Fiji
Around 330 islands in the South Pacific, about a third of them inhabited. Surf Cloudbreak off Tavarua, dive with bull sharks in the Beqa Passage, or drift over the soft corals of the Rainbow Reef off Taveuni.
Explore regions
Around 330 islands in the South Pacific, about a third of them inhabited. Surf Cloudbreak off Tavarua, dive with bull sharks in the Beqa Passage, or drift over the soft corals of the Rainbow Reef off Taveuni.
Explore regions
Fiji lies in the South Pacific, north of New Zealand and east of Vanuatu, and spreads across some 330 islands. Two big volcanic islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, hold most of the people, and the reefs around them hold most of the diving and surfing. Nearly all international flights land at Nadi, on the drier western side of Viti Levu. From there, boats leave Port Denarau for the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands, the Queens Road runs south to the Coral Coast, and small planes fly on to Taveuni and the outer islands.
The drier, cooler months run from about May to October. November to April is hotter and more humid, with heavy showers and a risk of cyclones.
Western Viti Levu is where most first trips begin. The Mamanucas are a short boat ride from Port Denarau, and off Tavarua the reef breaks of Cloudbreak and Restaurants draw experienced surfers from about April to October. Further north, manta rays feed off Naviti in the Yasawas. On the mainland, Nadroga and Navosa covers the Coral Coast, with the Sigatoka Sand Dunes, the swimming beach at Natadola and more reef waves for surfing. Ba, the province around Nadi and Lautoka, has the best hiking in the west, from the Koroyanitu park above Lautoka to the thatched village of Navala.
The southeast of Viti Levu is greener and wetter than the west. Suva and southeast Viti Levu centres on the capital, a harbour city with a big produce market and the Fiji Museum. An hour west along the coast, Pacific Harbour is the base for Fiji's shark diving. Boats run out to Shark Reef in the Beqa Passage, where bull sharks gather in their greatest numbers in the first half of the year, and surf boats head offshore to the long left at Frigates Passage. Inland, rafting trips run through the Upper Navua gorge between black rock walls and waterfalls.
A short flight from Nadi or Suva, Vanua Levu and Taveuni is where many divers end up. The Rainbow Reef and the Great White Wall lie in the Somosomo Strait between the two islands, and tidal currents feed its walls of soft coral. Savusavu, on Vanua Levu's south coast, is a small harbour town with hot springs steaming on the foreshore. On Taveuni, the Bouma National Heritage Park has waterfall walks and the Lavena coastal trail, and a steep guided climb leads to Lake Tagimaucia in an old crater. Savusavu and Taveuni both belong to the province of Cakaudrove.
The outer islands take more planning and repay it with quiet reefs and village life. Kadavu, south of Viti Levu, has few roads, so lodges meet the small planes at Vunisea and take you on by boat. The Great Astrolabe Reef runs along its southern coast and curves north around Ono, and manta rays gather near Buliya. Levuka, on Ovalau in the Lomaiviti group, was Fiji's first colonial capital, and the old port town is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Further out, Lau and Rotuma are reached by infrequent flights or by cargo boat from Suva.
For a first week, split your time between an island and the mainland. A few nights in the Mamanucas or Yasawas puts the reef outside your door, and a few more on the Coral Coast add the surf breaks and the Sigatoka dunes. Divers after sharks should stay at Pacific Harbour rather than Suva. For the Rainbow Reef, base yourself on Taveuni or in Savusavu and allow four or five nights, so a windy day doesn't cost you the trip.
Plenty of trips suit newcomers. Guided snorkelling, try-dives in sheltered lagoons and waterfall walks work well for beginners, while Coral Coast reef breaks and drift dives on the Rainbow Reef suit improvers. Cloudbreak, Frigates Passage and the Beqa shark dive are for advanced surfers and certified divers. Use the Book here tab to see live dates and prices from local centres.
