What to Do
You won’t need to look too hard to find fun, adventure, or relaxation in Fiji. Here on Taveuni, your weekly itinerary could feature a stellar combination of relaxing mornings, sunny afternoons by the pool, waterfall adventures, and world-renowned scuba diving. When you can find all of this on a single island, imagine how much there is to do across 330 different islands. Here is a smattering of our favorite things and can’t miss activities in Fiji.
Adventures
The Lavena Coastal Walk on Taveuni is an ideal first adventure in the Fijian islands. It is also an ideal place to experience the immense biodiversity that can be found on the Island of Taveuni. This pathway is equal parts relaxing and interesting, with a number of picturesque moments along the rather flat trail. These qualities make it the perfect option for any traveler.
The walk begins on the beachfront; a perfect opportunity to take in the morning on one of Taveuni’s eastern-facing beaches. From there you will continue past rock-pools and smaller lagoons, there is a swinging bridge and local village, before you arrive at the refreshing Wainibau Waterfalls. As the conclusion to the beautiful walk, it is the perfect place to cool off.
Unlike the song, chasing waterfalls is the ideal activity when you are visiting Fiji. There are several different islands and locations that are must-visits if you enjoy hiking and outdoor activities. Among the most beautiful are Tavoro (Bouma) Waterfalls on Taveuni, Vuadomo Village and Waterfall on Savusavu, and Waitavala Natural Rock Waterslide in Taveuni.
Looking for an underwater adventure in Fiji? You can’t miss the scuba diving and snorkeling along the Rainbow Reef and Somosomo Strait in Fiji. These reefs earned Fiji the nickname “The Soft Coral Capital of the World,” and the name is well-deserved.
You can take a speed or dive boat out for an all-day adventure on the reef that includes two scuba dives and time to snorkel. Alternatively, many parts of the Rainbow Reef are rather shallow and ideal for people that simply want to snorkel all day.
Cultural
While you are zipping across the Fijian Islands, don’t forget to stop and absorb all of the cultural differences around you. These islands are truly a collection of different cultures, traditions, and histories that have become intertwined over time. You may even recognize certain aspects of the Fijian culture from other experiences you’ve had in India, Polynesia, Malaysia, and beyond.
What are the top activities if you want to experience Fijian culture? We have the ideal suggestions. Travelers to Taveuni, and other islands in Fiji, have the opportunity to visit a local village as part of their Fiji vacation. It can be surprising to see the way Fijians live, but spending time in the local communities is simultaneously rewarding.
The people of Fiji are incredibly happy in their daily lives. Fiji even has the reputation as one of the happiest places on the planet. There is no better way to understand what makes Fijians so content than by spending time in the local communities.
Perhaps the most eye-opening local experience a visitor can have is to wander through a Fijian market on Viti Levu during its busiest hours. These markets are bustling with activity and have a variety of goods. After five minutes you will know that the markets are certainly the epitome of local commerce in Fiji.
Another interesting look at Fiji’s culture, both current and past, is to organize a “Go Fijian for the day” outing at Raiwasa. Take a boat ride to a small island off the coast of Taveuni, where you can play Captain Cook, try hand line fishing off the rocks and enjoy a traditional picnic on the beach. Back at the resort, get a taste of the Lovo cooking experience (Fijian fare cooked underground) from lighting the fire to final degustation. Enjoy a traditional Fijian Meke (dancing), basket weaving and experience a real traditional Kava ceremony. You should not leave Taveuni without experiencing this full day activity. If you don’t get to Taveuni then a visit to the Kalevu South Pacific Cultural Centre on Viti Levu’s Coral Coast. It is a mere 15 minutes from Sigatoka Town. Here you’ll find plenty of information on Fiji’s history, religious traditions, and village life. Plus, there are handicrafts and other souvenirs for sale that are the perfect thing to take home from a trip to Fiji.
Shopping
Fiji’s markets are the obvious place to head when you want to do some shopping on the islands. On Viti Levu, the markets are bustling and bigger, with plenty for locals and visitors to desire. Even in the smaller villages of Taveuni and Vanua Levu, you’ll find a number of different handicrafts for sale and traditional items.
Surprisingly, another great time to shop is on a village tour. During these experiences it is commonplace for the villagers to arrange a small number of handmade goods, toys, bags, and baskets. What is available to buy during a village tour will most likely depend on where you are in Fiji, as certain islands are known for different crafts and souvenirs. Here are a few things to look for on your trip.
A lali is a Fijian drum. Played at every wedding, major celebration, and Fijian festival, the handmade lalis you see in local markets and shops look great when displayed in your home.
Black pearls are one of Fiji’s more unique and fascinating souvenirs. These mysterious and enticing pearls are formed by oysters in specific parts of the South Pacific and only found in a handful of places around the world. When you stay at Raiwasa Private Resort, we can even arrange for you to visit one of the famous black pearl farms off the coast of Taveuni. You’ll have a chance to see where the pearls come from, how they are harvested, and purchase some of your own.
The tapa cloth is a common souvenir from Fiji, but a great one because you can find really interesting and singular designs. This is one of those souvenirs that is best if you avoid market stalls where the goods are mass-produced because an original, handmade cloth is very valuable.
The cloth is made from the bark of the mulberry tree, giving it a distinct and thick texture that you’re unlikely to find elsewhere in the world. Printed or stenciled on this dense cloth are different symbols of Fiji, such as the turtle, tagimoucia flower, and Melanesian geometric designs.
Hit the Beach
We probably don’t need to tell you that Fiji has some of the best beaches in the world. There are white sand beaches, black sand beaches, rock beaches, and everything in between. Some beaches are ideal for swimming, while others belong to the surfers that flock to Fiji each year for the outstanding surf breaks. One thing is for certain, when you come to Fiji, you are guaranteed to find the beach of your dreams.
The Mamanuca Islands are known for several of Fiji’s top-rated beaches including the stunning Liku Beach. It is 3,000 feet long, meaning you won’t have to share your patch of sand with anyone and stretches along a beautiful part of the island. This is also a western-facing beach, which makes it an ideal spot for later in the afternoon and staying for sunset.
Right on Viti Levu is one of the best beaches in all of Fiji and a stop that we highly recommend. Natadola Beach, located just 30 minutes from the city of Nadi, is not only very beautiful, but it is one of the safest swimming locations in all of Fiji. You can float, glide, swim, and snorkel in the horseshoe cove that gives Natadola Beach so much protection from the waves and South Pacific Sea.
Experiential Travel in Fiji
Some vacations are solely focused on rest and relaxation. You stay at a lovely hotel, eat decent meals, and spend hours doing very little other than sitting near the swimming pool. Whether you are a busy CEO or mother of three young kids, a few days of sun, sand, and cocktails can be the ideal option to recharge and step away from the commotion of everyday life.
But these trips don’t provide anything deeper or more complex. They are, quite simply, enjoyable.
The concept of experiential, or transformative, travel is nothing new. It’s always been possible to visit a far-off destination and be truly immersed in the local culture and way of life. We’ve always differentiated between a tourist and a traveler, even if the exact meaning of these terms isn’t the same for everyone. However, recent years have seen a steep rise in the number of people seeking out experiential travel opportunities. Rather than going to a place like Fiji just for the resorts and lavish accommodation, people are choosing to incorporate other activities and adventures into their itinerary.