How to plan a holiday in a picture-perfect archipelago in the South Pacific? Here are seven things to do in Fiji

An exuberant traditional song to welcome guests is almost par for the course in an island resort. What is unusual is a melancholic song to bid you goodbye, imploring you to return soon and not stay away too long. But, then, Fiji is anything but usual.

Fiji, a string of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, is nothing short of a tropical paradise. It isn’t easy to reach Fiji from India, yet it will be worth each one of the plentiful penny you will end up spending flying into the country. Fiji is also a history lesson—in the late 1800s, Indians were brought in by the British to work as indentured labourers on sugarcane plantations, constituting as much as one-third of its million-strong population.

Vanua Levy and Viti Levu are the two biggest islands and are home to the majority of Fijians. The capital city of Suva is in Viti Levu. It is a port city that is quite popular with the conference set. Viti Levu has three distinct areas frequented by tourists— the Coral Coast, the Sun Coast and the Pacific Harbour. They have resort options for all kinds of travellers, from backpackers to billionaires.


Many tourists tend to land at Nadi in the west of Viti Levu, not too far from the resort enclave of Denarau. People are ferried from Nadi to any of the picture-perfect islands. The Mamanuca Islands, off the coast of Nadi, are a strand of 20 beautiful islands that offer everything from protected reefs and wreck-diving to world-class surfing. A similar number of islands comprise the picturesque Yasawa Islands, off the Viti Levu coast. These two island chains have played host to a number of Hollywood movies, including Cast Away and The Blue Lagoon.

Basing yourself in Nadi, you can take day trips to different islands by ferry or island-hop through the archipelago, waking up on a different beach every day of your vacation. Since accommodation can be expensive, research carefully before you go on an island-hopping trip. It can be a little daunting for first-time visitors who want to maximise their holiday experience in this beautiful country with over 300 islands. This is not made easier with the range of options on offer—from a calming spa retreat to an exhilarating skydiving adventure, from a round of golf to a cave-exploration trip.

With so many islands to choose from, it pays to do your research to find the best fit for you, but what they all have in common are their natural beauty, relative isolation and oodles of charm. As your ferry gets closer and closer, idyllic, white-sand, greenpalm oases rise out of the azure-blue sea. Many of these islands geared for tourists continue to give visitors small glimpses into the local culture.

Here is a must-do list for Fiji. This is a basic starting point and can be developed into a comprehensive itinerary, depending on your preferences.

Try Kava: This traditional Fijian drink is central to local ceremonies and celebrations. Made from the dried root of a native pepper plant called piper methysticum, it has a mildly narcotic and sedative effect, and is known for its distinctive numbing of the tongue and lips. Bitter in taste and earthy in colour, it is served in a large round dish with small bowls for pouring and drinking. You are just as likely to see urban locals consuming it at a beach-side bar on a Friday night as you are to be offered it at a local village ceremony.

Have Kokoda: Fiji’s national dish, kokoda, is similar to ceviche, and is made using fresh fish, marinated in lime juice and miti, a coconut milkmix that balances the acidity of the lime with the sweetness of the coconut, creating an unforgettable taste.

Go Snorkelling: There are many water-based activities, but the one that deserves a special mention is snorkelling, particularly around the islands at the drop-off point of the reef. Requiring just a mask and flippers, it is an invitation into another world. You can watch the colourful parrot fish munch at the corals and, in the process, create the white sand beaches that are so prized. You can swim with a friendly sea turtle the size of a small coffee table or find yourself surrounded by a shoal of 400 tiny, iridescent fish, their colours changing in the sunlight refracted by the waters.

Dive with Sharks: Sharkdiving is fast becoming Fiji’s No. 1 draw. If you dream of a Jaws encounter in person, you have the chance to meet up to eight species around Fiji’s islands, with both baited and natural encounters on offer. Some shark species are only to be found in certain seasons, while others stick around all year round.

Go for Fire-Dancing: Polynesian and Fijian traditional dances are a big part of the culture and are worth participating in. The fire dancers skilfully make the fire soar, swirl and dance as their muscular bodies glisten in its orange glow.

Visit a Village: Whether you go on a guided tour or get invited by a friendly local, don’t miss the chance to visit a Fijian village. There are some important elements of etiquette to be aware of before you go—dress modestly, be aware of local taboos such as touching someone’s head, remove your hat to show respect and request permission before taking photographs. It is also customary to offer a small gift of kava to the village chief, symbolic of asking permission to enter their communal land and to show appreciation for their hospitality.

Finally, Gaze at a Sunset: Fiji has a sunset palette unlike any other. Deep purple and bright red seem to be nature’s preferred hues here, and it doesn’t matter where you watch it from—a boat out at sea, a luxury rooftop restaurant or a local beach bar. Nature’s gorgeous daily spectacle in Fiji is not to be missed.

The writer is a photographer based in Delhi