Things to do in Fiji
-
A
Old Mill Cottage
Housed (as the name suggests) in a gracious old timber cottage, this Suva institution is the city's best spot for adventurous gastronomes to dabble in authentic Fijian fare. Exotic dishes including palusami (meat, onion and lolo wrapped in dalo leaves and baked in a lovo), curried shellfish, and seaweed or fish stewed in lolo assemble themselves underneath the front counter alongside Indian curries and vegetarian dishes. You can also dig into a traditional roast.
Addicted office workers cram into the joint for lunch, parking themselves at tables on the front veranda or at the large booth seating inside. The spacious interior is filled with a pleasant cross-breeze (which…
reviewed
-
KoroSun Dive
KoroSun Dive is on the jetty opposite Koro Sun Resort. Two-tank dives/PADI Open Water Course, including all gear, cost around F$210/around F$750; night dives are around F$130. There are special rates for multiday diving and it also offers day trips to the Somosomo Strait or the Namena Marine Park near Namenalala in the Lomaiviti Group.
reviewed
-
Yasawa Islands Sea Kayaking - Fiji
8 days (Nadi)
An unrivalled sea kayaking adventure through the remote Yasawas Island chain of Fiji.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$2,360 -
Wilderness Ethnic Adventure Fiji
Offers several tours on the Navua River that pick up from Suva hotels. There are rafting and canoeing tours, half- and full-day tours to Nasilai village and city tours of Suva that take in the Fiji Museum and bushwalking in Colo-i-Suva Forest Park. See website for more details.
reviewed
-
Coral Cats
Offers day cruises around the Mamanucas on a 13m high-speed catamaran, with a stop at Malololailai. Snorkelling gear and a barbecue lunch are included in the price. This is a good option if you're looking for a smaller group tour.
reviewed
-
B
Sea View Café
Here you'll get cheap, cheerful travellers' food, served by the endlessly helpful Elenoa.
reviewed
-
Mariamma Temple
The South Indian fire-walking festival is held here during July or August. Of all Fiji's cultural rituals, the extraordinary art of fire walking is perhaps the most impressive. Watching men display the poise of a lead ballerina while they traverse a pit of blazing embers without combusting is truly baffling. Even more mystifying is the fact that, originally, this ritual was practised in Fiji only on the tiny island of Beqa, and by two neighbouring and disparate cultures - Indigenous Fijian and Hindu - for completely different reasons.
Indigenous Fijian firewalking is known as vilavilairevo (literally 'jumping into the oven'). Hindu fire walking is part of an annual…
reviewed
-
Colo-i-Suva Forest Park
This lush rainforest park, pronounced tholo-ee-soo-va, is a 2.5-sq-km oasis teeming with vivid and melodic birdlife and tropical flora. The 6.5km of walking trails navigate clear natural pools and gorgeous vistas, with just a touch of Indiana Jones in the rope swings over water and stone steps across streams. Sitting at an altitude of 120m to 180m, it's a cool and peaceful respite from Suva's urban hubbub.
Flowing through the forest is the Waisila Creek, which makes its way down to the Waimanu River and is the water catchment for the Nausori/Nasinu areas. The creek gives rise to natural swimming holes, and there are picnic tables, shelters and change rooms as well as a…
reviewed
-
C
University of the South Pacific
- Suva, Fiji
- Sights › University
With beautiful lawns and excellent facilities, the USP's Laucala Campus offers some picturesque strolling and fascinating people watching. The campus includes a small botanical garden and the Oceania Centre for Arts & Culture. This is the biggest of USP's campuses, and with more than 11,000 students it attracts attendees and staff from all over the South Pacific as well as the USA, New Zealand and Australia.
Mingling among Fijian students you're likely to see young academics from the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu and Western Samoa. The university itself is jointly owned by the governments of 12 Pacific countries and is a fee-paying institution. Many students rely…
reviewed
-
D
Tui Tai Adventure Cruises
A voyage with Tui Tai Adventure Cruises is a fantastic way to see and do a lot in a short time. Sailing between Vanua Levu, Taveuni and the more remote islands of Kioa, Koro and the Ringgolds, you'll get to snorkel, kayak, bike, trek, swim, fish, dive or just lounge on deck to your heart's content.
Captivating dolphins and - if you're lucky - majestic whales swimming alongside the boat, star-lit dinners on deck, and welcoming villagers you meet on out-of-the-way islands all make it a great experience. The snorkelling and diving sites are some of the world's best, and the newly refitted sailboat itself is gorgeous. All accommodation is in cabins with private bathroom and…
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple
At the base of Main St, away from the commercial hype, this peaceful Hindu temple strikes a vibrant pose against a dramatic mountainous backdrop. It is a tranquil spot to reflect and distance yourself from Nadi's boisterous main drag. The prolific wooden carvings of Hindu deities travelled all the way from India, as did the artists who dressed the temple in its colourful coat and impressive ceiling frescos.
You can wander around the main temple to see the Hindu Lord Shiva's various forms, all incarnations being manifestations of the One Supreme Lord. This is a Murugan temple and worship of Lord Murugan is equivalent to the worship of nature. He is the guardian deity of…
reviewed
-
E
Fiji Museum
This excellent museum captivates visitors with a journey into Fiji's archaeological, political, cultural and linguistic evolution. Original examples of musical instruments, cooking apparatus, jewellery - including chiefs' whale tooth necklaces - and a daunting array of Fijian war clubs and cannibal utensils offer a vivid insight into traditional life.
The growing influence of other South Pacific and European cultures on the Fijian islands is also demonstrated through exhibits on pottery, fishing methods and trade.
Taking centre stage is the massive Ratu Finau (1913); Fiji's last waqa tabus (double hulled canoe), which measures 13.43m in length and includes an enclosed…
reviewed
-
F
Albert Park
Charles Kingsford Smith was the first aviator to cross the Pacific, flying in his little Fokker trimotor, The Southern Cross, from California to Australia. The longest leg of the flight was the 34-hour trip from Hawaii to Fiji. Suva's Albert Park, with its hill at one end and the Grand Pacific Hotel at the other, was made into a makeshift landing strip for his arrival. Trees were still being cleared after Smith had already left Hawaii.
Kingsford Smith and his crew arrived on 6 June 1928, and were welcomed by a crowd of thousands, including colonial dignitaries who had gathered at the Grand Pacific Hotel to witness and celebrate this major event. Because the park was too…
reviewed
-
Nananu-i-Ra
This pocket-sized paradise is a must on any northern Viti Levu itinerary. Beautifully hilly, the 3.5-sq-km island is surrounded by scalloped bays, white-sand beaches and mangroves. A history of cattle grazing has cleared much of the dense vegetation and today rolling hills of grass dominate the interior.
It's only 3km north of Ellington Wharf, but the atypical landscape and small enclave of upmarket holiday homes exaggerates the distance. Nananu-i-Ra is an excellent option for those who want an offshore-island experience but minimal boating and associated cost. It's also renowned for windsurfing and diving. The island has no roads and no village - most of the residents…
reviewed
-
Koroyanitu National Heritage Park
If you are a keen walker or nature lover, the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park is definitely worth a visit. There are six villages within the park that cooperate as part of an ecotourism project. They maintain the landscape and tracks, and subsequently earn tourist dollars through village stays and manning the office.
Those who make the climb to the summit of Castle Rock, from Nase Lodge, will be rewarded with panoramic views of the Mamanucas and Yasawas. A marked track leads its way up; it takes about four hours (one way). There is also a two-hour hike that takes in a waterfall, the terraced gardens at Tunutunu and the Navuratu village site. A full-day hike to Mt…
reviewed
-
Parliament of Fiji
Opened in June 1992, the Parliament Complex must be one of the world's most striking political hubs. Designed in post-1987-atmosphere, the aim of maintaining indigenous-Fijian values is apparent through the open-air corridors, traditional arts and structures and masi cloths throughout. The main building, vale ne bose lawa (parliament house), takes its form from the traditional vale (family house) and has a ceremonial access from Ratu Sukuna Rd.
It's advisable to call ahead if you want to tour the grounds, but you can also obtain a Visitors Pass from the guard at the main entrance. It's also possible to sit in on a parliamentary session by calling in advance.
reviewed
-
Mamanuca Group
The Mamanucas are movie stars, Fiji's glittering jet set, forever photographed, and valued more for their natural beauty than any contribution they make to the national culture. Many of the 20-or-so islands take day-trippers from the mainland, who gorge themselves on buffets washed down with chilled Fiji Bitter, and sunbake on white sand beneath coconut palms.
The ocean around the islands has some excellent dive sites and Fiji's gnarliest surf spots. The snorkelling here is generally fantastic with the clear waters offering fascinating windows into the undersea world. Judging from the activities nights in most of the resorts, the Mamanucas are the crab-racing capital of…
reviewed
-
G
Thurston Gardens
After visiting the museum, ponder on your new found knowledge with a wander through these compact but beautiful gardens ( M032A). The dense conglomeration of native flora and surrounding lawns are less manicured and more scattered haphazardly but heavy landscaping would detract from the tropical element. The colourful vegetation will generate appreciative murmurs from the casual visitor and much of the vegetation is also labelled for the benefit of avid horticulturalists.
Crisscrossing walking trails traverse the park, and bench seating provides sensory-fatigue relief. It's a lovely spot for a picnic, particularly if you camp yourself under one of the grand and stately…
reviewed
-
H
O'Reillys
- Suva, Fiji
- Entertainment › Pub
O'Reillys kicks the evening off in relatively subdued fashion - relaxed punters playing pool or watching sport on the numerous TVs. But it brews quite a party as the hours tick by and come 11ish the place is generally throbbing with a gleeful crowd of locals and travellers. There's no distinct age code, and backpackers, foreign contractors, locals and expats fill the dance floor, shaking their bits to Europop, soft metal, techno, peppy country and western…basically anything that keeps the crowd moving.
Forget warm pints of Guinness; the only Irish quality about O'Reillys (aside from the name) is that it's enough fun to knock your socks off.
reviewed
-
Sigatoka Sand Dunes
One of Fiji's natural highlights, these impressive dunes are a ripple of peppery monoliths skirting the shoreline near the mouth of the Sigatoka River. Windblown and rugged, they stand around 5km (3.1mi) long, up to 1km (0.6mi) wide and on average about 20m (65ft) high, rising to about 60m (197ft) at the western end.
Do not expect golden Sahara-like dunes, as the fine sand is a grey-brown colour and largely covered with vines and shrubs. The dunes have been forming over millions of years and archaeological excavations here have uncovered pottery more than 2600 years old, as well as one of the largest burial sites in the Pacific.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Fiji Museum
In the heart of Thurston Gardens, this excellent museum captivates visitors with a journey into Fiji's archaeological, political, cultural and linguistic evolution. There's original musical instruments, cooking apparatus, and jewellery - including chiefs' whale-tooth necklaces, and a daunting array of Fijian war clubs and cannibal utensils.
The growing influence of other South Pacific and European cultures on the Fijian islands is also demonstrated through exhibits on pottery, fishing methods and trade; while descriptions throughout bestow a heightened understanding and awareness of the country's customs and people.
reviewed
-
I
Copra Shed Marina
Dating back to 1880 and originally one of Fiji's first copra mills, the Copra Shed Marina has been rebuilt into Savusavu's service hub for tourists and expats. In one visit you can book a flight or a boat, check your email, buy postcards, pick up your laundry, swig a beer and devour a pizza. Toilets and hot showers are available for yachties.
There is even a small historical display, and a couple of units for rent upstairs. Moorings in the pretty harbour between Savusavu and Nawi Islet cost around F$10/around F$220 for a day/month in high season, and F$7/F$150 for a day/month in low season.
reviewed
-
Wacking Stick Adventure Tours
Based at Stoney Creek Resort, Wacking Stick Adventure Tours rents good mountain bikes and sends you off with a map to explore the cane fields and the foothills of the Sabeto Mountains and Valley.
It also offers good half- and full-day tours, including the Sleeping Giant Bike and Hike, which includes a visit to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant and a hot spring, a bike ride around the Sabeto area, and a hike to a cave and a waterfall through jungle. There are also half-day and sunset tours and for the really energetic, three- or five-day tours, which include all meals and accommodation.
reviewed
-
Bouma National Heritage Park
This national park protects over 80% of Taveuni's total area, covering about 150 sq km (57 sq mi) of rainforest and coastal forest. The park has the three Tavoro Waterfalls near the falls' visitor centre, each with natural swimming pools. The first waterfall is about 24m (78ft) high and only 10 minutes' walk along a flat cultivated path.
The second waterfall, 30 or 40 minutes along, is a bit smaller but also has a good swimming pool. The track is quite steep in places but has steps, handrails and lookout spots to rest. If you are a keen walker, try the Vidawa Rainforest Trail.
reviewed
-
SeaHawk Yacht Charters
For those looking to charter their own boat, SeaHawk Yacht Charters rents out a beautiful 16m yacht with captain and a cook/crew for around F$250 to around F$420 per person per day depending on the season and level of service required. You can go practically anywhere in Fiji and the crew can help you arrange activities such as diving.
SeaHawk also offers cruises around Savusavu Bay, including full-day picnic cruises (around F$85), half-day sail and snorkel trips (F$55), sunset cruises (F$50) and overnight cruises (F$720 per couple).
reviewed