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17.75° S · 177.45° E · Fiji
Fiji
Families and couples who want warm hospitality, small island resorts and good snorkelling.
Local time
Fiji is an archipelago of more than three hundred islands, from the large, mountainous Viti Levu to coral islets small enough to walk around before breakfast. What sets it apart is the welcome: the cheerful bula, the farewell song at departure, the sense that staff treat you as a guest rather than a booking. The reefs are rich, particularly the soft corals of the Somosomo Strait between Vanua Levu and Taveuni.
Fiji suits families particularly well. Many resorts take children seriously, with kids clubs, babysitting and menus to match, and Fijian culture is warmly child-friendly. Couples find the other end of the scale: adults-only islands and private villas in the Yasawas, the Lau group or off Vanua Levu. Island resorts are often small, with a few dozen bures or fewer.
When to go
The year in Fiji
The dry season from May to October is the best time, with lower humidity, steady trade winds and the clearest water. July and August are the coolest months and also the busiest, with families from Australia and New Zealand. April and November are good shoulder months. December to March is hot and wet, with heavy showers and the main cyclone risk, though rates are lower and the islands are at their greenest.
Typical long term values, indicative. Weather in any single year can differ.
Where to stay
Resort styles here
Viti Levu’s west coast is the hub: the big family resorts on Denarau Island sit beside the marina, and the Coral Coast to the south has resorts strung along a long fringing reef. The Mamanuca islands, a short boat ride from Denarau, hold many of the classic small island resorts, while the Yasawas to the north are more remote. For seclusion and diving, look to Taveuni, Vanua Levu around Savusavu, Kadavu or the Lau group in the far east.
Getting there
From Europe, Fiji is reached via an Asian hub, Australia, New Zealand or the North American west coast, with around 24 hours of travel to Nadi. The last leg is a short drive to Denarau, 30 minutes to two hours by boat or seaplane to the islands, or a domestic flight to Taveuni, Savusavu or Kadavu.
Guides that mention Fiji
Read before you go
Seaplane, Speedboat or Domestic Flight: Island Transfers Explained
How seaplanes, speedboats and domestic flights reach island resorts, what the daylight rule means for your flights and how to plan the buffers.
Family Resorts Done Well: Kids Clubs, Villas and Calm for Parents
Kids club hours, questions about staff, pool safety and villa layouts: how to choose a family resort that works for children and parents.
Private Island Resorts: What One Island, One Resort Really Means
Single-resort islands and exclusive-use islands promise privacy and calm. What isolation gives, what it costs and what to ask before you commit.
