Fiji for first-timers: how to decide on an island – Lonely Planet

Greatest for city Fiji and family-friendly resorts

The worldwide gateway to the Fijian Islands, Viti Levu provides a pattern of every part the nation has to supply, from international-caliber resort areas like all-inclusive and extremely manicured Denarau Island to the mountain village of Navala the place locals stay in thatched bure (huts).

Households will love the vary of high quality actions like kayaking or rafting down the Navua River, ziplining over treetops at Zip Fiji, strolling by the Backyard of the Sleeping Large, enjoyable on the family-friendly seashores of Natadola and taking a trip on a retired sugarcane railroad in a velocipede with Ecotrax Fiji. The island hosts three of Fiji’s nationwide parks, an escape into the wilderness assured.

Dive with resident tiger sharks in Beqa Lagoon, snorkel the thriving reef at Nananu-i-Ra or just soak in some solar on the dazzling white sands of the Coral Coast. There’s a lot to do (or not do) on this island.

The capital Suva is price a go to to see fashionable Melanesian life at its liveliest on the Municipal Market, Fiji Museum and air-conditioned purchasing malls. In the meantime, Nadi, the primary transport hub, showcases the nation’s Indian heritage by way of its spectacular Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami temple, sari retailers and loads of scrumptious curries. On Viti Levu, you might keep for weeks with out making a serious dent within the expansive record of all of the out there actions.

Planning tip: Though Suva is Fiji’s capital metropolis, all worldwide flights arrive in and depart from Nadi (pronounced nan-di), so you may be spending slightly time on Viti Levu.

Greatest for white-sand islands and surf breaks

Ah, the Mamanucas… here’s a near-perfect string of white-sand isles that hover within the blue water like some hallucination of paradise. Most are solely an hour or so boat trip away from Viti Levu and they’re so picture-perfect that the movie Forged Away (2000) starring Tom Hanks was filmed on this chain’s uninhabited Monuriki Island. You may go to it on a day journey.

In the meantime, well-known surf spots like Cloudbreak lure in surfers searching for the barrel of their life whereas friendlier waves entice these nonetheless engaged on their paddle energy. Pristine reefs with sea turtles, reef sharks, rays and resident fish ring round nearly each island within the chain, making it a snorkeler’s paradise. When it’s time to dry off, an empty seaside is only a paddle away.

Beachcomber Island is named the reigning celebration resort island of the nation, the place bottles of barely chilled Fiji Gold or Fiji Bitter are opened with abandon. Backpackers within the Mamanucas are likely to observe a path that coincides with the Bula Move, a ship switch go that buzzes from island to island. However if in case you have the money to spare, there are many upscale resorts that provide champagne seaside picnics the place privateness is sort of assured.

In order for you reliably good climate, brag-worthy pictures of white sand seashores and waiters wielding cocktails, the Mamanucas are for you.

Greatest for desert-island-paradise goals

The Yasawas choose up the fantastic tropical tail of the Mamanuca Islands and produce them north to quiet and remoted bliss. A high-speed catamaran or a small airplane makes getting there from both Viti Levu or the Mamanucas a cinch and lodging vary from five-star resorts to laid-back backpacker digs.

Sparsely populated, the land is comparatively dry and the are seashores white. Whereas the Mamanucas received Tom Hanks, the Yasawas received Brooke Shields when the (somewhat problematic Nineteen Eighties, do not ask) movie Blue Lagoon was filmed right here.

Island hop, discover the clear darkish waters of Sawa-i-Lau Cave and snorkel and dive the technicolor reefs all through the chain. The reef passage between Nanuya Balavu and Drawaqa is frequented by manta rays, though currents will be sturdy so choose your day fastidiously.

It may be more durable to get a glimpse at Fijian residing whenever you’re caught to the confines of the sandy shoreline your resort is about on. Luckily, Waya Island has a village that’s famously hospitable and welcomes visitors searching for an genuine island expertise.

Detour: As soon as within the islands, ask at your resort about getting a raise to close by islands or enquire about native water taxis. Usually these are native motorboats in various phases of disrepair (and with scant regard for security tools); nevertheless, the boat captains know the water, reefs and climate just like the again of their fingers.

Greatest for off-the-beaten-track adventures

Distant and genuine but simply accessed by airplane or ship from Viti Levu, Kadavu is one among Fiji’s greatest off-the-beaten-track belongings. Eco-adventurers will discover happiness on the handful of resorts that develop their very own natural produce and work in tune with Kadavu’s villages.

Anyplace you keep, you may doubtless need to get there by boat from the primary village passing by prehistoric-looking jungle coves chirping with uncommon and colourful endemic birds. The east a part of the island is fringed by the Nice Astrolabe Reef, the fourth-largest barrier reef on this planet famend for its cavern and tunnel-filled underwater landscapes, manta rays and phenomenal fishing.

Planning tip: Every resort has its personal boat and can choose up visitors from Vunisea airstrip, however make preparations upfront. Boat journeys are costly as a consequence of gasoline prices. In tough climate it may be a moist and bone-crunching journey to the extra distant resorts.

Greatest for exploring conventional villages and diving

Excessive waterfall-strewn peaks are contrasted with bucolic lowlands of sugarcane and coconut plantations on comparatively untouristed Vanua Levu.

The principle flower-filled settlement of Savusavu attracts sailors and divers with its sheltered inexperienced bays and a small collection of retailers, bars, eating places and a marina that doubles as a social membership. Exterior city are miles of near-empty seashores, some with resorts, some fronted by villages and others solely surrounded by jungle. Guests ought to hire a 4WD and discover the wilds.

Divers within the know make the pilgrimage to the Rainbow Reef well-known for its forests of soppy corals. Much more devoted divers go to the close by Namena Marine Reserve for the nation’s most pristine waters, rife with hundreds of fish. Get fortunate sufficient on the proper time of yr and also you would possibly spot a pod of dolphins or migrating whales within the waters round Savusavu.

Planning tip: For those who do determine to rent a automobile to discover extra distant elements of this lovely island, remember that petrol stations are few and much between and virtually every part is closed on Sundays.

Greatest for historic buildings and off-beat journey

Levuka on Ovalau was as soon as the capital of Fiji and right this moment it is one of many solely cities within the South Pacific with Wild West-style buildings and a Unesco World Heritage itemizing. Exterior of city, hike forested mountains and undeveloped coasts of conventional villages. By bike or rental automobile, Ovalau’s highway that hugs the shoreline is a simple solution to really feel a thrill of an enormous journey with out the dedication of an extended journey.

Though Ovalau and its smaller sisters lie near Viti Levu, few guests make it over right here. Islands like Leleuvia, Naigani and Koro have very laid-back lodging on alabaster seashores, whereas Wakaya hosts the Wakaya Island Resort and Spa, one of many nation’s most unique resorts.

Greatest for jungle, waterfalls and mountain climbing

The third-largest island, often called the Backyard Island, Taveuni is the lushest, tropical-flower-laden, waterfall-heavy and hiking-friendly island in Fiji. Bouma Heritage Nationwide Park encompasses a lot of the island, which means a lot of the forests are protected. There are peaks to ascend and coastlines to wander. A spotlight is the Lavena Coastal Stroll that follows the forest’s edge for 5km (3 miles) alongside white and black sand seashores and villages to a waterfall, or there is a trek to a collection of three waterfalls hidden amongst paths lined with wildflowers.

The Rainbow Reef (see Vanua Levu above) can be accessed from Taveuni and smaller offshore islands like Qamea and Matagi have resorts on sugar sand seashores. In all places you go you may discover lodging for all ranges from super-luxe to backpacker enjoyable.

Native tip: Taveuni is one among Fiji’s greatest areas for birdwatching. Over 100 species of chicken will be discovered right here. The forested Lavena coast can be a great place to see orange or flame doves, Fiji goshawks, wattled honeyeaters and gray and white herons.

Greatest for getting away from all of it

Need to get method, method on the market? The Lau and Moala Teams are Fiji’s frontier islands for guests, just about untouched by tourism. Flights and boat providers are few however with time, a way of journey – and, even higher, a sailboat – it is potential to discover these pleasant paradises of blue water and conventional villages.

In Fulaga you’ll discover a turquoise lagoon marked with a whole lot of limestone islets and seashores sans footprints. Vanua Balavu additionally has its personal clusters of dramatic islands linked by coral reefs. On Kabara, you’ll be able to wander by a village with Tongan-influenced structure and pen a postcard for the month-to-month provide ship to retrieve.

Elsewhere all through Lau, uncover seashores the place coconut crabs are the primary inhabitants, discover an overgrown path to a saltwater lake, seek for bats tucked atop limestone caves and peek at coral reefs which have been undisturbed for millennia.