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Ahmed Samir
Ahmed Samir
The island of Fiji is a republic located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, 2,000 km northeast of New Zealand and about 2,700 km from Sydney in Australia. Fiji has an area of 193,000 km2, consisting of islands. Its capital city is Suva, the largest city in the South Pacific region.
Fiji has about 330 islands, and the two islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu make up most of the country’s area (87% of the total). Most of the Fiji islands were formed through volcanic activities that occurred 150 million years ago and are still happening today.
Fiji’s history dates back to the 35th century BC. The Lapita tribe was the first to settle on this island, and traders migrated to it, contributing to the diversity of cultures and languages.
The Dutch traveller Abel Tasman was the first to discover Fiji in 1643. In the 19th century, Europeans and others, including Indians and Chinese, increased their immigration to the island. The island then fell under British colonialism until it gained independence in 1970.
The island of Fiji is prosperous economically. It depends on natural resources such as minerals and fish, which are essential to its local production. Sugar, clothing, timber, gold, fish, and many other things are among Fiji’s most important exports.
What is the Weather Like in Fiji?
The climate of the island of Fiji is affected by the movement of trade winds from the southeast, which leads to rain on most days of the year. The rainiest months in Fiji are February and March, with average temperatures ranging between 20 and 29 degrees.
The best time of year to travel there for a beautiful vacation is from April to October, the months that witness calm coolness, a tropical breeze, and very moderate temperatures.
Transportation in Fiji
There is an international airport in Fiji, Nadi, the main airport, and a second airport, Nausori International Airport, located in the capital, Suva.
You can go to the Fiji Islands from Singapore, Hong Kong, or even Australia, the nearest countries to the islands. Sydney, Australia, is the best choice for getting to Fiji because you will get the best prices for airline tickets.
There are also many domestic airports spread across the islands of Fiji, and if you are heading to one of the inland islands, you will have to use boats or a domestic flight.
Where to Go in Fiji
The country is one of the most beautiful natural places in the world. It is filled with tourist attractions and activities, making it an excellent choice for tourists who enjoy lovely beaches, tropical landscapes, and diverse wildlife.
One of the most essential things that attracts tourists is the marine life and the multi-coloured coral reefs. There are more than 1,500 species of fish, including sea turtles and sharks, which means that the most critical activities practised by tourists are diving and snorkelling.
In addition, there is a range of different accommodations and activities to suit all tastes. Now it is time to learn more about the essential places and activities you can try while visiting the beautiful islands.
Bouma National Heritage Park on Taveuni Island
It is a perfect place for hikers and lovers of nature and birds. Established in 1990, the park includes about 150 km2 of rainforests with tropical plants and four villages.
When you visit the park, you can do many activities, such as snorkelling, hiking through the rainforest, kayaking, or strolling the Lavena Coastal Walk. You will also find a waterfall that you can swim in. The Tavoro Waterfalls, with three sets of falls near Korovou village, have cool volcanic pools that allow swimming.
After all that, you can hike until you reach the top of De Voeux Peak, which gives you a magnificent view from its 1,195-metre summit.
Beqa Lagoon in Viti Levu
Beqa Lagoon is located about 144 km southeast of Nadi. It is a lovely place for divers to experience the Beqa Lagoon Shark Dive. You can find many species like sharks, tiger sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and much more, and you can see them much closer.
In Beqa Lagoon, you can visit more than 100 dive sites. It is a great place to dive, and Beqa Island is where the famous Fiji tradition of firewalking started; it is used in many ceremonies.
Fiji Museum in Viti Levu
Fiji Museum is the place where you can learn more about Fiji’s culture and history. It is located in the middle of Suva within Thurston Gardens. The tour will take about an hour or two. There, you will see exhibits that display more about the culture of the indigenous Fijians, Fiji’s natural history, British colonial history, and much more.
Also, there are maritime exhibits you would love to see, with the double-hulled Fijian canoes displayed there and exhibits that include works by contemporary Fijian artists.
Denarau Island
Denarau Island is a famous place that tourists love to visit in Fiji. It contains golf courses, spas, entertainment activities, and shopping centres and is 20 minutes away from Nadi’s International Airport.
On this island, you will find everything you need. If you want to buy souvenirs, there are colourful Fijian sarongs, wooden cava bowls, surfwear, jewellery, and more. There are more than 40 restaurants, with many delicious dishes, including pizza, American burgers, Fijian food, Indian food, and many international cuisines.
The island is perfect for many activities, such as snorkelling, diving, jet-skiing, and sailing. You can visit other islands, like Mamanuca and Yasawa chains.
Navua River in Viti Levu
The Navua River flows about 65 km from Viti Levu to the south coast through beautiful natural sights with waterfalls, rainforests, and canyons. You can tour the river using kayaks or a bamboo raft.
You will see a lot of wildlife like native parrots, fruit bats, and others, and you will have a lovely experience learning about the culture and traditions of Fiji by visiting its local villages.
Great Astrolabe Reef in Kadavu
Kadavu is known as the fourth-largest island in Fiji. The Great Astrolabe Reef is 100 km long and the fourth-largest barrier reef in the world. Many divers come from around the world to see the beautiful underworld of coral reefs, tropical fish, caverns, and more.
You can try many dive sites by taking a boat from the southern shore of Kadavu and diving, whether you are a beginner or a professional. You can also enjoy snorkelling and watching the marine life.
Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple in Nadi
The Sri Sive Subramaniya Temple is one of Fiji’s most famous tourist attractions. It is the largest Hindu temple in the southern part of the world, and tourists come from around the world to see the beautiful Dravidian architecture.
When you visit the temple, you will see the colourful ceiling frescoes artists painted in India. The temple was dedicated to the God Mungan, and a wooden statue from India is in the main temple. Cover up and take your shoes off when you visit the temple.
Kula Wild Adventure Park in Viti Levu
Visiting Kula Wild Adventure Park is a great adventure when you are in Fiji. Here, you can see beautiful native birds and learn about captive breeding programs for endangered species.
The park has wooden boardwalks throughout 12 acres of forest. Its visitors can see birds, lizards, snakes, parrots, and tropical plants. Marine exhibits include tropical fish, colourful coral reefs, and turtles.
Pacific Harbour in Viti Levu
The Pacific Harbour is 50 km from Suva. It is known as the Adventure Capital of Fiji. It began to be a famous resort and vacation destination in the 1970s. Today, it is a renowned place for adrenaline sports.
While at the Pacific Harbour, you can do many activities, such as jet skiing, surfing, and diving with the sharks in Beqa Lagoon. Also, if you don’t want to do activities, you can go to the village and have a good meal at one of its restaurants and buy some lovely souvenirs.
Sawa-i-Lau Caves in Yasawa Islands
It is located north of the Yasawa Islands, was carved by wind and waves many years ago, and is famous for the movie The Blue Lagoon by Brooke Shields. It is a perfect place to swim in crystal-clear water with beautiful limestone formations.
To enter the inner caves, you must swim through an underground tunnel. It is known to the locals that the inner tunnel is the heart of Yasawa, and the caves are the resting place of the Fijian God.
Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park in Viti Levu
Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park is considered the first national park in Fiji. It was founded to protect the ecosystem of coastal dunes near the Sigatoka River, about 60 km south of Nadi.
The dunes formed thousands of years ago, are 20 to 60 metres high. From the top, you can see a beautiful view. There are many things to do at the national park, whether you want to walk one hour from a forest to the beach or two hours along the ridgeline.
You can also visit archaeological sites and see ancient Lapita artefacts, including stone tools, pottery, and the most significant burial site in the Pacific.
Garden of the Sleeping Giant and Sabeto Hot Springs
The Garden of the Sleeping Giant is a great place to visit for a day trip. It is located 30 minutes by car from Nadi, and you will find more than 2,000 species of orchids and frogs and a tranquil lily pond in this garden. Also, you can discover more in the garden by walking through boardwalks on 20 hectares of forests.
After visiting the garden, you can go to the Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool; there, you can have a mud bath, clean off with a soak, and enjoy an excellent massage.
Places to Stay When you Visit Fiji
When you visit the beautiful country of Fiji, you must find a resort to spend your vacation and have a great time. Here are some famous resorts you can visit during your visit to Fiji.
Six Senses Fiji
The hotel is located on Malolo Island on a beautiful beach. It is one of the most popular family resorts and one of Fiji’s best kid’s clubs. The hotel offers several activities. You can stay in one of the 24 pool villas with Fijian-decorated rooms. Most villas are located on the beach with a garden surrounding them. Activities are also included, like hiking, kayaking, and many others.
InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa
It is an accessible luxury resort in Fiji. It is a 5-star resort located on Viti Levu and a nice choice for families. The hotel’s rooms are comfy, and it has a wonderful beach where you can have a great time. There are also three swimming pools, a spa, a steam room, and a golf course.
Castaway Island Fiji
It is a 4-star hotel with a beautiful beach, the same as the other hotels. It offers many water sports like snorkelling. The hotel has 66 rooms decorated in magnificent Fijian style, two swimming pools, and four restaurants.
Sheraton Fiji Resort
One of the best resorts in Fiji is Sheraton Fiji Resort. It is a 4-star resort with about 300 rooms in different layouts. The rooms are comfortable with rainfall showers, the balconies have a beautiful sunset view, and the resort has tennis courts, golf courses, three restaurants, and a large pool.
Overall
Fiji Island is a beautiful place to have a calm and relaxing vacation. With all these attractions, you will enjoy every part of it and wish to stay in that heavenly peace for a long time. The beautiful nature and beaches will make it the perfect destination to take a break from the city’s noise, especially for honeymooners.
