Places to visit
There are plenty places worth visiting in the island archipelago of Fiji, with a number of island groups distributed over part of the South Pacific Ocean. Each group has its own unique history and traditions, and varies considerably in character. However, the island that deserves the most attention is the main and the largest island of this country – Viti Levu.
Viti Levu– the main industrial and tourist-oriented island of Fiji it is home to the main cities in the country such as Suva, Nadi, Lautoka and numerous smaller towns. The island itself is about 150 km long and 100 km wide and the distances between the towns is fairly small. You can take a leisurely drive around the entire island within 1-2 days on the main coastal road (Kings Rd/Queens Road) and visit a number of interesting places on the way.
Almost all visitors to the country start their journey from Nadi, the location of the international airport and the gateway to most tourist destinations, being and air and sea transport hub. Nadi is the third largest town in Fiji with a population about 42 000 people and is the main tourist center in the country. In the immediate vicinity there are a large number of resorts ranging from luxurious to budget hotels. There are numerous offerings of day tours to local villages, botanic gardens, tropical forests, cultural centers, island or highlands tours, and ocean day cruises.
Denarau Island is located about 10 km away from Nadi, connected to the mainland by bridge. It is the most integrated resort area in South Pacific. Crossing the bridge you step into another world – the world of luxury. Pretty gardens and luxury housing surround a large well maintained golf course cut by canals where many private boats are moored. The canals come together at the Denarau port with access from there to the open sea and coral islands beyond. The island is host to eight 5-star resorts including the Sheraton, Hilton, Sofitel and others with beautifully set swimming pools and gardens area.
At the Denarau Marina tourists can enjoy meals at nice restaurants and bars overlooking the boats and yachts parked at the marina and the bustling tourists boarding connecting ferry’s to island resorts. The Marina is also a shopping center which contains beauty spa’s, currency exchange, clothing and souvenir shops. It’s worth being aware that prices in the area may be significantly higher than those charged elsewhere, it’s always worth shopping around!
Denarau is a gateway for a day island cruises, and daily transfer charters to the Yasawas and Mamanuca islands. Interisland transfers by boat, plane and helicopter, day tours and fishing/diving charters can be booked directly with operators at the Marina.
Another established tourist area is located on the shores of Nadi Bay at Wailoaloa beach. It is more of a budget area with medium to backpacker standard accommodation offered, often fronting the dark sandy beach. All hotels will offer a range of activities and tours to suit any choice. In the evenings you can enjoy a cocktail and a meal while watching the sun set into the Pacific Ocean. Night time entertainment includes fire dancing and island belly-dancing performed by a variety of Pacific Islanders.
The Sabeto valley is located about 10km to the north of Nadi, where the Sabeto River winds along the base of the Sleeping Giant (Mt Batilamu). The Sleeping Giant dominates views to the north of Nadi, as a range of hills and mountains that resembles the shape of a giant person lying asleep. The Garden of the Sleeping Giant is a botanic garden of 20 ha at the base of the hills. It hosts an Orchard park with about 2000 different types of orchards. Networks of wooden walkways lead you on an enchanted tour through the rainforest, ponds and secluded corners.
You can also visit an Organic Farm in Sabeto, the farm cultivates fruiting plants and trees native to Fiji, and for additional payment visitors can do some horse riding. Just up the road are mud pools and hot water springs, where guests can relax in natural warm mud baths and wash off in hot thermal springs.
The Sleeping Giant Zipline – zipline is set in the heart of the tropical jungle. It has 5 zips ranging from 80 to 160 m length on which you can glide through the upper levels of the forest, and across clear rumbling streams. It area also hosts a number of rainforest and waterfall walks. It’s a relaxing setting for an afternoon picnic or drink after all the excitement.
On the seaward end of Sleeping Giant is another sea port – Vuda Marina, a yacht marina overlooked by a bar and a nice restaurant with views out to the Yasawa Islands. According to legend the first Fijians that arrived to Fiji landed in this area. First Landing resort nearby is named in honor of this and small island in front of the resort is made to shape a large foot.
Lautoka town is the second largest city in Fiji, it is the administrative center for the western part of Fiji, with an economy dominated by the sugar farming and processing industry. The town is also the country’s second largest seaport. It is about 24km north of the international airport.
The town is clean with good roads and has good shops with prices set for locals rather than tourists; it is a typical example of a Fijian town and worth a visit.
From Lautoka tourists can visit the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park at Mt Batilamu on the north side of Sleeping Giant and take cultural tours to Abaca village.
On the opposite side of Nadi the coastal road leads to one of the best beaches on Viti Levu – Natadola(50km from Nadi). A beautiful curved beach with white sand several kilometers long backed by amazingly blue tropical water. At either end of the beach there are more sheltered areas where you can swim at any tide, whilst the surf breaks in the center of the beach. At high tide the area provides a great spot to learn to surf under the supervision of trained coaches. The beach makes a great day trip from Nadi and is rarely crowed; you can lunch at the InterContinental luxury resort, or at either of two smaller hotels along the beach.
The Coral Coast lies between Nadi and Suva along the main highway. From the road there are views to the hills, valleys and of course the coast and the surf breaking on the offshore reef. The road passes through Fijian villages, where one can catch glimpses of the daily life routines, and a number of large resorts where one can enjoy a break from driving.
Sigatoka is the largest town along the route. It is a small provincial town which was originally a center for sugar cane farming but now has evolved to be a market center for vegetables and fruits grown on the fertile banks of the Sigatoka River. The last vestiges of the sugar industry can be seen in the abandoned railway tracks which terminate where the bridge was washed away during a recent flood. It is a small nicely designed town, which provides services to the Coral Coast. It has a few administrative buildings, a hospital, schools, churches and main town market, also there are some good clothing and handcraft shops.
Not far from the town is extraordinary Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park. Sand dunes are rare in the South Pacific, and the dunes represent a unique places environment in this part of pacific. The landscape is a system of inactive, vegetated sand dunes that cover an area of over 650 acres. It consists of parabolic dunes with heights of up to 60 m. The area provided an abundance of food for the Early Melanesian settlers who lived here over 3,000 years ago. Remnants of their pottery and burials have provided a rich archeological record of early life in Fiji. The area was the first national park declared in Fiji.
Opposite the luxury Outrigger Resort is Kula Eco Park – a center for captive breeding of native birds, animals and reptiles, and some other endangered species. Visitors can walk around the park, feed the birds and hold and be photographed with some of the rarest creatures in the world.
On the Suva side of the Coral Coast is the small tourist town of Pacific Harbour. The immediate area hosts a number of resorts ranging from luxury to backpacker accommodation. It is a convenient center from which to see a range of Fijian vistas and activities. Tourists can take day trips to the mountainous Namosi Highlands for Navua River tours and rafting, to Suva for shopping or charter boats for ocean fishing and diving, or perhaps just relax in a number of bars and coffee shops.
Suva, the capital and largest town in the country is about 200 km from Nadi, connected via a coastal highway, a journey that takes 3 to 4 hours by car. Suva has a population of about 86 000 people. It is the administrative and business center of the country and the largest port in addition to being the seat of government.
Most of the governmental buildings are in Suva, and date back to colonial times. The city foreshore consists of parks and botanic gardens and a walking tour along this area provides views of government house and the active port area across the harbor. Other city attractions worth visiting are the Suva City Library (built in 1909) and the Fiji National Museum. The museum is surrounded by garden and houses an outstanding collection of all sorts of artifacts from back to 3700 years ago, in addition to cultural and ethnic exhibits presenting indigenous and other communities’ culture prior to colonization by the British.
The main road continues through Suva and around the northern side of the island. This road passes through the farming settlements of Rakiraki, Tavua and Ba.
Rakiraki is about half way to Nadi (120km), and is a good place to stay overnight for those who travel around the north coast. It is a beautiful peaceful place to enjoy the ocean and tropic views and simply relax away from cities and noise.
One popular place for nature lovers is Nananu-I-Ra island. The island is a tranquil place, boasting a number of good beaches. Accommodation consists of self-catering cabins/hotels, be sure to purchase supplies before you travel there as there are no shops on the island.
Inland about 10 km from Rakiraki is a large ancient rock – Navatu Rock. It is close to the road to Vitawa village and comprises a large precipice with only one means of access to the top. Prior to European settlement a village was located on this defendable summit. Pottery fragments found on this site date back 3,000 years. There are numerous local legends about this rock, and it’s original inhabitants.
Tavua town is a relaxed market town in 91 km from Nadi. The town market is a good place to buy fresh fruits. The town has some nice parks in which to picnic, and is the closest town to Fiji’s oldest operating gold mine, Vatukaola.
If you turn off from main road between Rakiraki and Tavua at Navai village, you can hike to Mt. Tomavini (also called Mt Victoria), the highest mountain in Fiji (1,323m). The peak is commonly covered with clouds, so a good vista is a rare treat, however you can always say you conquered the summit of this mountain.
Ba is a small rural town set at the mouth of Ba River. It is a sugar cane growing and farming town centered on the Rarawai Sugar Mill. Ba is a classic Indian sugar town, about 62 km away from Nadi, the main attraction is a large mosque in town center, close by the river Ba.
Continuing on the main road will lead you to Lautoka and thence back to your starting point at Nadi.
Islands and ocean world
The smaller islands offer a wide range of Resorts, scenery and activities. A combination of clean white beaches and clear, blue ocean water provides the perfect backdrop for a South Pacific holiday. The most popular and accessible areas are the Mamanuca and Yasawa Island Groups, which lie close to Viti Levu. Connections to the resorts depart Denarau Marina at regular intervals, and there are numerous day cruises offering a variety of water sports and activities to suit most budgets.
Mamanuca Islands are composed of a chain of about 20 islands with a variety of gorgeous beaches and tropical lagoons surrounded by coral reefs teeming with marine life. As these islands are in close proximity to Viti Levu ports they are most developed for tourism.
The area is also boasts a world class surf break, Cloud Break, on which an annual world championship surfing competition is held. Nearby is a beautiful floating bar, Cloud-9, the only one of its kind in Fiji. Here people can relax, step off to the ocean to snorkel around in the warm water.
There are several sand islands in the area that are under water at high tide. These are often deserted and make great places for a private picnic and swimming party.
The Mamanuca group includes some world famous resort islands such as Bounty island, Treasure island, Monoriki (which is also known as Cast Away Island after the movie that was filmed on this island), and Beachcomber – the Party island.
The largest island in the group is Malolo Island. It consists of two islands connected by a narrow neck of land which is underwater at high tide. The smaller Island (Malolo Lailai) hosts 2 renowned resorts (Plantation and Musket Cove) and a yacht marina which is popular with visiting sailors. Malolo and Mana Island make their visitors feel like they are living in the paradise dream. These and other Mamanuca islands are filled with tropical greenery surrounded by blue clear sea and white sand beaches. Many couples come to these islands to get married and enjoy an unforgettably romantic wedding and a honey moon. The resorts offer plenty of day trips, water activities, surfing connections, beauty spas and game fishing.
In addition to the inter-island sea connection the islands can also be accessed by helicopter, seaplane and light aircraft for those whose time is precious to them.
The Yasawa Islands have a volcanic origin and are often mountainous, rising high above sea level. The Yasawa Island group consists of six main and a number of smaller islands. The highest islands Kuata and Waya Lailai rise up to 600 m out of the ocean. Beauty and the peace of the natural surroundings combine to make visitors feel relaxed.
The Yasawa Islands are famous for the filming of the eighties cult movie “Blue Lagoon”. The exclusive Turtle Island resort overlooks the famous Blue Lagoon; it has been developed to offer the height of luxury and privacy to limited numbers of guests at any one time.
Other islands of this group are not as commercialized and are very popular among backpackers. Accommodation options are often quite simple and the prices are much more affordable, but similar activities and adventure day trips are offered from most of them. You can also become familiar with the traditional Fijian culture with some resorts are offering cooking classes for traditional tropical food. Another option is to complete scuba diving training in breathtaking surroundings.
From May to October it is possible to swim with manta rays from some resorts. The manta rays skim through the channel between islands Drawaya and Nanuya Balavu almost every day during this period. They are wild but don’t mind other people swimming next to them.
Another attraction of Yasawa islands – Sawa-I-Lau Caves. The ancient caves of limestone are on a small island around Blue Lagoon region. The short trip to the cave well worth the effort! Visitors have a choice of visiting two separate caves, one can be accessed by foot, and to reach the second one requires holding your breath and swimming underwater through the submerged entrance.
The Southern islands of the Yasawa group have high mountain summits, tourists are offered excursions and hiking to lookouts where you can see gorgeous panoramic views of the ocean and islands. Some islands can arrange kayak tours with a tour guide to lead you to all the best spots for snorkeling.
Access to islands is also via Denarau Marine by sea or air.