Fiji

Fiji

Fly into NAN. Aster compares live fares there across economy, premium economy, business and first - scored against your budget, sleep and legroom, with a straight answer on whether the upgrade is worth it.

Ask Aster for flights to Fiji

Fiji is a South Pacific island nation with hundreds of islands, coral reefs, tropical forests and strong local traditions. Most visitors arrive through Viti Levu before continuing to a beach resort, smaller island or another part of the country. You come for warm-water scenery, snorkelling, relaxed island days and welcoming village culture.

Fiji is not a single destination with everything close together. A stay on the main island feels different from a small resort island in the Mamanucas or Yasawas. The right choice depends on whether you want beach time, diving, cultural experiences or independent exploring. Travel between islands is a significant part of planning.

How many days: 7

For a first visit, spend a week based in one or two areas rather than changing islands constantly. You might begin with a short stay on Viti Levu, then move to an island in the Mamanuca or Yasawa groups. Leave proper time to enjoy the beach rather than filling every day with excursions.

Use your days for snorkelling, boat trips, village visits and coastal walks, depending on where you stay. If travelling to more remote islands, allow for transfers and changing weather. A longer stay makes sense if you want to combine diving, inland adventures and several island groups.

What to do in Fiji

Explore the Mamanuca Islands
Visit a group of islands west of Viti Levu known for beaches, reefs and sheltered lagoons. They suit travellers looking for a classic island stay.
Discover the Yasawa Islands
Travel through an island chain with dramatic hills, beaches and small communities. Transfers take planning, but the scenery rewards a slower journey.
Snorkel over coral reefs
Explore suitable reef areas with a local guide or from designated beaches. Never stand on coral or approach marine animals too closely.
Experience a village visit
Learn about Fijian customs and community life through an appropriately arranged visit. Follow local etiquette and ask before taking photographs.
Explore the Coral Coast
Travel along Viti Levu's southern coastline for beaches, villages and access to inland attractions.
Visit the Garden of the Sleeping Giant
Explore landscaped tropical gardens near Nadi, known for orchids and lush vegetation.
Discover the Sigatoka Sand Dunes
Walk through a distinctive coastal landscape of dunes, vegetation and archaeological significance. Bring water and sun protection.
Explore Taveuni's rainforest
Visit the island known for waterfalls, forest trails and rich biodiversity. It requires additional travel but offers a different side of Fiji.
Try scuba diving
Explore Fiji's underwater landscapes with qualified instructors or guides. Select sites appropriate to your certification and experience.
Watch a traditional meke performance
Experience Fijian storytelling through music, movement and dance where performances are offered respectfully.

What to eat and drink

Try kokoda
Eat fish marinated in citrus and combined with coconut milk and vegetables. Choose a reputable kitchen because careful seafood handling matters.
Experience a lovo meal
Try food traditionally cooked in an earth oven, often including meat, fish and root vegetables.
Eat fresh reef or ocean fish
Enjoy locally sourced fish grilled or prepared with coconut and herbs. Ask about sustainable choices.
Try rourou
Sample cooked taro leaves, often prepared with coconut milk. It is a familiar part of Fijian home-style cooking.
Taste cassava and taro
Try these starchy root vegetables as accompaniments to traditional meals. They are important staples in local cooking.
Experience a kava ceremony
Learn about the communal drink made from kava root in an appropriate cultural setting. Participation is optional, and kava can have sedating effects.

Getting around

Getting around Fiji depends on which island you are visiting. Viti Levu has roads, local buses, taxis and private transfers, while more remote areas may have limited services. A car can be useful for independent exploration on the main island, but it is unnecessary for many resort-based holidays.

Boats, ferries and domestic flights connect island groups, with schedules and routes varying. Some resorts arrange their own transfers. Confirm connections before booking accommodation, especially if you are arriving late or leaving early. Allow generous time between an island transfer and an international flight.

Good to know

  • Island transfers can be affected by wind, rough seas and tropical weather.
  • Dress modestly in villages and follow local guidance about hats, shoes and appropriate clothing.
  • Fiji's tropical cyclone season brings a greater risk of severe weather during the warmer, wetter months.
  • Medical facilities are more limited on remote islands, so suitable travel insurance is important.
  • Not every beach is suitable for swimming at every tide. Ask locally about currents, reefs and marine hazards.
  • Confirm whether accommodation includes meals and transfers, particularly on isolated islands with few alternatives.

Where to stay in Fiji

6 neighbourhoods, described the way a friend would - what each is actually like, not the brochure version.

Nadi & Denarau

The most convenient Fiji base for international arrivals, combining NAN access, resort-heavy Denarau, Port Denarau Marina and Nadi's shops, restaurants and local life. It is excellent for short stays and island connections, but the mainland beaches here are less spectacular than the Mamanucas or Yasawas and Denarau can feel purpose-built rather than authentically Fijian.

Coral Coast

An 80-kilometre stretch of southern Viti Levu with reef-fringed beaches, family resorts, villages and easy access to inland and cultural activities. It offers a much stronger beach experience than Nadi while remaining reachable by road, but resorts are spread out and exploring independently is less convenient without organised transfers or a car.

Mamanuca Islands

The classic Fiji resort experience, with small islands, white-sand beaches, coral lagoons, snorkelling, diving and some of the country's most polished island resorts. Frequent connections from the Nadi and Denarau area make them relatively accessible, but accommodation and resort dining can be expensive and nightlife outside individual resorts is limited.

Yasawa Islands

A more remote chain of volcanic islands known for dramatic landscapes, clear water, quiet beaches, village experiences and Sawa-i-Lau's limestone caves. It suits travellers seeking a genuine island escape and ranges from backpacker lodges to upscale resorts, but transfers from NAN take considerably longer and many properties require compulsory meal plans.

Suva

Fiji's capital is the country's strongest choice for urban culture, local restaurants, markets, museums, nightlife and business rather than a resort holiday. It provides a more everyday view of Fiji than the western tourism belt, but there is little conventional beach appeal and reaching Suva from the NAN gateway involves a long road journey or an onward domestic flight to Nausori.

Pacific Harbour & Beqa

Fiji's adventure-oriented base combines rainforest, rivers, diving, surfing, golf and access to Beqa Lagoon in a far quieter setting than Nadi or Suva. It is ideal for active couples and families, but nightlife and restaurant choice are limited and the long transfer from NAN makes it less convenient for short trips.

When to go

Typical conditions by month - daytime high, night-time low, and rainy days.

MonthHighLowRain days
Jan 28°C22°C 27
Feb 28°C22°C 25
Mar 28°C22°C 27
Apr 27°C22°C 23
May 26°C20°C 17
Jun 25°C20°C 14
Jul 24°C18°C 13
Aug 25°C18°C 15
Sep 25°C19°C 17
Oct 26°C20°C 20
Nov 27°C21°C 23
Dec 28°C22°C 26

What it costs

A typical day in Fiji, per person, in pounds.

£38

Shoestring - hostels, street food, public transport.

£64

Comfortable - a decent hotel, restaurants, the odd taxi.

£119

Treating yourself - the good hotel, the good tables.

Ready when you are

Tell Aster when you're thinking of going. It does the comparing; you keep the final word.

Start your search