji’s main islands and what they offer

Viti Levu

When you fly into Fiji’s two main airports, you land on Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest and most populated island. Its name means “Great Fiji,” you can see it in the island’s natural beauty of rainforests, volcanic peaks, sunburnt yellow sugarcane fields, spectacular sand dunes, and waterfalls.

Viti Levu is known for having some of the best hiking, food, and towns within Fiji in its regions. You’ll find Nadi’s main transportation hub, Coral Coast’s spectacular coastlines, the adventure-filled Pacific Harbour & Beqa, the bustling harbor capital – Suva, and the off-the-beaten-track of Suncoast.

Home to a wide range of resorts, from large family-friendly complexes to budget resorts tucked away in secluded bays, you can find the perfect place to stay and enjoy an abundance of things to do on Viti Levu.

Your vacation can be filled with scuba diving vibrant coral reefs, cultural experiences in remote Fiji villages, renting a car to drive and explore the small market towns along the coastal road circling the island, white water rafting the Navua River, climbing Mount Tomanivi, and so much more.

Nadi

Fiji’s third-largest town, Nadi, encompasses suburbs, bustling markets, a town center with colorful Hindu temples, exotic gardens, and some of the closest beach resorts to the airport. As the main hub for international travelers, it is easy to island hop to Denarau Island and the Mamanuca Islands. However, if you plan on staying in Viti Levu, Nadi has more tourist attractions and activities, including great places to eat, drink, and shop.

The top activity in Nadi is the Garden of the Sleeping Giant. The garden’s must-see is the 2000 orchid varieties that grow in a valley below the mountain. This exotic garden has a colorful display of native plants and flowers throughout the canopied walkways, lily ponds, meadows, and fish ponds. As you walk around the garden, enjoy the chirps of the birds and other wildlife in the large tropical forest.

The Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool is another popular activity for a complete Fijian relaxation experience. You receive a warm Fijian welcome from the owners, who let you have the opportunity to taste authentic Fijian food, get a Fijian massage, and purchase crafts from locals. All while you lather yourself in thick mud (think Pig Pen from Charlie Brown), let it dry in the sun, and then soak it in the natural geothermal hot springs. You’ll feel refreshed and rejuvenated when you finish.

The Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple is the largest Hindu temple in the Pacific. This large temple is traditional Dravidian architecture, rarely seen outside of India. The wooden deities’ carvings are from India, as are the artists who created this colorful masterpiece. There is a small fee to see the impressive ceiling frescos inside.

Nadi is also known as the cultural center of Fiji. The Fiji Culture Village is where you can learn about all aspects of Fijian culture, especially what life in the villages is like. Fiji’s rich culture is displayed in its fire lighting, pottery making, wood carving, and mat weaving. You can also experience a kava ceremony and watch a meke show. During the evening, you can experience a lovo ceremony. Nadi is also home to Vou Hub Fiji. Here, you can enjoy theatre-style performances and interactive experiences.

Another wonderful place to experience authentic Fijian culture is the welcoming Navala village. The village is surrounded by grass-covered mountains full of secret caves. Navala is the last remaining thatch village in Fiji, in Viti Levu’s highlands.

More fun things to do in and around Nadi include quad biking through Sabeto Hills, sky diving over the Fiji islands, taking a scenic flight for an aerial perspective, and even going on a sailing excursion. There is always something to be found, like visiting the Oho Caves, home to headhunters, or renting a 4WD to take the rocky road to Navilawa to find waterfalls and swimming holes to plunge in. If you want to relax, head to Nadi’s main beach, Wailoaloa Beach.

You can also visit a traditional salt factory, explore the Waqadra Botanical Gardens, chat with the locals at Nadi Market and Namaka Food Market, or pick up souvenirs at the Nadi Handicraft Market. Nightlife is also pumping in Nadi with all the bars and nightclubs.

Suva

Fiji’s capital and largest city, Suva, is a wonderful town to visit on your Fijian holiday, where you can experience the infamous Fijian friendliness. Although more geared toward locals, Suva is a great base due to its proximity to Pacific Harbour and being the port for trips for the off-the-beaten-track Lomaiviti Islands. Suva also has dozens of places for visitors to explore and have a good time, including historical sites, local markets, museums, its colonial architecture, parks, fantastic eateries, and a vibrant nightlife and the South Indian fire-walking festival is held here during July or August.

Colo-i-Suva Forest Park (pronounced tholo-ee-soo-va) is a lush rainforest park overflowing with tropical plants and exotic wildlife. Visitors can enjoy listening to the birds while walking on trails that take you to clear natural pools interconnected by cascading waterfalls. You can even climb over the waterfalls and the crisscrossing tree trunks arching over the pool to jump in and swim. This park is the perfect place to cool down from the city heat.

The Fiji Museum is a fantastic place to delve into the Fijian culture and history. With archaeological exhibits and Polynesian artifacts, some over 3000 years old, the 1929 museum has a fabulous collection for you to peruse. After exploring the museum, walk outside to enjoy the colorful vegetation of the Thurston Gardens. Then, take a walk to see the impressive colonial architecture around town, including the Parliament House, the Sacred Heart Church, the University of the South Pacific, and the Grand Pacific Hotel.

If you are looking for more Fijian history, visit Orchid Island. Orchid Island is a small Fijian village where you can find a 100-year-old Fijian temple, the “Bure Kalou.” The 50ft high pagan temple emulates those ancient places where Fijians dedicated human sacrifices, often enemies, to their ancestral spirits. You can walk around the island with a tour guide to see all the native plants, tropical flowers, and wildlife. You’ll also see Fiji’s largest Drua, a war canoe, mongooses, monkeys, parrots, fish and crab traps, local crops, fish-hook making, and a turtle pool.

A memorable activity is to wake early and visit the Suva Municipal Market to experience the energy at the beating heart of Suva. The market covers 9300 sq meters and can house up to 3,500 vendors. To see the locals mingling among the booths, picking up their food for the day, and seeing all the produce is an education in local food and culture. You can purchase almost anything here besides the recognizable tropical fruits and vegetables. The more unfamiliar items for travelers are toward the back, where you can find brooms made of coconut leaves and husks and voivoi (pandanus leaves) used to weave mats.

Another fun activity is to explore Waisila Creek, where you can slide down the smooth, water-worn rocks. The creek flows down to the Waimanu River with fun swimming holes to enjoy. Or you can investigate one of the largest caves in Fiji, the Snake God Cave at Wailotua village. Inside the cave are six glittering stalactites in the shape of snakes’ heads, which is how the cave got its name.

For a unique dining experience, head to Tiko’s Floating Restaurant. Afterward, spend the evening walking along McArthur Street and Victoria Parade, where the most popular bars and nightclubs can be found. It does get lively, so prepare yourself for some fun.

Coral Coast

With Coral Coast’s spectacular white sand coastlines, it is no wonder this is where tourism first began in Fiji. You’ll find dozens of beach resorts on the Coral Coast, and as you travel inland, the scenery changes with the mountains of Serua that hide deep bays with even more budget accommodations. The Coral Coast offers a range of tourist attractions across the coast and inland, and with its location midway between Sigatoka and Pacific Harbour is the perfect base.

The biggest tourist attraction is Sigatoka Sand Dunes, one of Fiji’s beautiful national parks. The dunes stretch for 2.5 square miles, with some dunes providing incredible views of the island’s emerald hills and the turquoise blue waters. The dunes form a magnificent barrier between the ocean and Viti Levu’s lush interior and are a lot of fun to run up and down.

You might even see where the Fijian Olympic-winning rugby team trained when visiting the sand dunes. You can also find places to purchase Lapita pottery by the dunes. This distinct pottery with geometric patterns impressed on clay pots is made near the Sigatoka Sand Dunes.

The Kula Wild Adventure Park is a 28-acre wildlife sanctuary that protects Fiji’s native animals and has an incredible breeding program. Visitors get to walk on wooden walkways, bridges, and through enclosures that put you inside some of the habitats. You’ll see Fiji’s only native land mammal, the Fijian flying fox, the Pacific black duck, crested and banded iguana, turtles, and an aviary full of parrots and doves. Get your photo holding a Fijian Iguana or a Boa constrictor. After seeing the wildlife, enjoy sliding down the Splash Mountain Jungle Water Slide while the little kiddos play with water jets and slides in the splash pool.

An interesting historical site to visit is the Tavuni Hill Fort. This fort, built in the 18th century, was used defensively in times of war. The fort is on a steep limestone ridge at a bend in the Sigatoka River and now offers amazing valley views.

You can find even more activities out of Sigatoka. Sigatoka is the main hub of Coral Coast, where you can schedule all sorts of guided tours. Tours include jet boat and river cruises that can take you along the Sigatoka River, winding through numerous vegetable and sugar plantations to remote villages, off-roading tours to ancient cannibal caves, or exploring the Biausevu Waterfall. Go ahead and also try your hand at glassblowing, go on a tropical garden tour, glide around the island in a double kayak, or go horse riding on Natadola Beach.

Pacific Harbour & Beqa

The adventure playground of Pacific Harbour and Beqa will keep everyone busy in and above the water. Pacific Harbour is the perfect base for adrenaline enthusiasts, where you can go white water rafting on the Navua River, jet skiing, tubing, and ziplining on the same vacation. And if that wasn’t enough, take a boat ride to Beqa Island to snorkel in multi-hued soft coral with tropical fish swimming around you and even scuba dive with sharks.

The Navua River starts at the peaks of Mount Gordon and runs for 35 miles until it merges with the ocean. The fast-flowing water has carved a deep, narrow passage through the island’s rugged terrain, forming dramatic rapids and over 70 majestic waterfalls along the river. The bucket list adventure to not miss is white water rafting on the Upper Navua River. Strap on your helmet and hop in the raft to bounce over the rapids through canyons inland to reach a Fijian village for lunch.

Besides white water rafting, you can also go jet boating, tubing, kayaking, and bilibili rafting on the Navua River. Gliding slower on the river will let you enjoy the scenery passing by of local villages, farmlands, and rainforests.

A short four miles off Viti Levu’s southern shore is Beqa Island. For the most exhilarating adventure, scuba dive with eight species of sharks at nearly 100 different dive sites in Beqa Lagoon. The Shark Reef Marine Reserve in the Beqa Lagoon is the spot for cageless shark diving and shark-feeding dives. On a normal day, you could see hundreds of sharks, including white and blacktip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, silvertips, nurse sharks, lemon sharks, tiger sharks, and 400lb bull sharks. Other activities to enjoy at Beqa Island include jet skiing, swimming through underwater wrecks, and snorkeling among the soft corals in the lagoon to see turtles, starfish, sea anemones, huge clams, and tuna.

More adventures are available in Pacific Harbour, including ziplining through the rainforest canopy over the Wainadoi River Valley, horse-riding, golf, jet ski safari adventures, freediving, hand-line fishing, and spearfishing for Spanish Mackerel, Coral Trout, and Wahoo. Further inland, you can explore the Namosi Highlands’ high mountains with a 4WD, go whitewater rafting, and even take remote village treks. For the evening, schedule a sunset cruise and enjoy cocktails and canapes while watching the fiery sunset over the clear blue Fiji waters.

If you are looking for unique activities, there are a few to try on Viti Levu. Go on a moonlight prawning adventure, where you cast fishing nets to catch freshwater prawns with locals to be smoked over an open flame later. Or go on a food safari where you catch local mud crabs and cook them. And the biggest unique adventure is to go boar hunting in the jungle.

If you have exhausted your stay on Viti Levu, take a day cruise to Yanuca Island. Yanuca Island has more opportunities to snorkel, sea kayak, and paddle board. The highlight of the island is surfing Frigates Passage. Frigates is known for left-hand barrels, and amazing point breaks that fringe the barrier reef surrounding Beqa Island.

Suncoast

On the northern end of Viti Levu is the Suncoast, where Fiji’s highest mountains and coastline receive the longest time in the sun. Adventures can be had scuba diving the complex coral structures and seeing anemonefish in the Bligh Water, climbing Mount Tomanivi, Fiji’s highest peak, going on a dolphin cruise at Moon Reef, and checking out the Tomb of Udre Udre, Fiji’s notorious cannibal. You’ll see waterfalls and six Fijian villages when you explore Koroyanitu National Heritage Park on a guided scenic hike through Kauri pines and grasslands.

Viti Levu offers a lot of things to do for visitors, including the family-friendly beaches of Natadola, riding on the retired sugarcane railroad in a velocipede, three national parks, snorkeling and kayaking around Nananu-i-Ra Island, and the Naihehe Caves that are filled with history from its cannibal-inhabitant past. Ensure also to check out the Lautoka Sugar Mill, the largest sugar mill in the southern hemisphere. There aren’t tours available, but you can still look around. On Viti Levu, sugar, pineapples, rice, and tobacco are cultivated in the fertile valleys and deltas of the Navua, Rewa, and Sigatoka rivers.

Vanua Levu

The second largest island in Fiji, Vanua Levu, has plenty to offer visitors with its rugged rainforests that hide spectacular waterfalls among some of the best scuba diving and wonderful towns and Fijian cities the archipelago offers. With an abundant mix of land and water activities, you can have as busy or relaxed a vacation as you want.

The major attraction at Vanua Levu is scuba diving at one of the best dive sites in the world – the Rainbow Reef and the Great White Wall. This amazing dive spot is in the Somosomo Strait between Taveuni and Vanua Levu. This area sees a large amount of seawater pushed through the narrow, shallow strait, resulting in strong currents that bring nutrients to marine life and an amazing and unique environment.

Rainbow Reef is the world’s soft coral capital, home to over 300 hard and soft corals and approximately 1200 fish species. The Great White Wall can be reached by advanced divers going through a vertical swim-through surrounded by fish, coral, and invertebrates that dumps you out in front of a breathtaking wall of luminescent white coral.

Another spectacular area for underwater snorkeling and diving is the Namena Marine Reserve. This marine sanctuary encompasses a horseshoe-shaped barrier reef and the small Namenalala island. It is filled with sea turtles, crabs, seahorses, octopi, eels, anemones, and over 1000 species of tropical fish. You can reach the reserve by a 2-hour boat ride from Savusavu. The reserve’s unspoiled waters, vibrant coral, and being home to thousands of fish species make this another one of the top dive sites in the world. In their natural habitat, you can swim, snorkel, and dive with bottlenose, spinner dolphins, and even humpback whales. A bucket-list adventure for sure!

And if you want more places to snorkel, you must explore Split Rock. One of Vanua Levu’s best snorkeling sites is a little hard to find on your own, but resort snorkeling trips take you here so that you can look for their boats. Underwater, you’ll see a large rock the size of a small house with a deep chasm splitting it in half. Inside the chasm, you’ll see an amazing variety of tropical fish and vibrant coral that you won’t see on the outside of the rock.

Vanua Levu is full of waterfall hikes throughout the island. Many villages will have guides that will take you to them for a small fee. These waterfalls are a must-visit while you are staying on the island. One of the best waterfall hikes is Lekutulevu Waterfall. You can reach this waterfall through the village of Lekutulevu, south of Labasa. Another one to see is the Vuadomo Waterfall, which is lovely to take the family swimming and get epic photos standing underneath it. A quick waterfall to reach is the Nakawaga Waterfall and swimming hole. You can reach this water utopia after a short, steep climb through the jungle.

Visiting a traditional Fijian village should be on every visitor’s list of things to do in Fiji. Savusavu is one of the larger ones at the northern edge of Vanua Levu and is famous for its hot springs. The harbor town of Savusavu is scattered with hot springs, which are seen best at low tide. But, if you want the best Savusavu Hot Springs experience, head to the inland hot springs. You might even catch locals using the hot springs to cook their food.

Besides the hot springs, Savusavu has a lot of other things to do, such as exploring all the shops, restaurants, bars, and marina. Take some time to mingle with the locals in the market, where you’ll find Vanua Levu specialties of cassia bark (cinnamon), wild honey, bush dhaniya (coriander), avocado, cabacaba lobster, and sici shells. You can also take a glass bottom boat ride to see black oysters at the J Hunter Pearl Farm in Savusavu Bay to learn how jewelry is made. Or you can explore the Flora Tropica Gardens, where you can wander through tropical gardens and marvel at the colorful flowers, a fabulous display of over 300 palm species, and a breathtaking view of Savusavu Bay.

If you want to go alone, rent a car and hit the Hibiscus Highway and Cross Island Road to explore the island’s spectacular landscape and visit some Fijian villages. Visit the town of Labasa, an Indo-Fijian town. You can enjoy curry houses, saris and souvenir shops, a sugar mill, and the sugar cane trains running through town. Don’t miss the Waisali Rainforest Reserve on your island road trip. Take a nature walk to see colorful birds, and you might even spot the native Fiji ground frog. If you do visit the reserve, make sure to bring insect repellent. Another spot to stop on your drive is La Dolca Vita to see the largest bay in the South Pacific. You can also find more hot springs near the village of Daria and end your wonderful road trip on the island by catching the sunset from the end of the Hibiscus Highway at Buca Bay.

From touring coconut plantations, dazzling helicopter flights over the islands, taking a dolphin cruise, kayaking, paddleboarding, spending the day marooned on a sandbank with a Champagne picnic to experiencing mud crabbing after dark, taking part in a Fijian cooking class, or learning about traditional medicinal plants on a medicine walk there is something for everyone when visiting Vanua Levu.

Taveuni

The third largest island can boast some of the best scuba diving sites, surfing, hiking trails, Fijian culture, and food. What, all on one island? Yes! Taveuni is one of Fiji’s youngest volcanic islands and the lushest, also known as the “Garden Island.” With volcanic peaks, acres of virgin rainforest, and numerous water sports, Taveuni is a great place to begin your Fiji adventure.

Most of Taveuni’s attractions are clustered together, making it easy to see a lot quickly, and there is a lot to see. Taveuni is a wonderful place to see Fijian native birds; the island is tropical flower-laden and waterfall-heavy, making it a hikers and swimmers’ paradise.

One of the must-see hikes is the Lavena Coastal Walk along the stunning Taveuni coastline, where you are immersed in a magnificent bird-watching area for orange flame doves, Fiji goshawks, wattled honeyeaters, and grey and white herons. You’ll walk along black sand beaches, rocky cliffs, a suspension bridge, the white sand of Lavena beach, through the jungle, by villages until you reach Wainibau Falls. The cascading Wainibau Waterfalls can only be seen if you swim through a passage, keeping left where there is a ridge just underwater to hold onto.

Inside Bouma National Heritage Park, you can also see several local villages offering something spectacular. Korovou is the best place to start your walk to see the Tavoro Waterfalls, also known as Bouma Falls. There are three cascading waterfalls to explore, each with a natural volcanic pool perfect for swimming in after a long hike. The tallest and first waterfall is reached after a quick detour off the Tavoro Waterfall trail, the second is along the trail through a few streams, with the third after beautiful views of the coastline and palm groves.

Other villages within the park, like Vidawa, offer a trip back in time to see ancient ruins nestled in the hills. Lavena and Waitabu run water activities in Waitabu Marine Park just off the shore. You can snorkel or free dive at Waitabu Marine Park. This marine sanctuary bans fishing, so you can expect to see tons of tropical fish. You might even see reef sharks, sea turtles, giant clams, and eels.

Hiking to De Voeux Peak lets you see orange flame doves, silk tails, fantails, and parrots. And at Qeleni, on the northern end of Taveuni, has additional exotic bird-watching spots. When you reach Taveuni’s highest peak, you are blessed with amazing views of Vanua Levu, Taveuni’s outer islands, and you can see as far as Koro and Gau to the south on a clear day. You can even glimpse the calm waters of Lake Tagimaucia, which is another great hike in Taveuni. The trail at Lake Tagimaucia is 7.5 miles long and very hilly, but it is here where you can find the stunning red and white tagimoucia flower endemic to Taveuni Island. The flower only blooms from October to September.

Where can you stand with one foot today and the other yesterday? At the International Dateline, which runs through Taveuni Island within Millennium Park. At the spot, you’ll see a giant map split in two halves, which is the perfect place to get the photo showing that you are here and was here, or is it going to be here? You decide.

Another fun water activity that the locals love to do is to go on the Waitavala Sliding Rocks. A quick 20-minute walk from Waiyevo Village will have you sliding down the 200m natural rock chute that dumps you into a refreshing pool at the bottom. You will be sliding on rocks, so watch the locals first to see how it is done. Then jump in yourself!

A must-see when exploring Taveuni is the Southern Blowhole, also called the Vuna Blowhole. With the coastline of Taveuni filled with black sand beaches and jagged volcanic rocks, it is not surprising to find blowholes during high tide. This blowhole is one of the best on Taveuni’s Southern tip, spouting water 50 meters high.

If you want more cultural activities, stroll through Taveuni’s towns like Matei or Waiyevo. In these villages and others, you can shop at the local produce markets, get snacks, and chat with locals. How about learning how to do frond weaving with locals? Or learn how to plant coral in Matei to give back to help Fijians in their coral restoration. Other things to do are to discover natural medicinal remedies in a medicine talk, take a superfood tour of Taveuni island, visit several pearl farms to see where pearls are developed, and go on a Cannibal Cave tour. Did you know that the island of Taveuni was home to Fiji’s last cannibal tribe, which ended in 1867?

Are you visiting on a Sunday? Make sure to check the Sunday church service at the Wairiki Catholic Mission. You will be treated to some heavenly, harmonious singing when you go. But, be prepared to sit on the floors while admiring the intricate stained glass windows, as there are no pews in the building.

The adventurous will enjoy sailing on a catamaran yacht, learning to kiteboard at Vacala Bay, diving the Sososomo Strait to see manta rays, spinner dolphins, and humpback whales; scuba diving in the famous Rainbow Reef and the Great White Wall; and surfing the epic reef breaks at Qamea Island. From November to April, the waves off the coast of Qamea and Matangi are legendary, and experienced surf enthusiasts come on holiday to catch them.

And if you are looking for a little less adventurous, try horseback riding on the beach, playing a round of golf at Soqulu Plantation Golf Club, enjoying a spa treatment amid the jungle, stargazing at some of the clearest night skies in the world, dozing off in a hammock, have a fresh coconut, get too much sun, or just do nothing and relax in Taveuni’s paradise.

Kadavu

The 4th largest Fiji island is Kadavu, known for some of Fiji’s best scuba diving, surfing, and food. A quick 50-minute flight south from Nadi would put you in a tropical oasis filled with outdoor adventures like hiking to secluded rainforest waterfalls, seeing colorful exotic birds, swimming with manta rays, and exploring the Great Astrolabe Reef.

Discovering the remoteness of Kadavu will let you see a kaleidoscope of birds only found on the island, such as the Kadavu fantail, the Kadavu honeyeater, the Kadavu shining parrot, a large crimson parrot with green and blue wings, and the velvet dove while hiking in the jungle. In the Water, you can enjoy amazing surfing, but the highlight is the Great Astrolabe Reef, the 4th largest barrier reef in the world.

The Great Astrolabe Reef runs along Kadavu’s southern shore. All levels of scuba diving are available, from the more adventurous site of Naiqoro Passage, where you can dive among big fish by the colorful soft coral walls, to the gentler sites in shallower water with manta rays around the islands of Ono and Buliya. There is even a 63m-long Pacific Voyager Shipwreck to explore.

There is so much to see and do on Kadavu that you might consider staying in one of the island’s eco-friendly resorts that grow their produce. The resorts offer activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, and getting pulled fast across the waters in an exhilarating banana boat ride. You can even go on a big game fishing trip for yellowfin tuna, wahoo, Pacific blue marlin, and Pacific sailfish. Couples can go on a romantic sunset cruise, have private island picnics, and even indulge in a couples massage or a wellness class.

If you want an authentic Fijian experience, 75 coastal villages have distinct traditions, such as turtle calling. You can visit these villages by hiking trails or by boat. Once there, embrace yourself in Fijian culture through Fijian arts and crafts,  spearfishing, drinking Kava, and experience a lovo ceremony, where they slow-cook the food wrapped in banana leaves underground with hot rocks. Other traditional places to visit in Kadavu are to go on an herbal and medicine tour, tour an organic farm, or take a walk to a waterfall from Namuana Village.

Mamanuca Islands

Mamanuca Islands are known for the stunning white sand islands and surf breaks. These 20+ islands are known for their five-star luxury resorts, backpacker accommodations, and party beaches. These islands are easy to get to with a one-hour boat ride from Viti Levu. Between all the incredible water sports, luxury resort perks, and traditional Fijian culture, you can find plenty to do while staying on the Mananuca Islands.

The Mamanuca Islands are famous for their epic surf breaks, such as Cloudbreak, Restaurants, and Wilkes Passage. Professional surfers constantly rank surfing at Cloudbreak as one of the most challenging waves in the world, with swells up to 20ft. Another exhilarating surf break in the Mamanuca Islands is Restaurants for waves up to 8ft and is known for its tubular waves. Wilkes Passage is also a great surf break for intermediates and higher as the waves peel off into a deep channel.

For those who want to explore underwater, the Mamanuca Islands have some fabulous scuba dive sites among the stunning coral reefs surrounding the islands. You’ll see sea turtles, reef sharks, and manta rays within the coral reefs. Beginners can dive among the vibrant and sheltered coral reefs close to the islands, while experienced divers can head to the ocean-side reefs where larger manta rays, dolphins, and giant fish reside.

Every island and every resort has a wonderful stretch of white sand, but you can find some of the best white sand beaches on the Mamanuca Islands. If you want to spend the day lounging on the beach, try Vomo Island. Vomo Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mamanucas, and you can snorkel some colorful reefs or hike there. Or hang out and party on Beachcomber Island, where you can spend the day drinking Fijian beer (Fiji Gold and Fiji Bitter) and the evenings spent dancing on the beach. Visiting the uninhabited Monuriki Island will have you channeling your inner Tom Hanks, as this is the filming location of Cast Away.

Other things to do on the water are explore the islands’ coastlines by kayak, try your balance on a stand-up paddleboard, or take a dolphin safari or snorkeling cruise. For a romantic night out, book a sunset cruise around the islands.

If you want a unique place to hang out for the day, take a boat ride to Cloud 9. This floating raft/restaurant/bar above a coral reef features two stories with hammocks, lounging spots, and sun decks. The libations are plentiful, as well as the fresh, made-to-order wood-fired pizza. Plus, they offer snorkel rentals to explore the coral reef.

On the islands, you can keep busy with Fijian cooking lessons where the cuisine draws on influences from South Pacific countries, China and India, taking a cocktail mixing class, and visiting a Fijian village to eat with the locals. Or you can enjoy Fijian cuisine at the Flame Tree or Black Coral restaurants, where you can try Fijian specialties like kokoda, palusami, and Vuda pork belly.

At the resorts, you have some luxury amenities to explore, like jungle spa treatments, playing a 9-hole golf course on Vomo Island, and romantic three-course private dinners.

Yasawa Islands

North of the Mamanucas are the Yasawa Islands, a more remote and larger scattering of volcanic islands with gorgeous beaches, turquoise-blue lagoons, and fiery tropical sunsets. Yasawa means “heaven,” which feels like it here with some of the best beaches in Fiji. Staying on the island, you’ll enjoy a much slower pace to enjoy all the activities with a drier climate than the rest of Fiji.

The must-see thing on the Yasawa Islands is swimming inside the Sawa-i-Lau Caves. These sacred caves are considered the resting place of the 10-headed ancient Fijian god, Ulutini. The caves were carved by constant wave action and have left spectacular limestone formations you can see when the light filters through the cavernous ceilings. The tour’s highlight is the underwater tunnel that takes you to a hidden chamber where you can swim in clear blue water.

Another must-see activity is to visit the Blue Lagoon on Nanuya Lailai Island. Yes, this is the same lagoon that the 1980 movie was filmed at. The Blue Lagoon’s sheer, untouched beauty, with its remoteness and pearl-white sand beach, makes it one of the top beaches in the world. The water is so calm and clear that you won’t hesitate to swim and snorkel.

There are many other fantastic beaches to explore on the Yasawa Islands. The Nanuya Levu Beach on Turtle Island is private and stunning. The Tavewa Beach on Tavewa Island is more untouched than others and great for exploration. The Likuliku Bay Beach on Waya Island is wide and offers pristine white sand with some fabulous snorkeling. The Nalova Bay Beach is on Nacula Island, one of the most remote islands in the Yasawas, which is perfect for getting away and walking the long stretch of sand.

Manta ray season is from May to October, and the Yasawa Islands is one of the best places to swim with them. During these months, the giant manta rays pass through the narrow channel between Drawaqa and Nanuya Balavu Islands to feed. Tours are available for you to swim, dive, and snorkel with the black and chevron manta rays.

Scuba diving is a thrilling activity on the Yasawa Islands with some wonderful dive spots. Barefoot Manta Island has shore-based dives for new divers, open-water courses, and cave dives, diving with the manta rays and diving with sharks. Sawa-i-Lau Island has spectacular advanced diving opportunities for caves, narrow underwater passages, and reef diving. The lush coral gardens that line the reef shelves around the islands offer the perfect viewing conditions for the docile reef sharks. Nanuya Lailai Island has great beginner coral garden dives where you can see tropical fish and reef sharks. Naviti Island features both beginner reef dives and advanced cave diving. On Tavewa Island, you have the most diverse diving conditions: wall drops, coral gardens, soft coral, and pelagic fish.

You can also explore the calm waters in a kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard. The Yasawa islands are close together, so you can spend the day island hopping from beach to beach this way.

And if you thought there weren’t any activities on land in the Yasawa Islands, think again. Many of the southern islands have rugged volcanic peaks that are great for climbing and offer incredible panoramic views of the surrounding islands in the South Pacific. Each Yasawa Island has at least one tall lookout point to hike up to. Most islands have short hiking trails you won’t get lost in. Or plan a hike to a secluded spot to watch the epic sunsets.

The resorts offer wonderful opportunities like a luxurious beachfront massage with soothing island breezes. You can relax and sip cocktails from one of the Yasawa Islands’ bars or learn to catch your own dinner in handline fishing or spearfishing. Try horse riding along a private beach. You can also get educated on marine life in the underwater world or learn how to craft jewelry or weave hats.

And no visit would be complete without visiting or staying in a Fijian village. When you’re visiting, ask the locals to give you a tour of their plantations. You’ll see most of the food grown on the islands on your plate at dinner, like bananas, papaya, mangoes, breadfruit, taro, and cassava. Make a coconut bracelet or weave your hat, bag, and dinner plate. Watch the unveiling of the lovo, then dig into a feast of smoked meat, fish, and vegetables. Then, enjoy the rest of your evening with Fijian songs, dances, and kava ceremonies. After dark, join in collecting hermit crabs to compete in a hermit race.

Denarau Island

Denarau Island, connected to Viti Levu by a causeway, is the fastest island to get to from the airport. This island is completely man-made from a reclaimed mangrove swampland, which Fiji has transformed into a premium luxury island for vacations for people who want to relax and snorkel.

Located on the west coast of Viti Levu, you can find some of the best luxury resorts on this island, including all the 5-star resorts surrounding the 18-hole championship golf course, Denarau Golf & Racquet Club. From the luxurious spas at each resort to adventurous activities, you can find plenty to do on Denarau Island.

A great start for your island vacation should be to explore Port Denarau, known as the bustling heartbeat of Denarau Island. You can easily spend the day wandering through the shops selling all sorts of art, clothing, and Fijian souvenirs. Then you can head to the Port Denarau Shopping Centre for a bigger shopping experience and maybe pick some ice cream.

There are plenty of fine dining options in Port Denarau, from sushi, burgers, and curries to seafood to curb your hunger, and then stay for the evening to experience Port Denarau’s nightlife. Stop in for a cocktail at the many local bars before catching the sunset over the water. Afterward, watch the free, nightly cultural performance featuring Fijian, Polynesian, and fire dancing performances.

Fun family activities to enjoy on Denarau Island include spending the day slipping and sliding down the waterslides at Big Bula Waterpark, taking a jet boat ride, and, for the more adventurous, skydiving thousands of feet over the islands of Fiji. Most visitors take excursions out of Port Denarau to explore the Mamanua and Yasawa Islands. You can cruise to the islands and then spend your day snorkeling, kayaking, or building sand castles on the beach.

For couples, you can book private cruises to secret snorkeling spots, go on an evening dinner cruise to watch the vibrant Fijian sunset, or schedule a scenic flight to spend the day on your own private beach. One of the highlights is to munch on wood-fired pizza at Cloud 9, a floating restaurant/bar in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean.

Other things to do on Denarau Island include adults-only yoga sessions, scuba diving tours through the clear crystal blue waters to see colorful corals and tons of tropical fish, and big game fishing trips to try your luck catching a Pacific blue marlin.

For those looking to experience authentic Fijian culture, you can learn to cook Fijian food in a Fijian village or watch the Broadway-style show ‘Fiji’ Untold’ at the Vou Hub, which showcases a Fijian legend through contemporary dance. Also, most resorts on Denarau Island host a Fijian cultural night that includes a Lovo feast and dance.

Lomaiviti Islands

The Lomaiviti Islands are considered the best for budget and off-the-beaten-path adventures on the lush volcanic islands. These islands are off the east coast of Viti Levu and are some of the less traveled islands in the archipelago. Even though it is not heavily traveled, they are one of the richest islands in history.

On Ovalu (the sixth largest island in Fiji) in the city of Levuka, you will find the only South Pacific town with Wild West buildings where the colonization of Fiji began. Levuka, the site of Fiji’s first capital, was also designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2013.

Staying on the Lamaiviti Islands has options for budget resorts and a couple of luxury resorts, which would give you great access to all the activities available. There is plenty to see and do on these islands, like hiking forested mountains, exploring traditional villages, and flying over the islands on a helicopter tour.

The highlights you shouldn’t miss are hiking to Lovoni village, which is inside a deep volcanic crater, and climbing up the 199 steps to Mission Hill. Climbing the highest peak in Levuka on a clear day, you’ll see the mystic isle of Mborutu, where the spirits of the ancient Fijians are believed to go.

A fun family activity is to visit Bobo’s Farm, where you can meet the farm animals and see almost every tropical fruit, vegetable, and herb being cultivated. Other activities on these islands that you can do to learn to weave Fijian hats and baskets, browse the produce (taro, yams, bananas, mangoes) at the Levuka Municipal Market, kayak through the mangrove bays and coral lagoons, or even go on an outrigger canoe.

If you wish to immerse yourself in more history, go on a plantation walk with a local guide or visit Tokou Village, where the first missionaries to Fiji in the 1800s are buried. And when you have done all that, head to the Levuka Club for refreshments.

Lau Islands

The Lau Islands are among the largest and most scattered island groups in the archipelago, the most remote, and the least visited of the Fiji islands. Exploring Lau Islands will have you strolling on beaches with coconut crabs, discovering limestone cathedral caves, snorkeling in untouched reefs with abundant marine life, and swimming in the clearest waters you’re ever likely to see. There is only one resort, a couple of guesthouses, and homestays with Fijian families available to stay in this untouched tropical paradise, which is perfect for getting away from it all.

With the islands’ proximity to Tonga, you can also experience Fijian and Tongan culture fusion in the villages. You can see it in the rounded thatched bures, and woven mats called ta’avala that the locals wear wrapped as skirts. On Kabara, with Tongan-influenced architecture and wood carving experts, you can send a Fiji postcard to friends and family for the monthly supply ship to retrieve. On Fulaga, you can kayak among the mushroom rocks, turquoise lagoon, and hundreds of limestone islets.

Vanua Balavu is the most developed island out of the Lau Islands and has its own cluster of islands linked by coral reefs. There are hot springs, sacred burial caves between Narocivo and Namalata villages, and the cave where the god of shells resides. The top tourist activity in Lau Islands is to take a boat ride to the Bay of Islands. Bay of Islands is a bay with islands, islets, and a stunning limestone cathedral cave full of stalactites. The snorkeling experience is amazing as there are so few humans the fish run the Qilaqila Marine Reserve. You’ll see a variety of tropical fish, reef sharks, and possibly tuna the size of a small car.

On the island of Labeka, there are Fijian/Tongan villages to explore, impressive limestone caves with stalactite and stalagmite formations, the place where the first missionaries landed in 1830, and the largest hillfort in Fiji at Ketekete Peak. Plus, you can discover the scattering of islands by boat to see even more pristine Fiji island beauty.

Vatuvara Private Islands is a 5-star resort on Lau Islands. The luxury treatment is exceptional, with spa treatments, fine dining restaurants, private yoga sessions, play golf on a private island, among many other perks. Colorful coral reefs surround the resort for you to snorkel or dive. They offer PADI instruction if you need to get certified. One of the wonderful things you can do is have you and your loved one transported to an uninhabited island along with an umbrella, beach towels, snorkeling gear, gourmet picnic, and all the gear you need to enjoy a secluded island to yourselves. Vatuvara Private Islands can also take guests out for deep-sea game fishing.

For those on a budget who can’t afford a stay in this luxury resort, you can book passage on cargo boats that leave at least once a week from Suva. The trip takes six to seven days, with stops at eight islands.

When is the Best Time to Visit Fiji?

The best time to visit Fiji is during the dry season, from May to October, with its warm tropical weather and clear skies, although this is also the priceiest. Peak season, and the busiest, is July, August, and late December through early January. Visiting during the shoulder season, October to late March, would be cheaper and have fewer crowds, but you also have the risk of cyclones during their wet season.

Fijian Culture

What makes a Fiji vacation special isn’t only the stunning island scenery and the Fijian people and their culture. A wonderful trait of Fijians is their willingness to share their culture, customs, and traditions with visitors. Whether you visit a village on your own, do a homestay, or go on a village tour, participating in Fijian culture should be on your must-do list.

A village tour often includes a kava ceremony, a meke, and a visit to a school, giving you the best opportunity to do many of the Fijian traditions at once. Customs you should be aware of when visiting a village is for everyone to wear a sarong (sulu). Both men and women should cover their knees. Don’t wear a hat. And make sure to bring kava to present to the village hosts. Most resorts also hold some of these Fijian traditions for guests to experience during the week.

Kava Ceremony

The kava ceremony is a must-do experience in Fiji, and the resort encourages guests to join a kava ceremony. The ceremony is about respect, authenticity, and welcome, all important to Fijian culture. The kava drink is made of ground Yaqona root (a pepper plant) and served in a large communal bowl. Be forewarned: the drink tastes earthy and has mild sedative qualities. You might feel a slight numbness around your lips, but it doesn’t last long. While at the ceremony, it is polite to sit cross-legged on the floor, greet your hosts, clap once before and three times after you drink.

Lovo Ceremony

A lovo is a traditional Polynesian method of cooking. Meat, fish, and taro are cooked on white-hot stones in an underground pit covered with leaves and dirt to cook slowly for a few hours, becoming juicy and tender. A lovo ceremony pays respect to Mother Nature for providing such food delicacies. And it is also a ceremony organized to welcome important guests visiting remote villages.

Firewalking

Firewalking is an impressive site to see. Did you know that men have been firewalking for 500 years? The art of walking barefoot on smoldering hot stones began about 500 years ago in the Sawau tribe on Bega Island. Firewalking is a rite of passage for descendants of the Sawau tribe to show ancestors respect or as a test of strength and courage. Men must abstain from eating coconut and having sex for ten days before their firewalking journey. If you would like to see Firewalking, it is performed on Beqa Island and some Coral Coast resorts on the main island of Viti Levu. You can also see firewalking at Fiji’s Hindu temples during the full moon season between May and September.

Meke

The Meke ceremony celebrates Fiji’s culture through traditional dance and storytelling using songs. With the women’s soothing voices and the men’s fire dancing skills, Fijians share the local legends of the past with visitors, making it a memorable evening.

Traditional sailing

In the past, Fijians traveled in drua, doubled-hulled canoes, to reach islands. The druas were traditionally used in wars to transport up to 200 warriors as fast as 30kmh. Unfortunately, the lost art of drua has been fazed out with modern boating constructions. But you can still experience what it felt like gliding over the waters in a drua. There are sailing itineraries where you can learn ancient seafaring stories over a bowl of kava, have a turn steering the boat, and even stop for swimming breaks.

Bilibili

Can you imagine riding down the river on a raft in Fiji? You can! Fijians ride down rivers on a bilibili raft of bamboo poles tied together with rope and steered by a long bamboo pole. They use the raft to carry produce or go fishing. You can ride a bilibili down the Navua River near Pacific Harbour or learn to build one at the Namosi Eco Retreat.

Bobo

Nothing will relax you more on your Fiji vacation than a Bobo massage at one of the many spas on the islands. The traditional deep tissue, Bobo, heals specific aches by using local oils to knead the most stubborn knots to relax your muscles in an hour-long massage.

Fijian Food

A Fiji cooking lesson is a great way to learn more about the island’s way of life and cook with tropical fruits, vegetables, and fish that you probably have never used back home. Traditional Fijian meals include root vegetables like cassava, fresh fish, crab, and tropical fruit such as mangos, papaya, and breadfruit. A must-try dish is a marinated fish dish called Kokoda, as well as Rourou, a side dish to meats and fish made from the leaves of the taro plant. Other Fijian dishes to try on vacation include Palusami, Murukku, Duruka, Topoi, Vakalavalava, and Babakau.

History of Cannibalism

In Viti Levu, you can view the Tomb Of Udre Udre, surrounded by 800 stones representing the 800 cannibalism victims of Udre Udre. Udre Udre is believed to have killed and eaten over 800 people during his reign. This achievement awarded him a postmortem Guinness World Record in 2003. Cannibalism existed in Fiji until Christian missionaries arrived in the mid-1800s.