Fiji is a popular tourist destination in the South Pacific Ocean that consists of over 330 islands. Only a little more than 100 of those islands are inhabited which leaves most of the other islands open to exploring. The two main islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The capital of Fiji sits on Vanua Levu where close to 3/4 of the country's population resides. One of the hardest parts of visiting Fiji might just be choosing which island activities to experience during your trip.
01 Explore the Coral Coast
Located on Vanua Levu, the country's main island, you won't find a shortage of activities on Fiji's Coral Coast. Visitors looking to learn about the history and culture of the island nation can go on an adventure to the 18th-century Tavuni Hill Fort that overlooks the Sigatoka River. For more structure, try the Kula Eco Park near the town of Sigatoka. The only wildlife park in Fiji is a sanctuary for the endangered species of the South Pacific country offers self-tours, guided tours, and behind the scene educational programs. Plus, the park has a zip rail, water slide, splash pool, eateries, and gift shops.
02 Spend the Day on South Sea Island
Take a short boat ride to the tiny island in the Mamanuca archipelago. The small island is uninhabited. But, it still offers tons of activities for visitors. Spend a few hours or the entire day swimming, snorkeling, or lounging in the sun. If you don't want to take a dip in the ocean, the island has a salt water pool. Guests looking for a little more excitement can go windsurfing across the bay, take a trip around the lagoons by kayak, or go diving.
03 Stay and Play on the Denarau Island Resort
The man-made island resort home to Fiji's major hotels including the Sheraton, Westin, Radisson, and Hilton. Located just 20-minutes from the Nadi International Airport, it's a great location to stay or visit. The 850-acre island offers an 18-hole international golf course, tropical gardens, beaches, shops, and restaurants. It also has the largest permanent inflatable water park in the world. If water parks and golf aren't your style, try some different water activities such as banana boats, parasailing, paddleboarding, or a chartered, deep sea fishing excursion.
04 Visit the Garden of the Sleeping Giant
With more than 2,000 varieties of gorgeous Asian orchids and Cattleya hybrids, the Garden of the Sleeping Giant is one of the most beautiful, exotic gardens in the region. Once a private facility owned by the late American actor, Raymond Burr, the garden is now open to the public. Stroll through the peaceful destination at your own leisure or take a guided tour to learn about the different plant varieties. The property is adorned with lily ponds, sparkling fountains, and a dense area of rain forest to explore.
05 Dance the Night Away
The nightlife is as much of a draw to Fiji as the sandy beaches. After a day in the sun, grab a bite to eat and then head out to one of the bars and night clubs. Some of the more popular spots for drinks and dancing in the island country include Traps Bar which has five different bars within a bar. Each bar has a different theme. Another favorite night time location is Cloud 9, an open, floating bar complete with a pizzeria that sits atop the Kaleidoscopic Reef.
06 Watch a Firewalking Ceremony
Fijians have been firewalking for about 500 years. Only certain tribal members are allowed to perform these ceremonies. They observe these traditions in Hindu temples once a year between May and September. Outside of the annual event, these incredible shows can be seen at the major resorts on the big island of Viti Levu such as Shangri-La's Fijian Resort and the Beqa Lagoon Resort.
07 Swim in the Sawa-I-Lau Caves
A top activity in Fiji is exploring the underwater caves and experiencing the breathtaking Blue Lagoon on Sawa-I-Lau Island. Visitors take a scenic boat tour to the island and then follow the guide through the limestone caves. To reach the lagoon, you will have to swim through an underground tunnel a small way. The water in the cave is cooler than the rest of the Pacific Ocean, and it is dimly lit until you reach the end. However, the beauty at the end is worth the trip.
08 Tour the Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple
A significant portion of Fiji's population are Hindu. The Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple in downtown Nadi is one of the only locations around the world where visitors can experience traditional Dravidian architecture. It's also the largest Hindu Temple in the Southern Hemisphere. The colorful religious building has figurine carvings of the Hindu Gods covering the outside walls. Open daily from sunrise to sundown, the temple is open to the public. A caretaker is available on site to answer questions.
09 Grab Fresh Vegetables From the Nadi Produce Market
There's nothing like local fresh food from the Nadi Produce Market. Located a few blocks from the Prince Charles Park in the Viti Levu, Fiji Capital city, the open air market offers exotic fruits, vegetable, and fresh seafood. Unlike traditional shops, vendors place all their items on the ground in neat piles.
10 Tour a Pearl Farm in Savusavu
Savusavu is a small, bay town on Vanua Levu. After a short boat ride, you can take a tour of the J. Hunter Pearl Farm and see the farming process from the beginning to the end. You'll learn the history of the area and company while touring the facility on a glass-bottomed boat. Visitors that bring their own snorkeling equipment can take a closer look. At the end of the trip, guests will have the chance to purchase loose pearls or handcrafted jewelry pieces.
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