Fiji has quickly earned a reputation as one of the most coveted tourist destinations in the world.
While most people have a general understanding of where Fiji is located on a map, pinpointing the specific location might prove to be a challenge.
To help you gain a better understanding of Fiji’s geography, let us explore the most important aspects of the Fiji map, such as the locations of the islands, the landscape, the most notable places in Fiji, and why Turtle Island stands out as an exclusive destination.
Where are the Fiji Islands Located?
As you would find in any Fiji Islands map, they are located in the middle of the South Pacific region, an area approximately 4,800 kilometres (3,000 miles) east of Australian shores, and about 2,100 kilometres (1,300 miles) from New Zealand.
Fiji is nestled around two-thirds of the way to Hawaii from New Zealand, and surrounded by a range of other islands including Tonga, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia, to name a few.
The remote location means that for the majority of the world, reaching Fiji requires a lengthy journey. However, it is easy to reach from Australia with daily direct flights from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and from New Zealand with direct flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Over recent years, the Fiji Islands have become more accessible from destinations all over the world with direct flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore now available as well.
Turtle Island and Its Neighbors
Turtle Island is situated on the north-west side of the Fiji map, above the main island of Fiji called Viti Levu. Viti Levu is the largest island where Nadi International Airport is located and one of the most popular places to visit in the country.
Turtle Island is one of the smaller islands in the archipelago and is part of the Yasawa group of islands that form a slightly curved line of islands that cover an area of around 130 square kilometres (50 square miles).
In terms of size, Turtle Island is one of the smaller islands of the group and is closest in proximity to Matacawalevu Island, which is to the west. The similarly-sized Nanuya Lailai Island is located just north.
Although Fiji is generally considered to be located in the South Pacific Ocean, the area between Viti Levu Island and the Lau Islands is actually called the Koro Sea.
Surrounding Fiji
The best way to understand the Fiji location map is to look at the countries surrounding it and the distance you would need to cover.
For instance, Australia, which contributes the most tourists to Fiji per year, is located almost 4,700 kilometres (2,900 miles) from Fiji. Flying from Sydney or Brisbane, you can travel to Fiji in under 4 hours, while a flight from Melbourne would take approximately 5 hours.
The travel time is much shorter than some of the other popular Australian tourist destinations such as Bali or Thailand, hence it is no surprise that Fiji welcomes so many tourists from the land Down Under.
We briefly mentioned the other nearby islands of New Caledonia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Tuvalu, which are very close to the Fiji Islands on the world map, even though they are independent countries with their own histories.
Meanwhile, the distance from New Zealand is merely 2,500 kilometres (1,600 miles), and thus a plane journey from Auckland would take only 3 hours.
If you want to visit for a Fiji vacation from the United States, one of the quickest options is to take a direct flight from Los Angeles which takes around 11 hours. This is usually an overnight flight meaning you can sleep on the plane and wake up refreshed in Fiji the following morning!
Fiji Physical Geography
Fiji is one of the most fascinating countries in the world, made up of more than 300 islands covering an area of more than 18,000 square kilometres (7,000 square miles).
Because of the way that the islands were created, they are mostly made out of volcanic mountains and pristine beaches. This makes Fiji the ideal destination for exploring and bathing in the sun.
The islands enjoy a temperate, tropical climate, with temperatures remaining similar throughout the year, and the main difference being the amount of rainfall. Which can be minimal depending on the group of islands you choose to visit.
In terms of nature, you can expect to see a wide range of marine life and plant species, including sea turtles, manta rays, parrots, the iconic Coconut Palm, as well as bamboo trees.
The Forming of Fiji and Geological Information
The islands originally formed around 30-40 million years ago, in a time of intense volcanic activity that resulted in islands popping up all over the area. The reason for the volcanic activity was the convergence of the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates, which is the process of them colliding and merging.
The magma that resulted from the collision created the volcanoes that served as the basis on which the islands eventually developed.
Although most of the islands were created during the volcanic period described above, some of the islands you would find on the Fiji map have limestone or coral origins.
Although the islands have been around for a very long time, humans only appeared relatively recently.
The first humans appeared on the islands only a few thousand years ago when Austronesian and Melanesian settlers discovered them.
The South Pacific Islands
Fiji is the largest and most populous country in the Pacific Islands area, covering an area of 3.5 million square kilometres (1.35 million square miles) across the ocean and inhabiting more than 900,000 people.
However, there are countless islands and countries that are spread out in the broader area of the South Pacific, each of them having their own rich history and making up the diverse map of Fiji and surrounding islands.
In contrast with Fiji’s population of close to 1 million, you can also discover tiny nations such as Tuvalu, which only has around 10,000 inhabitants.
Of course, Fiji itself is quite diverse, from the bustling and vibrant Viti Levu, which hosts around 600,000 people, to secluded island paradises such as Turtle Island, with a small population, pristine environment, and authentic and preserved culture that can be experienced by our guests.
Fijian Culture and Climate
Many people come to Fiji to experience impeccable landscapes, pleasant tropical weather, and a variety of land and marine based activities to keep them busy for many weeks.
While all of the things listed above are an integral part of the Fiji experience, the warm hospitality of the Fijian people and the unique culture often leave the most lasting impression to be cherished for a lifetime.
Fijians have inherited paradise on earth, and live their lives accordingly. There are plenty of celebrations, an easy-going outlook on life, and fascinating music and dance traditions.
The culture of Fiji has evolved over hundreds of years, and the vibrant clothes, lively percussive music, and ancient stories help visitors immerse themselves in the culture.
In Fiji, you will also find a rich culinary heritage that is sure to keep you intrigued and satisfied for the duration of your trip. Make sure to taste dishes prepared in a ‘lovo,’ a traditional underground oven that produces high temperatures using heated stones.
What Makes Turtle Island Fiji’s Leading Destination
In this article, we’ve looked at the map of Fiji Islands in the South Pacific from a broader perspective, mostly analyzing the range of islands as a whole.
Each island is a microcosm that has something different to offer, and Turtle Island is a prime example of how unique and special a place can be, even in a context of an already unforgettable location such as Fiji.
Turtle Island is tucked away from the world that you know. Away from the crowds and worries of everyday life. Even though you would be hard-pressed trying to find us, even in a detailed map of Fiji, our small 500acre island provides one of the most exceptional experiences in the world.
Turtle Island is a family-owned and operated private island in the Yasawa group of islands. We are rooted in honoring the Fijian way of life, creating a world community, and preserving our environment. Our Island is powered by solar energy, produce is locally grown, and accommodations are hand-crafted by Fijian artisans. With just 14 beachfront villas allowing for a select group of guests, stretches of serene forests and 12 pristine beaches, Turtle Island serves as an idyllic sanctuary for travelers seeking connection, community, culture, and consciousness.
The Turtle Island experience is also truly all-inclusive. From nourishing food and top-shelf drink, to tailor-made excursions and experiences, everything is taken care of by your dedicated ‘Bure Mama’ (personal concierge), so you can enjoy the laidback luxury and effortlessness of Turtle Island. You can relax on your own private white-sand beach every second day, rejuvenate with Fijian-inspired spa treatments, connect with fellow travelers and staff over kava ceremonies and nightly dinner parties, or revive with activities, such as watersports, horseback riding, or hiking.
Named the #1 Resort Hotel in the South Pacific by Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2019 and recognized as Fiji’s Leading Resort, Turtle Island provides an exceptional and personalized guest experience that stays with our guests long after they leave.
How to Get to Turtle Island
Although Turtle Island is in a secluded location, we have taken steps to ensure that our guests have a comfortable and seamless experience when traveling and can arrange every part of the process for you.
As mentioned before, there are direct flights from the United States, Australia, New Zealand and other countries with Fiji Airways, which also offers business-class service.
Once you land in the Fiji international airport located in Nadi and go through immigration, a Turtle Island representative will be there to welcome you at arrivals and directly escort you to the Turtle Airways seaplane base a short drive away. The seaplane flight from the base to Turtle Island is 30 minutes.
Visiting Turtle Island
For many people, identifying Turtle Island on a map of the Fijian islands may not be an easy task. Nevertheless, after reading our article, we hope we have provided you with valuable information and you not only have a concrete understanding of the Fiji map but also know the main reasons why Fiji is the ideal destination for visiting.
To learn more about the unique adventures and experiences you could enjoy at Turtle Island Fiji resort, please contact us today to begin your journey to our private island paradise.
