Fiji
Fiji's 330-odd islands run from the resort-dotted Mamanucas, a short boat ride from Nadi, to the rustic Yasawas and the rainforested 'Garden Island' of Taveuni. The snorkelling and soft-coral diving are superb, and village visits built around the kava ceremony show a culture that still runs on community, chiefs and Sunday church.
Overview
Fiji has around 330 islands, about a third of them inhabited, but most trips start on Viti Levu, the largest, where international flights land at Nadi. From there, catamarans and seaplanes fan out to the Mamanuca Islands, close by and resort-heavy, and the longer Yasawa chain, where simpler lodges sit on white-sand beaches. Viti Levu's south-west Coral Coast has the Sigatoka sand dunes and family resorts, Pacific Harbour the shark diving and river rafting, and Suva the museum and markets. Taveuni and Savusavu, a short flight north-east, are for divers and walkers.
Fiji is not cheap: resort rooms, island transfers and compulsory meal plans add up, though dorms and backpacker resorts in the Yasawas keep costs down. The pace is gentle, 'Fiji time' is real, and the welcome genuinely warm, with 'Bula!' called out from every doorway. Roughly a third of Fijians are of Indian descent, so curries, roti and Hindu temples are as much a part of the country as lovo feasts and Methodist churches. There are no direct flights from Britain; most visitors connect via Asia, Australia or North America, often as a stopover.
Map of Fiji
Top 5 highlights
- 1Beach
Mamanuca Islands
A scatter of small coral islands off Nadi, reached by catamaran from Port Denarau, with clear lagoons, easy reef snorkelling and surf breaks such as Cloudbreak. Day trips work, but staying overnight on Malolo, Mana or Beachcomber is the real treat.
- 2Beach
Yasawa Islands
A chain of volcanic islands north of the Mamanucas, linked by the daily Yasawa Flyer catamaran. Expect simple eco-lodges, empty beaches, the Sawa-i-Lau limestone caves, and the chance to swim with manta rays between May and October.
- 3Nature
Taveuni
Fiji's 'Garden Island' is cloaked in rainforest: hike to the Tavoro waterfalls in Bouma National Heritage Park, dive the soft corals of the Rainbow Reef in the Somosomo Strait, and stand astride the 180° meridian.
- 4Adventure
Beqa Lagoon and Pacific Harbour
Pacific Harbour on Viti Levu's south coast is Fiji's adventure base: dive with bull and tiger sharks at Shark Reef in the Beqa Passage, or raft and kayak through the waterfalls and rainforest of the Upper Navua gorge.
- 5History
Levuka
Fiji's first colonial capital, on Ovalau island, is a UNESCO-listed port town of weatherboard shopfronts, churches and the Royal Hotel, one of the oldest in the South Pacific. The 1874 cession to Britain was signed nearby.
Biggest cities
Suva
The capital is a working Pacific port rather than a resort: visit the Fiji Museum and Thurston Gardens, the huge municipal market, and the rainforest pools of Colo-i-Suva just outside town.
Lautoka
Fiji's 'Sugar City', a working port with a big produce market and a sugar mill; it has few sights, but makes a cheaper, more local base than Nadi.
Nadi
The international gateway and a transit town: see the colourful Dravidian-style Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple, browse the market, then head to Port Denarau for boats to the islands.
Suva's figure includes neighbouring Nasinu, which forms one urban area with the capital; figures are based on the 2017 census, in which Lautoka and Nadi were almost exactly the same size.
When to go to Fiji
Best time: May–Oct.
Average climate in Nadi
Festivals & events
- JulBula Festival
Nadi's week-long July festival fills the town with parades, music, food stalls and fairground rides, ending with the crowning of Miss Bula.
- AugHibiscus Festival
Suva's week-long August carnival of food stalls, fairground rides, parades and the crowning of Miss Hibiscus; a good window on everyday urban Fijian life.
- Oct–NovDiwali
Indo-Fijian homes in towns such as Nadi, Lautoka and Labasa glow with oil lamps and fireworks for the Hindu festival of lights, a public holiday in Fiji.
How much does Fiji cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Kokoda
Fiji's take on ceviche: raw white fish cured in lime or lemon juice, then mixed with coconut cream, chilli, onion and tomato, often served in a coconut shell.
Lovo
A feast cooked in an earth oven of hot stones: pork, chicken, fish, cassava, dalo (taro) and palusami, parcels of taro leaves baked in coconut cream.
Indo-Fijian curry
Fiery fish, goat or chicken curries with dhal and roti, a legacy of the indentured Indian labourers brought to work the cane fields from 1879.
Getting around
Fiji Airways and Northern Air fly from Nadi and Suva to Taveuni, Savusavu and Labasa. Catamarans from Port Denarau serve the Mamanucas and, as the Yasawa Flyer, the Yasawas; seaplanes and helicopters cost more but save time. On Viti Levu, express buses run the Queens Road between Nadi and Suva in four to five hours, and taxis are cheap. Large car ferries sail from Suva to Vanua Levu and Taveuni.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- I240V — bring a UK-to-I adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +679
- Time zone
- UTC+12 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Varies — bottled or filtered is safer
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Not customary or expected. Many resorts keep a staff Christmas fund box at reception, which is the best way to thank everyone at once.
- Etiquette
- In villages, cover shoulders and knees, remove hats and sunglasses, never touch anyone's head, and bring a bundle of yaqona (kava root) to present to the chief as sevusevu.
- Main airports
- Nadi International Airport (NAN), Nadi; Nausori International Airport (SUV), Suva
Visas & entry for Fiji
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You do not need a visa for visits of up to 4 months. If you plan to stay for longer than 4 months, apply for a visa from the Fiji Immigration Department.
At Fiji border control, you must also show:
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- DengueHepatitis BBat LyssavirusTuberculosisTyphoid
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Fiji
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 8 Nov 2026 | Diwali (date may shift) |
| Mon 9 Nov 2026 | Diwali (observed, estimated) (date may shift) |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Boxing Day |
| Mon 28 Dec 2026 | Boxing Day (observed) |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sat 27 Mar 2027 | Easter Saturday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Girmit Day |
| Fri 28 May 2027 | Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day |
| Sat 14 Aug 2027 | Prophet Mohammed's Birthday (date may shift) |
| Mon 16 Aug 2027 | Prophet Mohammed's Birthday (observed, estimated) (date may shift) |
| Sun 10 Oct 2027 | Fiji Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Fijian
| English | Fijian | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Bula | MBOO-lah |
| Thank you | Vinaka | vee-NAH-kah |
| Please | Kerekere | keh-reh-KEH-reh |
| Excuse me | Tulou | too-LOH |
| How much is this? | E vica na kena isau? | eh VEE-thah nah KEH-nah ee-SAH-oo |
Know before you go
- Do not book an outer-island transfer on the same day as your international flight: boats and small planes depend on the weather, and schedules slip.
- Carry enough Fijian dollars before heading to the outer islands, where ATMs are scarce or absent and card payments often carry a surcharge.
- Many Yasawa and Mamanuca lodges charge a compulsory daily meal plan on top of the room rate, so factor it in when comparing prices.
Fiji travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Fiji?
The best time to visit Fiji is generally May–Oct. Peak months are May, June, July, August, September and October. Average highs in Nadi range from 28°C to 32°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Fiji cost per day?
Roughly £60 a day on a tight budget, £150 mid-range and £350+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Fiji?
Fijian dollar (FJD).
What plug type does Fiji use?
Type I sockets at 240V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Fiji?
Traffic drives on the left in Fiji — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Fiji?
Varies — bottled or filtered is safer.
Do I need a visa for Fiji?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You do not need a visa for visits of up to 4 months. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Fiji before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/fiji/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Fiji?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Dengue, Hepatitis B, Bat Lyssavirus, Tuberculosis and Typhoid sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
