Best Things To Do In Fiji

While Fiji may be made up of over 300 gorgeous islands, the Mamanuca and the Yasawa islands are definitely some of the most idyllic. The two groups total around 50 isles and are a paradise with crystal-clear waters, butter-soft sand beaches and some of the most vibrant reefs in the Southern Seas. 
Embark on a boat tour from Port Denarau on Viti Levu around Mamanuca or stay at one of the islands’ dozens of secluded resorts. Highlights include visiting Monuriki, the filming location for the Tom Hanks’ blockbuster Cast Away, and enjoying a range of amazing watersports in the balmy Pacific Ocean. The farther flung Yasawa Islands lie just beyond and offer total serenity as well as glimpses into Fijian culture through kava ceremonies and cooking classes.

Known for being the soft-coral capital of the world, Fiji is a dream for divers and snorkelers hoping to immerse themselves in the marine world. No matter your skill level, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to swim in warm, clear waters and admire colorful reefs inhabited by all manner of tropical marine life. 

Hotspots for underwater adventures include Rainbow Reef between Taveuni and Vanua Levu. It is home to the Great White Wall, one of the most famous scuba diving sites in the Pacific. There is also the option of taking a day trip to Kadavu to explore the huge Great Astrolabe Reef that surrounds the entire island.

For a taste of modern Fiji, make sure you put Suva on your itinerary. Fiji’s capital city is a melting pot of cultural influences, with its architecture striking a balance between colonial and contemporary. Stroll down wide avenues lined with elegant 19th-century buildings and then soak up ocean views from the bar of the beautiful Grand Pacific Hotel along the waterfront.

Suva is home to several lush green parks, and modern shopping malls where you can cool off and enjoy some retail therapy. There are also handicraft markets perfect for picking up souvenirs, plus landmarks like the Fiji National Museum where you can discover more about the country’s history.

A visit to peaceful Navala Village is one of the best things to do in Fiji for those keen to witness local traditions. Located high up in the Nausori Highlands, the 200-year-old village of Navala is bursting with traditional buildings constructed from bamboo with thatched, rope roofs.

Mingle with the locals, listen to age-old legends and take part in a memorable sevusevu welcome ceremony. The latter is the highlight of the trip which will see you sitting in a circle with the village chief and enjoying some kava – a local root crop that is pulped down with water to create a heady drink.

Located within the Yasawas, the volcanic Sawa-i-Lau Island is where you’ll find one of the most intriguing places to visit in Fiji – a limestone cave system featuring ancient carvings and inscriptions. It is a sacred place for Fijians and connected to various local legends, including the belief that it is the final resting place of the God Ulutini. 

Take a private tour to Sawa-i-Lau with a local expert to see all the sights and hidden gems. Once there, you’ll get to admire magical limestone formations in the main cave from your boat. Those of you who are more daring may want to jump in the water and swim through a narrow underwater passageway to see the second smaller, yet no less spectacular, cavern.

Formerly Fiji’s capital city, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Levuka provides a real mish-mash of Colonial-era architecture and South Seas charm. It is situated on Ovalau Island and boasts a long line of colorful shop fronts which once housed saloons occupied by rowdy sailors. 

You’ll spot local women selling vegetables on the side of the road, plus a handful of cultural venues like the tiny, but intriguing, Levuka Museum and the 19th century Sacred Heart Church. The sleepy town has changed little since the 1800s and offers a truly fascinating glimpse into life in Fiji during the colonial era.

For a real back-to-nature experience, you can’t beat the Namosi Highlands. The beautiful region on Viti Levu is one of the most extraordinary inland Fiji tourist attractions thanks to its dramatic rock formations, sheer canyon walls and meandering Wainikoro Aluva River. 

The river is fringed by luscious palm trees and is best explored on a scenic trip aboard a traditional bilibili (bamboo raft). You could also traverse the waterway in motorized canoes, cruising past villagers on boats laden with local produce and livestock.

Fiji’s verdant tropical terrain makes it a treasure trove of fascinating flora and fauna. The country’s islands are home to over 100 species of birds, from rainbow-hued parrots and rare orange doves to fearsome birds of prey.

You’ll have the best chance of seeing these exotic creatures if you venture out to one of Fiji’s National Parks. Lush Colo-i-Suva Forest Park is just 20 minutes by car from Suva, while smaller Kadavu Island is brimming with indigenous rainforest birds. Alternatively, venture up Des Voeux Peak on Taveuni to catch a glimpse of dozens of different species or plan a visit to the Silktail sanctuary on neighboring Vanua Levu.

If you’re looking for things to do in Fiji that are a little out of the ordinary, Taveuni Island plays host to one of the funnest attractions in the Pacific – the Waitavala Water Slide! It is a series of waterfalls a short walk from Waiyevo which have long been used as natural slides for those craving an adrenaline rush. 

Watch the locals tackle the rocky slides surfer-style on their feet, twisting and turning as they make their way down the cascades. If you are brave enough, you can slide all the way down to the pool at the bottom – although this could lead to a few bumps and bruises! The Waitavala Water Slide is also a stunning landmark in itself and surrounded by gorgeous jungle scenery.

For those hoping to see more than just shoals of beautiful fish on their snorkeling or scuba diving expeditions, you are in luck. Fiji is home to large populations of sharks and manta rays that you can admire from a safe distance on a guided excursion, or from the surface during a boat tour. 

Set off on a day cruise around the Yasawa Islands to see magnificent manta rays gliding through the ocean. The shallow passage between Nanaura Balavu and the Drawaqa Islands is the best spot to jump out of the boat and snorkel alongside these graceful creatures. You could also venture to Beqa Lagoon just south of Viti Levu for a diving adventure like no other. The crystal-clear lagoon is one of the most famous dive sites in the Pacific and a must-see for those keen to swim alongside mighty bull sharks and tiger sharks.

Discover all ten of these major Fiji tourist attractions for yourself when you book a vacation to this Pacific Island paradise with Enchanting Travels.