Find Your Own Slice of Happiness: Fiji’s Best Islands

Experience instant luxe just moments from landing when you escape to Denarau Island. Connected to Viti Levu by a causeway, this little paradise is only a 15-minute drive from Nadi airport and is the perfect place for those who want to relax and indulge as soon as they arrive in Fiji.

Surrounded by a tropical landscape of swaying palms and sandy beaches, Denarau is home to a string of world-class resorts, restaurants, exceptional golfing, and entertainment. As Fiji’s premiere shopping and dining destination, Port Denarau is full of boutiques, bars, spas, and supermarkets while the marina is the gateway to Fiji’s isles — including the famous Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands— making Denarau Island a wonderful choice for pre-island exploration.

Peel yourself away from the island and make a short 35-minute trip north to Vuda Marina to sail the seas onboard a Drua — a traditional wooden canoe. Allow the expert crew to navigate Nadi Bay’s sheltered islets on this full-day or two-hour sunset experience and share stories of Fijian maritime culture. Relax on the sun-drenched deck with a cup of kava or try your hand at steering the vessel through the salt-licked breeze and experience the ocean like Fiji’s ancestors.

Where to stay Radisson BLU Resort Fiji Denarau Island or Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa or Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa or DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Fiji – Sonaisali Island or Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay or __Sheraton Denarau Villas__ or Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort

A favourite for families, Fiji’s famous Coral Coast features a showstopping collection of big-brand beachfront resorts renowned for their legendary Kids’ Clubs — including Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, whose heartwarming Meimei nannies have a reputation that echoes across the globe.

Located on the southeast shores of Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest island, just 90-minutes’ drive from Nadi Airport, this popular holiday hotspot’s idyllic blend of culture, nature and relaxation makes it appealing for both flop and drop escapes and active families.

Venture into Viti Levu’s mountainous highlands for a family-friendly rafting experience down the Upper Navua River Canyon. See the flipside of Fiji’s beachfront beauty as you paddle along a 24-kilometre volcanic chasm of fern-filled rainforest and waterfalls, dodging boulders, tackling rapids, and floating down leisurely sections that offer a glimpse of traditional villages. For something different, hop on an Ecotrax e-bike and ride the rails through the Coral Coast backroads. Choose to peddle or press the accelerator as you roll across rivers and lush bushland to secluded beaches, where turquoise waters and a refreshing coconut drink awaits.

Where to stay Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort or Warwick Fiji or Naviti Resort

Privacy, romance, and secluded luxury are all at your fingertips when you escape to Shangri La’s exclusive Yanuca Island Resort. Located off the south coast of Viti Levu, just a one-hour drive from Nadi Airport, this lovers’ nirvana flaunts panoramic views across Cuvu Harbour and the Coral Coast’s golden shores.

Kitted out with a lavish adults-only wing and sweeping ocean vistas from every guest room, this honeymooner’s haven offers an authentic Fiji island experience with cultural design elements inspired by a traditional Fijian village — so you can embrace the sense of isolation, while being far from.

Connected to the mainland by a causeway, Yanuca is within easy reach of Viti Levu’s adventure. Within 10 minutes you could sink your toes into the sandy dunes at Sigatoka: walk the golden trails in the cooler mornings or afternoons and stroll along the soft slopes, keeping your eyes peeled for ancient pottery fragments and archeological remnants exposed by the shifting sands.

Drive 30 minutes east and cool off from the desert with a snorkel adventure in the secluded waters of Natadola Beach before returning to your private island for a hosted jet-ski safari up the coast. For something truly romantic, set sail at dusk on the resort’s exclusive sunset cruise and toast to the tangerine glow with a glass of champagne.

Where to stay: Shangri-La Yanuca Island

The backdrop for Cast Away starring Tom Hanks, the Mamanuca’s is an island archipelago that you won’t want to be rescued from! A top contender for Fiji’s most idyllic region, endless flawless beaches and intimate all-inclusive resorts make this string of 20 spellbinding islands a honeymoon magnet. Regular stress-free connections from Nadi (20-minutes by boat and five minutes by air) put paradise within easy reach, despite the ethereal feeling of seclusion upon arrival. Boasting thriving reefs, a coral-fringed lagoon, and big swells perfect for surfing, the Mamanuca’s are a haven for aqua adventurers.

Embark on a daring wreck dive, churn through the lagoon on a jet ski or get your pulse racing from April to October when pro surfers haul their boards across the world to ride Cloudbreak’s legendary waves. Feeling ambitious? Capture the best views from 14,000 feet on a once-in-a-lifetime sky dive and witness the mesmerising turquoise swirls and powder-white islets from above.

A stay here isn’t complete without a day trip to Cloud 9 — Fiji’s premier floating beach club. Set across a two-storey platform and surrounded by ocean, this trendy venue boasts panoramic sundecks, a fully stocked bar, woodfire pizza restaurant and a surround-sound system pumping out live DJ mixes all day.

Where to stay: Castaway Island (Qalito Island) or Sheraton Tokoriki (Tokoriki Island) or Tadrai Island Resort (Mana Island) or Likuliku Lagoon Resort (Malolo Island)

Twenty volcanic islets interlaced with dramatic peaks and white-sand beaches, the sun-drenched Yasawa Islands are a mariners’ dream and nature lovers’ paradise. Scattered across the remote northwest of Viti Levu (two hours by sea and 20 minutes by air), this blessed landscape is a standout when it comes to luxury hotels and ocean-based adventures.

Discover Sawa-i-Lau’s subterranean secret on a caving experience. Sculpted by nature over centuries, this ‘underwater cathedral’ invites you to swim in hidden nooks and luminous saltwater pools or be brave and paddle through a flooded tunnel into deeper, darker caverns. For something magnificent, navigate colourful coral gardens and fish-frenzied reefs to meet the resident manta rays. With wings spanning the length of a full-size car and often weighing over 1.5 tonnes, these ocean giants glide through the coastal waters, often dancing for an audience!

Don’t miss a visit to the beautiful Blue Lagoon; representing the epitome of Fijian paradise, this gorgeous beachfront sweeps across Nacula Bay and is dotted with sunbeds and shady palms making it perfect for a laid-back afternoon. Made famous by the namesake movie, we suggest watching Brooke Shields in action before your visit.

Where to stay: Yasawa Island Resort and Spa (Yasawa Island) or Navutu Stars Resort (Yaqeta Island)

Swept by sugarcane fields, coconut palms and untouched beaches fronted by traditional villages, Vanua Levu is a soulful island paradise that remains charmingly underdeveloped. Hop on an hour-or-so flight from Nadi and discover a scattering of natural hot springs, friendly faces, and rustic storefronts — there’s even a wine shop that stocks Australian tipples.

From tropical jungle to coral forests, there is a world to explore both above and below the water. Rent a 4WD and traverse the scenic Hibiscus Highway, passing quaint homesteads and tropical plantations before ascending bumpy dirt tracks to sweeping viewpoints. Dive deep to discover a phenomenal reef dreamscape flourishing with tropical marine life, from manta rays and crustaceans to endangered green sea turtles. Witness clouds of colourful fish swirl through a coral maze in the wonderfully preserved Great Sea Reef (Cakaulevu) — the third-longest barrier reef in the world — and explore world-class dive sites including ‘Great White Wall’ and ‘Jerry’s Jelly’. Go on a snorkelling adventure or take a leisurely boat ride — keep your eyes peeled for the acrobatic spinner dolphin!

Don’t miss the chance to embrace authentic Fijian culture with a luxury stay in Savusavu. Wind down to island time in one of the town’s beautiful resorts or sail across to Savasi Private Island. Wander through fragrant markets selling local sweet fruits and freshly caught fish before strolling out along the wharf to watch berthing yachts and children play.

Where to stay: Namale Resort and Spa

Brimming with waterfall-laden forests and pristine coral reef, Fiji’s remote ‘Garden Isle’ revels in its isolation. Located a one hour 25-minute flight from Nadi, Tavenui is well worth the journey and is packed with outdoor activities.

Over one-third of the island is swept with the emerald canopies of Bouma National Heritage Park and the thunderous Tavoro Waterfalls are one of the most popular attractions. After a 10-minute trek into the jungle, you’ll be welcomed by a spray of cascades as you stand at the base of the park’s most impressive waterfall. Stay here for a refreshing dip or continue the three-hour return hike, passing two more waterfalls with cooling plunge pools — bring your snorkel and go for a swim or enjoy a relaxing BBQ picnic.

On the other side of the island, take on nature’s playgrounds with a fun-filled slip down Waitavala Waterslide, a popular spot located near the small town of Waiyevo. Feel the adrenaline rush as you splash into the pool below or watch from the sidelines to see how the locals do it. Don’t miss a visit to the nearby organic spice plantation at the Gaiatree Sanctuary. Take a guided tour through the whimsical garden before finishing at the Nectar Lab – the purpose-built kitchen serving superfood meals, fresh herbal tonics and smoothies.

Browse our collection of Fiji escapes

When you need to disconnect from the world and submerge yourself in luxury, Kadavu is the place to escape to. Cradled by the Great Astrolabe Reef and laced with vine-tangled jungles and powder-white beaches, this untouched Eden is a paradise for divers and outdoor enthusiasts. Kadavu remains beautifully remote despite only being a one-hour flight from Nadi. Beat a new path along hiking trails swallowed by dense forests or hug secluded bays on an ocean-kayak.

Sprinkled on the edge of a deep ocean trench an hour and a half flight west of Nadi, the outer Lomaiviti and Lau Islands radiate rich colonial and Fijian charm. A splash of white islets on a sapphire canvas, this secret archipelago is free from busy resorts, instead attracting day tripping yachts and cultural connoisseurs drawn to breathtaking limestone bays and heritage sites. Spend a day soaking up colonial architecture on a guided walking tour of Levuka — Fiji’s only UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the main towns — or feast on some of Fiji’s biggest fish on a liveaboard experience. Be sure to pick up some handmade crafts before you leave; some of the country’s best woodcarvers hail from Lau.

Where to stay:
Kokomo Private Island Fiji (Kokomo Island, Kadavu)