The World continues to open up for fully vaccinated travelers, and next on the list is Fiji. The friendly and boisterous greeting and welcome of the locals, Bula! will be ringing across the islands.
More than 300 islands stretch across 600 miles of ocean, though the vast majority of Fiji’s million or so residents live on the larger islands of Viti Levu (home of Nadi International Airport and the capital, Suva) and Vanua Levu. People have been living in the islands of Fiji for at least 3,000 years, with Austronesians, Melanesians, and Polynesians contributing to the culture. British colonization brought indentured laborers from India, many of whom stayed, with almost 40% of Fiji’s inhabitants today claiming Indian ancestry.
With a great surf and dive scene, rainforests and waterfalls to explore, and some of the friendliest people you’ll ever encounter, Fiji is a fantastic destination for couples and families alike. Fiji’s national parks and marine sanctuaries are a model of sustainable tourism. Resorts work hand-in-hand with park officials and environmental organizations to preserve the unique ecosystems that draw visitors in, making sure each visit showcases the same unspoiled beauty for generations to come.
You can hike through lush valleys past native flora and fauna and stop for a dip in a natural pool. You can climb giant sand dunes or float down the Sigatoka River on the Coral Coast, riding modified e-bikes along an old sugar cane railway in between. There are waterfall tours, jet ski safaris, and an eco-adventure park among the rainforests and lagoons of Pacific Harbour and Beqa Island. Snorkeling with manta rays, in the world’s “soft coral capital” and with tropical fish through seagrass are all possibilities, making it an anytime adventure.
Make your base on land or a cruise ship. Either way, leave yourself enough time to explore all that the hundreds of islands of Fiji have to offer.
Where to stay
Laucala Island
Laucala Island offers unspoiled rain forests, mangroves, beaches, and unparalleled levels of luxury living, from 1,500 to 11,000 square meters per residence. With an all-inclusive rate, guests enjoy privacy and seclusion in the 25 traditionally designed villas. Featuring an iridescent kaleidoscope of activities – scuba diving, sailing, fishing, tennis, cycling, golf, yoga, culture nights, tours, and water sports – the resort’s integral philosophy incorporates the island’s resources into guest experiences, with products and ingredients raised and grown on the island for use in the Spa and across the five gourmet restaurants and bars.
Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort
Built to resemble a traditional Fijian village, Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji is a multi-award-winning, inclusive, eco-sensitive boutique resort, and one of the most renowned vacation destinations in the South Pacific. Guests of all ages enjoy recreational, immersive cultural, wellness, and nature activities, with ecological exploration, understated luxury, and traditional Fijian hospitality. Surrounded by a marine sanctuary, this resort boasts world-class snorkeling and diving, a private island for exclusive use by couples and families, two resident marine biologists, and family facilities offering educational kids’ programs.
Six Senses Fiji
Six Senses Fiji is ideal for ocean enthusiasts looking for their own piece of tropical paradise, with world-class surfing, snorkeling, and diving just a stone’s throw from the resort. For guests who prefer to keep their feet planted on the ground, there are sumptuous spa treatments or wellness journeys to embark on. Foodies can indulge in dishes that create delicious memories and will tease taste buds to be a little adventurous. And for the little ones? It’s Grow With Six Senses kids club, where children can connect with themselves, others, and the environment. There really is something for everyone in this slice of paradise!
Royal Davui Island Resort
Private … romantic … remote, the adults-only Royal Davui Island Resort occupies its own ten-acre island in Fiji’s Beqa Lagoon and is host to just 32 guests at a time. Each of the 16 vales (homes) that dot the landscape features a large deck and a private plunge pool. Despite its petite size, the resort offers myriad island activities, such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and attending a traditional kava ceremony. In the center of Banyan Restaurant is a towering Pacific banyan tree, which shelters guests as they dine on fresh seafood and other Fijian delights.
Have I tempted you enough to see this little piece of paradise? Contact me today so we can start planning your Fiji getaway.