Fiji – Guide for Backpackers

© Jon-Eric Melsæter on Wikipedia

Viti Levu Island (Main Island)

Fiji’s largest island is Viti Levu, holding the capital city of Suva, as well as the cities of Nadi and Lautoka. It’s a great place to base yourself if you don’t have a lot of time in Fiji with beaches, surf, diving, hiking, site-seeing and doing adventure activities.

If city life is your thing, then marvel at the grand Indo-Fijian architecture of the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami temple in Nadi. The Fiji Parliament Complex is also an impressive sight in Suva. For a traditional cultural experience, visit the Navala Village with beautifully thatched houses built on the hills. Check out tours to Navala Village on Viator and Tripadvisor.

It might seem all about the coast in Fiji, but you can’t miss taking a river cruise on a bilibili (bamboo raft) down the Wainikoroiluva River with its impressive canyon walls leading to a palm-fringed waterway packed with local boats likely to be filled with pigs and coconuts while they head to the market. There’s also the option to do some adrenaline-packed white water rafting and jet boating.

Many people flock to the Coral Coast at the southern end of Viti Levu complete with beaches, surf, Fijian markets and wildlife parks.

© Björn Groß on Flickr

Taveuni Island

Taveuni is known as the ‘Garden Island’ or the ‘Soft Coral Capital of the World’. As the names suggest, this is a diving place like no other with the Rainbow Reef displaying an array of colourful corals. You’ll also get the opportunity to see the contrasting Great White Wall that is said to look like snow.

Not only is Tavenui a wildlife fanatic’s dream underwater, but there are some exciting things to be seen on land too. There are more than 100 bird species fluttering around, best seen from hiking through wild forest filled with waterfalls. Hardcore hikers can tackle Des Voeux Peak (1,195m/3,920ft) and Lake Tagimaucia (823m/2,700ft). Otherwise, check out the Vidawa Rainforest Trail and the Lavena Coastal Walk. You can even find a natural waterslide on the short walk to Waitavala.

Taveuni is also popular for kayaking, especially on the rugged Ravilevu Coast!

© FijiPocketGuide.com

Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands

Blessed with paradise-like white-sand beaches that you see on all the brochures and so many activities you won’t know what to pick, the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands are a usual favourite with backpackers in Fiji.

Water Activities in the Mamanucas and Yasawas Islands

Flyboarding has fast become a craze in the Mamanucas and Yasawas where you ride a jet-propelled hoverboard to skim over the waves, while there are plenty of opportunities to do traditional surfing from Namotu Island. Cloudbreak is the most famous surf break in Fiji but it should only be tackled by the experienced. You can also try out Namotu Left named after its huge left-hand breaks, while Restaurants is a fast and fun left-hander.

Kayaking is always a given with most resorts having kayaks included with your stay, but we also recommend sailing for the day with a mix of snorkelling, drinking, visiting a traditional Fijian village, film locations and more. Additionally, take a boat trip into the Sawa-i-Lau Caves and go hand-line fishing with the locals.

Diving in the Yasawa Islands

If there is anywhere you’re going to learn to dive, it has to be the Yasawa Group with accredited free-diving course. Spend two or three days learning how to do silent meditative diving before swimming with the manta rays. Manta Rays are best seen from May to October and are an incredible sight when seen opening their huge mouths to scoop up plankton.

Hiking in the Mamanucas and Yasawas Islands

Although the Mamanucas and Yasawas are renowned for their adventures off-shore, you can still find some amazing hikes to add a bit of variety to your trip. Check out the islands of Waya, Wayasewa, Tavewa and Nacula for a great place to stretch your legs. Climb to Uluisolo Peak (218m) in Malolo for some epic views.

© pixabay

Northern and Regional Fiji Islands

In a country of 333 islands, there are a few more islands not belonging to any of the groups mentioned above that are well-worth visiting if you get the chance. These include:

Kadavu Island

Split Rock is an adventurous dive in the island of Kadavu with many faults, caves and canyons to navigate. The dive spot is part of the 100km barrier reef, Great Astrolabe Reef, with mind-blowing soft and hard coral formations. Get your surf on at the King Kong Left surf break well within paddling distance of land. On land, the island is dense with birdlife that are not shy of humans thanks to having no predators.

Ovalau Island

For history buffs, check out the colonial village of Levuka with 19th Century colonial-style buildings with a UNESCO World Heritage status.

Beqa Island

Swim with bull and tiger sharks on Beqa Island… without a cage!

Vanua Levu Island

Vanua Levu is also ideal for bird watching, however, you will likely need to hire a guide to take you through the trails as most trails pass through villages where you’ll need permission. Look out for the rare silk tail on the Tunuloa Peninsula.

Diving opportunities are plentiful in Cakaulevu. Between Viti Levu and Vanua Levu is E6, a natural phenomenon where a seamount touched the surface attracting pelagic.