Fiji
Nadi | Yasawa Islands | Mamanuca Islands
Exquisite Scuba Diving, lovely natural surroundings and an appealing range of places to stay
Though Fiji has palm-lined beaches and coral reefs like many other parts of the South Pacific, it's often the people of the islands, rather than the scenery, that make it memorable. Their friendliness to visitors is well-known, expressed with a pleasant bula (welcome) and with an invitation to join them for a bowl of lip-numbing kava.
Fijians have not always been as friendly to one another: Political struggles between ethnic Fijians and the descendants of Indian laborers have resulted in three political coups since 1987. Visitors were largely unaffected by the events, however, and although the situation remains somewhat unstable, Fiji is considered a safe destination. As a result, it is in the middle of a record-setting tourism boom.
A Fiji holiday package promises a lot of enjoyable possibilities: exquisite scuba diving, lovely natural surroundings and an appealing range of places to stay—from secluded, eye-poppingly expensive resorts to pleasant guesthouses on the beach to simple accommodations with local villagers.
Nadi
The town of Nadi on Viti Levu doesn't really offer much to visitors, but the beauty of the surrounding region and the offshore Fijian islands is reason enough to at least pass through. The international airport is there, making Nadi the tourism center of Fiji and the major jumping-off point for excursions around Viti Levu and to the offshore Fijian islands.
Stroll around the vibrant vegetable market near Nadi town's bus station and visit the kaleidoscopically colourful Hindu temple at the south end of town. It's Fiji's largest temple (you must remove your shoes before you enter).
To fully appreciate Fiji, take one of the fun and popular short cruises from Nadi to neighbouring islands. The Mamanuca Islands are visible from Nadi and accessible by short boat trips. These islands offer excellent dives and a number of relaxing resorts.
Cruises depart from Denarau Island west of Nadi town. Separated from the mainland by a mangrove creek, this perfectly flat island is developing into the country's largest tourist destination. In addition to its full-service marina, it has the country's best 18-hole resort golf course and a first-rate tennis centre.
Captain Cook Cruises depart from Denarau Island marina in Nadi.
WHEN TO TRAVEL to Nadi
Nadi enjoys a typical tropical climate, with a trade wind blowing during most of the year. Maximum summer temperatures average 31ºC, with the winter average not far different at 29ºC. Rain can be expected at any time of year. The driest months are April, May, June and October.
Yasawa Islands
Once the near-exclusive playground of the rich and famous, the hilly, rugged and remote Fijian Yasawa islands, 70km northwest of Viti Levu, are quickly becoming one of the most popular parts of Fiji. In fact, backpackers and other budget travellers now choose Fiji Holidays to the Yasawas rather than Ovalau and Levuka. The three-to seven-day Blue Lagoon cruises are still the easiest and most stylish way to go to the Yasawas, but fast catamarans now make daily Yasawa transfers from Denarau Island near Nadi. One stunning island in this chain is Turtle Island, which has a property considered to be one of the world's best small resorts. It can be reached by chartered seaplane from Nadi. Several backpacker camps, some considered the most "luxurious" properties of that type on Fiji, have their own boats for transporting guests from Lautoka.
WHEN TO TRAVEL to Yasawa Islands
The Fijian Yasawa islands are a year round destination, but best during the Fijian ‘winter’, from May to October. The climate is sunny year round with an average temperature of 26C. The dry season runs from May to October; the wet season is characterised by brief but heavy showers from November to April with a high of 31C.
Mamanuca Islands
The Mamanucas are Fiji's jewel islands, forever photographed and fêted. There are about 20 islands in the group, basking in a large lagoon formed by the Malolo Barrier Reef and Viti Levu. Many of the islands take day-trippers from the mainland, who eat then sunbake on white sand beneath coconut palms. The ocean around the islands has some excellent dive sites and Fiji's roughest surf spots. The snorkelling here is generally fantastic with the clear waters offering fascinating windows into the undersea world.
Most of the habitable islands support a tourist resort on land leased from nearby villages and/or a Fijian community. If there is a resort but no village, it is usually because there is no natural source of water. Most resorts bring in their water from the mainland by barge. A few of the smaller islands, such as Monuriki, retain significant areas of forest with native birds and reptiles. You often see heavy rain clouds hanging over Nadi and Lautoka while the drier Mamanucas remain unaffected.
Concierge Traveller offers superb Fiji Packages to most of the resorts, contact an advisor for more detail.
WHEN TO TRAVEL to Mamanuca Islands
The best time to visit is during the so-called 'Fijian winter' or 'dry season', from May to October. This time of year is more pleasant with lower rainfall and humidity, milder temperatures and less risk of meteorological hazards such as cyclones.
Fiji's 'wet season' is from November to April, with the heaviest rains falling from December to mid-April. This is when tropical cyclones, or hurricanes, are most likely to occur.
