What to Do in Fiji?

Fiji offers a wide choice of things to do, including a huge range of water- and land-based leisure activities for couples that want to do more than just relaxing poolside with a cocktail.

Paddle cascading rivers or hike trails through tropical rainforest to secluded coves and white-sand beaches. Learn about Fijian culture by taking part in the kava ceremony, watching traditional dancing, visiting a 200-year-old village or exploring a fort dating back to the Fiji wars of the 1800s.

Cruising – A variety of cruising options allow you to explore the stunning Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups for a day or longer, with stopovers to swim, snorkel, enjoy a beach picnic or visit wildlife conservation areas, such as the one on Tivua Island – a sanctuary for turtles during the nesting season.

Diving – Home to more than 1200 species of fish and 12 species of whale and dolphin, the Fiji archipelago offers a rich variety of colourful soft coral reefs and crystal-clear nutrient-rich waters perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling. The waters around Kadavu Island, Taveuni Island off Savasavu and at Beqa lagoon are especially rich in marine life and provide some of the best diving and snorkeling in Fiji. Read more about diving in Fiji . . .

Surfing – For the gnarliest waves in Fiji, surf the famous Namotu Left and Cloudbreak in the Mamanucas – renowned as the most challenging surf breaks in the South Pacific; Frigates Passage, a left-hand break noted for consistently good big barrels and long rides; the reef breaks off Tavarua in the Mamanuca Group; and off Beqa and Kadavu in the southern islands. For the best waves, come between April and December. Read more about surfing Cloudbreak . . .

Kayaking – The protected waters around Kadavu in the Southern Islands and the Yasawa Group are perfect for exploring headlands and finding secluded coves along the coastline. Kayaking is best from May to October. Most beach resorts provide complimentary sea kayaks for guests. Read more about kayaking the Yasawa Islands . . .

Swimming – If you’re honeymooning in the Yasawa Islands, take a guided swimming tour through the dark, mystical limestone caverns of Sawa-i-Lau Island – made famous in the movie, The Blue Lagoon. However, everywhere in Fiji is perfect for swimming.

Game fishing – Hook up a charter for Spanish mackerel, marlin, yellow fin tuna, trevally and dolphin fish. The reefs around Beqa and Kadavu in the Southern Islands and the northern coast of Taveuni around Matangi Island and Laucala offer some of the best fishing areas.

Hiking – Fiji offers a choice of scenic hiking trails along rugged coastlines, through tropical rainforest and over hilly grassland with panoramic ocean vistas. Look out for exotic wildlife such as fruit bats, barking pigeons and colourful parrots as your guide points out native Fijian plants and wildflowers on a hike through Colo-i-Suva Forest Park on Viti Levu or Bouma National Forest Park on Taveuni.

See marine turtles on the Lavena Coastal Walk along the south-east coast of Taveuni or the noisy Kadavu parrot (kaka), fantail and honeyeater birds in the rugged rolling hills of Kadavu Island.

Rafting – Choose from white-water rafting adventures or traditional bilibili (bamboo raft) tours to explore local rivers such as the Navua River in East Viti Levu. Paddle through pristine rainforest and discover stunning mountain gorges, traditional villages and refreshing waterholes beneath tumbling waterfalls – perfect for a refreshing dip.

Don’t miss visiting Naihehe Caves in the Sigatoka Valley – once the site of an ancient pagan fortress, you can still see the ritual sacrificial platform and oven used by cannibal warriors of yesteryear.

Horseback riding – Saddle up and ride across the lush backcountry highlands of Taveuni Island or on Viti Levu, choose either the hills above Nadi or the pure white sand of Natadola Beach.

Golf – Tee-off on a choice of courses dotted around Fiji: on Viti Levu, try the Pearl Championship Golf Course & Country Club, an 18-hole course located at Pacific Harbour; the 9-hole course at the Fiji Mocamo Hotel near Nadi or the Fiji Golf Club in Suva.

Other courses include the Denarau Golf and Racquet Club, a premier championship 18-hole course located behind the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau Island; the Executive Golf Course at the Shangri-La Fijian Resort on Yanuca (Yar-nootha) Island; Koro Sun Resort in Savusavu; and Taveuni Estates on Taveuni.

Shopping – For the best buys check out the golden, yellow pearls now being created in the waters around Savusava as well as locally produced handicrafts including mats, shell buttons, yaqona bowls and printed tapa cloth. Other great souvenirs are colourful bula print shirts and sulu wraparound skirts, Indian saris, jewellery and artifacts such as war clubs, cannibal forks and spears.