1. Mamanuca Islands
The Mamanucas (pronounced “mama-new-thas”) are the closest and most accessible islands, in relation to Nadi International Airport. We highly recommend visiting one or more of these islands. Although some are less than a 10 minute helicopter away from Nadi, you will feel like you are on your own remote slice of paradise. The Tom Hanks movie, Castaway, was filmed here. For surfers, Cloudbreak is located in the Mamanucas.
2. Yasawa Islands
This group of 20 or so exotic islands begins where the Mamanucas end. They are further from the mainland, but easily accessible by boat, plane or helicopter. Our recommended resorts on these islands will give you a chance to experience some of the clearest waters and finest sands in the world. To help you get a mental picture, think Blue Lagoon with Brooke Shields. It was filmed in the Yasawas. It is not as commercial or populated as the Mamanucas and contains beautiful elevation changes of up to 1,800 feet above sea level.
3. Taveuni Island
Taveuni is beautiful, lush and exotic. It is home to a couple of national parks (the Bouma Waterfalls) as well as the only part of Fiji where its national flower is found, the Tagimoucia. It has high peaks and fertile rainforests. In theory, you can travel through time here as the actual 180th meridian (used as the basis for the International Date Line) passes through Taveuni. However, the Date Line is drawn around Fiji to keep all of its islands on the same day. Nearby Laucala Island is one of the most exclusive private island resorts in the world.
4. Wakaya Island
Wakaya Island is home to a very exclusive private resort and is located nearby Ovalua, the home of the original early Fijian capital, now an UNESCO World Heritage Site. We recommend staying on Wakaya Island if you are looking for the ultimate in luxury, seclusion and exclusivity.
5. Viti Levu
Denarau Island
Denarau Island is actually viewed to be part of Viti Levu, the main island. If arriving by air, you will land at Nadi International Airport, which is approximately 15 minutes away from Denarau. Denarau is densely populated with global, five star hotel and resort chains, restaurants and shops. It is very touristy and unless you desire to use a global brand you are comfortable with as your home base, we recommend these hotels for your first few or last nights in Fiji, given the proximity to the airport. Otherwise, the best beaches are found elsewhere.
The Coral Coast
This section of beautiful, white sandy beaches is on the south side of the main island, Viti Levu. This is an excellent place to begin your Fiji vacation. There are five star resorts, excellent beaches, activities and world-class golf. It is not far from Nadi International (40 – 90 minutes by car) and is a great area to use as a home base for a few days in order to explore the mainland’s excursions, tours and cities. This area extends all the way to Pacific Harbour and makes for a very scenic drive encompassing villages, sugar cane fields, lagoons, and beaches.
Pacific Harbour
Known as the Adventure Capital of Fiji, there are several island resorts we recommend close to Pacific Harbour that allow you to enjoy the best of game fishing, reef fishing, surfing, white water rafting or 4×4 tours (on the mainland), or feeding the sharks in Beqa Lagoon. This lagoon was named by Jacques Cousteau as the ‘The Soft Coral Capital of the world’. Beqa (pronounced “Ben-gah”) is also home to the legendary “Fire-Walkers.”
North Coast
The North Coast is a very diverse and beautiful part of Fiji. If you are looking for an exclusive experience, we recommend Dolphin Island Resort in this area. The popular Vuda Point Marina is nearby if you are traveling by yacht.
6. Vanua Levu
Vanua Levu is the second largest island, just north of Viti Levu and adjacent to Taveuni. This island, and nearby islands, are primarily mountainous with rain forests and fertile farm lands. From Nadi International Airport, you would need to take another plane to get here.
Savusavu
Savusavu is known for deep reefs, thermal baths, rainforests, and pearl farms. Above all it is home to some of the best for scuba diving in all of Fiji, which is why Jean-Michel Cousteau has his resort here as well as other boutique, luxury, resorts like Namale Resort and Spa.
Source: Venture Fiji
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