Fiji

Getting to Know Fij

Fiji comprises over 300 islands with pleasant weather year-round, however there is a wet and dry season.  The wet season runs from November to April and the balance of the year is known as the dry season.  The islands of Fiji were first settled about three and a half thousand years ago. According to Fijian legend, the great chief Lutunasobasoba led his people across the seas to the new land of Fiji .

Bula –  Use it often.  It can mean hello, welcome, cheers or good health!  

The currency is the Fijian dollar, think of it as getting a 50% discount on everything and while Fijian is spoken, English is widely used. The Fijian language can be a challenge but after a few days, you will get a feel for it.  Any word with a ‘d’ has an unwritten ‘n’ in front of it – Nadi is pronounced ‘Nandi’ 

A couple of other hints:

• b is mb as in remember
• c is th as in then
• d is nd as in candy 
• g is ng as in sing 
• q is g as in great 

Best Authentic Fijian Souvenirs: Pottery, Pearls or Wood Carvings 

Nadi and Denarau Island

Nadi is the main international gateway siting on the western side of Viti Levu, this is  most likely where you will fly into, unless you are booking a charter or a private jet (yes we do that).  Viti Levu is the transit point to surrounding Fijian islands. Here you will find a wide range of accommodations for all budgets – you only thought you couldn’t afford Fiji, but in fact air is often less expensive than the cost of flying to Europe.  You can usually save a bit more, flying Southwest or Delta direct to Los Angeles and catching your international flight from LAX.

Denarau Island, is a small private island in Fiji, northwest of the main island of Viti Levu attached by a short causeway.  On Denarau you will find a number of large resorts and an 18 hole championship golf course, as well as the Denarau Marina which is the gateway to the picture-perfect island chains of the Mamanucas and the Yasawas; most sea transfers and small ships leave from here including Captain Cook Cruises, Blue Lagoon Cruises and South Sea Cruises.

Coral Coast

If you explore the island from Nadi you will head southeast along Queens Road toward Momi. The Coral Coast extends for more than 62 miles to Pacific Harbour. This modern paved highway passes through spectacular scenery, Fijian villages, sugar cane fields, pine plantations, coral lagoons and beaches.

The Pacific Coast and Outlying Islands

Welcome to the adventure capital of Fiji – big fish feeding, game fishing, reef fishing, white water rafting, jet skiing, surfing, sailing, kite boarding, hiking or scenic tours. 

It is about 2½ hours from Nadi around the Coral Coast to Pacific Harbour, or less than an hour from Suva. On the Southern edge, Bega (pronounced Benga), a rugged, volcanic island ringed by coral reefs, and home to Fijian firewalkers sits just off the coast offers yet another amazing destination to add to your Fiji itinerary. 

Did you know, Beqa Lagoon was named by Jacque Cousteau as the ‘The Soft Coral Capital of the world’?

Suva

If you are not arriving in Nadi, you are arriving inSuva, the largest and Capital City as well as port for large freighters, trans-Pacific passenger cruise ships. Suva is a mix of people, buildings and history with architecture dating back to the colonial era, along with not-so-high-high rises, after all you are in Fiji, not Hong Kong.  Vuda Point just outside Nadi, the Sun Coast stretches around the northern shore of Viti Levu.

The Mamanucas

Located due west and close to Viti Levu, the Mamanucas are the number one destination   for day trips to one of Fiji’s outlands.  The islands’ resorts are accessed easily by boat, seaplane or helicopter. Likuliku Lagoon Resort, Fiji’s first and only resort with authentic over-water bures in a natural, island ocean lagoon and protected marine sanctuary. 

Once upon a time across the bluest of oceans, an island was born of lava and sand – an untouched paradise whose heart was a turquoise lagoon of unimaginable beauty and tranquility. The first visitors came and explored. To honour the magic of the place, they named it “Likuliku”, meaning “calm waters”, the resort is also one of National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World.

The Yasawa

The Yasawa Islands are sparsely populated with stunning white sand beaches, blue lagoons and low hills with no no roads, cars, banks or shops.  There is a scheduled boat  service from Port Denarau aboard the jet catamaran “Yasawa Flyer” which transports travellers to the lower Yasawa islands in under one hour.  Air transfers are also available. Although lacking the city life you will find plenty to do, and resorts to accommodate those looking for a true tropical beach experience. The award-winning Blue Lagoon Beach Resort is located on the picturesque Nacula Island. Traditionally designed accommodation blends into the relaxed ambience of a remote tropical island resort to offer to you a unique Fijian experience. Unsurpassed, uninterrupted views facing directly west over the calm ocean and to the setting crimson sun will provide you with a memory to last a lifetime. With a large selection of complimentary activities and a strong focus on the ever present fijian island culture and binding co-dependency with the local village, the resort offers to you what Fiji is all about – a chance to take yourselves away to another land, and a chance to slowly slip into Fiji time.

The North Vanua Levu and Taveuni

The northern region includes the second and third largest islands – Vanua Levu, home  to the towns of Savusavu and Labasa, and Taveuni as well as smaller outer islands of Qamea, Matangi, Nukubati, Namenalala and Laucala.  Savusavu is a natural, lush and beautiful paradise on Vanua Levu often referred to as Fiji’s hidden paradise – Fiji’s other big island. A big, calm bay teeming with fish, fringed by untouched mountains and old copra plantations and home to  geothermal hot springs. Deep reefs ring both islands offering the best for scuba diving in all of Fiji, and that is truly saying something.

Taveuni is home to Lavena Coastal Walk, Tavoro Falls, Bouma National Heritage park, Waitabu Marine Park for the really fit and adventurous you can climb Des Voeux Peak, one of the high peaks and be rewarded with breath-taking views of Crater Lake and the Somosomo Strait.

Afraid of Sharks?

 Fearless, headstrong and jealous, the legendary sea-monster, Dakuwaqa (Da-koo- wah-ga), was the famous guardian of the reef entrance to the islands. In the guise of a shark, Dakuwaqa swam to other islands and aggressively challenged other reef guardians to fight. He was always victorious until, one day, he encountered a giant octopus guarding the passage to Kadavu Island. In battle, the octopus almost squeezed Dakuwaqa to death. Begging for mercy, Dakuwaqa promised that he would never ever harm the people of Kadavu if only the octopus would let him go. Dakuwaqa was released and, to this day, the people of Kadavu have no fear of sharks.

Good to Know:Kava is Fiji’s most well-known social custom and essential experience to make your Fiji holiday complete.  If invited to try kava, don’t hesitate, just accept the offering and enjoy the unique ritual (and the unique numbing effect the drink has).

Okay, but besides amazing beaches, friendly people, snorkeling, kayaking, and enjoying some of the freshest sea food on earth, what is there to do in Fiji?  Here is your list A-Z:

• A visit to a Pearl Farm
• Bicycle around an Island
• Coastal Waterfall Tour
• Dive
• Enjoy Fiji’s Cannibals Cave Tour
• Find a new Fijian Island
• Go Golfing
• Head out for Shopping 
• Indescribable Sand Dunes National Park
• Jetski Jaunt 
• Kayaking Crystal Bays
• Laser Tag in the Jungle 
• Meander through a Museum 
• Nothing at All – Yep it’s a Thing in Fiji
• Head out on Off-road Safari 
• Participate in Shark Diving
• Be Queen for a Day at the Spa
• River Safari and Waterfalls
• Surf School
• Trekking
• Underwater Swimming with a Manta Ray 
• Volunteering
• Wicked Game & Sport Fishing 
• Visit an X-treme Eco Adventure Park
• Embrace the day with a Yoga Class 
• Ziplining at an Adventure Park      

Accommodations on Fiji range from budget to 5 star so Fiji is absolutely a destination that should be on your list of places to experience.  Feeling a bit confused?  No worries, we are a certified Marai Happiness Specialist.  We can help you plan your perfect Fijian Holiday.

Bula