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The tropical island of Fiji is a vision of South Pacific perfection. This archipelago of more than 330 islands enchants visitors with white-gold beaches, ultramarine oceans, technicolor coral reefs, lush rainforests and a vibrant multicultural society, with happiness and good cheer at its heart.

Most of Fiji’s tourist attractions can be found concentrated on island clusters such as the Yasawas and Mamanucas in the west, the northern islands of Vanua Levu and Taveuni, the southern Kadavu group and the main island of Viti Levu.

Each island offers its own distinctive repertoire of island experiences, ranging from scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing and sunbathing at indulgent resorts to rainforest hikes, village visits, farm tours and staying at immersive rural homestays.

Depending on your preferred activities and the length of your trip, Fiji’s attractions can be appreciated in lots of different ways. Here's our shortlist of the top places in Fiji to plan your trip around, to experience the very best this island nation has to offer.

1. Nadi

Best place for cultural interactions

As the setting for Fiji's main international airport, Nadi serves as the de facto gateway to the archipelago, making it an inescapable part of every traveler’s itinerary. This logistical compulsion aside, this vibrant town on Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu, offers a chance for pleasant encounters with friendly Fijians at its many cafés, bars and nightclubs, alongside cultural experiences such as attending a traditional kava ceremony to sample Fiji's national drink.

On the edge of town, the strikingly multicolored facade of the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple – a popular place of worship for Fiji's Hindu community – makes for an excellent photo-op. Nadi also boasts a collection of upmarket hotels and restaurants offering comfortable lodging and a fine selection of Fijian and international cuisine. All in all, it's the perfect place to book-end your Fijian vacation.

Planning tip: The beach at Wailoaloa, southwest of the airport, comes to life every evening, when local people gather to let their hair down, enjoying chilled beers, delicious cocktails and lively music.

2. The Yasawas

Best for island getaways

This narrow strip of islands stretched along Fiji’s northwestern boundary is where the quintessential package of Fijian experiences can be found. Be it snorkeling with reef sharks at Kuata, swimming through the limestone caves of Sawa-i-Lau, sampling a slice of local life in the homestays of Wayasewa, meeting manta rays off Drawaqa, or unwinding in salubrious resorts set on immaculate beaches, there’s always plenty to do here. 

The Yasawas are connected to Viti Levu by a ferry service, leaving from close to Fiji’s international airport in Nadi. The islands can be reached in two to three hours, which favors people visiting on short itineraries.

Planning tip: You can explore the islands at your own pace by hopping on and off the , a daily shuttle ferry service from the marina at Denarau, about 20 minutes by taxi from Nadi.

3. Rainbow Reef

Best for scuba diving and snorkeling

In case its name isn’t a giveaway, spectacular Rainbow Reef is home to a stellar collection of Fiji’s 400-plus coral species, filling its underwater ravines with riotous colors and textures. Consistently ranked as one of the world’s top scuba diving destinations, this narrow but deep ocean channel drops to 65m (213ft), offering encounters with marine megafauna such as sharks, rays, turtles and even humpback whales and orcas at certain times of year. 

Dive sites such as the Great White Wall and Cabbage Patch have a legendary status within the scuba diving community, and while some sites are more suitable for advanced divers, others can be enjoyed by less-experienced divers and snorkelers. The reef is accessed by a 30-minute boat ride from the nearby island of Taveuni, where local dive shops pick up guests from resorts every morning.

Planning tip: Flying to Taveuni from Nadi with takes about 90 minutes. There are flights every day of the week, either direct or a stop at Suva, Fiji's capital city.

4. Savusavu

Best place to stay for families

Occupying a prime section of natural real estate along the rim of an extinct submerged volcano on the southern edge of the island of Vanua Levu, Savusavu has come a long way from its origins as a quaint 19th-century trading post for sandalwood and coconuts.

This idyllic town has garnered a reputation for thrilling experiences such as angling, snorkeling, scuba diving and free-diving, not to mention learning about — and shopping for — the island's respected and the iconic that are cultured in the mineral-rich waters of Savusavu Bay.

A two-hour boat ride from town, Namena Marine Reserve is a coral wonderland hosting several dramatic dive sites; it's visited by dive boats several times a week. On land, thermal springs spew hot sulfur fumes as evidence of the region’s volcanic past.

Planning tip: Savusavu is served by daily flights from Nadi (70 minutes). You can also fly from Nadi to the nearby town of Labasa, and then take a taxi to Savusavu (one hour).

5. Denarau

Best for eating and shopping

This manicured artificial island off the west coast of Viti Levu boasts an appealing collection of upscale resorts and premium townhouses, a sprawling , an full of fun rides and splashes, a smattering of craft studios and fashion boutiques, and a buzzing waterside shopping complex flanking a state-of-the-art .

In other words, Denarau is Fiji’s proverbial lap of luxury, and a fantastic place to spend a few days indulging in a spot of R&R after tramping through the country’s adventure-laced backyards, especially if you are traveling with children.

Planning tip: For more of a castaway vibe, take a ferry from Denarau’s marina to connect to the nearby Yasawa and Mamanuca islands.

6. Pacific Harbour

Best island for landscapes and activities

This charmingly appointed seaside township is a hub for adventurous travelers who immerse themselves in the rush of adrenaline-pumping activities on offer along the southern coast of Viti Levu. Take your pick from diving with fearsome bull sharks, whitewater rafting through stony river canyons, hiking along jagged mountain ridges, camping in forested highland valleys, or tubing down mangrove-lined rivers to the ocean.

Located on the main road between Nadi and Suva, Pacific Harbour makes for an easy day trip from both towns, though many visitors opt to stay a night or two in one of the many resorts here. If your visit coincides with one of the annual or that take place in the nearby highlands, join locals for a run with an island vibe.

Planning tip: Pacific Harbour serves as a launch pad for boat excursions to the nearby island of Beqa, known for its intriguing tradition of fire-dancing.

7. Volivoli

Best for offbeat excursions

Perched on a beautiful cape and easily accessed by a two-hour drive from the international airport at Nadi, Volivoli gets rave reviews for its fantastic snorkeling and the myriad diving opportunities in the protected waters of the marine conservation area.

You can also use Volivoli as a jumping-off point for some offbeat expeditions, such as the six-hour hike up 1324m (4344ft) Mt Tomainivi, Fiji’s highest peak. Alternatively, consider a drive to the stupendous waterfall at Nabalasere, an excursion to the photogenic traditional Fijian village of Navala, or a dolphin-watching cruise on the waters around isolated Moon Reef off Viti Levu’s eastern seaboard.

Planning tip: A 10-minute boat ride from Volivoli takes you to the island of Nananu-i-Ra, where you can flex your skills in kitesurfing and kayaking.

8. Suva

Best for photography and walks

It’s a shame that Suva is less appreciated by travelers than it ought to be. Located on a rain-washed peninsula set against dramatic mountains on the southeast coast of Viti Levu, Fiji’s capital features a splendid array of striking buildings, leafy gardens and palm-lined parks that date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when this was the seat of the country’s British administration.

Suva's lively commercial district is a street photographer’s dream, comprising busy clusters of shops, cafeterias, markets and malls selling everything from Bollywood-themed saris and spicy Indian-style curries to electronic gadgets and everyday knickknacks.

With a day or two to spare, Suva is an ideal place to catch up on the small joys of life. Change the pace by taking a leisurely walk along the seawall, playing rugby with locals at Albert Park, or admiring gorgeous sunsets from the atmospheric patio of the .

Planning tip: Don’t forget to stop by the fantastic for a crash course on Fijian history.

9. Ovalau

Best for history buffs

Rising dramatically to the east of Viti Levu, mountainous Ovalau is an island steeped in history. Levuka, its main seaside settlement, was the biggest boom town in the South Pacific in the late 19th century, attracting merchants, missionaries, fortune hunters, beachcombers, castaways, captains, crooks and seafarers from across the world, who arrived by tall ship and mingled in its many hotels and inns.

Levuka's bygone charm can still be appreciated by investigating the string of well-kept buildings along the main street, including banks, churches, schools and even an antique police outpost. Getting here is easy; Ovalau is connected by ferry (90 minutes) to Natovi pier on Viti Levu, around 90 minutes by road from Suva.

Planning tip: High above the island’s center, in an extinct volcanic crater, the historic hamlet of Lovoni can be reached on a strenuous three-hour hike through pristine rainforests.