Fiji Islands – Taveuni, Viti Levu, Vanua Levu
Paradise in the South Pacific

November 17, 2024

The islands of Fiji are rapidly becoming one of the top tourist destinations in the Asia-Pacific region. Annually, Fiji attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world thanks to its glorious weather, picture-perfect beaches and spectacular natural landscapes

Located in the South Pacific Ocean, Fiji is an archipelago of 332 islands, of which around 110 are inhabited, and others which become mostly or entirely submerged at high tide. The islands offer a diverse range of attractions and activities which are sure to delight everyone from water-sports enthusiasts to history-lovers. Of course, Fiji is also a great spot to simply relax and unwind!

The best time to visit Fiji is July to September, when the weather is dry and sunny. The weather remains warm the rest of the year, but you may experience tropical rain or even storms.

The local currency is Fijian Dollars (FJD) and the national languages are Fijian, English and Fiji-Hindi.

Fiji is serviced by Nadi international airport with major airlines operating flights to/from a range of destinations which includes direct daily flights to/from Los Angeles, CA. Nadi international is also serviced by a few regional budget airlines (For more information on Nadi International airport, please visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadi_International_Airport).

From within Nadi, you may access Fiji’s many islands with small local flights and ferries. Also, many high-end resorts offer transfers by private boat or sea plane.

The Fiji islands offer a wealth of natural beauty. Well-preserved coral reefs teaming with fish, turtles, dolphins and sharks surround the islands, some of which are protected marine reserves, making this a great place to scuba dive. There a many dive operations in Fiji, offering courses and fun dives for beginner to advanced level divers. For those who are slightly less adventurous, the reefs and beaches also afford great swimming and snorkeling.

There are many other water based activities available also, such as sailing, kayaking, fishing, and paddle boarding. Fiji is not just about the sea – it is well worth heading inland to explore the islands’ pristine rain-forest for unparalleled trekking and even white-water rafting. The lush island of Taveuni in particular, has a wealth of natural beauty including waterfalls, ancient forest and rare orchids: in fact, more than 80% of the island is a protected National Park.

For a unique experience which can only be found in Fiji, venture to Beqa Island, just off the Southern coast of the main Island of Vitu Levu, and see the tradition of fire walking. The warriors of the local Sawau tribe walk over burning embers as part of their custom, which they demonstrate in shows for tourists.

After exploring underwater, on the sea or on land, you can head to the beach to relax. Fiji is blessed with countless white sandy beaches with some of the world’s clearest, blue water, perfect for reclining in a deck chair or hammock with a good book and maybe a cocktail!

Fiji has a large number of fine hotels and resorts – your biggest challenge will be choosing which one! First, you will need to decide which island (or islands) you wish to stay on. The Yasawa islands are a good choice, with many good resorts and easy transfers – Coconut Beach Resort is located here and comes highly recommended. Denarau Island is also very popular, with a good selection of hotels such as Sheraton Denarau Resort and lots of activities, whereas those with an adventurous spirit looking for something more remote should try the Mamanuca Islands. Nature lovers may prefer the Taveuni Island Resort & Spa, the so called ‘Garden of Fiji’: try Garden Island Resort which also offers world-class scuba diving. Be sure to taste the local cuisine while you are in Fiji. Fijian food is a feast of flavors made from fresh ingredients, especially tropical fruits like pineapple, banana and passion fruit and the local, root-based drink kava. With roots in its own islander culture and influences from Indian, Britain, China and South Asian cuisine, Fijian food as a delicious fusion. Highlights include fresh seafood, locally produced beef, pork, goat and poultry, and local specialty ‘lovo’ which is a way of cooking in an fire-pit dug into the ground.