Island holidays have their own sort of magic, making you truly feel as though you have left the world behind for a few days. Our guide to the best islands in Fiji includes something special for every interest, budget and style of island holiday:
Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu, is the main gateway to your dream Fijian island holiday. It measures roughly 146 kilometres across and 106 kilometres wide, with two airports providing easy access to dozens of resorts dotted around the island’s coastline. Many of Fiji’s best adventure activities are found on Viti Levu, including ziplining, sand boarding and river tubing.
Denarau Island, located just fifteen minutes’ drive from Nadi airport on Viti Levu’s west coast, has several fabulous resorts to choose from, making it an ideal choice if you want to minimise your travel time for an easy sunshine escape. And if you’re catching a ferry from Port Denarau to the Yasawa or Mamanuca islands, a night or two in Denarau is a great add-on if you have an early or late connecting flight.
Malolo is the closest island in the Mananuca group from Port Denarau, with the journey by high-speed catamaran taking less than an hour. The island has several resorts to choose from, but if you’re looking to shut off the outside world for a few days and settle into a simple, plantation-style bure that’s located a few steps away from a golden sandy beach, this might be your dream location.
The resort is owned by a local Fijian family and has a strong commitment to supporting its local community and environment. You can take part in projects ranging from sea turtle conservation to coral gardening, or simply lounge with a good book in a hammock strung between gently rustling palm trees.
Fiji is famous for its family-friendly culture, so don’t be surprised if your kids ditch you in favour of their new favourite people soon after you’ve arrived. Many resorts offer well-equipped kids’ club facilities, baby-sitting services and family-friendly swimming pools, ensuring that the entire family gets to enjoy some quality downtime.
One of our favourite locations is Qalito Island in the Mamanuca Islands, where beautiful Castaway Resort provides everything you could hope for to create a memorable family holiday. Located a 90-minute cruise from Denarau, the resort has a range of bure options to suit families of all sizes (including multi-generational groups). Endless kids’ club activities will keep the younger members of your family entertained all day, from snorkelling after breakfast to crab racing before bed. There’s even an inflatable water park so you can challenge the kids to a race: first one to finish gets to decide which of the island’s four dining options to try next. Be sure to take a fun-filled ride on the resort’s banana boat – there’s room for the whole family and you’ll get to see tiny Monuriki Island, famous as the setting for the movie, Cast Away.
Located a 90-minute catamaran cruise from Port Denarau, tranquil Mana Island is all about seclusion and serenity. Surrounded by white sand, blue sea and colourful coral reefs, the resort’s lush tropical gardens ensure that each bure offers just the right amount of privacy.
There are two pristine beaches to choose from so it’s easy to find a quiet spot to relax after your morning snorkelling adventure or afternoon swim. Be sure to include some quality time at the island’s Spa, where skilled therapists provide an assortment of pampering experiences, including a divine coconut-milk Jacuzzi bath made for two.
If you really want to get away from it all, Fiji’s remote Lau Islands offer a truly off-the-beaten-track, island experience. The archipelago of sixty islands is scattered across a wide expanse of ocean between Suva and Tonga, and can only be reached by small plane or sailing charter.
There are homestay accommodations available on the islands of Vanua Balavu, Lakeba or Moala, where you can spend your holiday exploring pristine beaches, hiking through lush rainforest and visiting traditional villages. For the ultimate, uber-luxurious, off-grid island experience, opt for a private villa stay, complete with heated infinity pool and personal masseuse, on spectacular Kaibu Island.
Set on the tip of a peninsula overlooking Savusavu Bay on the island of Vanua Levu, Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort has been an icon of eco-conscious tourism for decades. Its bures are constructed with local materials and decorated with hand-crafted furnishings, while guests dine on fresh produce from the resort’s own organic farm.
Solar power, recycling and water conservation initiatives are designed to ensure that your holiday has the smallest possible environmental impact, while resident marine biologists are on hand to share their knowledge of the diverse marine environment which is home to turtles, manta rays and vibrant coral gardens.
Fiji is globally renowned for its diverse and colourful underwater world, where you can explore tranquil coral gardens and meet their inquisitive inhabitants. The weather is generally balmy, especially during the dry season months of May to October, and the sparkling clear water ensures fantastic visibility.
One of our favourite snorkelling spots is Beqa (pronounced Benga) Island, ten kilometres off the southern coast of Viti Levu. Almost completely encircled by an immense barrier reef, the island’s lagoon is the submerged crater of an ancient volcano, and its waters are teeming with coral, tropical fish, and larger species such as sharks, turtles and rays. Beqa is also renowned as the traditional home of firewalking in Fiji, and you can witness this extraordinary feat performed by members of the local Sawau tribe during your stay.
Tavarua is your quintessential tropical island paradise: a tiny, heart-shaped atoll fringed with white sand, where you’ll find a boutique resort that can only be reached by boat or helicopter. The island’s spectacular location is enhanced by its proximity to one of the world’s most famous surf spots, Cloudbreak, as well as seven other incredible surf breaks nearby.
The resort can provide you with a selection of surf boards, drop you to your preferred surf spot, and even provide a few expert tips to maximise your enjoyment. When you’re ready for a change of scenery, you can ask to be dropped off at nearby Cloud 9: a floating pontoon that serves cocktails and wood-fired pizzas while the resident DJ sets the mood for an idyllic few hours on the water.
Beachcomber Island is one of the smallest islands in the Mamanucas, and given that you can walk around the entire island in about ten minutes, it is the ideal location for a holiday that is all about spending time in, on and under the water. Its pristine coral gardens and calm waters are a great spot for learning to snorkel, or the resort can whisk you away to their favourite secret snorkelling spots whilst sharing insights about the local marine environment.
If you’re into fishing, the island is a fabulous base to try your luck at big game fishing. There are several major reef passes within easy reach of the island, and the deep blue waters beyond are teeming with wahoo, marlin, tuna and trevally. You can also visit Beachcomber on a day trip from Denarau: spend your time snorkelling, paddleboarding and fish feeding, learn how to make authentic Fijian dishes like Kokoda, and try your hand at traditional basket weaving.
Fiji’s third-largest island, Taveuni, is located northeast of Viti Levu: a short distance from the second-largest island, Vanua Levu, and a 90-minute flight from Nadi. It is considered the soft coral capital of the world, and there are several boutique resorts on the island that offer a variety of packages designed to allow you to experience the tranquillity of this world-class diving destination.
Taveuni’s pristine interior is heaven for hiking, with a variety of trails that showcase its flora, fauna and waterfalls. One of our favourites is the Lavena Coastal Walk: a ten-kilometre, out-and-back trail that navigates pristine beaches and lush forest to reach a spectacular waterfall. Pro tip: if you don’t fancy the return half of the hike, you can arrange for a boat transfer back to your accommodation.
From its unique, endemic bird species and lush rainforests to its kaleidoscope of marine life, Fiji is home to an incredible array of flora and fauna. Whether you’re diving with sharks or releasing newly hatched turtles at an island sanctuary, there’s an almost endless array of experiences if you love getting close to nature on holiday.
The Kadavu Archipelago is a fabulous destination if you’re looking to experience Fiji’s wild side. This pristine collection of islands, a 50-minute flight from Nadi, is surrounded by the Great Astrolabe Reef, and its waters are renowned as paradise for fishing, snorkelling and diving. Timid reef sharks and gentle manta rays glide through the sapphire water, while schools of reef fish weave through the colourful gardens of coral that grow along the walls of the reef passages. On land, you can explore the hiking trails that connect the island’s villages, winding through lush rainforest that is filled with birdlife.
Archaeological evidence suggests that the islands of Fiji have been inhabited for at least three thousand years. Levuku was the nation’s first capital, and although it was supplanted by Suva almost 150 years ago, you’ll still find plenty of reminders of Fiji’s colonial past in this UNESCO World Heritage listed town, including the oldest operating hotel in the South Pacific.
Levuku is the main town on the island of Ovalau, which is located on Fiji’s east coast a short flight from Suva. Spend a day at Devokula Village, where you’ll be taught about traditional building and farming methods, including food preparation and the medicinal uses of local plants. You can learn more about the island’s history, culture and landscapes on a forest hike with a local guide, venturing far off the beaten track to find hidden valleys and swimming spots.
Its cuisine is built around fresh seafood, vegetables and tropical fruit, with many dishes infused by Melanesian, Indian and European influences. You’ll find delicious favourites like kokoda (raw fish marinated in coconut milk, lime juice, onions, and chilli) and vakalolo (a sweet coconut pudding made with cassava or taro) on many Fijian restaurant menus, and a traditional lovo meal (a selection of meats and vegetables wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in an earth oven) is the centrepiece of any cultural evening.
Exclusive private islands like Wakaya Island are paradise for foodies, serving up dining experiences that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Their ocean-to-table approach is designed to showcase locally sourced ingredients while protecting precious natural resources. You can even request a gourmet private picnic to enjoy on one of the island’s four beautiful, private beaches.
Spectacular scenery, secluded luxury resorts, world-class spa facilities and sunsets that are to die for: it’s no wonder that Fiji is considered one of the world’s great destinations for a romantic escape. Whether you’re planning a destination wedding, a secluded honeymoons or a milestone celebration, there’s an idyllic beachfront bungalow or luxury bure to add an extra spark of romance to your holiday.
Treat yourself to an adults-only resort like spectacular Tokoriki Island, where you’ll spend your days enjoying unlimited massage treatments and swimming in your villa’s private plunge pool. Likuliku Resort, located in the Mamanuca Islands, is one of the few resorts in Fiji where you can treat yourselves to a blissful stay in an overwater bungalow.
Yasawa Island is well-named (yasawa means ‘heaven’ in Fijian), with just 18 luxury bungalows sharing the island’s ten lovely white-sand beaches. Take a day trip to Fiji’s famously romantic Blue Lagoon Caves, pamper yourselves with a couples’ spa treatment and indulge in gourmet, all-inclusive dining.
An idyllic island holiday doesn’t have to sacrifice life’s little luxuries just because you’re looking for low-key simplicity. Fiji is renowned as a destination that excels in making you feel relaxed and utterly indulged at the same time, encouraging you to settle in and make the most of the blissful tropical setting.
Vomo Island in the Mamanuca group is a fabulous example of barefoot luxury, Fiji-style. The island is large enough that you never feel part of a crowd; small enough that you can enjoy the personalised touches like being offered your favourite tipple every evening without even having to ask.
In a destination that is blessed with an eye-popping array of celeb-worthy luxury resorts, there is one location that exudes even greater levels of superstar appeal. COMO Laucala is a private island resort located just off the coast of Taveuni. If your private jet is being remodelled, you can use the resort’s own luxury eight-seater plane for the 50-minute flight from Nadi after freshening up in the private airport lounge.
Once on the island, you’ll be transferred to your own stand-alone residence, which comes complete with its own butler, swimming pool, sundeck, and both indoor and outdoor bathtubs. You’ll also have your own golf buggy for getting around the island, maybe playing a round of golf on the championship course – after all, you’ll need to work up an appetite if you want to fully appreciate the all-inclusive gourmet dining. When evening rolls around, you might find yourself swapping cocktail recommendations with George Clooney or Miranda Kerr after a thrilling afternoon on an underwater scooter safari.
The islands of Fiji offer pristine scenery, easy accessibility and a distinctly Fijian brand of hospitality, and with more than 330 islands and 500 islets to choose from, there really is something for everyone. To start planning your dream Fiji island getaway, talk to your personal travel manager.