Fiji Travel Guide

Fiji is a quintessential South Pacific experience. Of the 300 islands, nearly 200 are uninhabited, while the remaining 100 are home to grass skirts, surfers, hammocks, and an astonishing blend of multicultural influences. It all runs at ‘Fiji Time’, a lengthy delay in the everyday that’s just part of the lifestyle: you’ll never be this relaxed again.

The Mamanucas group of islands are the jet-set destination, resort heavy, unbelievably beautiful and with surfing to die for, but often with little trace of the indigenous culture. To find that, head to Kadavu, where a lack… read more of infrastructure means prehistoric villages still stand tall, surviving on subsistence farming in amongst lush, misty rainforests. The Fiji Museum at Suva gives the less intrepid their glance at local cultures, while colonial Levuka is another sumptuous taste of the Fiji of old.

If it’s the clear blue waters you’re after, snorkeling Yasawas will give you those sun-rippled sands and the chance to snorkel with manta rays. Taveuni offers sublime reef snorkeling, while kayakers head to vibrant Nananu I Ra. For a different kind of water sport, intense rafting experiences on the rivers of the Namosi Highlands include fast-paced views of the soaring mountain scenery, while the Nausori Highlands emerald green hills hide waterfalls, hefty thatched houses and views that’ll crop up in your dreams for years afterwards.

When they’re not intriguing the producers of ‘Survivor’, the hundreds of empty islands can be accessed by chartered boat. When you arrive you can hang around clear blue lagoons, make your own cocktails to drink as the sun goes down and snorkel over reefs that very few others have ever even seen. Or pretty much any other ‘The Beach’ related fantasy you feel like fulfilling, for that matter.

Known for its coasts, but culturally and colorfully enthralling inland too, Fiji is everything you’d want in a picture perfect tropical paradise. Friendly, relaxing, lively and (should you crave it to be) empty, you’ll probably never want to leave. Don’t forget the sunscreen.