Road Trip: Paradise Islands of Fiji

Discover Nadi, a laid-back tropical destination on the western coast of Fiji's largest island, Viti Levu. With plenty of rural charm, Nadi serves as a gateway and transportation hub, home to Fiji's international airport. Nearby, Wailoaloa Beach overlooking Nadi Bay offers ocean lookouts and lush mountain panoramas. The vibrant and intricately decorated Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami temple is a landmark in Nadi, thanks to Fiji's significant Indian population. The bustling Queen's Road is flanked by shops, and Nadi River flows through downtown. Prince Charles Park offers sports entertainment, hosting rugby and football games. Nadi's southern neighborhoods are popular for saloons where locals gather to play pool over rounds of Fijian local tipple, called kava. Lovo, a medley of meats and vegetables cooked in an underground oven, is a must-try feast. Garden of the Sleeping Giant is a tranquil escape, on the outskirts of Nadi. It features a network of walking trails flanked by native fauna, highlighted by over 2000 species of orchids!

Coral Coast is the stunning coastline that stretches between the towns of Sigatoka and Suva on the Viti Levu island. A few minutes’ drive south of Nadi Town, the Coral Coast attracts travelers all year round with its spectacular natural beauty. Look out for pine forests and sugarcane fields bordering the South Pacific Ocean. From magnificent coastal highlands and mangrove forests to secluded bays and gorgeous beaches, the Coral Coast is home to precious and diverse eco-systems. This also means that travelers of all shades have much to do here. Sigatoka Town in particular attracts tourists from around the world with its watersports activities and beach resorts. Spend a day at a local village to learn more about Polynesian cultures and traditions, checking out the local architecture and artisan workshops. Visit the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park, famous for its archeological displays of the historical heritage of these islands. Soak up the sun, and spend your days swimming and surfing by the beach. Try your hand at angling and enjoy an island cruise. Did we mention the deliciously fresh local seafood?

The capital city of Fiji, verdant Suva is located on the southeastern coast of the largest Fijian island of Viti Levu. With its many universities and colleges, the city has a distinctly youthful character; while its colonial-era buildings lend it an old-world charm. This heady mix of the young and the old is reflected in Suva’s architecture as well as culture. Thurston Gardens with its clutch of important government buildings, landmark structures, park, and the botanical conservatory is worth a visit. The Fiji Museum and the Government House, a former palace, are also located in these vast gardens. Cumming Street, the main downtown high street, is a lively stretch of shops, restaurants, curry houses, and old colonial structures. Spend a day at the Fijian Cultural Village and learn more about local traditions. The forest reserve on the outskirts of town draws travelers with its spectacular waterfalls and swimming holes.

Start your day with a stroll beside the seawall along Queen Elizabeth Drive. Witness the hustle and bustle of Suva Municipal Market, where exotic and colorful local produce is traded. Walk along Victoria Parade, dotted with several landmark buildings. See the Old Town Hall, the Suva City Carnegie Library, the Regal Cinema, and the Grand Pacific Hotel, among others. Enjoy a picnic in the landscaped botanical Thurston Gardens. Within the gardens, drop by the Fiji Museum that houses the finest Fijian artifacts in the world. Make a pitstop at Albert Park and watch local rugby matches. Head out to Colo-i-Suva, located about 15 minutes north of Suva. There are four miles of hiking trails here, amid lush rainforests. Cool off in any of the dozens of natural pools, or the swimming hole of Waisila Falls. Alternately, Mount Korobaba offers panoramic vistas of Viti Levu’s southern coast, especially Suva Harbour, and makes for the perfect place to watch the sunset. (Duration: Full Day; Self-exploring Activity; No Guide; No Transfers; Entrance Fees & Meals are not included)

Rakiraki forms the northernmost tip of the largest Fijian island of Viti Levu. Also called Vaileka, it stands midway between the tourist towns of Suva and Nadi on the picturesque Kings Road skirting the South Pacific coastline. The coastal town of Rakiraki or Vaileka is an excellent base for travelers and divers headed to the offshore islets and coral seas surrounding Viti Levu. The town itself is a little-known destination overlooked by lovely bays and sugarcane fields, washed by the South Pacific Ocean. The nearby Ellington Wharf is a popular point for picturesque boat rides to Nananu-i-Ra across the bay.

Fiji’s northern Sun Coast region is relatively pristine and unexplored, perfect for a leisurely tour. Rakiraki district and its main town, Vaileka, are home to wild shores, dramatic peaks, traditional villages, white sand beaches and pristine native forests. Your day of adventure must include a visit to the tomb of Chief Udre Udre, the world’s most prolific cannibal, who was estimated to have eaten close to 1,000 people. For a scenic viewpoint, hike or taxi up to Navatu Rock, where you can also learn about the nearby Vitawa villagers and their culture. Or, go hiking and have a picnic lunch in the Lololo Pine forest, a short taxi ride from Vaileka. Numerous dive spots and snorkelling opportunities also present themselves, with superb corals and abundant sea life to be marvelled at! Dine at any of Vaileka’s quaint restaurants or visit a beach resort for a luxurious time! (Duration: Full Day; Self-explore Activity; No Guide; No Transfers; Entrance Fees & Meals are not included)

The beautiful palm-fringed Yasawa Islands extend in an arc off the coast of Viti Levu in Fiji. These popular tourist spots offer the perfect beach vacation with white sandy beaches and tranquil lagoons. Being relatively undeveloped, they promise a delightfully slow island life experience. Spend your days sunbathing, scuba diving, beach hopping on a catamaran, and hiking between small villages or to a hilltop to see gorgeous sunsets. Apart from a few upscale resorts, the other modest hotels offer limited access to a TV, phone service, or WiFI – perfect for travelers in search of tropical serenity to unplug from the rest of the world!

Yasawa means Heaven in Fijian, and a visit to this group of islands will show you why. Go swimming in the Sawa-i-Lau caves, two luminous limestone chambers located in the northern part of the chain. Join a dive for conservation, where you will learn how to plant corals, hunt for Crown of Thorns starfish or clean clams in a nursery. Between May and October, manta rays gather in the channel off Drawaqa island, making it one of the few places in the world where you can get in the water with them. Discover deserted beaches and stunning views while exploring the islands on foot. For a bird’s eye of the islands and reefs, take a seaplane or helicopter tour. Cap your aerial adventure with a picnic on a secluded beach. Take a day cruise around the islands, with stops to go snorkeling in the clear water, or visit a local village and learn about Fijian culture and food. (Self-explore Activity; No Guide; No Transfers; Entrance Fees & Meals are not included)

Port Denarau is a small man-made island, less than one square mile in size, built on reclaimed mangrove mudflats. The hub for exploring the sun-drenched islands of western Fiji, it is just 15 minutes away from Nadi Airport. The marina is the epicenter of the thriving cruise and sailing activity in this division of Fiji. Catamarans, ferries, small ships, yachts depart from its pier to the famous Mamanuca and Yasawa group of islands. Port Denarau is packed with world-class luxury hotels set in manicured gardens. It is Fiji’s leading shopping and dining destination. The bustling marina area has boutique stores, cafes, bars, restaurants, spas and supermarkets. The waterfront is an ideal location to relax and watch the spectacular Fijian sunset with a cocktail in hand. You can also enjoy the local entertainment of dance and fire-shows held every evening.

Discover Nadi, a laid-back tropical destination on the western coast of Fiji's largest island, Viti Levu. With plenty of rural charm, Nadi serves as a gateway and transportation hub, home to Fiji's international airport. Nearby, Wailoaloa Beach overlooking Nadi Bay offers ocean lookouts and lush mountain panoramas. The vibrant and intricately decorated Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami temple is a landmark in Nadi, thanks to Fiji's significant Indian population. The bustling Queen's Road is flanked by shops, and Nadi River flows through downtown. Prince Charles Park offers sports entertainment, hosting rugby and football games. Nadi's southern neighborhoods are popular for saloons where locals gather to play pool over rounds of Fijian local tipple, called kava. Lovo, a medley of meats and vegetables cooked in an underground oven, is a must-try feast. Garden of the Sleeping Giant is a tranquil escape, on the outskirts of Nadi. It features a network of walking trails flanked by native fauna, highlighted by over 2000 species of orchids!