12 Things to Do for a Spectacular Vacation in Fiji

Updated On: November 08, 2023 by   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 a group of islands. Its capital city is Suva, the largest city in the south Pacific region.

There are about 330 islands in Fiji, and the two islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu make up the majority of Fiji’s area (87% of the country’s total area). It is known that most of the Fiji islands were formed through volcanic activities occurred 150 million years ago, and these activities are still happening today.

The history of Fiji 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 multiplicity of cultures and languages.

The Dutch traveller Abel Tasman was the first to discover Fiji for the first time in 1643, and the immigration of Europeans and others to the island increased in the 19th century, such as Indians, Chinese people, and more. Then the island fell under British colonialism until it gained independence in 1970.

The island of Fiji is prosperous in the economic sector, as it depends on natural resources such as minerals and fish, which constitute an important part of its local production. Among the most important exports of Fiji are sugar, clothing, timber, gold, fish, and many other things.

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 the year to travel there for a wonderful vacation is from April to October, the months that witness calm coolness with a tropical breeze and very moderate temperatures.

Transportation in Fiji

There is an international airport in Fiji called Nadi, the main airport there, and there is a second airport called 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 to get 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

Fiji is one of the most beautiful natural places in the world and is filled with many tourist places and many activities. It is a wonderful choice for tourists who enjoy lovely beaches and tropical landscapes with diverse wildlife.

One of the most important things that attract tourists to Fiji is the marine life and the multi-coloured coral reefs. In Fiji, there are more than 1,500 species of fish, including sea turtles and sharks, which makes the most important 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 important places in Fiji and activities you can try during your visit to the beautiful islands of Fiji.

Bouma National Heritage Park on Taveuni Island

It is one of the perfect places for hikers and lovers of nature and birds. It was established in 1990, and 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 and kayaking, or strolling the Lavena Coastal Walk. You will also find a waterfall that you can swim in. You can see the Tavoro Waterfalls, with three sets of falls near Korovou village, where you can find 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 will find more than 100 dive sites that you can visit, it is a great place to dive, and Beqa Island is where the famous Fiji tradition of firewalking started; you will find it 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 considered a famous place that tourists love to visit in Fiji; containing golf courses, spas, entertainment activities, and shopping centres, and it 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. Also, there are more than 40 restaurants, with many delicious dishes, including pizza, American burgers, Fijian food, Indian food, and many international cuisines too. 

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 many other things.

You can try many dive sites by taking a boat from the southern shore of Kadavu and diving whether you are a beginner or professional, and also you can 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 located 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 such a great adventure to do when you are in Fiji, where you can see the beautiful native birds. You will get to learn about captive breeding programs for endangered species.

The park has wooden boardwalks that are spread throughout 12 acres of forest. You will see birds, lizards, snakes, parrots, and tropical plants. Also, you will find marine exhibits that include tropical fish, colourful coral reefs, and turtles.

Pacific Harbour in Viti Levu

The Pacific Harbour is located 50 km away from Suva. It is known as the Adventure Capital of Fiji, and it began to be a famous resort and home for vacation in the 1970s. Today, it is a famous 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 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 go into 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 and is about 60 km south of Nadi.

The dunes’ height is 20 to 60 metres, formed thousands of years ago. From the top, you can see a beautiful view. At the national park, there are many things to do, whether having a one-hour walk from a forest to the beach or a two-hour walk along the ridgeline.

Also, you will be able to visit archaeological sites and see the ancient Lapita artefacts, including stone tools, pottery, and the biggest 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 in this garden more than 2,000 species of orchids, frogs, and a tranquil lily pond. 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 a wonderful massage.

Places to Stay When you Visit Fiji

When you visit the beautiful country of Fiji, you will need to find a resort to spend your vacation and have a great time. Here are some famous resorts you can stay in 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-liked family resorts and one of Fiji’s best kid’s clubs. The hotel includes several activities to do. You can stay in one of the 24 pool villas with Fijian-decorated rooms, and most villas are located on the beach with a garden surrounding them. Activities are also included, like hiking, kayaking, and many other things. 

InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa

It is an accessible luxury resort that you can reach in Fiji. It is a 5-star resort located on Viti Levu and a nice choice for families. The hotel’s rooms are so 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 wonderful 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 rainfalls 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 long. The beautiful nature and beaches will make it the perfect destination to take a break from the city’s noise, especially for honeymooners.