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Fiji

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About Fiji
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There are dozens of beautiful islands to explore in Fiji, so it can be difficult to choose a place to stay. Many travellers use Viti Levu as a base, staying in resorts on southwest part of the island. From here, you can make day trips to waterfalls and explore the marine parks of Bouma National Park or go beach haunting in Yasawa Islands.

A visit to the thatch-roof village of Navala is quite a treat, while snorkelling trips and dolphin watching off the coast of the Mamanuca Islands are a must.

Day trips to the capital city, Suva, are interesting, but staying here is not - especially if you’re only here for pampered resort service and perfect white beaches. Suva won’t pass the test, but it will entertain with its handcraft markets, curry houses and archeological museum. Rotuma is another stunning island worth a visit for its rugged cliffs dressed in lush tangles of palms and vines.

Beautiful beaches abound, especially those that encircle the Coral Coast south of Momi Bay. Bungalows at Karin’s Garden on the island of Taveuni are ideal for couples or families, with loads of coastal trails to explore.

The Taveuni Island Resort on the same island is a bit more upmarket, but a smart splurge if you’re in search of a bit more luxury.

Travel Tips

Fiji’s islands are collectively a snorkelling and scuba diving paradise. Most travellers begin or spend all of their time trolling around Rainbow Reef and the Great Astrolabe Reef. The western Yasawa Islands and Botaira Resort are very good for snorkeling, and some of the bluest waters encircle the Mamanuca and Qamea Islands.
On the main island of Viti Levu is Fiji's capital, Suva. There are markets everywhere selling clothes, fruit and trinkets. For lunch try Singh's Curry House and sample some of Fiji’s milder currys and starchy cassave-based deserts. Have drinks or rent a sailing boat from the Royal Suva Yacht Club; visit the beautiful Thurston Gardens or venture on a hiking expedition at the nearby Colo-i-Suva Forest Park.
Island resorts in Fiji are a dime a dozen, and yet some stand apart from the rest. One example is the Matamanoa Island Resort on Matamanoa Island. The Shangri-La Resort and Spa on Yanuca Island is also stellar and has excellent babysitting facilities and activities for children. For an adults-only destination, stay on Royal Davui Island at the Royal Davui Resort.
Transit between and on the islands is very hit or miss. Air Pacific serves 13-island airports quickly and efficiently. Every island has its own network of buses: some are modern with air-con, but the smaller, older companies tend take twice as long, and beware - they are prone to break down!
Whether you are curious about Fiji’s founding fathers or interested in understanding its cultural and linguistic evolution, visit Fiji’s Archeological Museum, located on the picturesque botanical gardens in the centre of the capital, Suva.