Have you always wanted to go to Fiji for your next vacation but you’re not sure where it is, how to get there or what to do once you’re there? Don’t worry, we’ve put together some of the top questions about Fiji vacations in Our Guide to a Fiji Vacation.
We’ve tried to cover off all your Fiji questions and answers, including what to eat, what to pack and where to go.What there is to know about a Fiji vacation- you’ll find right here.
COMMONLY ASKED FIJI QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WHERE IS FIJI?
Fiji is officially the Republic of Fiji, an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It sits about 2,000km northeast of New Zealand and consists of an archipelago of more than 300 islands – of which about 110 are permanently inhabited – and more than 500 islets, amounting to a total land area of about 18,300 sq km. In Fiji about 87% of the total population live on the two major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
WHERE TO GO IN FIJI?
With so much choice on where to visit one of the top questions about Fiji vacations is where should I go?
Fiji is lucky to have so many islands – 333 in total and 540 islets. But deciding where to go for your type of vacation can be tricky.
Viti Levu:Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu offers a vast range of hotel options, along with plenty of dining, shopping and adventure activities – think scuba diving and snorkeling excursions.All international flights to Fiji land atNadi International Airport on Viti Levu. From here, most will depart – James Bond style – to the outlying islands, like Turtle Island Fiji, via seaplane, boat or helicopter.
Vanua Levu:Another of Fiji’s main islands, Vanua Levu has plenty of hotels and resorts to suit honeymoon couples, plus water-based activities and on-land adventures, including 4WD trips and hiking.
Yasawa Islands:Blessed with dramatic peaks and sun-drenched white sand beaches, the Yasawa Islands are an archipelago of 20 exquisite islands, a 30-minute flight or a two-hour boat cruise from Viti Levu.Hugely popular for romantic getaways due to their remoteness and stunning natural beauty, the Yasawas boast affordable rustic bungalows or boutique resorts, such as the exclusive Turtle Island Resort – a private island shared with just 14 couples at a time.
Mamanuca Islands: just off the coast of Nadi, these are a string of 20 idyllic islands and another of Fiji’s most popular destinations. Regular daily boat transfers from Port Denarau and shorter flights from Nadi will bring you to thriving reefs, big waves and a tranquil lagoon. Whether you want to surf, snorkel, kayak or simply lounge, you’ll be able to do it on the Mamanuca Islands.
HOW TO GET TO FIJI?
Fiji might seem remote but it is surprisingly easy to reach with direct flights from the US and Australia.If you’re traveling from the US to Fiji, the flight will take around eight to 11 hours. It’s a little closer from Australia or New Zealand, with a flight time of just four to seven hours.
Fiji’s national carrier is Fiji Airways which operates daily direct flights from Sydney, Auckland, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Singapore. Arriving into Fiji, you’ll land at Nadi International Airport on Viti Levu, from where you’ll be able to head straight out to the smaller islands by boat, seaplane or helicopter.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT FIJI?
Fiji’s climate is generally enjoyable throughout the year with the perfect timing for a trip being May-October where temperatures range from 66°F – 84°F (19°C – 29°C). Fiji does have a wet season, which is typically considered to be December to February, but the outer islands including Turtle Island in the north of the Yasawa Group enjoy less rainfall year-round.
WHAT TO WEAR IN FIJI?
Any guide to a Fiji vacation wouldn’t be complete without answering the age old question – what to pack for a trip to Fiji?
Fiji’s vibe is definitely barefoot casual, think open-toed sandals or flip flops. Pack a pair of running shoes too if you’re keen on jogging, hikingor maybe going on a horse-ride– a great way to see the country!
You’ll need a choice of swimwear of course for lounging by the pool or beach as well as more protective clothing when you’re doing plenty of water sports, including a rash vest or guard (also known as a rashie) to offer UV protection from the South Pacific sun.
You’ll also need to think about being considerate of the Fijian community, so pack something you can throw over your swimwear when you want to head into the towns or villages.
Fiji’s weather year-round is ideal for a tropical getaway, but it’s always a good idea to pack a light anorak rain jacket for those occasional evening showers and throw in a pair of long pants for any adventure activities, such as zip lining; or looser, more comfortable pants for yoga on the beach.
While the atmosphere in Fiji is most definitely laid back and relaxed, Fiji does offer plenty of opportunities to dress up a little, so think about dresses and something a bit smarter for some of the many cultural activities, such as joining kava ceremoniesor cultural evenings where locals perform traditional dancing called meke.
WHAT IS THERE TO DO IN FIJI?
One of the top questions about Fiji vacations – what is there to do in Fiji? With more than 300 islands – which are mostly volcanic in nature with pristine beaches – a lot of activities in Fiji revolve around marine-based pursuits. Snorkeling and diving are two of the most popular things to do in Fiji, exploring the colorful marine life that Fiji is renowned for. There are also plenty of water-based adventure activities including stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing and jet-skiing.
Visitors to Fiji can also explore the islands on foot, or by mountain bike enjoying the diverse landscapes from rainforest backdrops and waterfalls to mountain climes. There are plenty of strenuous hikes and biking activities too.
Drag yourself away from Fiji’s sparkling water and you’ll find lots of interesting places to visit including the Sawa-I-Lau caves in the spectacular Blue Lagoon, the resting place of the ten-headed ancient Fijian god, Ulutini.Your guide will take you into the first cavern where you can swim in a light-filled pool enjoying the spectacular limestone formations. More adventurous visitors are invited to swim underwater though a dark tunnel into the second more dimly lit cavern.
A trip to the Sri Siva Subramaniya temple – the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere – is another popular cultural activity in Fiji. Located near Nadi, this spectacular, brightly colored structure is dedicated to the god of seasonal rains, Lord Murugan, while other temples on the site are dedicated to the supreme deities of Shiva and Ganesh.
WHAT TO EAT IN FIJI?
Fiji’s diverse and varied cuisine reflects its rich multi-cultural history blending cooking methods, spices and ingredients from Melanesian, Indian, Chinese and European cuisines. This mix of influences along with an abundance of fresh seafood, tropical fruits and season vegetables makes for an exciting local food and drink scene in Fiji.
For a real sense of Fiji’s local food scene head to the markets to chat to local vendors and keep an eye out for some of Fiji’s more native foods. You’ll see baskets of prickly ‘cawaki’ gleaned from coral reef flats, along with coconuts, piles of plump seaweed or nama, breadfruit, bundles of long-stemmed duruku – also known as Fiji asparagus – and taro, the starchy root tuber and rourou, its heart-shaped leaves.
And don’t forget when wondering what there is to know about a Fiji vacation- to enjoy the local kava – made from the roots of a local plant found in the South Pacific – ask your hosts about the protocol of how to enjoy this slightly peppery drink.
EXPLORE TURTLE ISLAND FIJI
With so many things to see and do in Fiji, we hope our guide to a Fiji vacationhas helped provide some guidance on Fiji questions and answers. With only 14 bures and 12 secluded beaches, Turtle Island feels like a private paradise. From sunrise horserides to beach picnics, snorkeling and cocktails as the sun sets, there’s always something to do on Turtle Island. Each day here ends with a communal celebration as guests are invited on to the Kava mat after dinner to join the staff for music and singing.Contact us today to find out more about your next trip to Fiji.
