How To Choose The Best Fiji Island For Your Travel Style
For many people, the mere mention of Fiji conjures up images of sparkling white sands, impossibly blue waters, and plenty of sun and fun at luxury resorts. It has been so for over a century.
Since the islands first began development as a major tourist destination, Fiji's infrastructure and hospitality sector has been geared towards enticing visitors from all over the globe with the promise of a friendly welcome in a tropical paradise. Promoting the islands this way has proven hugely successful; in 2023, the islands received almost 930,000 visitors (almost one for each of Fiji's population) and tourism makes up around 40% of the nation's GDP.
Yet despite its long-standing reputation as an exotic South Seas getaway, there is far more to Fiji than palm trees, sun loungers, and delicious cocktails. The archipelago is made up of 333 individual islands ranging from bustling tourist hubs to idyllically uninhabited, and many of them offer something different for just about every type of traveler.
Needless to say, sunseekers will be well catered for pretty much anywhere they choose, but what are the best Fijian islands if you're the active outdoors type, a culture vulture, a foodie, or want to get well off the beaten track? The good news is that a vacation to Fiji has it all, so let's look at some of the best islands to choose from before booking that long flight to the South Pacific.
The main island has something for everyone
If you're looking for a good overall blend of scenery, beaches, and the delights of the city, Viti Levu could be the place for you. As Fiji's most populous island and home to the nation's capital, Suva, there is no shortage of things to do and see.
Fiji's international airport is located in Nadi in western Viti Levu and most visitors enter and leave the country here. Far from just a transport hub, it has interesting things to see, such as the vibrantly-colored Hindu Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple and the array of orchids in the evocatively named Garden of the Sleeping Giant. Just a few miles away is Denaru Island, the "beating heart of Fiji tourism," with its plush world-class resorts, golf course, superyachts in the marina, and top-end dining.
If you are traveling as a family, many resorts and beaches are well-suited for people with children. And there is far more to explore than just sand and sea: Kulu Wild Adventure Park is a great day out with its waterslides, ziplines, and wildlife sanctuary, while more intrepid families can experience the thrill of boat rides and tubing on the Navua River.
Suva is a pleasure to wander around with its blend of grand colonial architecture and post-independence Fijian culture. It's a haven for foodies, too, with a range of international cuisines and tasty quick eats from markets and street stalls. Suva is also one of the top places for nightlife with many bars and clubs.
Fijian islands where you can relax and play
The Mamanuca Islands, only a short 20-minute ferry ride from Viti Levu, are a superb option for families and couples alike. It is well-established as a popular vacation spot with all the creature comforts you'd expect from a top-tier destination. There is also plenty to keep the kids happy while parents can relax at Plantation Island Resort or Treasure Island Resort — the latter is famed for its turtle breeding program, always a hit with children.
Meanwhile, exclusive resorts like Six Senses Fiji are the perfect choice for a romantic getaway. With luxurious villas and spa treatments, it's worth the splurge for an unforgettable vacation. Other types of travelers gravitate to this chain, too. Beachcomber Island has a reputation as Fiji's Party Island, a classic backpacker resort that attracts a young and relaxed crowd; and Cloudbreak is a world-renowned spot that draws surfers from all over.
If the Mamanucas are a little too busy for you, perhaps consider the more isolated and peaceful Yasawa island group instead. Getting there requires a bit more effort, but it is still easy enough to reach from Viti Levu — taking the ferry is a cheap and leisurely option. The beautiful islands still have the amenities, with accommodations ranging from swanky five-star resorts to more modest digs for budget travelers. The Yasawas are great for island hopping and are home to the famous Blue Lagoon and the spectacular Sawa-i-Lau Caves.
Adventures on land and sea
Although Vita Levu is the most heavily touristed island, there is still an opportunity to escape from the pampered existence of the resorts to the deep wilderness of the island's rugged interior. Vita Levu is graced with three of Fiji's national parks: the spectacular rolling landscapes of Sigatoka Dunes; the dense tropical foliage of Colo-i-Suva Forest Park; and the sweeping vistas and plunging waterfalls of Koryanitu National Heritage Park. In between there are lush rainforests and lofty peaks, making it a great destination for hiking trips and giving you the chance to see how Fijians live away from the resorts. You can head out on your own or hire a guide for the full experience.
For more outdoor adventures, consider wondrous Taveuni, Fiji's Garden Island, for lush forests, crystal waterfalls, and scuba diving at the Great White Wall, a towering coral reef on Somosomo Strait. Diving and snorkeling are some of the must-do highlights of a trip to Fiji thanks to its clear waters, magnificent reefs, and stupendous array of marine life. Indeed, you're almost spoiled for choice when it comes to picking a spot. Natadola Bay on Viti Levu is a great family-friendly option with easy access to its reef from the beach, and you can swim with manta rays on Kadavu Island and in Manta Ray Passage in the Yasawa Islands. If you want an adrenaline rush, check out the guided shark dives in Beqa Lagoon for an unforgettable experience.
Places to explore the local culture
Wherever you go in the world, resorts aren't always the best way to get to know a country's culture. Luckily, there are many ways that you can get a taste of traditional day-to-day life in Fiji. Organized village tours are a good way to support families in rural communities while also getting an authentic experience. A typical tour will pick you up from your accommodation and may include traditional dance, food, and the chance to hang out with the villagers. If you would prefer longer to immerse yourself, village homestays are a terrific and very cost-effective way of really getting to know your hosts. One painful-looking Fijian tradition you should add to your agenda is a firewalking ceremony; to see this feat of bravery and endurance in its most authentic setting, head to Beqa Island.
For a glimpse into Fiji's colonial past beyond the architecture of Suva, head out to Ovalau, the main island of the Lamaviti Group. Here you will find traces of the first Europeans who settled on the archipelago. Levuka, a quaint historic port town, was the nation's capital for a short period during the 19th century and became Fiji's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a quiet place now but it is home to several interesting historic sites such as the Gothic Sacred Heart Church and a ruined Masonic Lodge, and the storefronts of Beach Street have an incongruous Wild West look to them.
Really get away from it all
When you arrive in Fiji you will quickly become aware of the concept of "Fiji Time," the laidback notion that things will get done in due course without heaping time pressure on the individuals involved. If you are used to the breakneck pace of life in a big city like, say, London or New York, it can be a little frustrating at first. But if you can let go of your preconceived ideas about how quickly things should happen, Fiji Time adds to the relaxed charm of the country. It's not such an issue in major resorts, but to experience it at its best, head to some of the little-visited islands.
Adventurous travelers seeking unspoiled nature and a break from the rat race of day-to-day life will find their paradise on Kadavu, Fiji's far-flung southernmost island. Asphalt roads are a rumor here, the mail arrives monthly, and phone signals are limited at best on an island largely covered by rainforest and where locals still make a simple living through fishing and farming. Eco-tourists will be rewarded with environmentally friendly resorts to use as a base for a wide range of activities including kayaking, hiking, deep-sea fishing, and scuba diving on the Great Astrolabe Reef, the fourth-largest barrier reef in the world. Kadavu is truly a place to get away from it all and enjoy Fiji Time at its most laid-back.