Editor Note: There has been alot posted all over the web recently about airline collapses as well as civil unrest. Our next few blogs will be leaving this issue behind and giving you some great insight into some great travel experiences.
Fiji’s well-known as a slice of paradise down under. You’ll find sandy shores, crystal-clear waters, and secluded resort islands scattered across its 333-island chain.
But if you’re keen to explore beyond the resort pool, we’ve sussed out the top-notch experiences in Fiji for you.
A trip to Fiji is a fair dinkum adventure that’s all about embracing nature and diving into Fijian culture. Whether you’re snorkelling over vibrant coral reefs, trekking in search of waterfalls, having a yarn over kava with mates, or just vegging out on the beach, you’re in for a ripper time on these islands.
Experience Fijian Village Life
Anyone who’s rocked up to a Fijian island resort knows about the warm welcome and the singalongs, but to truly get the vibe of this stunning place, stay at a homestay or drop by a village. Living with a Fijian family gives you the real deal – it’s the genuine Fijian experience.
For a shorter, but still top experience, check out the scenic Navala on Viti Levu for a traditional village stay, or hit up a homestay on Waya Island for a local take on the Yasawas.
You might not see a meke (a lively show with ancient stories) at a village like you would at a resort, but you could be in for a lovo (a feast cooked in a pit oven). Expect a feed of tender meats and fish, heaps of local veggies like cassava and taro, and palusami (meat or veggies with onion and coconut cream in taro leaves).
Cheer at a Rugby Match
Fiji’s mad about rugby – just look at their seven-dollar note with the national rugby sevens team on it. Come rain or shine, any grassy spot becomes a rugby field at dusk and on weekends. Catch the action at Suva’s National Stadium or support a local village game.
3. Attend a Church Service
On Sundays, you’ll get chills – no matter what you believe – as the locals sing their hearts out. Stroll through any Indigenous Fijian village or area and you’ll see folks dressed to the nines for church.
Bold, bright patterns are everywhere, matching the colourful gardens around each church. Most churches are welcoming, even if the service isn’t always in English. The services at Taveuni’s Wairiki Catholic Mission are especially moving.
Join Festivals for the Senses
Outside the resorts, Fiji buzzes with traditions, festivals, and a whole lot of fun. Winter’s when the festivals kick off: get a taste of Fijian culture at the Bula Festival, and see the amazing fire-walking at the South Indian Fire-Walking Festival. When it warms up in October, the whole country lights up for Diwali.
Tip: If you miss the South Indian festival, you can still see fire-walking on Beqa Island all year.
Market Fresh Produce
All year, Fiji’s markets are where you can try the local flavours. From Suva’s bustling Municipal Market to small village setups, markets are where Fijians shop, chat, and connect.
You’ll find produce in neat piles, sold in bulk. Try to buy just one tomato, and you might get it for free. It’s part of Fiji’s sharing culture – neighbours swap fruits and veggies. Feast on papayas, pineapples, mangoes, passionfruit, coconuts, lime juice, watermelon, and more.
Tip: Look for stands selling chilled pineapples cut into a swirl on the stem – it’s the best on a scorcher of a day.
Snorkel and Dive in an Underwater Wonderland
Fiji’s a hotspot for swimming and snorkelling with massive manta rays, especially between Nanuya Balavu and Drawaqa in the Yasawas, and at Manta Reef in Kadavu. For ethical encounters with mantas, check out Mantaray Island and Barefoot Manta resorts in the Yasawas, or Matava Resort and Kokomo Private Island Resort in Kadavu.
Keen on Fiji’s fiercer sea life? Beqa Adventure Divers in Pacific Harbour offer dives with big bull and tiger sharks at Shark Reef Marine Reserve.
Fiji’s known as the soft coral capital to divers, so explore the Somosomo Strait’s coral walls. You’ll also find reefs that look like cabbage patches, colourful quilts, and anemone carpets.
7. Spot Fiji’s Feathered Friends
Taveuni, the ‘Garden Island’, is a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 100 bird species. Prime spots include Des Voeux Peak, the Vidawa Rainforest Trail, and the Lavena coast.
Kadavu’s remote rainforests are home to unique tropical birds. And don’t forget the bats – Fiji’s only native mammals, with six species flitting about after dark.
Boat to Wild Islands
Imagine snorkelling in peace, watching a playful clownfish, when suddenly there’s a flurry of activity – it’s a group of snorkelers! If you’ve been there, a live-aboard in Fiji might be your thing.
Live-aboards are great for divers (and snorkelers) looking to explore off-the-beaten-path spots. They run for five to ten days, with all meals and digs included.
Nai’a in Lautoka offers trips to Lomaiviti, Bligh Water, and Namena Marine Park. Captain Cook Cruises’ MV Reef Endeavour hits up the major island groups and even the remote Lau islands.
Or, hire your own yacht for the ultimate freedom. There’s a range of private charters, from the rugged to the ritzy.
Spoil Yourself with a Spa Session
Chuck the jet lag or the day’s sizzle with a traditional bobo massage. In Fiji, a spa day kicks off with the lush scent of coconut oil mixed with frangipani.
The massage is a blend of thumb, hand, and elbow kneading that chucks the stress right out of your body. A fair dinkum treat at most spas is a four-hand massage, where two therapists work their magic at once – and most spas have rooms with two tables, making it a beaut activity for couples in Fiji.
Sold on the idea? Some top-notch spas in Fiji include Yasawa Island Resort, where you can listen to the surf while chilling in an open-air room by the beach, Outrigger Fiji for top views from the hilltop, Koro Sun Resort & Rainforest Spa for banana leaf wraps, and Pure Fiji in Suva for a break from the city buzz.
Test Your Spice Savvy with Fijian Curries
With a good chunk of Fiji’s population having Indian roots, there’s a bonza mix of Indian eateries across Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, all with a South Pacific twist. You’ll find hot roti parcels stuffed with pumpkin or eggplant and coconut curry up for grabs on the roadside.
In Suva, have a go at as many dishes as you can at joints like Swagat, Ashiyana, and Maya Dhaba. Stranded on an outer island? No worries. Many resorts and hotels dish up unique curries you won’t snag anywhere else but Fiji.
Trek Untamed Trails
Sure, the beaches get heaps of attention, but it’s worth packing your hiking boots to check out Fiji’s wild side. Islands like Taveuni, Vanua Levu, and Viti Levu are famous for their mountain hikes and waterfalls, and treks through the Yasawa and Mamanuca islands give you a squiz at village life.
The trails are usually quiet – you might be stoked to see someone else. They’re often unmarked, with dodgy mobile reception, and might cross paths with livestock. Grabbing a local guide to lead the way and yarn about the landscape and culture will make for a top experience.
Have a Crack at Kava
Kava’s the go-to drink in Fiji for everything from formal dos to catch-ups with mates. Made from ground pepper root and water, it’s served in a coconut shell cup from a big wooden bowl.
The brew’s a bit bitter, looks like muddy water, and has a calming effect once your lips start tingling. The yarns around the kava bowl are key to Fijian chinwags and decisions.
Each Fijian community has its own way of doing things with kava, but visitors get a fair go if they miss a step. When in doubt, follow Suva’s kava customs: clap before you grab the cup with both hands, skull it if you can, hand it back, clap again, and say “Bula!”
Bit much? Ask for ‘low tide’, and you’ll get a half-full cup next round. Most places to stay offer kava ceremonies, or you can try it at a café like Mana Coffee in Suva or whip it up yourself from a kava shop.
Catch a Wave
Fiji’s one of the top spots for surfing, with epic barrels at Restaurants and Cloudbreak. The waves suit everyone from newbies to pros looking for a challenge.
Not sure where to start? Surf Tours near Viti Levu’s Momi Bay pick out the best waves for you based on the sea conditions and your surfing chops. Keen surfers can bunk down at spots like Matanivusi Beach Eco Resort or Tavarua Island Resort, where the waves are just a stone’s throw away.
Cultural Tips
Give Fijian villages a miss on Sundays unless you’re invited – it’s time for church and family.
Bring a sevusevu (gift) like kava root for the village chief when you rock up. You can find it at most markets.
Dress sharp but keep it modest – cover your shoulders, and a sulu is the go.
Kick off your shoes before you enter a bure, duck your head as you go in, sit cross-legged on the mat, and keep your noggin lower than your host’s.
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