Climate: The weather is South Pacific tropical with a dryer period from April-October. November through March is a wetter, warmer time, but can also offer lighter winds and cleaner conditions.
Electricity: 240 volts AC/50 cycles.
Clothing: Light tropical gear. Smart casual at night in the luxury hotels. Brief attire in the villages may offend. Remove headwear when approaching a village.
Time Zone: GMT plus 12 hours or AEST plus two hours.
Currency: Fijian dollars. All major credit cards are accepted in the tourist resorts.
Tipping: Not encouraged, but do bargain in the bazaars
Visas & Health: Visitors need an onward ticket and adequate funds for their support. Visas are not required for citizens of Commonwealth countries or nationals of major western countries. Departure tax $20.
The name Fiji is synonymous with paradise. This beautiful South pacific group consists of some 300 islands and atolls dotted across 200,00 square miles of sea. The main island is Viti Levu, the next largest is Vanua Levu and together they make up 85 percent of the country's total land area.
All the islands have picturesque coasts, tall coconut palms nodding over still waters of brilliant turquoise, lagoons fringed by coral reefs and white silk soft sandy beaches.
Capitol & Major Centers
The capital is Suva on the south east corner of Viti Levu, although most visitors have their first taste of Fiji via the international airport at Nadi, one of the other major towns. Nearby are the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands which offer picture postcard beautiful lagoons and beaches. The old capital of Levuka on Ovalau Island has been preserved as a historical monument.
The Fijian People
Fiji is the "hub" of the South Pacific, a melting pot of both the Polynesian and Melanesian races. The nation comprises many different races and people, predominantly native Fijians and the descendants of indentured Indian laborers brought to the islands to work in the plantations and sugar cane fields.
The History
Fiji was probably first settled three and a half thousand years ago. Dutch explorers were the first Europeans to arrive in 1643. Further exploration was made by Captain James Cook in 1774 and by Captain William Bligh who sailed through the group after the mutiny on the Bounty. In 1835 the missionaries arrived, introducing Christianity and ending cannibalism. In 1874 Fiji was ceded to Great Britain and Indian indentured laborers were introduced. Fiji finally gained independence in 1970 and declared itself a Republic on October 7th 1987. A draft constitution was introduced for a single chamber parliament with 71 seats.
The Environment
Vegetation is mainly tropical coconut palms and pandanus interspersed with hibiscus, frangipani and other exotic flowers. Unique fauna includes the fruit bat, mongoose and Fijian crested iguana.
Food & Entertainment
Nightclubs, restaurants and cinemas are located in the city centers with most big hotels providing their own entertainment in the form of Fijian nights which include a "lovo" (food cooked in an underground oven), sometimes the "yaqona" ceremony (kava drinking) and always a "meke" (song and dance).
The Sights
On the road from Suva to Nadi, are the Kula Bird Park and the Sigatoka Sand Dunes. In Suva, the national museum in Thurston gardens, stands right next to Government House with its colorful guards dressed in red tunics and white sulus. For those who like to explore, there is a central highland bush trek through the province following the track the missionaries took in 1849.
Shopping
Bargaining is still conducted in some shops, but the larger stores have fixed prices. Fijian artifacts are available from Suva Handicraft on Stinson Parade and from roadside stalls and Indian bazaars. Shopping hours are Monday to Thursday 8am to 5pm, and on Fridays most shops close at 6pm. On Saturdays a number of shops stay open for half a day.
Getting Around
There's a variety of rental care agencies, and extensive local bus service on each of the main island, deluxe coach tours, and metered taxis.
Activities
Fiji is famous for the variety of activities available. These include snorkelling over shallow reefs close to shore, diving, which offers a full range of a underwater experiences, surfing an uncharted reef or island passage, riding in a jetboat, trekking in the tropical rainforests, swimming in the crystal clear waters of a rushing river, or even a visit to a sacred cave? How about a full day or half day shopping tour of Suva, or a special week-long excursion around the major island where you can pilot a raft through raging rapids, sail through the magnificence of the Yasawa island chain or safari into the highlands to see rugged peaks and remote villages... we have it all.
As a company with almost fifty years experience cruising the idyllic Fijian islands, Blue Lagoon Cruises offer holidays of relaxation and indulgence for romantics, adventurers or busy people seeking relief from the hectic pace of everyday life.Holiday makers can choose to spend up to seven days island hopping in the unspoilt Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands, meeting people and making new friends on board an intimate, luxurious motor yacht.
The winds of the South Pacific will gently guide your voyage through the remote archipelagos of the Mamanuca and Southern Yasawa Islands. Discover a myriad of underwater life on coral reefs or trek overland to traditional unspoiled island villages “Spirit of the Pacific” is an authentic tall ship, guaranteed to provide you with a unique holiday experience.
Pacific Island Seaplanes will fly to places the others only dream of with our amphibious aircraft. Whether you need a Resort Transfer, a Day Trip, a Scenic Flight or an escape from today's world, Pacific Island Seaplanes is the perfect company for you.
For more than twenty five years we have been operating in Fiji and have built up a wealth of knowledge about our very special islands which we would like to share with you. Come with us on a scenic Fiji tour of your choice through the mountain highlands or tropical islands and discover the undiscovered. Make your transfer to and from your Island Resort a breeze. Use our extensive knowledge in commercial operations from feature films to marine salvage and exploration support.
Surfing Fiji has a renowned reputation amongst the international surf community. The rave here is exciting reef breaks (not for beginners), secluded locations and the traditional Fijian hospitality. Most reef breaks around the islands are accessed only by boat so whilst this keeps the crowds down, it also puts the cost up. Specialist fiji surfing resorts are found on Viti Levu, Mamanucas and Southern Islands. For the complete surfing fiji experience, several live aboard surf charters operate around the islands. The best fiji surf breaks are found off Tavarua in the Mamanuca Group and off Beqa and Kadavu in the Southern Islands.
Tavarua Island is approximately 29 acres in area, depending on the tide, and is surrounded by an elaborate coral reef. It is approximately a 30-minute boat ride from the Fijian main island of Viti Levu, and is situated on the southwestern edge of Fiji’s vast barrier reef system.
Are you looking to experience the ultimate Fiji adventure? The Rivers Fiji management team has been in the whitewater rafting business for more than 25 years, and we are excited to share our enthusiasm for the exploration of wild rivers in Fiji with you.
Whether you're an experienced whitewater veteran or a complete novice we have a variety of options to accommodate a range of skill and interest levels. We explore class II-III whitewater aboard inflatable kayaks and whitewater rafts, experiencing some of Fiji's most spectacular terrain by floating in relative comfort along two of the country's premier liquid pathways, the Upper Navua Gorge and Wainikoroiluva.
Your first Tandem Skydive over the breathtaking Fiji Islands from up to 14,000 feet! Come and do your first Tandem Skydive in Fiji. Tandem skydive fijibook a tandem skydive fiji online from extreme sports cafeSkydive Fiji jumps onto Denarau Island at Nadi and is the only Skydiving operation in Fiji. Skydiving is the most exciting adventure activity in Fiji. Tandem is the Safest and the Easiest way to do your first skydive. Skydive Fiji can arrange transfers from your hotels around Nadi and the Coral Coast.
