Top 13 activities to enjoy in Fiji

Fiji is well-deservedly known as an island paradise, featuring sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and luxurious private island resorts scattered across its 333-island archipelago.

However, if you’re eager to explore beyond your resort’s pool, we’ve compiled a list of the most amazing experiences to have in Fiji.

A journey to Fiji is a DIY adventure that blends nature with an immersion into Fijian culture. Whether you're snorkeling over vibrant reefs, hunting for waterfalls along lush trails, enjoying kava with newfound friends, or relaxing on a pristine beach, you're sure to have a fantastic time on these islands.

1. Explore a village and immerse yourself in the Fijian lifestyle

Anyone who has set foot on a Fijian island resort knows the warmth of a heartfelt welcome, often accompanied by traditional songs. For a deeper connection to this stunning destination, consider staying at a homestay or visiting a village. Homestays offer an unparalleled, authentic glimpse into real Fijian life, allowing you to live alongside a local family as one of their own.

Village visits provide a shorter but equally captivating experience. On the main island of Viti Levu, the picturesque Navala invites guests for an immersive stay in a traditional village, while homestays on Waya Island offer a local perspective of the Yasawas islands.

While you may catch a lively meke (a traditional dance performance) at a resort, a village experience might include a slow-cooked lovo feast. Prepare for generous servings of tender meats and fish, alongside a variety of local root vegetables like cassava, taro, and yams, as well as palusami (tinned beef or vegetables, onion, and coconut cream wrapped in taro leaves).

2. Get ready to cheer at a rugby match

Fiji's seven-dollar banknote pays tribute to the national rugby sevens team, reflecting the country’s deep passion for the sport. Come rain or shine, any grassy patch transforms into a rugby field as sunset and weekends approach. Catch the exhilarating action at Suva’s National Stadium or join enthusiastic fans at a local village match.

3. Experience a church service

On Sundays, prepare for an uplifting experience that transcends beliefs, as congregations come together in harmonious worship. Take a stroll through any Indigenous Fijian village or neighborhood to see churchgoers dressed in their finest attire.

Vibrant, bold patterns are common, complementing the lush gardens that usually surround each place of worship. Most churches are open to visitors, although services may not always be conducted in English. The services at Taveuni’s Wairiki Catholic Mission are particularly heavenly.

4. Participate in vibrant sensory festivals

Outside the resorts, this island nation pulses with rich traditions, spectacular festivals, and unique Fijian fun. Winter is the prime time for locals to celebrate, so immerse yourself in Fijian culture at the week-long Bula Festival or witness incredible feats of faith at the South Indian Fire-Walking Festival. As temperatures warm up in October, both Hindus and Christians across the nation illuminate their celebrations for Diwali.

Travel tip: If your trip doesn't coincide with the South Indian festival, fire-walking can also be experienced on Beqa Island throughout the year.

5. Browse for fresh produce at the market

Throughout the year, indulge in the tastes of Fiji at the island's open-air markets. From the bustling Municipal Market in Suva to small, quaint markets in hidden villages, these markets embody Fiji’s essence, serving as spaces for locals to shop, chat, and connect.

As you explore these bustling markets, you’ll see produce stacked neatly and sold in bundles. If you ask for a single tomato, the vendor may even give it to you for free. This culture of bulk buying reflects Fiji’s spirit of sharing, as fruits and vegetables are often exchanged among neighbors. Enjoy an array of fresh papayas, pineapples, mangoes, passionfruit, coconuts, lime juice, and watermelon, among others.

Travel tip: Keep an eye out for vendors selling chilled pineapples, elegantly cut into swirls on their stems like a popsicle. It’s the perfect refreshing treat on a hot, humid day.

6. Dive and snorkel in an underwater paradise

One of Fiji’s biggest offshore attractions is the opportunity to swim and snorkel alongside majestic manta rays, particularly in the channel between Nanuya Balavu and Drawaqa islands in the Yasawa group, and further south at the aptly named Manta Reef in Kadavu. In the Yasawas, both Mantaray Island and Barefoot Manta resorts provide ethical encounters where you can observe but not touch; in Kadavu, join the team from Matava Resort or Kokomo Private Island Resort for an unforgettable experience.

If you prefer to encounter Fiji’s more formidable sea creatures, Beqa Adventure Divers operates thrilling undersea adventures from their base at Pacific Harbour, offering dives with massive bull and tiger sharks at Shark Reef Marine Reserve, sure to get even the boldest divers’ hearts racing.

Known as the soft coral capital of the world among divers, the Somosomo Strait invites you to explore its stunning walls adorned with white and purple corals. You'll also discover coral formations that look like cabbage patches, vibrant quilts, and shaggy carpets crafted from anemones.

7. Look up to the treetops for Fiji’s avian wonders

Taveuni, affectionately dubbed the ‘Garden Island’, is renowned in the birdwatching community. Home to over 100 bird species, Fiji’s third-largest island offers premier birdwatching locations, including the 1195m-high (3920ft) Des Voeux Peak, a sanctuary for the rare orange dove and the tiny endangered silktail; the Vidawa Rainforest Trail, featuring guided birdwatching tours; and the picturesque Lavena coast, where you might spot hatchlings perched in the trees.

The remote island of Kadavu also presents a birdwatcher’s paradise, with its rainforests sheltering a variety of tropical birds, including four unique species found nowhere else on the planet.

Bats are the only native mammals in Fiji, with six species inhabiting the islands. After dusk, you can often see them darting from caves or rustling among the treetops. Fruit bats frequently enjoy ripe papayas, much to the dismay of local tree owners.

8. Set sail to wild islands by boat

Imagine yourself floating serenely beneath the gentle turquoise waves, surrounded by silence and captivated by the playful antics of a clownfish. Suddenly, you sense a flicker of movement behind you: is it a shark? A massive ray? No, it’s a group of snorkelers splashing about, desperate to fit into an underwater selfie. If this sounds familiar, a live-aboard adventure in Fiji might be exactly what you need.

An exciting experience for adventurous divers – and some even accommodate snorkelers or beginners – live-aboards provide the opportunity to explore pristine sites that are off-limits to land-based tours; some also anchor at remote islands. Most trips span five, seven, or ten days, with all meals and accommodations included in the package.

Based in Lautoka, Nai’a offers excursions to explore Lomaiviti, Bligh Water, and Namena Marine Park. Captain Cook Cruises’ MV Reef Endeavour sails to the major island groups, with rare journeys to the secluded Lau islands.

Alternatively, you can charter your own yacht to sail wherever and whenever you desire. There are numerous options for private boat charters, from nearly piratical to incredibly luxurious.

9. Treat yourself to a spa experience

Leave behind the fatigue of a long flight or a day under the sun with a traditional bobo massage. A spa day in Fiji starts with the delightful scent of coconut oil infused with plumeria petals.

Combining thumb, hand, and elbow techniques, this massage helps release stress from the body. A popular offering at many spas is the four-hand massage, where two therapists work simultaneously, making it a perfect experience for couples as nearly all spas have two-table rooms.

Convinced? Some of Fiji's finest spas include Yasawa Island Resort, where you can unwind in an open-air room with ocean views while listening to the waves crash, Outrigger Fiji for breathtaking hilltop vistas, Koro Sun Resort & Rainforest Spa for rejuvenating banana leaf wraps, and Pure Fiji in Suva for a refreshing escape from city life.

10. Challenge your spice tolerance with Fiji's curries

With nearly 40% of Fiji's population having Indian roots, a variety of Indian eateries are spread across Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, each with a unique South Pacific twist. Hot parcels of roti filled with pumpkin or eggplant and coconut curry are often available from roadside vendors.

In Suva, try to sample as many dishes as possible at popular spots like Swagat, Ashiyana, and Maya Dhaba. If you're on a remote island, don’t worry—many resorts and hotels offer distinctive curry dishes you won't find anywhere else in Fiji.

11. Explore rugged hiking trails

While beaches often steal the spotlight for tourists, don’t forget to bring your hiking shoes to explore Fiji's untamed beauty. Islands such as Taveuni, Vanua Levu, and Viti Levu are renowned for their mountainous hikes and stunning waterfalls, and trails through the Yasawa and Mamanuca islands provide a glimpse into local village life.

You’re unlikely to encounter crowds on these trails—though you might appreciate it if you do. Many paths are unmarked, have limited cell phone coverage, and may intersect with livestock routes. Hiring a local guide to navigate and share insights about the landscape and culture will enrich your adventure.

12. Enjoy kava, the beloved drink of Fiji

Whether at formal gatherings or casual get-togethers, kava is the drink of choice in Fiji. Known as yagona, it is created by grinding pepper root into a fine powder and mixing it with water. The beverage is typically served from a large wooden bowl called a tanoa and poured into coconut shell cups known as bilo.

Kava has a slightly bitter taste and resembles muddy water, delivering a calming effect that becomes noticeable as soon as your lips start to tingle. The communal experience around a tanoa is referred to as talanoa, which plays a vital role in decision-making and communication in Fijian culture.

Each Fijian community has its own set of customs and etiquette regarding kava consumption, and travelers are often forgiven for missing cues. If you're unsure, you can stick to the common practices in Fiji’s capital. When offered a cup, clap your hands before accepting it with both hands. Try to drink it in one go, return the cup with both hands, clap again, and exclaim “Bula!”

Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Just ask for a low tide, and your cup will be served half full next time! Most accommodations and homestays include kava ceremonies for guests, and you can also experience it at cafes like Mana Coffee in Suva or prepare it yourself from various kava shops scattered across the islands.

13. Ride the waves

Fiji is renowned as one of the top surfing spots in the world, offering nearly perfect barrels at locations like Restaurants and Cloudbreak. Surfers can find everything from gentle, beginner-friendly beach breaks to thrilling guillotine tubes over coral reefs.

For those unsure where to begin, surf tour operators like Surf Tours, located near Momi Bay on Viti Levu, select waves tailored to guests’ skill levels and current ocean conditions. Surf enthusiasts can stay at resorts like Matanivusi Beach Eco Resort or Tavarua Island Resort, where the waves are just steps away.

Cultural etiquette

• Avoid visiting Fijian villages on Sundays unless you have a specific invitation; these days are reserved for church and family.

• Bring a sevusevu (gift) for the village chief upon your arrival, with kava root being the most traditional offering available at nearly every market.

• Dress modestly, ensuring your shoulders are covered (for all genders). A sulu (wrapped cloth or skirt) is preferred.

• Before entering a bure (traditional thatched cabin), remove your shoes and bend down while passing through the doorway. Sit cross-legged on the mat, keeping your head lower than that of your host.