Fiji family-friendly travel guide

Fiji’s capital and the largest city of the South Pacific Island nations, Suva sprawls over ten square miles on a rugged peninsula in the southeast corner of Viti Levu. The downtown area features modern shops, upmarket restaurants and numerous night spots which springs to life a few hours after the sun has set. The bustling, winding, narrow streets which climb the mountainside behind the downtown area are lined with small shops crammed with merchandise.

In Suva you will also find Albert Park and the Government Buildings like Parliament House, as well as some of the finest examples of Pacific Colonial architecture in existence.

Suva Municipal Market is where you will find a colourful array of fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and other interesting and exotic food items as well as an experience in uniquely Fijian culture. It’s right by the Bus Depot – you can’t miss it!

Fiji Museum is also a must-visit for families. This historical landmark at Thurston Gardens houses all the ancient artifact, handicrafts, histories of our fore fathers, early settlers, indentured labourers, deed of cession, migration of people and many many more.

Colo-i-Suva Forest Park can be easily reached by bus or car from Suva and offers a true rainforest experience without straying too far from civilisation. It has a 1.5-kilometre nature trail, picnic and camping areas, waterfalls and natural swimming pools.

Mt Korobaba Range overlooks the whole of Suva, Rewa, Beqa Island, Yanuca Island, Serua Island, Kadavu Island and more, and the view is awesome! Though steep in parts, this is a fairly easy mountain to scale, so long as the ground is dry. As you walk further up the mountain, the grass is greener, the surroundings are much stiller and the tropical rain forests are denser. First timers will take approximately two to three hours to reach the top and return. Take plenty of water, picnic lunch and sunscreen.

Nadi Town, on the Western side of Vitu Levu, is where most visitors arrive at Nadi International Airport and this is the first part of Fiji they see. Nadi is Fiji’s only ‘border town’ and you’ll find it jammed with interesting shops and eateries. It is full of souvenir stops, because it is the city filled with the most tourists – but as it is the gateway for a number of Fiji’s other beautiful islands and destinations, make sure you check around first. Nadi is a great option for last-minute tourist buys before heading home.

Situated on Vuda Point between Lautoka and Nadi, this village is considered by some to be the beginning of the Fijian Race. Viseisei Village is also the home of the Tui Vuda, the high chief of the area and the current President of Fiji.

Access to Denarau Island is easy, due to the short causeway that attaches it to the mainland, making no boat trip necessary. Just 20 minutes’ drive from Nadi airport, Denarau is a great choice for families wanting to minimise their travel time and be relaxing by the pool the same day as their flight to and from home. It’s a gated community featuring luxury hotels, a range of restaurants, an 18-hole golf course and a marina, and guests have the convenience of integrated resort facilities, (including access to each hotel’s pools and cocktail bars), all in comfortable strolling or shuttle bus distance.

While the grey-sand beach is not the most enticing, guests are never short of things to do, with an array of watersports on offer as well as day spas, boutique shopping, golf and other sporting facilities.

Families are a major focus at Denarau, with most of the resorts featuring a kids’ club and babysitting services. Fijian nannies are second to none – attentive and fun – and most children are more than happy to spend time with these adoring carers. This, of course, is a bonus for parents in need of their own relaxation and time out.

The kids will never forget sky diving over beautiful Fijian islands with Freefall Fiji. There’s even complimentary pick up and drop off from Denarau Island, making your adrenaline rush hassle-free!

Big Bula Waterpark features giant water slides, surf waves, obstacle courses, rides, an area for the smaller ones and the world’s largest inflatable water park, the whole family will have blast at this fun and colourful water park.

The Coral Coast on the main island of Viti Levu offers the best of both worlds – the convenience of the main island (it’s about a 90-minute drive from the airport), along with tropical lushness and clear blue seas. Encircled by one of the largest fringing reefs in the world, it features 80 kilometres of beaches, jungle-flanked bays and quaint Fijian villages. One of the first areas of Fiji to open to tourism, the area features some well-known properties that have reinvented themselves over the years, but still offer great value for money. Continual favourites include Outrigger on the Lagoon and Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa.

Not only the closest group of islands to Nadi International Airport, the Mamanucas are possibly the most picture-perfect and unsurprisingly one of Fiji’s most popular destinations. The backdrop is blockbuster worthy, in fact, they featured as the stunning backdrop in the Tom Hank’s film ‘Castaway’. These islands are especially great for water sports, with amazing snorkelling, surfing and dive sites. 

Located off the northwest coast of Viti Levu, the Yasawa group of islands are still largely unspoilt, with pristine beaches and local people living the traditional way of life. You can stay on one the island’s resorts or take one of the many family-friendly cruises through the area.

Some 30 minutes to the north of the Nadi International Airport is Lautoka, the second-largest city in Fiji. During the crushing season, this international seaport often has a strong smell of sugar coming from its sugar mill and docks. Mounds of wood chip overlook the little fishing boats and cruise ships also dock. Lautoka is the main departure point to the Yasawa group, and two hours north along the Kings Road is Rakiraki, and its offshore island of Nananu-i-Ra. Diving around the island is excellent, as is the windsurfing on the northern side. Ellington Wharf is the departure point for ferries travelling to the northern island of Vanua Levu.

This is one of the least developed islands in the archipelago, offering a chance to experience true Fijian culture. You won’t find many roads, but if you’re game to head off the beaten track you’ll find an almost completely unspoiled pocket of the natural world in tropical paradise. Exploring the many waterfalls, swimming with manta rays, rainforest treks, birdwatching and guided sea-kayaking tours are just a few of the many activities available here.

The international gateway to the Fijian Islands, Viti Levu boasts a taste of everything the country has to offer, so skipping straight past the main island to the more destinations beaches is definitely a mistake if time allows for a little exploration.

A major highlight of Viti Levu is the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park. Head to Fiji’s first National Park established in 1987 for a nature walk. Sand dunes in Fiji, who knew?! Learn about the rich archaeological history of the region and take in the views of the Sigatoka River. The park is open daily from 8am to 5pm and visitors can choose from the one- or two-hour walks to explore this unique ecosystem.

If you have time, your little ones will never forget a rafting adventure on the Navua River. An exciting experience for all ages, raft in the Navua River, launching over cascades and weaving through the surrounding rainforest. You’ll see waterfalls, creeks and stunning birdlife.