Beyond the beach
Fiji is a saucy little thing, isn’t she? You think you know her so well – that she’s laid out all her secrets because she loves only you – and then you discover that, no, she’s really that lovely to all who come across her. She’s not so much mysterious as she is constantly evolving … yet somehow staying the same. She’s beauty and wilderness and colour.
Here, the natural wonders extend beyond the visual to the spiritual. The ancient sites, sprinkled liberally with island legends and lore, offer a deeper understanding of the Fijian way of life, resolutely linked to the land and the sea.
After you’ve sufficiently relaxed into the bula ethos, why not restore your connection to nature, delivered here in spades among pristine beauty, untouched sanctuaries and lush jungle landscapes?
There’s something for everyone; here are a few of our favourites.
The Yasawa Islands offer some of the best kayaking in Fiji, with scenic coastlines and crystalline waters.
Paddling here is calm and relaxing, providing an easygoing yet intimate way to explore hidden caves and tread secluded beaches.
The upper Yasawas in the vicinity of the Blue Lagoon are more protected, and most experts recommend hiring a guide who’s familiar with the local tides and weather.
Between May and October, the Yasawas are a prime spot for swimming with manta rays.
These gentle titans congregate in the channel between Nanuya Balavu and Drawaqa islands when the plankton is funnelled through narrow channels. Seeing them up close and truly wild is a thrill.
Surrounded by the verdant green of Viti Levu’s mighty jungle trees, the Wainikoroiluva River’s thrilling white-water rapids are an experience you might not expect to find here.
Choose a day’s adventure or go for something longer with a multi-night camping trip.
An Upper Navua river rafting trip will take you inside the exquisite highlands through class 2-3 rapids beside grottoes and lush rainforest.
Near Nadi, the Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool provide an exceptionally natural spa experience.
Slather yourself in the primordial ooze and then move through a series of pools fed by a hot spring and kept at differing temperatures. Afterwards, a massage in the windswept spa is a must.
Kadavu is one of Fiji’s less-developed islands and a haven for birdwatchers. Twitchers come from around the globe to see the endemic species here, including the Kadavu parrot, the Kadavu honeyeater and the Kadavu fantail.
In the unspoilt forest, you’ll feel the weight of the world drop away, leaving just you and the birds to delight in the serenity of this secret spot.
The Sigatoka Sand Dunes on Viti Levu’s south coast offer a different variety of natural beauty.
The sand formations, impressive at up to 60 metres tall, furnish panoramic views of the landscapes nearby, and, of course, of the Pacific.
The park is also an important archaeological site, with primitive pottery and bone tools frequently uncovered in the shifting sand. Walk to the top, and keep your eyes open for treasure.
From July to October, humpbacks calve and breed in Fiji’s bath-warm sea and bob en masse like buoys.
It’s spectacular to view them erupting with cloudy spouts and to witness the “small” babies in the sheltered lagoons.
Tropical woodland is a cool change from the scorching heat of the powdery beaches. At Colo-I-Suva Forest Park in Suva, this protected reserve teems with tropical
flowers and birds, rushing waterfalls and natural fresh pools that beg for a plunge.
The areas around the pools are paved for access, but the trails through the forest aren’t, so it’s more rugged than a stroll in the park.
Taveuni is known as the “Garden Island” and famed for its lush vegetation, rare flora and fauna and for housing Bouma National Heritage Park.
It’s also thought to be the only place in the world where the obscure tagimoucia flower grows and survives.
For years, numerous attempts have been made by horticulturists and scientists to transplant this auspicious bloom to other parts of Fiji and beyond, but all efforts have failed.
Treks through jungle landscape seem to defy reality, and nature lovers are beckoned by its trio of waterfalls (the Tavoros) and rare foliage at every turn.
If you like your nature encounters with a bit of an adrenaline rush, why not jump into swimming with sharks in Beqa Lagoon?
Tiger sharks, who claim the title of the largest predator in Fiji’s tropical seas, are happy to look you in the eye up close and personal. For divers, this one is on life’s to-do list.
Ultimately, the best nature experiences in Fiji aren’t defined by a single location but by the discovery they initiate.
Beyond the conventional, these opportunities are both profound and personal, a narrative of nature and a testament to the islands’ enduring allure.
Ultimately, the best nature experiences in Fiji aren’t defined by a single location but by the discovery they initiate.