Island resorts on clear lagoons, soft coral reefs and a warm village welcome, an easy add-on to Australia or New Zealand.
Fiji is more than 300 islands, but most visitors see only a few: the Mamanuca and Yasawa groups off the west coast of Viti Levu, reached by boat or seaplane from Nadi, and the lusher, quieter islands of Taveuni and Vanua Levu in the north.
It is a place for doing very little well: island resorts, warm lagoons and soft coral diving in the north. What people remember is the Fijian welcome. A visit to a village, with a kava ceremony, is often the highlight.
The honest caveat is distance. From London, Fiji is a long way to go for a beach alone, so we usually pair it with New Zealand or Australia, or use it as a stop on the way. Time it outside the cyclone season if you can.
The experiences we plan most often, with the months they are at their best.
The Yasawas stretch north from the Mamanucas in a chain of steep, grassy volcanic islands with white beaches and few resorts. Swim into the Sawa-i-Lau limestone caves, walk to village schools and churches, and snorkel over quiet reefs. Seaplanes from Nadi make it reachable in well under an hour.
The Mamanuca Islands are closest to Nadi, so the transfer is short and the resorts easy to reach by boat or seaplane. Lagoons are calm and shallow, snorkelling starts from the beach and sunsets face west. Surfers come for the reef breaks at Cloudbreak and Restaurants off Tavarua.
Between Taveuni and Vanua Levu, strong currents feed the Rainbow Reef and the Great White Wall, draped in soft corals. Drift dives here are for experienced divers, but snorkellers also find colourful reefs. On Taveuni itself, walk to the Bouma waterfalls in the rainforest.
Off Pacific Harbour on Viti Levu's south coast, Beqa Lagoon has a well-known shark dive, with bull sharks, tiger sharks and reef sharks around a protected marine reserve. It is for qualified divers only and run by established operators with strict briefings.
Most resorts have links with a nearby village and can arrange a visit. Arrive with a gift of kava root, cover shoulders and knees and remove hats. The chief welcomes you in a sevusevu ceremony, sharing kava from a coconut shell. It is a genuine exchange, and the children will want to show you everything.
Vanua Levu, Fiji's second island, sees far fewer visitors than the west. Savusavu is a small harbour town with hot springs, and the bay is lined with coconut plantations and quiet reefs. It suits families and people who want Fiji at a slower pace. It is a short domestic flight from Nadi.
Choose by island group. In the Mamanucas, Likuliku Lagoon and Tokoriki suit couples. Yasawa Island Resort is remote and romantic. For families, the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Savusavu is a long-standing favourite. At the top end, Laucala Island and Kokomo Private Island are private islands with villas.
We match each trip in Fiji to hotels, lodges and villas chosen for the way you travel. Tell us what matters and a specialist will suggest two or three that fit.
Ask for hotel suggestionsSample routes to start from. Every one can be changed.
The big Australia trip for families: Sydney harbour, two nights in the red centre at Uluru, four on the Queensland coast for the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree, then five on a small island in Fiji to rest before the flight home.
Fiji is warm all year. The cooler, drier months from May to October are the most comfortable, with lower humidity, clearer water and settled weather for island hopping. They are also the busiest, as Australians and New Zealanders escape their winter.
The FCDO notes that the tropical cyclone season normally runs from November to April, though cyclones can occur at other times, bringing strong winds, heavy rain and flooding. Many holidays pass without trouble, but insurance and flexible bookings matter more in these months.
The Mamanucas for an easy start, the remote Yasawas for beaches and caves, and Taveuni for diving and waterfalls, all via Nadi. 10 nights.
Arrive in Nadi and take a boat or seaplane to Malolo. Lagoon days, snorkelling and a village visit.
Seaplane north to the Yasawas. Swim in the Sawa-i-Lau caves and spend days on near-empty beaches.
Fly via Nadi to Taveuni. Dive or snorkel the Rainbow Reef and walk to the Bouma waterfalls.
Fly back to Nadi to connect with your flight home, or on to New Zealand or Australia.
Practical notes checked against their sources. For entry and safety, the FCDO advice for Fiji (opens in a new tab) is always the authority.
There are no direct flights from the UK. Journeys to Nadi take about 26 hours with one connection, for example in Tokyo, or you can connect in Australia, New Zealand or the USA. Many clients visit Fiji as part of a longer trip.
UK passport holders do not currently need a visa for a holiday. Read the FCDO entry requirements (opens in a new tab) before you book.
Read the FCDO entry requirements for Fiji (opens in a new tab)
Use reef-safe sunscreen and cover up in the midday sun. Check TravelHealthPro (opens in a new tab) and the FCDO health page for mosquito-borne illness advice before you go.
The currency is the Fijian dollar, issued by the Reserve Bank of Fiji. Cards are accepted in towns and resorts, but take cash before heading to outer islands.
Vodafone Fiji sells a tourist SIM, which is usually cheaper than roaming. Coverage is reasonable in towns but patchy on remote islands.
Tipping is not expected in Fiji. Many resorts have a staff fund shared by everyone, which is the simplest way to say thank you.
The tropical cyclone season normally runs from November to April, though cyclones can occur at other times. It brings a greater risk of strong winds and heavy rain, and many trips pass without incident. For the most settled weather, travel between May and October, and take insurance that covers weather disruption.
The Mamanucas are closest to Nadi and easiest, with calm lagoons and family-friendly resorts. The Yasawas are further, more remote and more dramatic. Taveuni and Vanua Levu are lusher and quieter, and best for diving. Two groups in ten nights is about right.
Very. Fijians are warmly welcoming to children, many resorts have kids' clubs with Fijian nannies, and the Mamanucas are only a short boat ride from the airport. Choose a resort with a sheltered lagoon for young swimmers.
Yes, and it is how most of our clients go. Fiji is a few hours' flight from Auckland, Sydney or Brisbane, so a week of beach after touring either country is easy to arrange.
Tell us a little and a specialist will reply with ideas, dates that work and a price. Best months: May to September.
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