With 333 islands making up the Fijian archipelago there is an abundance of activities to keep you busy. From sand, sea and sunshine to sailing and swimming with sharks.
1. Go island hopping
Fiji was made for island hopping. With hundreds of idyllic islands freckling the warm South Pacific waters, why limit yourself to one when you can indulge in a dozen? The most popular string of islands is the Yasawas in the north and the Mamanucas in the west. Both offer that perfect mix of ice-white sand, shimmering lagoons and royal blue water. A Bula Pass with Awesome Adventures grants you the freedom to island-hop wherever you want. Departing daily from Port Denarau, you have between five and 15 days to deposit yourself on as many islets as you see fit. Accommodation is booked separately but you’ll find options ranging from wallet-friendly to five-star stupendous.
2. Sail to the world’s first island beach club
If you decide to stay on Fiji’s mainland but fancy a deserted island escape, Malamala Beach Club provides just that. Just 20 minutes offshore from Port Denarau, this small nugget of heaven boasts a talcum-white beach, an infinity pool and luxuries such as fine dining and around-the-clock cocktails. Your day pass includes ferry transfers to and from, but food, drinks, day beds and private cabanas are additional.
3. Swim with sharks
For qualified divers, Beqa Lagoon off the Viti Levu’s south coast is a haven for up to nine different species of shark, including the beautiful but elusive tiger shark. Currently, two dive operators escort brave types to this underwater kingdom.
If you’re more of a snorkeller, Kuata is part of the Yasawa Islands and a two-hour cruise from Port Denarau. From here you can jump aboard a speedboat to an offshore lagoon popular with white tip and black tip reef sharks. These guys only like to dine on fish, so you can watch in the water without worrying about your delicious-looking limbs.
4. Spend the day at a floating bar
Imagine a luxury multi-level pontoon in the middle of a turquoise ocean, accessible only by boat, jet ski or seaplane. With day beds, sun loungers and a fully-stocked bar. This might sound like the holiday setting for a multi-millionaire, but in Fiji it’s known as Cloud 9 and everyone’s welcome. Thirty minutes out of Port Denarau by boat, this is Fiji's only two-level floating platform with a bar, DJ and wood-fired pizzas. Sunbathe to your heart’s content, dive into the ocean whenever you feel like it, book the jet ski, or grab a snorkel and explore the big blue beneath.
5. Discover islands rarely visited by tourists
Small ship cruises easily access nooks of Fiji that are inaccessible to most visitors, and yet with passenger sizes rarely exceeding 200, they’re personal, too. Venture to islands far beyond the Yasawas, such as the World Heritage Listed motu of Ovalau with Captain Cook Cruises. Take part in a traditional Fijian ceremony, soak in the hot springs of Vanua Levu Island and swim in beautiful, untouched waterfalls. Watery escapes are also the forte of Blue Lagoon Cruises. Specialising in the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands, and with less than four hours of sailing time per day, you’ll explore parts of the planet that remain refreshingly pristine.
