Fiji or Bali: which paradise will fulfill your island fantasies?

Few places evoke such allure as Fiji and Bali.

These two dream destinations occupy a prime spot in the minds of many travelers, particularly Australians and New Zealanders seeking warmth in winter. They conjure images of pristine beaches, thrilling surf, lush jungles, and rich cultural experiences. Who wouldn’t want to fly away to one of these locales?

Yet, tough choices must be made, and travelers often need guidance to assess the charms of these two idyllic getaways. That’s why we’ve enlisted two passionate experts to present their cases for enchanting Fiji and stunning Bali.

Fall in love with Fiji

Adventure writer and photographer Chantae Reden often finds herself exploring the coastline. Her journeys include riding a motorcycle across Timor-Leste, diving with bull sharks in Fiji, and swimming alongside humpback whales in Tonga.

As soon as you step off the plane in both Bali and Fiji, the warm tropical embrace is undeniable – but unlike Bali's bustling airports, Fiji's main international terminal offers a more laid-back welcome. While taxis are always available when needed, Fiji’s inviting spirit begins as you land and continues until you hear the sweet farewell song, “Isa Lei.”

Having made the 333-island nation of Fiji my home for the last seven years, I've truly embraced its relaxed and joyful bula spirit. While Bali holds a special place in my heart (I even penned a guidebook about the Island of the Gods), Fiji is the island escape you need next.

Untouched wilderness

Fiji's natural beauty is both pristine and often tranquil. With fewer than a million residents spread across its hundreds of islands, real traffic is limited to the cities, where few tourists roam. In contrast to Bali's crowded beaches marred by pollution, Fiji’s expanses of white sand remain unspoiled year-round.

Finding solitude in nature is effortless in Fiji. Due to village stewardship over the land, accessing waterfalls and trekking paths may be trickier without a guide compared to Bali, but the payoff is immense. You can ascend Fiji’s highest peak, Mt Tomanivi, on the island of Viti Levu, or seek out the rare tagimoucia flower on Taveuni, often without encountering another soul. In the Lau Islands, a region devoid of formal hotels or airports and accessible only by boat, you're unlikely to see any other tourists at all.

When it comes to accommodations, hotels are conveniently scattered across the islands, ensuring you won’t have to compete for shady spots or fend off relentless beach vendors. Even local markets provide a pleasant experience, with most vendors embracing a laid-back attitude, encouraging visitors to take their colorful fresh produce without pressure.

For families with young ones, both Bali and Fiji shine as excellent destinations. However, Fiji excels in its family-friendly culture and activities. I’ve witnessed hotel security guards leave their posts to organize touch rugby games for kids. Traveling through the islands with my infant twins has shown me how celebrity-like one can feel. Most resorts offer kids’ clubs and affordable nannies, allowing both parents and children to enjoy their dream vacations.

Waves worth the journey

Both Bali and Fiji host prestigious surf contests at their renowned waves. While Bali's Uluwatu and Padang Padang are undeniably spectacular, Fiji boasts its own legendary spots like Cloudbreak and Restaurants. Although reaching most of Fiji's waves requires a boat trip – unlike Bali's easily accessible spots – this helps reduce crowds, making them ideal for seasoned surfers.

Underwater, you can slip on your dive mask and encounter a rich tapestry of marine life, from manta rays and sea turtles to an array of reef fish and reef sharks. Fiji is also one of the rare locations worldwide where you can dive with bull sharks without the confines of a cage – if you’re feeling adventurous.

Fijian hospitality goes beyond resort boundaries. Visitors typically enter a village bearing a sevusevu, a traditional gift such as yaqona (pepper root), and are warmly welcomed. Spend your day enjoying kava served in coconut shells, dancing, and savoring delicious Fijian dishes, including freshly caught fish, taro leaves in coconut cream, and smoked meats. On weekends, listen for harmonious hymns from local churches or partake in Hindu celebrations within the Indo-Fijian communities in Suva, Nadi, and Labasa.

Wherever you venture, be prepared for a cheerful “Bula!” and heartfelt warmth that Bali simply can’t match.

Discover the charms of Bali

Mark Eveleigh spent a year living in Bali in 2022 and frequently returns to a West Balinese village where he has a library full of books and a shed packed with surfboards.

They say that great things often come in small packages. I fell for the charming island of Bali two decades ago and have since roamed its every nook and cranny. Even now, I’m amazed by the diversity found on this landmass that's less than one-third the size of Fiji.

Bali is widely recognized for its iconic beaches and luxurious resorts, some of which rank among the world's priciest. However, enjoying Bali doesn’t require a fortune; you can find a bungalow with a view of an untouched beach for as low as $20.

While its attractions have undoubtedly drawn crowds, only a small fraction of visitors – even seasoned expats – venture beyond the famed art and yoga hub around Ubud. If you explore just a bit further, you'll discover lush jungle valleys and expansive rice terraces that rise like a giant staircase toward the sacred peaks.

Discovering beauty beyond the beaches

Don’t think Bali is merely about sand. A half-day trip (even quicker on a rented scooter) leads you to the tranquil highlands. Bali’s stunning volcanic landscapes stretch from the sacred Gunung Agung (standing at 3412m / 11,195ft, it's more than twice the height of Fiji’s tallest point) through the smoldering Batur to the seldom-visited rainforests of Batukaru Mountain.

You don't need to hunt for culture on the Island of the Gods; it’s present in every corner, from the vibrant rituals of Balinese Hinduism in quaint villages to the lively backpacker spots in Kuta and the chic beach clubs of Seminyak. If you venture further, you might even notice parallels with distant Fiji. Like Fijian traditional societies, rural Balinese communities are led by a council of elders known as the banjar. During Mekare-kare festivals, where young warriors from Tenganan wield pandan 'swords' in battle, or when the outrigger fishing canoes, jukung, are launched into the crashing waves, it’s easy to feel like you’re in a Pacific Island setting. Bali's maritime connection is particularly visible in the fishing town of Perancak, which serves as a harbor for over 100 brightly painted selerek, 20m (66ft)-long fishing boats.

The western third of the island remains largely undiscovered by outsiders, with few tourists (or even locals, for that matter) aware that here, uninhabited jungles and seemingly endless beaches that rarely see foreign footprints are the norm. You could stroll for hours along the stunning stretch of wave-battered volcanic sand at Yeh Leh Beach – just 50km (31 miles) from the international airport – without encountering anyone except a few local fishermen.

Embrace the ocean

In Fiji, reaching quality surf breaks typically requires a boat ride. In contrast, Bali boasts easily accessible surf spots that have catapulted places like Uluwatu and Canggu to global fame (perhaps a bit too famous). For a more laid-back experience, check out the surf towns of Keramas, Balian, and Medewi—the latter serving as the entry point to numerous untouched beach breaks along the southwest coast.

For those seeking calmer waters, Bali offers fantastic diving and snorkeling opportunities, where you might encounter sharks, turtles, barracudas, dolphins, and even the occasional whale shark off the serene north coast. Adventure enthusiasts can explore inland through activities such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, quad-biking, and white-water rafting. You can stroll with rare pink buffaloes in Pekutatan or witness the dramatic (and slightly gory) mekepung buffalo-chariot races in Jembrana. In West Bali National Park, jungle hikes reveal herds of wild sambar deer, gibbon-like ebony-leaf monkeys, and the island's signature Bali starlings, also known as the “bird of paradise.”

If the allure of hopping from one tropical island to another is what draws you to Fiji and the South Pacific, remember that Bali is just a tiny dot in the expansive and lush Indonesian archipelago. While Lombok and the Gilis are staples on every backpacker’s itinerary, there are a staggering 17,500 other Indonesian islands waiting to be discovered.

Who knows? One of them might just capture your heart like Bali has.