Fiji travel blog — The fullest Fiji travel guide for first-timers

Fiji is located 2,000 km northeast of New Zealand, which is also known as the “pearl” of the Pacific Ocean. This archipelago brings in it an unspoiled beauty, the setting of a paradise. Not only owns a beautiful natural scenery like the Maldives with white sandy beach, clear blue water, small paradise islands, Fiji also gives you many interesting and wonderful experiences both on land and under the sea.

So, is Fiji worth visiting, how to visit Fiji, what to do in Fiji and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Fiji for the first-time? Let’s check out our Fiji travel blog (Fiji blog, Fiji blog post) with the fullest Fiji travel guide (Fiji tourist guide, guide to Fiji, Fiji guide) from how to get there, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit, what to eat and top things to do in Fiji to find out the answer!

Fiji is a group of many beautiful islands stretching over 1,000 km of coastline, including 322 large islands and 522 small islands. Almost all islands of Fiji are mountainous and hilly, covered with pristine rainforest. With a tropical climate, the flora and fauna ecosystems in the island nation are very rich and diverse.

Fiji travel blog: Overview of Fiji

Fiji, officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. This archipelago has unspoiled beauty, the scene of a paradise on earth with a coastline stretching over 1,000km, including 322 large islands and 522 small islands. The terrain of Fiji is mainly hilly, covered by primary tropical forests, and has a rich and diverse flora and fauna ecosystem.

The main island is Viti Levu, the second largest island is Vanua Levu, and they cover 85% of the total land area of ​​the country. The islands all have picturesque coastlines, tall coconut palms leaning over the calm waters with vibrant turquoise lagoons surrounded by coral reefs and soft, white sands.

The two main islands in Fiji are Vanua Levu and Viti Levu, home to the capital Suva and home to nearly 75% of the population. The city of Nadi located on the west side of Viti Levu island is Fiji’s main international gateway, close to major resorts, so it attracts a lot of tourists.

Fiji is a group of hundreds of volcanic islands and atolls located in the South Pacific Ocean. Most of the islands are uninhabited, offering hundreds of miles of pristine natural scenery. Here, visitors can explore spectacular canyons and rainforests, swim among vibrant coral reefs that attract tropical fish, and relax on secluded white sand beaches. The area is also full of interesting history, culture and city life.

Fiji’s 322 islands are scattered like jewels in the heart of the South Pacific and offer vacationers the quintessential tropical paradise. But eternal sunshine and perfect palm-fringed beaches surrounded by turquoise waters and thriving coral reefs are just the beginning…

With more than 1,000 km of coastline, about 322 islands, Fiji has countless sunbathing beaches. Once you set foot on the island nation of Fiji, you will not be able to take your eyes off the pristine white sands beside shimmering turquoise waters and colorful coral reefs.

How to visit Fiji: When is the best time to visit Fiji?

The Fiji has tropical climate, hot and warm throughout the year, the average temperature is 25 degrees Celsius and in the winter temperature does not drop below 18 degrees Celsius. The sea temperature is always maintained at around 27 degrees Celsius, so it is ideal for activities such as swimming, diving, snorkeling, surfing… at sea. The best time to visit this island nation is in early summer.

With an average temperature of 23-30 degrees Celsius, the beautiful weather provides ideal conditions for you to partake in the memorable experience. Coming here, you can spend summer days relaxing under coconut trees, splashing on clear beaches, participating in water sports such as surfing, kayaking and sunbathing in the sun and soaking in tropical sunlight.

Fiji travel guide: How to get to Fiji?

The most popular way to get to the island of Fiji is by plane. Nadi International Airport is located on coast of the western side on the main island of Viti Levu and serving about 1.2 million passengers per year. Currently, there are international airlines operating routes to Fiji such as: Aircalin, Air New Zealand, Air Fiji, Korean Air, Virgin Blue, Air Nauru, Qantas…

To find the best airfare as well as the optimal flight route, you can access Google Flights, Kayak.com or Skyscanner.com for more.

Fiji guide: Getting around Fiji

Getting around in Fiji is pretty straightforward. Here, they have a system of public transport for you to easily move between the islands of the Fiji archipelago, including buses, trucks, and even ferries. To visit and explore Yasawa Island, you can buy a Bula Pass to catch a ferry (Yasawa Flyer). This is a “hop-on, hop-off” type of ship, which means you can choose the time to go. First, choose a type of pass (it has a wide range of options of 5 days ($445), 7 days ($585), 8 days ($585), 9 days ($675), 10 days ($675), 11 days ($750), 13 days ($799) and 15 days ($845)). You can easily buy this pass as soon as you set foot on the island at the airport or at piers, so there is no need to book in advance. See details here.

This pass is available on board ships going to the island of Awesome Adventures and South Sea Cruises. Ask the service staff on board.

Another good option is the Tavewa Seabus ferry. This type of ferry is very fast, it only takes about 3 hours to get to the island, while traditional boats and ferries take up to 6 hours. Depending on your purposes and budget, you can choose the right vehicle.

Fiji blog post: Where to stay?

Fiji is the perfect place for tourists to visit and vacation especially honeymooners when it owns a series of spectacular accommodations of hotels and high-end resorts. You are free to choose where to stay according to your personal preferences, from luxury and classy resorts, beachfront villas to family-friendly hotels.

Most accommodation offers superior service, complete with world-class amenities, overlooking the beautiful tropical sea. In addition, the Fiji Islands also built many attractions for tourists to enjoy and entertain…

Royal Davui Island Resort (Agoda, Booking): The resort is located very far from the center of Fiji, accessible only by helicopter or boat. There are 16 thatched-roof villas, a private plunge pool at each villa and views of the Beqa lagoon. You will experience the freedom of your very own oasis, jungle treks and snorkeling to see turtles and dolphins.

Namale Fiji Resort & Spa (Agoda, Booking): An all Inclusive resort of luxury villas with ocean or garden views, this is a top choice for honeymooners trips. Guests will be able to use all services such as golf course, spa, swimming pool, snorkeling… and enjoy delicious meals here.

Shangri-La Resort & Spa (Agoda, Booking): Located on the beautiful small island of Yanuca, Shangri-La Resort is a peaceful paradise that helps guests relax and restore their mental and physical health in the most comfortable way.

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Radisson Blu Resort Fiji Denarau Island (Agoda, Booking)
• Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay (Agoda, Booking)
• The Naviti Resort (Agoda, Booking)
• Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa (Agoda, Booking)
• Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa (Agoda, Booking)
• InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, an IHG Hotel (Agoda, Booking)
• Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort (Agoda, Booking)
• Warwick Fiji (Agoda, Booking)

Check out more top and best hotels in Fiji on Agoda.com or Booking.com.

Fiji travel blog: Where to go and what to do in Fiji?

Viti Levu Island

Most of the Fijians live on the largest island called Viti Levu. The vibrant capital city of Suva is also the largest city in the country, which is located on this island. Stroll the streets to see the closely packed colonial buildings, and don’t forget to visit the Fiji Museum to see the archaeological remains on display. One of the most famous exhibits here is the rudder of the ship HMS Bounty (sunk 1789), made famous by the mutiny led by Fletcher Christian.

Visitors will start from Nadi, the country’s international airport, and from here you can explore the nearby national parks, botanical gardens, colorful markets and scenic coastline.

Head to Denarau Island off the coast of Nadi to find upscale resorts and hotels, or take the journey to Suva, where you can find museums in one of the remote capitals in the world.

Yasawa islands

Located north of the Mamanucas is the Yasawa, a group of about 20 volcanic islands with a total area of ​​nearly 135 square kilometers. Yasawa is home to 20 small gems with a sparse population. Like what people still imagine about the islands of Fiji, it is a pristine, rustic look. Coming here, you will feel isolated from the world when there are no cars, shops, banks, or roads at all. All activities on the island are mainly agriculture and tourism is only a small part to settle down.

Turtle Island

Coming to Fiji, do not forget to visit Turtle Island, which is known as one of the most luxurious and high-class resorts in Fiji. It is famous for its romance, fresh space for tourists who want to come here to relax, or enjoy honeymoon. You will enjoy extremely romantic dinners on the beach with the sound of waves lapping beside shimmering candles…

Taveuni Island

Taveuni Island is also a Fijia tourist destination should visit as it is another area of ​​outstanding natural beauty. Taveuni is the third largest of the Fiji Islands and is home to waterfalls and beautiful coral reefs.

The seaside walk along Lavena beach will let you enjoy the best of rugged coastline and beautiful beaches, before hiking into the woods to reach Tavoro Falls. Taveuni is also home to some of the best diving in Fiji in the Somosomo Strait.

Island Vanua Levu

Head north of Viti Levu and you can explore Fiji’s second largest island, Vanua Levu. Compared to Fiji’s tourist destinations such as Nadi and Mamanucas, Vanua Levu accounts for only a fraction of the number of tourists, making it perfect especially during high season.

Vanua Levu is known for its rugged beauty, tropics and unspoiled nature. Start your Fiji adventure in Savusavu, a laid-back harbor town where you can encounter a unique indigenous culture. If you go into the jungle, you will see the most biodiverse areas of the Pacific.

Mamanuca Islands

Traveling to Fiji will not be perfect if visitors ignore the Mamanuca volcanic archipelago, which includes about 20 small islands such as Monoriki, Malolo, Tokoriki, Beachcomber… Dubbed the paradise on earth, Mamanuca attracts both international tourists and famous filmmakers. All it has is a series of white sand beaches, lush greenery no different from Dubai’s famous Palm Island (Palm Jumeirah). Adorn for that picture are thousands of coral reefs bearing the breath of the most primitive and most charming things.

And for those who love the vibrant party atmosphere, Beachcomber Island  in Mamanuca will be the most suitable destination. During the day, Beachcomber offers series of water sports activities such as swimming or scuba diving. And when the sun sets off, this place seems to be another world, the world of entertainment activities, from live the music performances, the dancing shows to the tasty buffets…

You can take a boat to explore the colorful coral reefs of Mamanuca islands, you will see the diversity of marine life. A tour on a cruise will take you to places only the locals know about. You can choose from great recreational activities such as surfing, day fishing, snorkeling to see corals and colorful tropical fish.

To getting to the Mamanuca Islands is fairly easy, either by seaplane or by boat from the west side of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. The closest stop to Viti Levu is Port Denarau, a 15-minute drive from Nadi International Airport. The only difficulty is deciding which island to choose.

Port Denarau

The port is the starting point leading to two famous tourist destinations, Mamanuca and Yasawa islands. You will be amazed by the picturesque beauty of Denarau port, which will be a unique check-in point for photography enthusiasts.

Coral Coast

One of the popular attractions in Fiji is Coral Coast which stretches for 50 miles and is surrounded by magnificent coral reefs. Coming here, visitors will have the opportunity to dive into the deep sea, drop themselves in the heart of colorful coral. Not only that, this coast also attracts tourists by high-class and luxurious resorts. Along the Coral Coast there is also a Fiji spice garden, where visitors can indulge in the suffocating aroma of spices.

Navua River

Located on the island of Viti Levu, the Navua River originates on the southeast slope of Mount Gordan and flows towards the southern coast for a range of 65km. In addition, it is also famous for the Upper Navua Conservation Area, which is a tributary that flows through a narrow gorge. The cool jade-colored water flows, flanked by steep cliffs that have been tinged with time mixed with moss, bringing a lyrical and beautiful space like the way into the land of the Hobbits.

Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple

To find a sense of tranquility, many visitors who come to Fiji do not forget to visit the temple Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple located in Nadi, the third largest urban area in this beautiful island nation. Leaving behind the noise of daily life, visitors can immerse themselves in the sacred and relax with the most comfortable mind.

Considered to be the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere, Sri Siva Subramaniya wears the Dravidian architectural style (square spire architecture, with meticulously detailed motifs from the bottom of the spire to the top of the spire) which is very special when it comes to combination of a lot of novel colors. The temple is a complex of 3 parts, the main temple is where the statue of god Murugan is carved in India, while the second temple is dedicated to the god Ganesh, and the third temple is dedicated to the god Meenakshi and god Shiva.

Thurston Gardens

For those who love plants and flowers, Thurston Botanical Gardens will be the most ideal choice during a trip to the island nation of Fiji. Located in the heart of Suva, this garden is like a “movie” depicting the richness of the native tropical flora here.

Visitors to the tour seem to have the same peaceful feeling when inhaling the sweet scent of flowers and truly immersing themselves in nature in the heart of the city. Thurston Botanical Garden also impresses visitors with its beautiful clock tower, built in 1918 in memory of the first mayor of Suva.

Fiji travel guide: Top things to do in Fiji

Visit a local market

All the major towns in the Fiji Islands have their markets, but Suva’s is one of the best. To watch the locals work and shop, head to the Suva market near the main port. To buy the freshest produce, go early in the morning.

Nearby, you’ll find the Suva Handicraft Center. This is the perfect place to find authentic souvenirs, with kava bowls, traditional drums and many other cultural goodies on sale.

Make a trip to the highlands

When you think of the Fiji Islands, sugar-white sands and azure waters are what immediately come to mind for most people. Fiji’s coastline is beautiful, but the country has much more to offer. Experience the highlands of Fiji on a hiking tour with Talanoa Treks to see a different and still breathtaking side of Fiji.

You’ll have the chance to climb some of Fiji’s highest mountains, trek through pristine jungle, visit remote upland villages and meet the people who live there, and discover some of the most captivating waterfalls of Fiji and see a different side of Fiji that most tourists don’t get to.

Diving

Soak in the warm waters and admire Fiji’s Great Astrolabe Reef off Kadavu Island which is one of the largest and strongest reefs in the world and home to a wide variety of marine life.

For those who are passionate about discovering pristine coral and tropical underwater paradise, Fiji will be the ideal destination this summer. This is home to a diverse and lively collection of tropical marine life.

Follow the underwater coral reefs to see eye-catching rainbow guppies like giant grouper, tuna, manta rays, turtles and reef sharks. Especially giant are the rays  shimmering below in the deep water channels.

You can explore the colorful coral world, admire thousands of fish species, maybe even encounter sharks. The poetic natural beauty, unique marine life paradise and exciting and unforgettable experiences in the island nation of Fiji will all be waiting for you this summer.

Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park

The Sigatoka Sand Dunes with its rippling surface undulating under the majestic blue sky over the South Pacific Ocean, is a sight you will probably never forget. Exploring these sand dunes isn’t just about breathtaking beauty, but there’s also a wealth of cultural heritage as well as natural sites to explore here. With some dunes as high as 60m, the sandy landscape may look barren but will reveal a whole world of life.

Learn how to make chocolate

Nestled in the nearby Savusavu rainforest, a visit to KokoMana offers an insight into working life in the Fiji Islands. The small cocoa company grows cocoa beans and then turns them into chocolate at its small on-site factory.

During the tour, you’ll walk among the rows of cocoa trees, taste the cocoa from the pods, learn about the chocolate making process from the bean to the chocolate bar, see the inside of the factory and most importantly, taste the final product.

Visit a Fiji village

Country life in Fiji is very different from life by the sea, and a visit to one of these communities will help you learn the traditional way of life an authentic side of the country. It is important that you go with a guide to ensure that you respect the local culture. The Fijian village of Nabila to the west of Viti Levu is just one of many you can visit.

Watching sunset

Due to its proximity to the equator, the sunsets in Fiji are often stunning. For good views, the southern coast of the main island of Viti Levu, between the towns of Sigatoka and Navua, is known as the Sunset Strip.

Joining a party

You can soak up the beautiful natural surroundings and party in style at some of the best beach clubs in the south coast Pacific. Cloud 9, Malamala are two of the most popular entertainment places when coming here.

Dubbed the floating paradise in Fiji, Cloud 9 is a popular beach entertainment venue with its stunning bar, lovely pizzeria and water sports center offering great experiences.

Located on the island of Mamamnuca, Malamala will also bring visitors a great day of fun, unleashing virtual life with a spectacular infinity pool, colorful beachside cabanas…

Fiji travel blog: What to eat?

Traditional cuisine in Fiji often have main ingredients from the sea such as seaweed, octopus, sea urchins, turtles, fish, shellfish… The migration of the Indians in 1870 brought a new breath of life and formed the “Fijian-Indo” cooking style. Therefore, the cuisine of Fiji island is more diverse with many colors and irresistible delicious flavors.

In Fiji, you will have the opportunity to be “overwhelmed” in the extremely unique and diverse culinary culture. The dishes have local flavors but still have a hint of culture imported from Europe, China, Polynesia or India.

Kokoda

Kokoda is a traditional dish in Fijian cuisine, the ingredients are fresh island seafood such as sliced ​​mahi fish, combined with coconut cream sauce, onion, chili salt and lime juice. Seafood will be cooked thanks to the acid in lemon juice and a mixture of spices, diners will eat it with sweet potatoes or tapioca.

Lovo

This is a special dish of the Fijians, often cooked during celebrations or weddings and festivals. People will dig a hole, line it with coconut shells and cover it with rocks to form an underground oven. Meats, fish, vegetables are wrapped in banana leaves and then placed on a hot stone surface to cook the ingredients. This method of cooking for about 2-3 hours will result in tender meat, evenly seasoned spices and excellent taste.

The biggest party Fiji has to offer its visitors is Lovo – an underground oven, chicken, fish is wrapped in banana leaves, placed on hot stones, then covered to steam in the ground for a wonderful dining experience!

Duruka

Duruka is a vegetable that is commonly known as Fiji asparagus, which comes in two colors, green and red, appearing in abundance on this Fiji islands. Duruka vegetables have a delicious and nutritious taste, so people often add them to coconut milk or curries. Red vegetables will have a stronger flavor than green ones, and both are very healthy. This is a rare and unique ingredient found only in Fijian cuisine.

Taro

Taro is a staple in local meals, playing a huge role in Fijian food culture. They also reserve a day called “Taro holiday”, which is celebrated at the time of the first full moon in May. Taro here is a purple potato, which is processed like normal potatoes such as steamed, mashed, battered and fried or boiled in coconut milk. In addition, it can be used in stewed chicken dishes, which is also very attractive.

Shopping in Fiji Island

One of the places that many tourists choose to buy souvenirs for themselves and friends is the market on the island, especially Suva market as mentioned above. In addition to souvenirs made from coconut, shells… you can also buy fresh and dried seafood as gifts at Nadi market and on Yanuca islands.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Fiji you can refer to

• Tivua Island Day Cruise with BBQ Lunch
• Nadi Zipline and Cave Tour in Fiji
• Tivua Island Day Cruise with BBQ Lunch
• Cloud 9 from Denarau Day Trip with FJD60 Bar Tab in Fiji
• Fiji Untold Show Ticket in Fiji
• Sacred Flame Show Ticket with Dinner in Fiji
• Scenic Flights Experiences in Fiji
• Kula Wild Adventure Park Admission in Fiji
• South Sea Island Day Cruise in Fiji
• The Authentic Fijian Cultural Day Tour in Fiji

Check out more top and best things to do in Fiji here.