INTRODUCTION
Regions Intro & How to get around
Fiji is blessed with 333 tropical islands ready to be discovered. It can feel a bit daunting to find the right island stay and places to visit for your clients. With such a variety in choice, your clients will certainly welcome your Fiji expertise!
Whether your clients will be travelling on a budget, planning the ultimate family holiday or looking to splash out on a luxury escape, Fiji has a region, resort and holiday experience to suit everyone and you will get a quick overview on all our regions in this chapter. You can learn more about each region in detail, once you’ve passed your BRONZE status level.
Nadi ... Gateway to Fiji
Nadi & Denarau are situated on the western side of Viti Levu and is a gateway for tourism in Fiji. Nadi International Airport is located just 9kms from Nadi town. The Nadi and Denarau area boasts numerous hotels and resorts and is a great place to start your trip or use as a base for exploring.
Suva ... Hub of the South Pacific
Suva is Fiji’s capital and the central hub of the South Pacific. Here your client will find a blend of traditional, early 20th century South Pacific buildings alongside modern high-rise structures. Suva offers a mix of historical sites, museums, parks, local markets and a vibrant nightlife. Suva is also the economic, educational and diplomatic hub in the South Pacific region.
Mamanuca & Yasawa Islands
The Mamanuca Island Group is a paradise of reefs and sand-fringed isles shared by traditional Fijian villages and modern island resorts. These magnificent islands are located offshore from Nadi on the western side of Viti Levu. The arc shaped Mamanuca Islands chain is situated well inside the outer reef whose protective barrier creates ideal conditions for boating, scuba diving, snorkelling and other waterbased activities.
The breathtaking Yasawa Islands, volcanic in origin, lie north westnorth-west of Viti Levu and are accessed daily from Port Denarau and Vuda marina by catamarans and resort water taxis or seaplane and helicopter from Nadi.
Coral Coast
The Coral Coast on the south- west coast of Viti Levu stretches for more than 100 kilometres between Nadi and Pacific Harbour. The sealed highway passes through spectacular scenery featuring villages, sugar cane fields, pine plantations, coral lagoons and beautiful beaches. Many of Fiji’s large resorts and international hotels are located along the Coral Coast. Sigatoka is the main town on the Coral Coast...
Pacific Harbour & Beqa
Pacific Harbour is also known as the adventure capital of Fiji- It offers a good range of accommodation but also offers a lotlot of activities such as white water or bilibili rafting,river tubing, sea kayak tours, diving, surfing, jet skiing, hiking, deep sea fishing and horseback riding. Just off the southern coast of Viti Levu is the small island of Beqa. It is home to Fiji’s world-famous firewalkers. Beqa offers a small number of intimate resorts.
Kadavu
Kadavu is the fourth largest island in Fiji. Situated 100km south of Suva, Kadavu is well known for its surfing and adventure activities. It’s a heaven for snorkellers, divers and deep-sea fishermen. The Great Astrolabe Reef - one of the largest barrier reefs in the world – hugs Kadavu’s southern border reaching up east to wrap around Ono and a cluster of other small islands in the archipelago.
Suncoast
The Suncoast is the northern stretch of Fiji’s coast on Viti Levu and home to the towns of Lautoka, Ba Vatukoula, Tavua and Rakiraki. This region of rugged mountains and sparkling offshore reefs is a haven for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure. Follow an inland trail to Fiji’s highest waterfall or up its highest mountain, track dolphins and trevally across the lagoon or dive the soft coral-crusted pinnacles of the Bligh Water’s world-class dive sites. Offshore from Rakiraki is Nananu-i-ra which is a great place to learn kite surfing.
Taveuni & Vanua Levu
Fiji’s tropical northern region includes its second and third largest islands, Vanua Levu and Taveuni, as well as number of smaller islands. The principal islands of the north are primarily mountainous with extensive rainforests and fertile lands. They are mainly untouched and have a smaller tourism infrastructure than the mainland of Viti Levu and surrounds. The region is home to over a dozen resorts and is easily accessible by plane or ferry. Many of the properties are small and intimate and offer a chance to interact more closely with the people and cultures of Fiji. The Northern islands are surrounded by deep reefs and are internationally known for having some of the best dive and fishing sites in the world.
Lau Group & Outer Islands
Colonial charm meets quaint culture in Fiji’s Outer Islands. Worlds away from Fiji’s flashier tourist hotspots, the quiet, natural beauty of Fiji’s outer islands provide the perfect escape for curious adventurers and cultural connoisseurs. Despite being Viti Levu’s close neighbours, much of Lomaiviti’s seven large islands still feel like a secret. If you’re headed to this group of islands, it’s worth stopping over at Levuka – Fiji’s captivating colonial capital - on Ovalau island. Stay a day or two to really soak up the UNESCO World Heritage town’s dramatic scenery and intriguing history.
Adorning Fiji’s eastern border, the fabulous Lau islands are about as far-flung as it gets in Fiji. Transfer services to these islands are limited, but if you’re one of the lucky few who make it to Lau, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful islands in Fiji. Captain Cook Cruises run expeditionary cruises through the islands a few times a year and it is a very popular cruising destination for yachties who have been tempted to drop anchor in the flawless, pocket-sized bays. If you seek uncrowded and untamed places, you won’t mind ditching the tourist trail for these hidden corners of Fiji.
Getting Around Fiji
Getting around 333 remote islands can be daunting…but not in Fiji. Whether you fly, cruise or drive, you’ll find that paradise isn’t as far as you think.
1. BY ROAD
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Paved highways encircle the two big islands connecting villages, towns and cities so it’s fairly easy to get around.
Hotel Transfers
Most hotels can arrange airport transfers. Just drop them an email with your flight arrival details and check up on their pickup policy. Some are complimentary while others charge a small fee.
Private Transfers
Alternatively, you can take the stress out ‘getting there’ and pre-book your transfers through local inbound operators and tour/transfer companies.
Buses
Buses are a cheap option for trips to the Suncoast, Lautoka, the Coral Coast, Pacific Harbour or Suva on Viti Levu that is provided, you’re in no rush to get there! The trip takes anywhere between 1- 4 hrs and costs up to approximately FJ$20 one-way.
Buses operate on an electronic ticketing system, so you’ll have to buy a disposable card ($2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100) from the bus checkers. Cards stay valid for 30 days and can be refunded in cash during that time from a Vodafone retail outlet.
Most inter-city buses travelling the Queen’s Highway make regular stops at Nadi International Airport and small towns along the way. Look out for any Pacific Transport, Sunbeam or Sunset bus outside the Departures terminal.
There’s also an Airport – Hotel Connections bus travelling the same route. It leaves the Nadi International Airport twice-daily (7.30am & 1pm) with brief stopovers at hotels along the Queen’s Highway. Book your ticket at the Rosie Holidays or TTF offices outside the International Arrivals terminal. It costs slightly higher than the regular public buses.
Taxis
It’s hard to miss the four-seater yellow taxis lined up outside the Nadi Airport arrivals terminal. With fares starting at FJ$5.00, they’re an easy option for short trips to Nadi, Denarau and Lautoka. Seven-seater vans are also available for bigger groups but expect to pay a bit more.
If you flag a taxi off the street, look out for the LT or LH registrations on the license plate. LT plates are metered taxis with a base rate of FJ$2.50. LH taxis are not metered and have fixed distance rates. It’s a good idea to check with your hotel reception about general taxi costs and confirm these with your taxi driver before starting your trip.
Car Rentals
There are roads all over Viti Levu and Vanua Levu just begging to be explored. Self-drives are perfect. Take your time in the small towns and grab a selfie or two at all the scenic spots.
Pre-book your rental online with any of the companies at Nadi International Airport. They’re located just outside the International Arrivals terminal. All you’ll need is a valid driver’s license (in English) and a credit card. As in Australia, New Zealand and UK, in Fiji you drive on the left side of the road.
2. BY AIR
Flying is by far the fastest and easiest way to travel off Viti Levu. Stunning birds-eye views of the islands are just an added bonus!
Scheduled Domestic Flights
Fiji Link and Northern Air – Fiji’s domestic airlines - fly to most small airports around the country.
Chartered Flights
Add a touch of glamour to your vacation and arrive at your resort in style. Several companies run charter flights out of Nadi Airport, ready to whisk you away on a scenic helicopter or small aircraft.
See Island Hoppers and Joyce Aviation
3. BY SEA
The most affordable and popular way to see the islands.
Passenger (Resort) Ferries
Escape to the stunning Mamanuca and Yasawa islands with daily connections out of Port Denarau. South Sea Cruises operates these sectors. Malolo Cat also operates transfers to a selection of resorts on Malolo Island.
The Tavewa Seabus, also departs daily from Lautoka Wharf and services the route between the sugar city of Lautoka and the Yasawa Islands.
Local (Roll on-Off Ferries)
If you are cost-conscious, there’s always the inter-island ferry to consider.
Locals favour this no-frills option for cheap travel between Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. It’s also great for self-drives as you’re able to take your car onboard with you.
There are also regular ferries to Ovalau (Levuka) and Kadavu islands.
Water Taxis
The Mamanuca and Yasawa islands are some of the most accessible islands in Fiji. If you’ve missed the regular boat, share a water taxi or charter your own to your resort. Most depart Port Denarau Marina but you’ll also find them at Vuda Marina and Lautoka Wharf too.