FijiGuide's Fiji
Fiji Me
BULA! Once the Fijians were fierce warriors, the most feared in the Pacific, but today they are, according to Conde Nast (and me), the world’s friendliest people. You walk down the street and every local you see will be smiling and waving and saying Bula, Bula. It’s real.
Fiji is more than friendly people of course. It has some of the world’s best diving and snorkeling, romantic thatch-roofed suites called bures (boo rays) right on the beach, great food, water sports, jungle hikes, village tours; there is a lot to do in Fiji and it's the best overall value in the South Pacific besides.
Where to stay? Fiji is actually 333 islands, most of them uninhabited for lack of water. While there are a handful of big international hotels on a spit of tidal marsh called Denarau Island, most hotels are small, averaging around 20 bures, and often the only accommodation on their little island, perhaps sharing the island with a small village. We focus on these little out of the way places as they make the perfect honeymoon locations. Intimate, private, romantic, and authentic; these words perfectly describe what you’ll find here.
Fiji is more than friendly people of course. It has some of the world’s best diving and snorkeling, romantic thatch-roofed suites called bures (boo rays) right on the beach, great food, water sports, jungle hikes, village tours; there is a lot to do in Fiji and it's the best overall value in the South Pacific besides.
Where to stay? Fiji is actually 333 islands, most of them uninhabited for lack of water. While there are a handful of big international hotels on a spit of tidal marsh called Denarau Island, most hotels are small, averaging around 20 bures, and often the only accommodation on their little island, perhaps sharing the island with a small village. We focus on these little out of the way places as they make the perfect honeymoon locations. Intimate, private, romantic, and authentic; these words perfectly describe what you’ll find here.
Special offer for FijiGuide fans
Click here for a special offer for FijiGuide fans.
Nadi, Denarau Island, and local beaches
Port Denarau, jumping off point for the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands
Nadi is where the international airport is located as well as Nadi Town, about the only shopping in Fiji. No matter what, if you go to Fiji, this is where you start, and if you are visiting one of the islands in the Mamanucas or Yasawa group, most likely you'll get there from one of the ferries departing nearby Denarau Island.
Mamanuca Islands
Calm ocean, perfect beaches
A group of dry islands to the west of Nadi, known for their gorgeous beaches and easy proximity to the mainland. They are all close enough that you get to them by scheduled ferry, which is a fun adventure in itself. It’s such a pretty ride and a great way to start your Fijian holiday.
Yasawa Islands
Yasawa's = lobster, and lots of it.
Just to the north of the Mamanucas are the Yasawa's, which like the Mamanucas are dry islands but they are much taller and more remote. Most of the hotels in the Yasawa's are backpacker oriented but there are a few upscale resorts more appropriate for honeymooners as well.
Pacific Harbour/Beqa Lagoon
Kayak the "Luva"
Pacific Harbour is often referred to as Fiji's Adventure Capital as there is a zip line tour here as well as two different rafting experiences run by River's Fiji, a division of OARS. And it's the only harbor serving the islands in Beqa Lagoon, known for it's outstanding diving and big game fishing as well as the fire walkers of Beqa Island.
Northern Islands
Reef near Qamea
To the north of the main island are the next two largest islands; Vanua Levu and Taveuni. These rainforest islands are more remote, and the Fijian culture is more intact here. This area has the best scuba diving in Fiji and the best soft coral diving in the world. These are generally not beach resorts and so are often combined with one of the hotels in the Mamanucas.
Southern Islands
Manta Rays can be found near Matava
Toberua is only a few miles off the coast from the capital city of Suva and only a few acres in size, all of which is taken up by a single resort so when you stay here it’s just you and the other guests. The bures are very nice and one of the best values in Fiji.
Best time to visit: Fiji is in the South Pacific, so its seasons are opposite ours (when it’s summer here it’s winter there). Hot and humid in the summer, gorgeous in the winter, which being our summer is when most honeymoons take place.
What you should expect to pay: Fiji is usually an eight night stay. The flight there is always an overnight but because you cross the dateline it’s actually the day after tomorrow when you arrive. Don’t worry, you get that day back when you come home. Expect around $7500 per couple for a nice Beachfront Bure (boo ray which means Fijian house) with airfare, meals, and most activities included.
What you should expect to pay: Fiji is usually an eight night stay. The flight there is always an overnight but because you cross the dateline it’s actually the day after tomorrow when you arrive. Don’t worry, you get that day back when you come home. Expect around $7500 per couple for a nice Beachfront Bure (boo ray which means Fijian house) with airfare, meals, and most activities included.