The island's rutted dirt tracks are fun for 4WD enthusiasts - especially along the scenic Hibiscus Highway, which traces the coast past coconut plantations and apple-green fields of sugarcane. A family favorite in the luxury market, it has one of the best kids' clubs on Fiji… The tourist town of Nadi, on Viti Levu, is the international gateway to these picture-perfect islands, and the resort areas of Denarau Island and the popular Coral Coast are a short drive away, near some of Fiji's top tourist attractions. Fiji, in the South Pacific, fuels countless tropical fantasies, and with 333 islands to choose from, it's easy to find a sublime stretch of palm-studded sand to suit your style and budget. From November through April, tropical systems move into the area, and heavy rain can pound the islands, but if you don't mind this, you'll find the cheapest rates at this time of year. Bear in mind, though, that is high season, and accommodation and flights will be more expensive. Best Fiji Resorts on Tripadvisor: Find traveler reviews, candid photos, and prices for 93 resorts in Fiji, South Pacific. Popular mid-range resorts include Matamanoa Island Resort, Malolo Island Resort, Mana Island Resort, and Castaway Island Fiji. Kadavu Island is best known for the Great Astrolabe Reef. Outside town are miles of near-empty beaches, some with resorts, some fronted by traditional villages and others only surrounded by jungle. You will have an awesome time playing with the kids in the … Easily accessible on Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu, the public beach at Natadola Bay is another prime spot to don your mask and fins for a fun Fiji snorkel session. The beach lies on the Coral Coast of Viti Levu, … Celebrities, like Keith Richards, frequently visit these shores, ensconced in large air-conditioned villas that are strung along a sliver of white-sand beach fringed by turquoise waters and coral reefs. Fiji’s beaches are for more than sinking your toes in the sand and getting a nice tan. Make sure you're ready for anything with travel insurance from our trusted partners. Divers in the know make the pilgrimage to the Rainbow Reef famous for its forests of soft corals. A highlight is the Lavena Coastal Walk that follows the forest's edge for five kilometers along white and black sand beaches and villages to a lush waterfall. Best island in Fiji Best island in Fiji. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Even its most popular island, Rarotonga, attracts just 25,000 Australians a year. Gau Island, in the Lomaiviti Islands group, is actually Fiji’s fifth largest island. Viti Levu is the largest and most important island in Fiji and it’s where you’ll find the majority of its inhabitants. Anywhere you stay, you'll have to get there by boat from the main village passing by prehistoric-looking jungle coves chirping with rare and colorful endemic birds. Levuka on Ovalau was once the capital of Fiji and today it's one of the only towns in the South Pacific boasting Wild West–style colonial buildings. Nadi Airport to Coral Coast by car – Between 1 & 2.5 hours depending on hotel location. Traveling to Royal Davui was an awesome start - the extra charge… ” “ My husband and I have traveled in the US,Canada, Mexico, Eastern and Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Africa. Barely 2 hours by plane from Australia, Fiji is an archipelago of about 800 mountainous islands and … All rights reserved. Approximately 30 resorts are spread through the 12 major islands … You won't find any towns in the Yasawas, only small villages, but accommodation options are diverse. The romantic Matangi Private Island Resort here is a favorite wedding and honeymoon destination. For couples to travel between the different islands, it is recommended that they use a seaplane. But there isn't just one Fiji, so which island holds your perfect tropical holiday? Like other islands in the Mamanuca Island Group, Castaway Island is fringed by spectacular coral reefs. Beachcomber Island Resort is a hit with the lively backpacker set, and if you're a surfer, the best resorts are Tavarua Island Resort, Plantation Island Resort, Lomani Island Resort, and Namotu Island Resort. It has a 4.0 overall guest rating based on 3818 reviews. A luxury spa presides over the water's edge. © 2020 Lonely Planet. The island now boasts the luxurious Castaway Island Resort but note: All scenes … Are you interested in diving, snorkelling, best beaches... Viti Levu. The long-time staff know all the guests by name, and there's no need for a watch or phone here. The Yasawa Islands are located in northwest Fiji and make up one of the most popular regions in the country, especially among budget travelers. Activities here include diving, fishing, swimming, kayaking, cultural village and waterfall tours, and treks on nearby Qamea Island. Fiji’s Great Astrolabe Reef. … Yasawa Islands are located on the western border of Fiji. Tourist infrastructure is practically non-existent, except for a few friendly eco-resorts strung along the coast, some with organic gardens and pretty beaches. 9 Best Fiji Islands 1. Islands like Leleuvia, Naigani and Koro have very low-key resorts on lost-feeling alabaster beaches, while Wakaya hosts the Wakaya Club, one of the country's most exclusive and beautiful resorts. Each features natural materials, such as woven bamboo, tropical hardwoods, and lava rock, as well as sumptuous Italian linens, Tibetan rugs, high-speed Internet access, oversized soaking tubs, and private gardens. Wondering what is the best island in Fiji? About 15 minutes from Nadi, the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, in the foothills of the Sabeto Range, is a popular day trip for garden lovers, and after admiring all the orchids, you can soak in the nearby Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool. Want to get way, way out there? Thanks to this quintessential tropical beauty, Survivor and the famous Tom Hanks movie Cast Away were both filmed on islands in this chain. What these islands lack in cultural interest, they compensate for with dazzling beaches, clear waters, and fish-rich coral reefs. Surrounded by crystal-clear waters in almost every shade of blue, these islands tend to be drier than their southern counterparts, and they pucker into steep peaks that plunge to beautiful white-sand beaches. Start … But if doing nothing is your idea of paradise, you can just curl up in a hammock under rustling palms and gaze out at the blue, blue sea. Flights and boat services are few but with time, a sense of adventure – and, even better, a sailboat – it's possible to explore these friendly paradises of fluorescent blue waters, traditional villages and virgin jungles. One of the best ways to explore the island is along the Lavena Coastal Walk, a five-kilometer hiking trail that rims the rugged coastline, where black- and white-sand beaches merge with reef-dappled waters. Far from the well-trodden tourist trail, the unspoiled Kadavu group of islands are known for the fantastic diving on the Great Astrolabe Reef, the planet's fourth largest barrier reef. The air-conditioned, thatched bures blend earthy textures with modern luxuries. Most are only an hour or so boat ride away from Viti Levu. Like its much larger sister island, Vanua Levu, to the west, Taveuni is a haven for hikers, nature-lovers, and anyone who wants to experience the country's more authentic side on their Fiji holiday. Fiji is out there: the 330-so-odd islands that make up this South Pacific archipelago are 1,100 nautical miles from the nearest large landmass (New Zealand), and just a third of them are inhabited. Eco-adventurers will find happiness at the dozen or so resorts that grow their own organic produce and work in tune with the local villages. Known for its personal service and friendly feel, Toberua Island Resort accommodates guests in 18 bures nestled along the shore, featuring a blend of natural textures and modern comforts. I want emails from Lonely Planet with travel and product information, promotions, advertisements, third-party offers, and surveys. Remote and authentic yet easily accessed by plane or ship from Viti Levu, Kadavu is one of Fiji's best off-the-beaten-path assets. The best islands in Fiji Sample it all in Viti Levu The international gateway to the Fijian Islands, Viti Levu boasts a taste of everything the country has to offer from international-caliber resort … About an hour's drive from Nadi, palm-lined Natadola Beach is one of the best beaches in Fiji, with gentle surf and decent snorkeling at its eastern end. The Best Islands to Visit in Fiji Best Region in Fiji for water sports: The Mamanuca Islands. Popular things to do on the island include diving, snorkeling, and fishing on the surrounding reefs, kayaking, swimming in the island's pool, spa treatments, petanque, and trips to nearby villages. The capital Suva is the largest South Pacific metropolis outside of New Zealand and worth a visit to see modern Melanesian life at its liveliest. A high-speed catamaran makes getting there from either Viti Levu or the Mamanucas a cinch and accommodation ranges from lush resorts to laid-back backpacker digs. Toberua Island Resort | Photo Copyright: Brian Hastings. Top sites include Rainbow Reef, Eel Reef, the Great White Wall, and Waitabu Marine Park. A short hop from the tourist hubs of Nadi and Denarau Island, the magnificent Mamanuca Islands are among the most popular places to visit in Fiji, and for good reason. About 100 kilometers south of Viti Levu, Kadavu Island is the largest in the group, with volcanic peaks and vast tracts of virgin rainforest cloaking its interior. If you travel in the shoulder seasons, May through June, and October, you'll have a better chance of decent weather and cheaper rates. The Mamanucas are such picture perfect islands that the film Cast Away was filmed on this chain's uninhabited Monuriki Island – visit it on a day trip. There are over 30 stunning dive sites within just 20 minutes of the Castaway Resort, making it one of the most popular destinations for scuba diving and snorkelling in Fiji. All that aside, when the conditions are right, Restaurants has perfectly tubular waves that make some of the best to ride in Fiji! The Yasawas pick up the glorious tropical tail of the Mamanuca Islands and bring them north to more quiet and isolated bliss. Most of the forests are protected and there are peaks to ascend and coastlines to wander. No matter your … Other popular things to do in Taveuni include floating down pristine rivers on bamboo rafts, swimming in the natural pools at the 60-foot Tavoro Waterfalls, kayaking along the coast, village stays, and climbing the mountain peaks (Taveuni is home to Fiji's second highest peak, Mt. Here's when you can see the final full moon of 2020, How to view the Kilauea volcano eruption safely, according to the National Park Service, Thailand partners with Tinder to help single people find love on matchmaking trips, Take a walk right through Fort Lauderdale's new eye-catching art installation. Matangi Private Island Resort | Ed Bierman / photo modified. Until then, these are the best private island resorts in Fiji, where you can enjoy thriving coral reefs, warm waters, seaside spa treatments, fresh food, and vibrant Fijian culture in solitude. And with arguably the P… If you're visiting Fiji for the first time, you'll probably fly into Viti Levu, the country's largest island and international gateway. But Viti Levu also has a wild side. The Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa is perfect for both families and couples looking for their perfect island getaway. Uluigalau, at 1,241 meters). Fiji is blessed with so much turquoise water, white sand beaches, jungle rivers and authentic culture that it almost seems unfair. Here's the low-down on the main options. About a 30-minute boat ride from Suva along the scenic Navaloa River, tiny Toberua Island, in the Lomaiviti Group, is one of Fiji's island gems. While the Mamanucas got Tom Hanks, the Yasawas got Brooke Shields when the 1980 film Blue Lagoon was filmed here. Snorkeling, Wakaya Island | Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble / photo modified. The international gateway to the Fijian Islands, Viti Levu boasts a taste of everything the country has to offer from international-caliber resort areas like all-inclusive and highly manicured Denarau Islands to the mountain village of Navala where locals live in traditional thatched bure (huts). Port Denarau is located on Fiji's Denarau Island, which is connected to Viti Levu by bridge and is just a 20-minute drive from Nadi International Airport. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. 10 Best Islands in Fiji Robinson Crusoe Island. Less touristy than Viti Levu, Vanua Levu is the second largest island in Fiji and a popular destination for nature lovers who like to travel off the beaten path. Water sports include scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, and kayaking, while land-based activities range from nature walks and golfing on the nine-hole course, to tennis, croquet, private picnics, and tours of the organic gardens and orchidarium. For relatively dry weather and less chance of tropical storms, the best time to visit Fiji is July through September. Best island in Fiji for families: Castaway Island in the Mamanuca Archipelago is a great choice if you are looking for a great beach and beautiful sea. Matava and Papageno Resort are two of the favorites. The Bouma National Heritage Park protects a large part of the island, with rare tropical blooms and superb bird-watching; Kula lorikeets and silktails are among the many prized bird species here. North of the popular Mamanuca Islands, the sparsely-populated Yasawa Islands are more remote and less developed than their sister islands farther south, but equally stunning. Most tourists who are staying on Viti Levu base themselves here or on the Coral Coast, about a two-hour drive from Nadi, where white-sand beaches and large resorts rim the coast. Suva, on the island's eastern side, is the capital and one of the largest cities in the South Pacific, with a lively expat community. Wherever you go, expect the warmest welcomes the world has to offer. Outside of town, hike jungle-clad mountains and undeveloped coasts of traditional villages. Diving and snorkeling are also excellent in the waters around the islands - Jean-Michel Cousteau (Jacques' son) runs a popular dive center here, with courses for all skill levels. Wakaya Island is home to a very exclusive private resort and is located nearby Ovalua, the home of the original early Fijian capital, now an UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the best resorts in Fiji.The resorts in Fiji Island have a bit of beach, and more white sand for sunning is held in place by a stonewall. 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