Travel guide · Fiji
Fiji travel guide
Coral islands, village kava ceremonies and some of the South Pacific's best reefs
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: KhufuOsiris, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Fiji is an archipelago of more than 300 islands in the South Pacific, about three to four hours' flight north of Auckland and Sydney. Nearly every international visitor lands at Nadi on the west of the main island, Viti Levu, then heads to the resorts of Denarau, the Coral Coast or the small islands of the Mamanuca and Yasawa groups by fast catamaran, seaplane or helicopter. Further afield, the capital Suva, the historic port of Levuka, and the 'Garden Island' of Taveuni with its waterfalls and Rainbow Reef show a different side of the country. Fijian village life, Indo-Fijian food and the kava ceremony are as much a part of a visit as the beaches. Plan 10 days for a first visit; the best months are May–October.
Key facts
- Country
- Fiji
- Best time to visit
- May–October
- Ideal stay
- 10 days
- Main airports
- NAN, SUV
- Mid-range daily budget
- $180–$350 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Island resorts, Coral reefs and diving, Kava ceremonies and Bula hospitality
Why visit Fiji
- The Mamanuca and Yasawa islands have white-sand beaches and coral reefs a short boat ride from Nadi's international airport.
- Diving and snorkelling range from Rainbow Reef's soft corals off Taveuni to shark dives in Beqa Lagoon and manta rays in the Yasawas and Kadavu.
- Village visits and the yaqona (kava) ceremony offer a direct introduction to Fijian culture and hospitality.
- Indo-Fijian curries and roti sit alongside Fijian kokoda, lovo feasts and fresh tropical fruit.
- Resorts suit every type of trip, from family resorts with kids' clubs to adults-only islands and backpacker beach huts.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 17 things to do.
Island · Mamanuca Islands
Mamanuca island day cruise
Catamarans and smaller boats leave Port Denarau each morning for day trips to Mamanuca islands, with snorkelling over coral reefs, lunch on the beach and swimming in clear lagoons.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
Waterfront · Yasawa Islands
Blue Lagoon
A clear, sheltered lagoon between Nanuya Lailai and neighbouring islands in the northern Yasawas, named after the 1980 film The Blue Lagoon, which was shot on nearby Nanuya Levu.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Couples
- Nature
- Photo spot
Island · Mamanuca Islands
Monuriki
A small uninhabited island at the western edge of the Mamanucas, where the film Cast Away was shot.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- Nature
Nature · Yasawa Islands
Sawa-i-Lau Caves
Limestone caves on a small island in the northern Yasawas, where you swim in a pool lit by an opening in the roof, then duck through a short underwater passage into a dark second chamber with a guide.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Active
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Nadi
Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple
At the southern end of Nadi's main street, this colourful Dravidian-style Hindu temple was built by craftsmen brought from India and is often described as the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Garden · Sabeto Valley
Garden of the Sleeping Giant
An orchid garden at the foot of the Sabeto mountains near Nadi, started by actor Raymond Burr in the 1970s to house his orchid collection.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Couples
- Kids
Where to stay
Denarau Island is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$$ · Best for families, first-timers and luxury
Denarau Island
Large international resorts, a golf course and the main marina, 20 minutes from Nadi airport
$ · Best for budget and solo travellers
Nadi
Market town by the airport with a Hindu temple, curry houses and budget beach hostels
$$$$ · Best for beach, couples, families and luxury
Mamanuca Islands
Small coral islands and resorts 30–90 minutes by catamaran from Port Denarau
$$ · Best for beach, budget, solo travellers and couples
Yasawa Islands
Remote volcanic islands, the Blue Lagoon and backpacker-to-boutique resorts
What to eat
- Kokoda — Fiji's version of ceviche: raw white fish cured in lime or lemon juice, then mixed with coconut cream, chilli, onion and tomato, often served in a coconut shell.
- Lovo — An earth-oven feast: meat, fish, taro, cassava and palusami wrapped in banana leaves and cooked for hours on hot stones buried in the ground.
- Palusami — Taro leaves wrapped around thick coconut cream and onion and baked until soft; some versions add tinned corned beef or fish.
- Rourou — Chopped taro leaves simmered in coconut milk, a soft green side dish served with root crops and fish.
- Dalo and tavioka — Taro (dalo) and cassava (tavioka) are the staple starches of Fijian meals, boiled, baked in a lovo or cooked with coconut milk.
- Indo-Fijian curry and roti — Curries of chicken, goat, fish or dhal with roti, a legacy of the Indian labourers brought to Fiji's sugar plantations from 1879.
When to go
The best time to visit Fiji is from May to October, the cooler and drier season, with sunny days, low humidity, calm seas and the clearest water for diving. July and September are busiest because of Australian and New Zealand school holidays. November to April is hotter and wetter and is cyclone season, with the highest risk from January to March, though prices are lower.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Early dry season | April–June | Rain eases and humidity drops; good value before the mid-year peak. |
| Peak dry season | July–September | Sunny, breezy and cooler with the best diving visibility; school holidays bring crowds and the highest prices. |
| Late dry season | October–November | Warming up with more humidity and occasional showers; still excellent at sea. |
| Wet and cyclone season | December–March | Hot, humid and rainy with cyclone risk, highest from January to March; quieter outside Christmas and New Year. |
Getting there and around
Nadi International Airport (NAN) is about 9 km north of Nadi town and about 20 minutes by taxi or transfer from Denarau; Coral Coast resorts are about one to two hours by road. Nausori Airport (SUV), near Suva, handles mainly domestic and some regional flights.
Most visitors move between Nadi, Denarau and the islands by fast catamaran, seaplane or helicopter, and along Viti Levu's coastal roads by taxi, transfer bus or rental car. Domestic flights from Nadi and Suva reach Taveuni, Vanua Levu, Kadavu and Ovalau.
Plan your days
Five days suits a single resort on Denarau, the Coral Coast or one Mamanuca island. Ten days allows island-hopping through the Yasawas or adding Pacific Harbour and Suva; two weeks lets you fly to Taveuni or Kadavu for diving.
Practical information
- Currency
- FJD
- Language
- English, Fijian and Fiji Hindi
- Plugs
- Type I sockets (as in Australia and New Zealand), 240 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water in Nadi, Suva and many resorts is treated, but many visitors prefer bottled or filtered water, and outer islands often use rainwater.
- Emergency number
- 911 (ambulance and fire); 917 (police)
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected in Fiji.
The main risks are sun, coral cuts and currents near reef passages; swim where resorts advise and wear reef shoes. Cyclones are possible from November to April, so follow official warnings. In Nadi and Suva, watch for street touts and petty theft after dark.
Flights to Fiji
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Fiji?
Five days suits a single resort on Denarau, the Coral Coast or one Mamanuca island. Ten days allows island-hopping through the Yasawas or adding Pacific Harbour and Suva; two weeks lets you fly to Taveuni or Kadavu for diving. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Fiji?
The best time to visit Fiji is from May to October, the cooler and drier season, with sunny days, low humidity, calm seas and the clearest water for diving. July and September are busiest because of Australian and New Zealand school holidays. November to April is hotter and wetter and is cyclone season, with the highest risk from January to March, though prices are lower.
+What is Fiji known for?
Island resorts, Coral reefs and diving, Kava ceremonies, Bula hospitality, Honeymoons, Soft coral and Rugby sevens. The Mamanuca and Yasawa islands have white-sand beaches and coral reefs a short boat ride from Nadi's international airport.
+Is Fiji expensive?
Fiji is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $180–$350 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Fiji?
No for island resorts, where everything is by boat. A rental car is useful on Viti Levu for the Coral Coast, Sigatoka and Pacific Harbour, though taxis and resort transfers also cover these.