Fiji Islands – Your Next Vacation Destination

Lying 2,000 miles northeast of Australia, in the South Pacific Ocean, the archipelago consists of about 332 islands mainly surrounded by coral reefs. Fiji is the product of volcanic mountains and warm tropical waters.

Fiji’s attraction is primarily its white sandy beaches and postcard perfect islands with all-year-round tropical weather. In general Fiji is a mid-range priced holiday/vacation destination with most of the accommodations in this range. It also has a variety of world class 5-star resorts and hotels. More budget resorts are being opened in remote areas, which will provide more tourism opportunities.

Coconut palms line the beaches of Fiji. Photo by Jon-Eric Melsæter

Many places worth visiting here and here are some of them:

• Viti Levu, which hosts the capital city of Suva, is the largest island and home to about 70% of country’s population. Viti Levu has it all: cities, resorts, cane fields, tropical mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and traditional villages. The best beaches and dive sites are along the Coral Coast on the west side of the island. The Botanical Gardens of Thursten in Suva, Sigatoka Sand Dunes, and Colo-I-Suva Forest Park are three other options on the island.
• Situated 64 kilometres to the north of the Viti Levu, Vanua Levu is the second largest island of Fiji. The island is not much frequented by tourists. However it offers the opportunity to experience the real Fijian life. Its main towns are Labasa on the north coast and Savusavu in the south.
• Because of the abundance of colourful tropical plants and flowers Taveuni, the third largest island in Fiji, is called the “Garden Island”. Nearly all plants and animals indigenous to Fiji are found here.
  Lake Tagimaucia is one of Taveuni’s most famous tourist attractions. It occupies a volcanic crater at an altitude of 800 meters, and is the habitat the rare tagimacuia flower. Fiji’s most famous waterfalls, the Bouma Falls, are also on the island.
  Many of Taveuni’s best known attractions lie underwater though. The Rainbow Reef and Vuna Reef are famous for diving and snorkeling, respectively.
• Kadavu, one of the largest yet untouched islands of Fiji is located south from the main island of Viti Levu. Here you can get a taste for the real Fiji. The island has 75% of its original rainforest cover, several high mountains, waterfalls, fine beaches, and a rich bird diversity. Offshore, stringing around the south, east and then away to the north, is the Great Astrolabe Reef, a large barrier reef that is one of Fiji’s premier scuba diving resorts.

Budget minded travellers can find good deals in great locations. The beautiful Mamanuca and Yasawa Island chains offer a variety of island budget resorts. Access to these islands are via Port Denarau on Denarau Island using a ferry service that stops on various islands as it loops its way around. Denarau Island is just 20 minutes from Nadi International Airport. Another option is the Coral Coast on the southern coast of the main island, Viti Levu. Transport can be sort when disembarking off the plane at Nadi International Airport.

Denarau Island, Fiji. Photo by Fijiisparadise

Locals eat in the cafes and small restaurants that are found in every town. The food is wholesome, cheap, and highly variable in quality. Local delicacies include fresh tropical fruits (they can be found at the farmer’s market in any town when in season), paulsami (baked taro leaves marinated in lemon juice and coconut milk often with some meat or fish filling and a bit of onion or garlic), kokoda (fish or other seafood marinated in lemon and coconut milk), and anything cooked in a lovo or pit oven.

Though Fiji can be enjoyed all year round the best time would be in dry season from May to October. Temperatures average about 75°F (24°C) in the winter (May – October) and 85°F (30°C) in summer (November – April).

Monu Island, an uninhabited island of the Mamanuca Islands, Fiji. Photo by Heinz Albers

And one more interesting thing about Fiji: because it straddles the 180 degree longitude line it means that every new day begins here. So theoretical, if you are in the center of Taveuni you can have one foot in each day.