Relax in a lounge chair, sip an island cocktail, and let the South Pacific breezes cool you as work fades from memory. Leave your cellphone in the suite and choose between snorkeling or diving spectacular reefs, sailing on sapphire water to a private island for lunch, or visiting a local market to pick a fish for dinner.
Bula! Welcome to Fiji. The nation’s slogan, “Where happiness finds you,” reflects a culture built on warm hospitality. A hand extended by a local is usually a friendly handshake, not a tip. You’ll often hear “Welcome home” when people learn you’re visiting from abroad.
Fiji is an archipelago of 333 islands, with about 110 inhabited, offering plenty of opportunities to play castaway for an afternoon. If lounging on powder-soft beaches or swimming in consistently warm waters isn’t enough, adventurous options abound—the islands average temperatures in the 80s year-round.
The trip from the United States takes roughly 10 hours by air, but once you arrive you can relax at luxurious resorts and enjoy Fiji’s rich cultural blend. These islands have been inhabited for over 3,000 years; Europeans first recorded them in the 17th and 18th centuries. Over time, shipwrecked sailors, runaway convicts, and missionaries shaped the islands’ history. Fiji became independent after nearly a century as a British colony in 1970. Today, Indo-Fijians—descendants of indentured laborers brought to work sugarcane fields—make up a significant portion of the population.
Spend a few hours wandering fruit and vegetable markets to see how locals live, shop, and eat. Farmers display vivid, colorful produce while butchers cut meat for shoppers. Children dart through crowded aisles as women bargain with fishermen selling ocean-fresh catches. You may see piles of kava roots; pounded or chewed and mixed with water, kava becomes a traditional drink with mild narcotic effects.
For a quieter interlude, stroll through the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, home to acres of brightly colored orchids and lush plantings. Actor Raymond Burr developed the gardens to house his orchids; today visitors can join tours to learn about hundreds of Asian orchids, Cattleya hybrids, and other tropical blooms, or simply wander the jungle paths, bridges, and lily ponds.
Visiting a village that maintains traditional ways introduces you to Fijian customs. You may witness a formal kava ceremony, an ancient ritual in which villagers grind and strain kava root into a large wooden bowl. The chief is served first, followed by the guests—a solemn, communal moment that offers genuine cultural insight.
When you want to get off the beach, book a day cruise. Watch seabirds plunge for fish, keep an eye out for whales or dolphins, and snorkel amid swarms of reef fish nibbling on coral. From Denarau, a small island linked to Viti Levu, classic schooners sail to the Mamanuca Islands; many other resorts offer similar day trips. At the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort on Vanua Levu, it’s possible to be dropped on a private island for an exclusive beach experience.
Fiji calls itself the “Soft Coral Capital of the World.” In many places you can walk off the shore and immediately see colorful coral formations. Sea turtles cruise by with flippers large enough to hug; giant mushroom corals make you feel tiny; sharks slice through clouds of brightly hued fish. The Namena Marine Reserve, spanning some 27 square miles between Fiji’s two largest islands, ranks among the world’s top dive sites, hosting more than 400 coral types and over 1,100 fish species. Dolphins and various whale species are sometimes sighted, and several operators run day and multi-day dive trips there.
If you crave more adrenaline, try river-rafting through the Upper Navua River Gorge where volcanic walls soar and channels narrow dramatically. Kayak among mangrove forests in the Koro Sea or paddle the calm, cliff-lined bays of Beqa Island. Tandem skydiving also lets you view multihued fringing reefs as you freefall and then drift gently under a canopy.
No matter where you stay in Fiji, beaches and water activities are usually close by. Viti Levu hosts several well-known resorts, while private luxury properties are often on smaller islands reached by light aircraft or boat. Many upscale properties offer all-inclusive packages.
On Viti Levu, The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa combines resort pools, Fijian-style décor, open-air dining, and a genuinely friendly staff—qualities that make it popular with families, especially from nearby Australia. The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, set on 17 acres of a former coconut plantation, focuses on eco-sensitivity and family-friendly amenities, offering bures that harmonize with their surroundings and inclusive activities like yoga and kayaking. The resort’s PADI diving center, directed by an experienced underwater photographer, provides access to excellent local dive sites.
Namale Resort and Spa is known for romance and privacy. Its 19 secluded bures accommodate a small number of guests, many with private plunge pools, outdoor showers, and cliffside dining alcoves. The property offers daily activities, a golf simulator, a quirky nine-hole course, and a calming spa—though sandy beaches are limited at this Vanua Levu location.
Frequent travelers who collect hotel points will find brand-name properties where rewards can be redeemed, including well-known resorts on Denarau and elsewhere.
Australians flock to Fiji for its easy beach culture: warm sun, cool waters, and some of the world’s most colorful reefs to explore while snorkeling and diving.
Fiji Info to Go
International flights arrive at Nadi International Airport on Viti Levu. Fiji Airways operates nonstop service from Los Angeles and connects with partners for broader routing. Many all-inclusive resorts provide transfers from the airport; staff from island properties often meet incoming guests and coordinate onward travel by inter-island plane. Note that small feeder planes strictly enforce weight limits—luggage, carry-ons, and even purses may be weighed, and overweight items incur extra fees. To avoid surprises, consider checking luggage through from your origin to your final island destination.
Where to stay in Fiji
Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji — An all-inclusive resort popular with families, offering private nannies or Fiji Buddies to entertain children while parents dive or enjoy water sports. Vanua Levu $$$$
Namale Resort and Spa — Renowned for romance and privacy, with secluded bures and cliffside dining. Hibiscus Highway, Savusavu, Vanua Levu $$$$
The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa — A larger resort with Fijian-style décor, open-air dining, and many family activities. Denarau Island North $$$
Restaurants in Fiji
Saffron Tandoori Restaurant — A popular, unpretentious spot serving curries, crab Marsala, and other Indian dishes favored by Fiji’s Indo-Fijian community. Jack’s of Fiji, downtown Nadi, Viti Levu $$
Wicked Walu — Seafood platters featuring exceptionally fresh fish; located at a resort on the Coral Coast, Viti Levu $$$
Zing at Ocean Terrace — Contemporary Asian-inspired dishes such as sunfish teriyaki and spicy pork dumplings, with pool or ocean views. The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa $$$$
Read more about scuba diving in Fiji.