Tropical Escapes
Fiji
Around four hours from Sydney, with warm Bula welcomes, clear lagoons and more choice of resort than anywhere else in the Pacific. The secret is choosing the right part of Fiji.
Easy to reach. Hard to leave.
Fiji is close, easy and wonderfully relaxed. There's no long-haul flight, no jet lag and no language barrier, just a short hop across the Pacific and a welcome that feels like coming home.
But Fiji is made up of more than 300 islands, and each area has a very different feel. Some are lively and easy to explore, others are quiet and barefoot, and a few are so remote you'll only share the beach with a handful of other guests.
Choosing the right area is the most important decision you'll make, and it's where I can help most.
Find your place
Which area is best for your holiday?
Four areas compared side by side, each with something different to offer. Transfer times are from Nadi Airport.
20 minutes from Nadi Airport
Denarau Island
Fiji's resort hub, joined to the mainland by a short causeway. Big international resorts sit side by side, with huge pools, a golf course and Port Denarau's marina full of restaurants, shops and the boats that head out to the islands.
Beach and water: Darker sand and not for snorkelling, but great pools.
The feel: Polished and lively, with a marina and restaurants.
What's good: So close to the airport, lots of restaurants, easy day trips to the islands, great value.
Worth knowing: The sand is darker and the water isn't for snorkelling. You come for the pools and convenience, not the beach.
Things to do
Take a day cruise to the Mamanuca Islands, visit Cloud 9 floating bar, enjoy a sunset cruise or explore the restaurants and shops around Port Denarau Marina.
Best for: Families, short breaks, and a first or last night before your flight.
45 minutes to 1.5 hours by road
The Coral Coast
The sunny southern coast of the main island, with resorts set along reef-fringed lagoons, villages close by and Natadola, one of the best swimming beaches in Fiji. Further along, Pacific Harbour is the place for river adventures and shark diving in Beqa Lagoon.
Beach and water: Reef lagoons, with the best swimming at Natadola.
The feel: Relaxed and local, close to villages.
What's good: No boat transfer, real village life, the Sigatoka sand dunes, waterfalls and zip-lining nearby, and excellent value.
Worth knowing: Many lagoons are shallow at low tide, so the right resort matters.
Things to do
Ride the Ecotrax rail bikes through villages and along the coastline, explore the Sigatoka Sand Dunes, visit the Kula WILD Adventure Park, experience a traditional Fijian village visit or take a river safari into the highlands.
Best for: Families, culture, and anyone who'd rather not take a boat.
30 minutes to 2 hours by boat, or a short seaplane hop
The Mamanuca Islands
The Fiji of postcards. A string of small islands just off Denarau, with white sand, palm trees and clear water you can snorkel straight from the beach. It's also the sunniest and driest part of Fiji.
Beach and water: White sand, clear water and snorkelling from the beach.
The feel: Classic island Fiji, and the sunniest area.
What's good: The widest choice of island resorts, from adults-only to brilliant for kids, and easy to reach.
Worth knowing: It's popular, so choosing the right island makes all the difference to how peaceful it feels.
Things to do
Snorkel colourful reefs, visit neighbouring islands by boat, try paddleboarding or kayaking, enjoy a private beach picnic or take a surfing excursion to Cloudbreak for experienced surfers.
Best for: Almost everyone: couples, families and first-timers.
2 to 5 hours by catamaran, or by seaplane
The Yasawa Islands
Further north, the Yasawas are wilder and more dramatic, with volcanic peaks, long empty beaches and small resorts. Swim in the Sawa-i-Lau caves, visit village schools and, in the cooler months, snorkel with manta rays.
Beach and water: Long empty beaches and very clear water.
The feel: Remote, dramatic and unspoilt.
What's good: Unspoilt and uncrowded, with some of Fiji's most beautiful scenery.
Worth knowing: Getting there takes longer, and resorts are simpler apart from a few luxury hideaways.
Things to do
Swim through the spectacular Sawa-i-Lau caves, snorkel with manta rays in season, explore secluded beaches, visit local villages or hike to panoramic island viewpoints.
Best for: Couples, island hopping and second visits to Fiji.
A few ways it could look
Ways to build your Fiji escape
Simple inspiration rather than fixed itineraries. Every trip is shaped around you.
7 nights · Mamanuca Islands
One perfect island
Straight from the airport to the island, and nowhere to be for a week. Ideal when the resort itself is the holiday.
8 nights · Coral Coast → Mamanucas
Mainland and island
A few days on the Coral Coast for villages, waterfalls and adventure, then finish on an island with nothing to do.
10 nights · Mamanucas → Yasawas
Island hopping
Two or three islands, travelling north by catamaran as the scenery becomes wilder and quieter.
7 nights · Denarau → Mamanucas
An easy start
Land and relax on Denarau for a couple of nights, then head out to an island for the rest of your stay.
Where you might stay
Some gorgeous places to stay in Fiji
From family-friendly resorts to secluded island retreats, Fiji offers accommodation for different budgets and styles of holiday. Here are eight worth considering.
Denarau Island · Families and couples · $$$
Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa
A relaxed beachfront resort with a touch of French style, beautiful pools, a lovely spa and several places to eat, just minutes from Port Denarau. Ideal for families and couples wanting comfort without an island transfer.
Denarau Island · Families · $$
Radisson Blu Resort Fiji
Spacious suites, lagoon-style pools and excellent facilities for children. A particularly good choice for families wanting room to spread out and plenty to keep everyone entertained.
Coral Coast · Couples and families · $$$
InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa
Set beside beautiful Natadola Beach, one of Fiji's best swimming beaches. Spacious rooms, excellent dining and a more luxurious mainland resort experience.
Coral Coast · Families · $$
Shangri-La Yanuca Island
A long-established family favourite on its own island, connected to the mainland by a causeway. Multiple pools, a kids' club and plenty of activities make it a great choice for an easy family holiday.
Mamanuca Islands · Families and couples · $$$
Castaway Island Fiji
A classic Fijian island resort with white sandy beaches, traditional bures and beautiful snorkelling. Relaxed, friendly and particularly popular with families wanting a genuine island experience.
Mamanuca Islands · Adults only · $$$$
Likuliku Lagoon Resort
One of Fiji's most romantic resorts, known for its overwater bures, beautiful lagoon and exceptional hospitality. Perfect for couples seeking privacy and a special island escape.
Yasawa Islands · Couples and families · $$$
Paradise Cove Resort
A beautiful boutique resort with white sandy beaches, excellent snorkelling and a relaxed atmosphere. A lovely choice for travellers wanting a more secluded island holiday without sacrificing comfort.
Yasawa Islands · Couples · $$$$
Yasawa Island Resort & Spa
Spacious beachfront bures on a long, quiet stretch of white sand in the remote Yasawas, with a lovely spa and a wonderfully unhurried pace. Perfect for travellers wanting real seclusion with genuine luxury.
Indicative price positioning only: $$ comfortable, $$$ premium, $$$$ luxury. Actual rates vary by season, room category, inclusions and transfers.
Practical tips
Planning your Fiji escape
When to go
May to October
The dry season
Sunny, less humid and around 26°C. The most popular time to visit, with calm seas and clear water.
November to April
The wet season
Hotter and more humid, with heavy afternoon showers and the chance of a cyclone. Quieter, with better value outside the Christmas holidays.
Peak times
Book early
Australian school holidays, Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive times. The best rooms go months ahead.
A guide to costs
Fiji suits every budget. Here's a simple guide to what you can expect at each level.
Comfortable
Good four-star resorts on Denarau and the Coral Coast, often with kids' clubs and family rooms.
Luxury
Five-star island resorts in the Mamanucas, with pool villas, beautiful beaches and a meal plan worth adding.
Ultimate
Private islands and small all-inclusive hideaways, where meals, drinks and many activities are covered.
Prices change with the season, the room and how you get there, so these are a starting point only. My planning fee is $250, and I'll compare resorts and packages to find you the best value for your dates.
Getting there
Direct flights land at Nadi, around four hours from Sydney. Fiji is usually just an hour ahead, so there's no jet lag.
Boat, seaplane or helicopter?
Boats are the easiest and best value. A seaplane or helicopter turns the transfer into part of the holiday and saves time. Island boats don't run late, so if you land in the evening, I'll book a night near the airport first.
Is a meal plan worth it?
On an island, you'll eat every meal at your resort, so a meal plan usually makes sense. On Denarau and the Coral Coast it's easy to eat out, so breakfast only can work well.
Adults-only or family resort?
Fiji has some of the best family resorts anywhere, and some of the most peaceful adults-only islands. Knowing which is which, and which family resorts still feel calm, is exactly where I can help.
Made for you
Your Fiji escape. Your way.
I'll help you choose the right part of Fiji, the right resort and the right room, with transfers that get you there smoothly.
Tell me your dates, who's coming and the kind of holiday you have in mind, and I'll find the island to match.
All you need to do is pack.
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