Incredible Things To Do In Fiji
Incredible Things To Do In Fiji
It is easy to get overwhelmed when planning family vacations. Especially when you’re traveling to a beautiful country like Fiji that seems to have a never ending list of mind-blowing experiences you just can’t miss!
Well, I’m here to help. Not only have I been to Fiji three times, I’ve booked countless Fiji holidays for families, couples, and solo travellers. Here, I’ve put together my bucket list of things to do in Fiji with your family to help as you plan for your next vacation.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking, I earn a small commission, at no cost to you.
Current COVID-19 situation (as of April 2022)
Fully vaccinated travellers can enter Fiji without quarantine, pending a negative PCR or supervised RAT. See Smartraveller for more details.
You will also need travel insurance that includes COVID coverage.
Why travel to Fiji?
From endless beaches to a vibrant culture, grown-ups and kids will all leave Fiji fully relaxed and with beautiful memories.
You’ll enjoy the Pacific Ocean from the shore of one of the 300 islands that make up the archipelago. You can stick with the famous tourist destinations, like the Coral Coast, or visit some of the family theme parks like Kula Wild Adventure Park.
Regardless of what you’re looking to experience in your next experience, Fiji will have it, and I’ll do my best help you find it.
Read to the end for even more tips and advice for your next Fijian vacation and traveling with kids!
Explore the Nature of Fiji
There’s no question that one of the best things about Fiji is the nature. Whether you prefer the ocean, rainforest, lagoons, rivers, mountains, or volcanoes, Fiji has it all. If you’re looking for some adventures in Fiji’s nature, here are my favorite destinations for you and your family.
The Yasawas
Made up of 20 islands, the Yasawas have some of the most diverse nature in Fiji. If the kids want to meet manta rays, fly in a seaplane, or see a volcano, plan for a couple days exploring these islands. You will absolutely not be bored while you’re here!
There are several ways to travel from the mainland to the Yasawas islands that won’t break the bank, including the famous yellow fast-cat, the Yasawa Flyer.
Once you’re at the Yasawa Islands, it’s fairly easy to island hop and start your journey.
Make sure to dedicate an afternoon to exploring the saltwater pools within towering limestone caves. The Sawa-i-Lau Caves are such a unique experience and the perfect adventure for the whole family.
Many resorts can also organise visits to the local villages – I HIGHLY recommend this experience.
Taveuni
The third largest island in the archipelago, Taveuni is home to the Rainbow Reef and the Vidawa Rainforest, making it a perfect stop for you and the family. It is known as the “garden island,” and is basically a perfect, tropical island.
The possibility for adventures here are endless. If you want to show the kids some impressive waterfalls, make sure to take a trip to Bouma National Park for the Tavoro Waterfalls! Make sure you take the opportunity to show your family the beautiful coral reef. The best part is you don’t have to be a professional diver to view this vibrant reef.
Just off Taveuni are two more remote islands seeped in luxury – Qamea and Laucala. Staying at one of these is a true once-in-a-lifetime bucket list experience.
Cloud 9
One of the coolest spots in the Mamanuca Islands for foodie travelers is Cloud 9. This is maybe one of the most unique dining experiences I have ever had.
Cloud 9 is a floating, two story bar that sits on top of coral reefs and serves wood-fire pizzas. You can also snorkel right off the restaurant! Stop by for lunch, dinner or just a couple drinks between your adventures. Also, they make getting to Cloud 9 extremely easy: just reserve a spot ahead and the Cloud 9 crew will pick you up from Denarau.
While kids are absolutely welcome at Cloud 9, it is a bar where drinking is a big drawcard and smoking is allowed. Just something to be aware of.
Experience the Culture of Fiji
One of my favorite things about Fiji every time I visit, is the culture. It’s always hard to put my finger on exactly what is so magical about Fiji, but every time I leave I feel peaceful. Personally, I think a large factor in this feeling is the culture I am surrounded by throughout my visit.
Everyone is very connected to nature in Fiji, and this is apparent on every island of the country. The bond between the Fijian culture and the elements is an old one and while we may not fully understand, there are ways we can view and support this beautiful connection. I always walk away learning new things about myself and maybe you and your family can experience this as well.
See a Fire Walking Ceremony
Originating on the Island of Beqa, the Sawau tribe has performed Fire Walking Ceremonies for millennia.
After two weeks of maintaining no contact with women and no consumption of coconuts, the men of this tribe are able to walk barefoot across a long strip of burning stones and remain unburned. It is truly a remarkable thing to witness.
Relax in the Sabeto Hot Water Springs
This is definitely something fun for you and the kids to experience.
The Sabeto Hot Springs create the perfect mud pools which are locally known to have healing properties, but are also lots of fun for the kids. You can enjoy the three natural pools and let the family sit back and relax while you all soak up the ancient healing properties of the Fijian thermal baths.
This is a tradition loved by locals and tourists alike as it is a great way to experience Fiji where you can also meet some interesting, muddy people!
Sri Siva Subramaniya Hindu Temple
Dedicated to Lord Murugan, the god of seasonal rains, this Hindu temple is the largest in the southern hemisphere and is a beautiful feat of architecture and culture. The temple itself is bright and colorful in traditional Dravidian architecture, and is truly a sight to behold. If you do visit, it is a unique opportunity to introduce your family to different cultures, as it is requested that you respect Hindu etiquette and only visit the temple if you have not yet eaten a meal that day. It is definitely something the kids will remember and is most likely unlike anything they’ve ever seen before.
Take the kids to a Family Theme Park
Sometimes we need to plan an afternoon just for the kids. Well, one of my favorite things about Fiji is that there are several family adventure parks where the kids feel like they’re in heaven and they also get to learn and experience the wonders of Fiji.
Kula Wild Adventure Park
One of Fiji’s biggest family parks, Kula Wild Adventure Park is an experience for both the adults and the kids. It’s like walking through the wild jungle and a coral reef where you get to see the natural inhabitants from up close. When you’ve explored enough of the jungle, you can hand feed sea turtles, zip line through the forest canopy and, last but not least, play in their very own Jungle Water Slide. Make sure to bring your swimsuits!
Pro tip: You can do a guided tour or wander through the exhibits as you please if you arrive between 10am and 3pm – but get there early as you’ll want a few hours of exploration.
Click through to find out more about Kula Wild and to book tickets.
Final thoughts
These are just my top recommendations for your next Fijian vacation with your family. There is so much more to explore, but if you’re limited on time I suggest prioritizing a few of these to make sure everyone can have the ultimate Fijian experience.
I also suggest introducing your kids to some of the easy and useful phrases in Fijian. Of course, you’ll all know “bula” the second you step off the plane in Fiji, but you should also know “Vinaka” or “thank you.” If you’re interested in more Fijian phrases for your trip, you can find them here.
As you can probably tell, traveling with my family is something that’s really important to me. I really believe in the importance of accessible travel options for even the smallest humans, and I LOVE seeing parents all over the world raising the next generation of global citizens. So I hope those of you with young children can see that it is not only possible to travel with the whole family but also to relax and enjoy yourself along the way! I have a more detailed guide to traveling with kids if you’re looking for more tips.
If you still have questions about how to plan for your next trip to Fiji, check out my tips for how to plan the perfect Fijian holiday and our Fiji accommodation guide. I hope you and the family will fall in love with Fiji just as I have!