Fiji – Real Paradise in South Pacific

Nature lovers, hikers, and birders can soak up some of Fiji’s lush natural beauty in Bouma National Heritage Park on the island of Taveuni. Established in 1990, the park encompasses about 150 square kilometers of rainforest, with rare tropical plants and an impressive diversity of birds, as well as four villages that are each responsible for managing portions of the park. You can snorkel in the marine park at Waitabu; hike through the rainforest to ancient ruins near Vidawa; and kayak or stroll the Lavena Coastal Walk, stopping at waterfalls for a swim along the way. A particular highlight of the park is the Tavoro Waterfalls, with three sets of falls maintained by the nearby Korovou village, where you can swim in the cool volcanic pools and capture photos of the veil-like streams of water gushing down the rockfaces. The park is also home to Lake Tagimaucia, a crater lake, where the rare Tagimaucia flower blooms, and Des Voeux Peak, which offers spectacular views from its 1,195-meter summit.

Beqa Lagoon, Viti Levu

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About 144 kilometers southeast of Nadi, off Pacific Harbour, Beqa (pronounced “Benga”) Lagoon lures avid divers and adventure seekers, many of whom come here to experience the Beqa Lagoon Shark Dive. With stringent safety measures in place, expert local dive operators offer exhilarating face-to-face encounters with these much-feared creatures in their natural habitat. Among the many species, you can see are bull sharks, whitetip and blacktip reef sharks, and even tiger sharks. If you’re looking for a more subdued underwater experience, the lagoon is home to more than 100 dive sites, including coral bommies, pinnacles, and wrecks that showcase an impressive diversity of soft corals and tropical fish. Most sites are in relatively shallow waters not far from shore. This is a great place to dive if you’re visiting Viti Levu and don’t have time to travel to reefs around the smaller islands. Beqa Island, just offshore, is home to the Sawau tribe, who started the famous Fiji tradition of firewalking, and you can still watch this centuries-old tradition at ceremonies in nearby resorts.

Pacific Harbour, Viti Levu

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Less than 50 kilometers from Suva, Pacific Harbour is the self-proclaimed “Adventure Capital of Fiji.” This upscale enclave of vacation homes and resorts began its life as a residential canal development in the 1970s, and today, it’s evolving into a hot spot for adrenaline sports. Popular activities here include river rafting on the nearby Upper Navua River, zip-lining, jet skiing, surfing, 4WD adventures, and a heart-pumping dive with bull sharks in Beqa Lagoon. If you prefer more low-key activities, Pacific Harbour is also home to a popular arts village with restaurants, souvenir stalls, and cultural shows. Accommodation options range from budget hostels to luxury resorts, and the brand new Pacific Palm Marina is underway, with restaurants, upscale residences, a golf course, and spa. About 20 minutes by car from Pacific Harbour, Kila World offers ropes courses and nature walks.

Navua River, Viti Levu

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The Navua River on Viti Levu flows for 65 kilometers from the Viti Levu highlands to the south coast through magnificent scenery, with lush rainforests, waterfalls, and rugged canyons.

You can paddle the Upper Navua River in kayaks or canoes, float along on a bilibili (bamboo raft), or ride the whitewater rapids (Grade II to Grade III) on an inflatable raft. Wildlife such as fruit bats, herons, and native parrots are often spotted along the way, and you can combine a river experience with cultural tours to local villages and participate in traditional kava ceremonies. This tangled, tropical wilderness offers a taste of the real Fiji – especially if you are based at one of the manicured resorts of the Coral Coast, Denarau Island, and Pacific Harbour.

Garden of the Sleeping Giant and Sabeto Hot Springs, Viti Levu

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Less than 30 minutes by car from Nadi, snuggled in the lush foothills of their namesake mountain peak, the Garden of the Sleeping Giant is a rewarding day trip – especially if you’re a green thumb. Once the private collection of the late actor Raymond Burr of Perry Mason fame, these gorgeous gardens spotlight more than 2,000 species of orchids, as well as a tranquil lily pond replete with tadpoles and frogs. You can explore the gardens on covered boardwalks that wind through 20-hectares of lawns and native forests. Swings and hammocks invite you to linger and enjoy the peace and serenity of this verdant valley, and free guided tours share fascinating details on the history of the gardens.

After admiring all the botanical beauties, visit the nearby Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool and enjoy a therapeutic mud bath and a soothing soak in the thermal pools.

Great Astrolabe Reef, Kadavu

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Fringing Fiji’s fourth largest island, Kadavu, and other small islands in the Kadavu Group, the 100-kilometer-long Great Astrolabe Reef is the fourth largest barrier reef in the world. Divers come here to submerge themselves in an underwater wonderland of caverns, tunnels, pinnacles, drop-offs, kaleidoscopic hard and soft corals, and tropical fish. Most of the dive sites are easily accessible by boat from the southern shores of Kadavu, the currents are typically moderate, and visibility ranges from 10 to 40 meters. The dives cover all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Snorkelers can also enjoy the rich marine life here and the chance to swim with manta rays. Anglers can fish in designated areas; the reef is known for its abundance of billfish species, as well as tuna, mahi-mahi, and giant trevally.

Sawa-i-Lau Caves, Yasawa Islands

In the northern Yasawa Islands, the mystical Sawa-i-Lau Caves were sculpted by wind and waves over thousands of years and they are famous as the.e site of scenes from the famous Brooke Shields movie, The Blue Lagoon. Bathed in light, the first limestone cavern is easy to access, and you can swim in the cool, crystal-clear water of the deep pool and admire the interesting limestone formations. To access the inner cave, you have to swim through an underwater tunnel. Locals believe that this inner cavern is the heart of the Yasawas and that the caves are the final resting place of the ten-headed Fijian God, Ulutini. Note that the second cave is only accessible when the tide allows. Guides are highly recommended.

Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park, Viti Levu

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About 60 kilometers south of Nadi, Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park was the country’s first national park, established to protect this fragile ecosystem of coastal dunes near the mouth of the Sigatoka River. Formed over thousands of years, the dunes range in height from 20 to 60 meters, with breathtaking views of the surf from the highest peaks. To explore the park, you can choose from two self-guided walks: a one-hour walk through a forest to the beach or a two-hour walk along the ridgeline. Highlights include visiting the archaeological sites to see ancient Lapita artifacts, including more than two-thousand-year-old pottery, stone tools, and one of the biggest burial sites in the Pacific. Birdwatching is also popular, and the small visitor center displays some interesting artifacts found at the site as well as information about its history and ecology.