For most visitors, coastal and island resorts are the perfect base for exploring the Fijian sea. Resorts provide windsurfers, kayaks, glass-bottom boats, reef walks at low tide with knowledgeable guides, and access to reef and game fishing. Many resorts have dive centres and dive schools, and many provide guided snorkelling excursions to tiny tropical islands and pristine reef systems away from populated zones and down into the silent world of tropical magic.
At these special places, bright, white sand and clear, clean water illuminate glorious mixtures of blue, green and aquamarine. From above you see coral heads rising from the bottom, colour and life blooming within complex structures of living reef. The water is a perfect temperature of 79 ºF and the world beneath sparkles. Fish dance and dart, seaweed sways, and remarkable creatures appear. Colours and patterns blaze from every form of life, from humble grazing nudibranchs to curious morays and hungry wrasses.
There is an incredible range of seaside resort options available in Fiji, from the exclusive Laucala Island developed by billionaire Malcolm Forbes where you can pay up to $36,000 US per night, to the many family friendly resorts located in the main tourist zones. Most visitors to Fiji head for resorts located in the Yasawa and Mamanuca Island groups Northwest of the main island Viti Levu, along the ‘Coral Coast’ of the main Island, or on the Denarau integrated Island resort close to the international airport at Nadi.
Fiji is a fantastic place for an island holiday. There are many boutique resorts scattered around Fiji’s 300 islands that offer a unique experience. Turtle Island in the Yasawa group is a private 500-acre island chosen as the idyllic location for the film Blue Lagoon. It offers accommodation to only 14 couples at a time, to its 14 perfect beaches. Navini Island in the Mamanuca group is another exclusive private haven with only 10 bures. A tiny coral cay surrounded by brilliant white sand and coral reef sanctuary, the snorkelling is an absolute highlight. Likuliku Island resort is a luxurious award-winning boutique resort destination for couples on Mololo Island in the Mamanucas. It has all the activities and perfect surroundings, and takes particular pride in its food. Degustation menus feature at the Fijiana restaurant, that are centred on fresh local seafood, tropical fruit and cultural Fijian fare.
Taveuni, Fiji’s third largest island, is renowned for its diving, snorkelling and fishing. The Somosomo strait, which separates Teveuni from Fiji’s largest island, Vanua Levu is known as the soft coral capital of the world, and two of the top 10 dive sites in the world, the Rainbow Reef and the White Wall, are located nearby. Corals are not the only highlight for the diver. Sharks, mantas, barracudas and pelagics abound in the rich, clear waters. The beaches and fringing reef of the island are pristine, and the interior of the island is equally impressive with lush rainforest and over 100 different waterfalls and rivers. There are several exclusive resort to choose from including the Maravu Plantation resort, the Taveuni Palms and the Taveuni island resort, plus a number of lower cost options.
For the adventure-minded, it would be hard to pass up a resort with ‘Cousteau’ in its name. Jean Michel-Cousteau, conservationist, oceanographer, and son of the late Jacques Cousteau, created a luxury 5-star eco-friendly resort on beautiful Savusavu Bay, one of the most spectacular places on Fiji’s second largest island, Vanua Levu. It is no surprise that diving is a theme here, but there is a wide range of activities that focus on learning about nature and the sea, and the resort employs a full-time marine biologist to ensure guests get the most from their experience.
Kadavu Island is the fourth largest island in Fiji. It is far less developed than the other tourist hubs, and that is one of the very good reasons to visit Kadavu and experience the relaxed, authentic Fiji. The other very good reason is the Great Astrolabe Reef, the fourth largest barrier reef in the world. Many Kadavu resorts specialise in diving holidays. The reef is 120km long, with an incredible range of diving sites many of which are also fantastic for snorkellers. The range of fish and coral species is unparalleled anywhere. Pelagics such as wahoo and Spanish mackerel mix with home ranging groupers, triggerfish, snappers, sharks and parrotfish. Manta and eagle rays, turtles and reef sharks are common. Due its remote location, the reef system retains an untouched and wild feeling, and dive sites are numerous and diverse. The fringing reefs of Kadavu also offer impressive diving and snorkelling opportunities.
You will see many Fijian villages along the Coral Coast on the main island, Viti Levu. Korolevu, as it is known locally, is a popular holiday destination for Fijians and foreign tourists. The villages are linked closely to the string of resorts dotted along this important stretch of Fiji’s main road, half way between the two largest cities, Nadi and Suva. Resorts provide employment, markets for local craftsmen, and eager audiences for village performers. The fringing (check) coral reef that gives this area its name is still an important source of food for local villagers, who still rely on it to catch fish, shellfish, octopus, sea slugs and seaweeds. It is common to see spearfishermen selling spectacular specimens of barracuda, unicornfish, parrotfish, Spanish mackerel and wahoo on the side of the road. Snorkelling is good, and at some major resorts such as the Warrick, it is excellent. Lucky tourists can come across a village fish drive or a happy expedition of gatherers and witness coastal life as it has been here for centuries.
Further along the Queen’s Highway towards Suva is the Pacific Coast region, with yet more major resorts. The Pacific Coast is marketed as the ‘Adventure Capital’ of Fiji. There are the usual resort activities and more adventurous options such as jet-ski safaris, game fishing, white-water rafting and sea-kayaking. Beqa (pronounced Benga), Island, home of the famous Fijian firewalkers, is a highlight. There are regular day trips from the Pacific to Beqa, and a few resorts located on the island. Beqa Lagoon is a haven of calm water protected by barrier reef and is perfect for snorkellers and less experienced divers. Other dives are more spectacular, with colourful tunnels, walls and pinnacles, and for the more adventurous there is the famous shark feed diving at nearby Shark Reef. Here divers hand-feed eight different species of shark, including white and black-tipped reef sharks, grey reef sharks, nurse sharks, lemon sharks and silvertip sharks. The real attractions though are the massive bull and Tiger sharks, usually two of the most dangerous species. Adrenaline is guaranteed, as divers are not protected by cages!
Suva is a happy mix of Pacific island port city and modern metropolis. It is protected from the usual tourist track due to its distance from the main airport at Nadi, its very high level of rainfall in comparison to most Fijian resort destinations, and because the nearest beach is some 25 miles away. Do not let this put you off visiting a very exciting city. Suva retains its old world charm through the many colonial era buildings and its adornment of tropical flowers and palm trees. Sundays, heralded by magnificent Fijian choirs at church services, are particularly old-fashioned and reverent. Suva also has a modern edge to it also, thanks to its very multicultural society comprised of Fijians, Indians, Chinese, Europeans and expatriates from around the world who work in Pacific-wide organizations headquartered here. Shops are diverse and colorful, and the magnificent Suva markets are an explosion of colour and activity featuring an amazing array of tropical fruit, vegetables, root crops and seafood. There is an interesting parade of spearfishermen stationed outside of the main market building, selling a wide range of freshly speared reef and pelagic species. The Municipal Curio and Handicraft Centre is also worth a visit, especially for finding gifts or that special momento of your trip.
There are three major festivals in Fiji, the Nadi Bula Festival in mid July, the Suva Hibiscus Festival in the first week of August, and the Lautoka Sugar Festival in September. Events at these festivals include parades, marching bands, music, dance performances and food stalls. The Hibiscus ball in Suva and the Bula Festival beauty pageant are popular highlights.
The Hindu festival of Diwali is a public holiday in Fiji that occurs in around October or November, depending on the Hindu calendar. Known as the Festival of Lights, it is a colourful celebration of the triumph of Lord Rama over Ravana, good over evil, as portrayed in the epic Ramayana. Beautiful lights, candles and lamps adorn homes and buildings during the period of Diwali, and at night fireworks light up the sky. Special homemade Diwali sweets are made and shared broadly.
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