5 days in Fiji

Day by day

1. Day 1: Mamanuca island day cruise and Monuriki

   Mamanuca island day cruise, Monuriki and Blue Lagoon, then Adults-only island resort in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Mamanuca island day cruise

      Choose a trip with a long stop at one island rather than several short ones, and pack reef-safe sunscreen and a rash vest. (Full day, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Monuriki

      Combine it with snorkelling on the reef in the lagoon; landing depends on sea conditions. (Half a day, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Kokoda

      Resort restaurants, cafés in Nadi and Suva, and village feasts.

   4. Afternoon

      Blue Lagoon

      Stay a night or two on Nanuya Lailai or a nearby island rather than visiting on a short stop from the catamaran. (Half a day to a full day, free).

   5. Evening

      Adults-only island resort

      Several Mamanuca and Yasawa islands have small adults-only resorts with beachfront bures.

2. Day 2: Sawa-i-Lau Caves and Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple

   Sawa-i-Lau Caves, Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple and Garden of the Sleeping Giant, then Sunset cruise in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sawa-i-Lau Caves

      Only swim into the second chamber if you are comfortable holding your breath briefly underwater; the first chamber is worth it alone. (Half a day, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple

      Remove shoes, cover shoulders and knees, and ask before taking photos inside. (45 minutes, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Lovo

      Weekly lovo nights at many resorts, and in villages for Sundays and celebrations.

   4. Afternoon

      Garden of the Sleeping Giant

      Combine it with the Sabeto mud pools in the same valley for a half-day outing from Nadi or Denarau. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Sunset cruise

      Evening sailings from Port Denarau or island resorts with drinks as the sun sets over the Mamanucas.

3. Day 3: Sabeto mud pools and hot springs and Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park

   Sabeto mud pools and hot springs, Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park and Beqa Lagoon shark dive, then Sandbank picnic in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sabeto mud pools and hot springs

      Wear an old swimsuit; the mud can stain light fabric. (1–2 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park

      Walk in the early morning; the exposed dunes are very hot by midday. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Palusami

      Lovo feasts, village meals and local cafés; ask for the plain version if you want it vegetarian.

   4. Afternoon

      Beqa Lagoon shark dive

      It is a dive for certified divers only; check the operator's experience requirements before booking. (Half a day, expensive).

   5. Evening

      Sandbank picnic

      Resorts and boat operators arrange private drop-offs on sandbanks that appear at low tide.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Sigatoka and the Sand Dunes

   About 1–1.25 hours by car each way. Getting there: Car, taxi or bus along the Queens Road.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Sigatoka and the Sand Dunes

      About 1–1.25 hours by car (Car, taxi or bus along the Queens Road); about 70 km.

   2. Day

      Sigatoka and the Sand Dunes

      Walk the dunes of Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park, then explore the riverside market town of Sigatoka. Best for families and culture.

   3. Evening

      Back in Fiji

      Dinner: try Rourou.

5. Day 5: Navua River trips and Fiji Museum

   Navua River trips, Fiji Museum and Suva Municipal Market, then Seaplane transfer in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Navua River trips

      Choose a longboat trip for a relaxed village visit, or rafting for the gorge scenery. (Full day, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Fiji Museum

      Allow time for the botanical gardens around the museum, then walk along the harbourfront to the Grand Pacific Hotel. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Rourou

      Village meals, local cafés and some resort buffets.

   4. Afternoon

      Suva Municipal Market

      Saturday morning is the busiest and most atmospheric time; bring small notes. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Seaplane transfer

      A seaplane flight over the reefs to your island is a memorable start to a honeymoon.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Beqa Lagoon shark dive before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Denarau Island keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Nadi ($) suits budget and solo travellers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 31–41 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.1 hours in June to 13.2 hours in December.

More or fewer days

• One day in Fiji
• 2 days in Fiji
• 3 days in Fiji

Questions travellers ask