Fiji and its Islands

If there's adventure in your soul, Fiji is the place to indulge it. The Fiji Islands in the South Pacific are an archipelago of over 330 islands packed with attractions that can be found no where else and offers a unique experiential opportunity for the visitor. Whether you seek Romance, Relaxation, Cultural Immersion, Cruising the Sea, or the Ultimate Eco-Tourism escapade, you'll find fulfillment here.

A nature lovers delight, Fiji has an unspoiled, unique environment of extreme beauty and tranquility. Adrift for millennia in splendid isolation in the blue of the South Pacific it has escaped the evils of industrial progress, the incursions of dangerous animals, poisonous snakes, spiders and pestilent diseases such as malaria. It awaits your discovery.

Lapped by warm azure waters. Fringed with vibrant coral reefs and cloaked in the emerald green of the tropics, Fiji is a paradise seekers dream come true. Its sun soaked, white-sand beaches and resorts are bliss, but only a slice o the countrys allure. Fiji is an interesting blend of Melanesian, Polynesian, Micronesian, Indian, Chinese and European influences which means visitors can feed n curries and chop suey, visit temples, churches and mosques, hear Urdu and Mandarin, and sip spiced chai or kava.

It is also where you can float in the calm, quiet waters of a turquoise lagoon at sunset or walk alone through lush rainforest. It is where the sun shines almost everyday and when it does rain, people rush outside for a rainbath in the warm, brief downpour of a tropical shower which ends as quickly as it began. This is where life is lived for the joy of it all, where rushing is rude, and the name of a new friend is never forgotten. Fiji is where people wear flowers tucked in their hair, not to impress visitors, but because they like to.

Places of Interest

Suva
Suva, the Capital of Fiji, was developed in the late 1800's and retains much of the character of the colonial period. Its many attractions include shopping, restaurants, nightclubs, markets, a museum and sightseeing tours.

The Sunshine Coast (Lautoka/Rakiraki)
The rugged north coast is known as the Sunshine Coast for its relatively dry climate. This mountainous region around Rakiraki is home to the world renowned 'Fiji Water'. Visits to the Fiji Water Plan can be arranged beforehand.

Nadi
As Fiji's airport town, Nadi is where most visitors hear their first BULA. The colorful marketplace, located only a few minutes drive from the airport, features yaqona stalls, homemade souvenirs and local culture. Nadi ia also the gateway to the Mamanuca Group where leisurely options include laid back surfer camps and exlcusive hideaways.

Nadi Offshore (Mamanuca/Yasawas)
Set among deep blue waters with fringing coral reefs of turquoise and pastel green, the Mamanuca Islands and the islands of Nadi Bay offer tourists some of Fiji's most outstanding island beauty. Home to a range of resorts that are as different as they are unique. The Yasawa Islands largely contains Backpacker resorts with a number of 5-star properties as well.

The Coral Coast
The Coral Coast begins at Momi, approximately 20 kilometres south of Nadi. The paved highway meanders through spectacular scenery featuring Fijian villages, sugar cane fields, coral lagoons and beaches.

Pacific Harbour
Pacific Harbour best known as the 'Adventure Capital', was developed as a complete visitor destination with its own 18 hole championship golf course and inland waterway. The nearby island of Beqa (pronounced Ben-ga), home of the legendary firewalkers, is a world renowned diving location. Fishing and a host of other activities await the visitor.

Outer Islands
Although there are more than 300 islands in the Fiji Islands, few are inhabited. Fiji's islands have something to offer the curious visitor searching for an isolated spot or true adventure. One such island is Ovalau, home of Fiji's old capital, Levuka. Another distant attraction is the Lau Group of 57 islands that lie midway between Fiji and Tonga. This is the most isolated of the Fijian islands with little tourism development. A back-to-nature experience for the most adventurous.

Activities and Tours

Cruising & Charters
Comprising over 300 islands, Fiji offers unsurpassed opportunities for exploration in both scheduled cruises and make-your-own-itinerary charters. There are world-renowned cruises to the famous Yasawa Islands – twice the setting for the movie, The Blue Lagoon. Cruises also operate to the Mamanuca Islands and Northern parts of Fiji and various other equally spectacular destinations.

Fiji Diving
If variety is the spice of life, then Fiji is divings red hot chilli pepper. Trying to sum up the special appeal of these waters is like packing a bag for an epic journey through four seasons - or editing years of underwater video into just 30 minutes of tape! There is simply no way to fit everything in. Fiji is to diving what New Orleans is to jazz, Paris is to cuisine, and New York is to nightlife. Exciting, charismatic, unique and, most of all, vibrantly colorful. But unlike these big cities, the only bustling crowds you’ll find in Fiji are the wall-to-wall, jam-packed coral, fish and critter communities on these pristine South Pacific reef.

Game Fishing
Fishing in FIJI is favoured all year round. There is simply great fishing for everyone! All methods of game fishing are available in Fiji - choice of group to instruct captain/crew. Overnight charter too is also available where the whole family can fish and catch a great catch of edible fish.

Golf
Imagine an unspoiled, uncrowded environment. A place which allows you to completely unwind and enjoy one of your favourite pastimes. You'll find that the Fiji Islands offer a wide range of quality golf courses - from small "pitch and putts" right through to international championship courses. So, take your time and enjoy Golfing in Fiji.

Shopping & Dining
Whether shopping or just browsing, here's your opportunity to become acquainted with some of the savviest Fijians as well the best barterers around. In Fiji, you'll discover unique cultural and historical artefacts, stylish international boutique fashions as well as budget gift and souvenir shops. Most stores are open 8am to 5pm or 6pm, sometimes later at hotels and resorts. Most stores are closed on Sundays. All of your major credit cards are widely accepted.

Travel Tip and useful information

Climate
Fiji enjoys an ideal South Sea tropical climate and can get hot in the summer but seldom reaches above 35 Deg C (96 Deg F). Trade winds from the east southeast bring year long cooling breezes late afternoon and early evening. The best time to visit is from May to October, during the Fijian Winter when humidity and rainfall are lower.

Time Zone
Fiji is 12 hours ahead of GMT (+12GMT)

Population
The 1996 census reported that Fiji's total population was 772,655, of which 51.1% were Melanesian Fijians and 43.6% were Fiji Indians.

Transport
Fiji has bus services, taxi, ferry services, seaplane and helicopter services, rental car companies, two domestic airlines (Sun Air and Air Fiji) which provide efficient services and make getting around Fiji a breeze. The open air buses are a unique way to travel providing for some interesting holiday experience and also give you a chance to observe Fiji up close.

Currency and credit cards
The Fijian dollar is the basic unit of currency. There is no limit to the amount of money to be brought in. Visitors are allowed to take out currency up to the amount imported. All banks and most hotels will exchange foreign notes and travellers cheques. Exchange rates vary little and are published daily in the newspapers.
Banks
# ANZ
# Westpac
# Colonial National Bank
Credit Cards
Major credit cards are welcomed by hotels, restaurants, shops, rental car agencies, cruises and travel agents.
American Express, Diners Club, Visa, JCB International and Mastercard, are represented in Suva . American Express and VISA can replace lost credit cards and travellers cheques.

Dress Code
Dress is casual and informal throughout the islands. Visitors should bring a light tropical wardrobe including golf shirts, shortsleeve shirts, T-shirts, shorts and slacks for evenings. For women, summer dresses and lightweight skirts, slacks and blouses. The wraparound "sulu" (sarong) is Fiji's most distinctive form of dress for women and men.