Planning a trip to Fiji in 2025? Me too! After spending the last three hours trawling through travel blogs, resort reviews and way too many TikToks, I can confidently say it's going to be every bit the tropical dream you think it is. We’re talking blindingly blue water, beaches so white they look filtered, and more once-in-a-lifetime moments than your camera roll can handle.
Whether I’m flopped by the pool with a cocktail or flinging myself into the ocean to swim with manta rays, Fiji hits that sweet spot between full-throttle adventure and doing absolutely nothing. From mud baths to market feasts, here’s everything you need to do to make your Fiji getaway one for the books.
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Adventure & Adrenaline
Take The Plunge and Dive Head First Into Fiji's Underwater Playground
Image credit: Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort | Website
If there’s one thing I’ll happily set my alarm for on holiday, it’s a morning dive, or snorkel, if I’m feeling less hardcore. Fiji's underwater scene is next level, and Taveuni’s Great White Wall gives you the kind of goosebumps that have nothing to do with the water temp.
If you’re after a real adrenaline rush, head to Beqa Lagoon or Vomo Island to feed or swim with the sharks. Prefer a mask and snorkel to a tank? There are so many places to explore but the Coral Coast—also known as the adventure capital of Fiji—and Monoruki are two of the best for snorkelling. Bonus points if you make it to the Great Astrolabe Reef—an untouched gem off Kadavu Island.
And for the true ocean nerds (me), the dive program at Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort. It's run by the son of legendary scuba-pioneer Jacques Cousteau so you know you’re in expert hands, and offers unparalleled access to some of the world's most spectacular land and seascapes.
Surf And SUP
Image credit: Vomo Island Fiji | Website
Experienced surfers probably already know that Fiji is home to Cloudbreak on Namotu Island, one of the most challenging left-hand reef breaks in the world. It’s not for the faint-hearted: powerful swells detonate over razor-sharp coral shelves, with fast, hollow waves that’ll humble even the pros (especially when it’s double overhead).
I tend to stick to the more beginner-friendly breaks at Swimming Pools—also on Namotu Island—or Tavarua Rights, on nearby Tavarua Island. Swimming Pools also makes for a great SUP session, but you can SUP almost anywhere in Fiji.
Wander Fiji's Garden Island
Image credit: Tourism Fiji | Facebook
They don't call Taveuni the Garden Island for nothing. A third of it is taken up by Bouma National Heritage Park—a lush, wild playground of rainforest hikes, waterfalls, and bird calls that sound like they were plucked straight from a meditation app.
I've heard the Lavena Coastal Walk is a must-do. It begins on a hidden beach, winds through dense rainforest, and finishes with a picture-perfect waterfall plunge pool. For those keen to dive beneath the surface, nearby Rainbow Reef’s Great White Wall is just as breathtaking. Don’t forget your swimmers, or your camera, for that matter, you'll want to have a permanent keepsake of these views.
Take To The Sky
Image credit: Tourism Fiji | Supplied
A helicopter tour might not be the cheapest way to get around, but experiencing Fiji from above is worth every cent. Like a date straight out of an episode of The Bachelor, the views are next-level spectacular, and it’s the kind of boujee experience that belongs on your bucket list.
Flights range from quick 10-minute scenic spins to full-on day trips where you get whisked to a luxury island, spend hours unwinding and feasting, then soar back home with your mind blown. If you’re after an unforgettable way to see Fiji from a whole new angle, this is it. All that's missing is Osher and a single red stem rose.
Hike Through The Jungle Or Up A Mountain
Image credit: Nanuku Resort Fiji | Website
When I think of a Fiji holiday, sweating through the jungle isn't exactly what comes to mind. Rest assured, though, the payoff—hidden waterfalls, breathtaking views, and that deep sense of connection to nature—is worth every sweaty step. There’s something really soulful about hiking through the lush Fijian jungle, whether you’re chasing a secret waterfall or conquering a local peak.
Just be sure to wear long pants to keep your legs protected from the long grass. Some hikes are open to the public, while others are reserved especially for particular resorts so do your research before you go. Favourites include the Waisese Waterfall Indiana Jones-style hike from Nanuku Resort Fiji and Mt Vomo from Vomo Island Fiji.
Head For The River
Image credit: Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort | Website
You’d be forgiven for thinking Fiji is all about the ocean—there’s loads of fun to be had on its rivers too. You can drift lazily on a traditional wooden longboat, or live your best life tubing down calm stretches of water. For a bit more action, a kayak safari through the mangroves will give your arms (and core) a solid workout while showing off some seriously stunning scenery.
If you’re up for it, I highly recommend getting involved in a mangrove nursery program like the ones at Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort or Nanuku Resort. It’s such a rewarding way to give back and help protect these amazing ecosystems, plus it makes your trip feel even more meaningful.
Island Hop
Image credit: Prem Kurumpanai
When there are a staggering 333 scattered across the Fijian archipelago, it would be silly to spend all your time on just one.
Snag a Bula Pass, your golden ticket to access 27 islands in the stunning Mamanucas and Yasawas. Whether you choose a quick five-day jaunt or a more leisurely 13-day adventure, this pass makes island hopping easy and affordable.
Just a heads-up: even with the pass, booking ahead is a must — these paradise spots are popular for a reason. So get your itinerary ready, pack your sunnies, and prepare to bounce between some of the most beautiful islands you’ll ever set foot on. Each island has its own vibe, beaches, and hidden gems waiting for you to discover.
Eat & Drink
Knock Back A Cup (Or Three) Of Fijian Coffee
Image credit: Bula Coffee / Facebook
As the kind of person who starts their day with a steaming cup of Joe, I'm the first to admit that good coffee can be tricky to come by when you’re travelling. Luckily, Fiji’s Bula Coffee will keep you happily caffeinated for your entire stay. It’s the only coffee grown locally in Fiji and they're hands-on from start to finish, cherry picking right through to that perfect, soul-warming cup.
The company is committed to quality and sustainability, training and assisting villages to become organically certified so you can guzzle your morning brew totally guilt-free. Better still, head to Sigatoka and experience the magic for yourself on their Crop to Cup Coffee Tour, one of the best things to do in Fiji for coffee-lovers. During the 60-minute guided tour around the Bula Coffee HQ you’ll learn a tonne while sipping as you go, sampling a whole lot of unique brewing methods along the way.
Indulge In KokoMana
Image credit: Tourism Fiji | Facebook
Coffee’s perfect partner? Chocolate, obviously. And where better to indulge than right here in Fiji, the very country where it’s made. Enter KokoMana, the ultimate chocolate experience made from locally grown cocoa beans with seriously sustainable practices.
Not only is this chocolate handmade from locally-grown cocoa beans, it’s done so using best-practice environmentally sustainable processes. The farm and factory, located near Savusavu town, is open to the public and there’s a great tour you can take (and yes, it ends with the all-important tastings!) but if you have a spare day up your sleeve we’d recommend doing a private ‘Chocolate Experience’ instead.
In the workshop you’ll get hands-on in the chocolate-making process roasting, cracking and winnowing, conching and refining, and tempering and moulding. At the end of the day you’ll head off with chocolate bars you made yourself, wrapped in labels you designed. Awesome.
Drink Kava
Image credit: Tourism Fiji | Facebook
If you're not yet familiar with kava, it’s Fiji’s legendary chill-out drink made from the roots of the kava plant—and yes, it’ll mellow you out nicely (if you weren’t relaxed enough already). The real magic happens in the small villages, where you can join a traditional kava ceremony, though some resorts offer a taste of this too.
Picture this: everyone sitting cross-legged on the floor as the village chief mixes the powdered root with water. When it’s ready, the kava is poured into a coconut shell bowl called a bilo and passed around. It's ritual to clap once before you take it, knock back the whole thing in one gulp, clap again and say “bula” (which means life, but also a whole lot more). When you pass it back, clap three times, and everyone should join in. It’s a beautiful way to connect with Fijian culture and unwind, and it’s just a pretty unique experience you won’t forget.
Eat A Lovo
Image credit: Tourism Fiji | Facebook
Lovo refers both to the method of cooking and the meal itself, and you’ll want to add this to the top of your Fiji bucket list. Similar to the Māori hangi or the Samoan umu, it’s essentially slow cooking in an underground oven.
Marinated meats, fresh fish, veggies, and palusami (stuffed taro leaves) are wrapped in foil, then placed over hot coals buried in the ground, covered with banana leaves and heated rocks. This method infuses everything with a rich, smoky depth of flavour you won’t forget.
For the most authentic experience, I’d recommend trying lovo in a Fijian village, but you’ll find it on menus across the islands, and it’s always a delicious celebration of local cooking
Whip Up Culinary Delights At A Traditional Cooking Class
Image credit: Tourism Fiji | Facebook
Eating a lovo is one thing, but cooking up your own Fijian feast? That’s the kind of experience I’d sign up for in a heartbeat. Traditional cooking classes here go way beyond the kitchen. you’ll learn about local customs, jungle-foraged ingredients, and why salt, pepper and a machete are all Fijians need for a meal on the go.
I've also got my own on the Chef's Table at Kanu Restaurant, perfect for if you’re more of an eater than a cook (no judgment). Award-winning chef Lance Seeto plates up refined Fijian flavours right in front of you, walking you through the process so you can soak it all in, no apron required.
Relax & Rejuvenate
Spend A Cruisy Day On The Ocean
Image credit: Nanuku Resort Fiji | Website
If I close my eyes, I can practically feel the sun on my shoulders and a beanbag under my tired limbs aboard South Sea Sailing’s 78-foot Sabre catamaran. This dreamy day cruise drifts through the Mamanuca Islands, and from everything I’ve seen and heard, it’s the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience you'll be waxing lyrical about for years.
Enjoy a carefully curated day featuring snorkelling among curious, colourful fish and coral, a delectable dietary-friendly gourmet buffet lunch with complimentary beer and wine, and a magical sand bar in the middle of the ocean to chill out on (where the bar arrives on a paddleboard). The Sabre even has a slide for ultimate ocean access.
Get Wrapped Up In A Banana Leaf Massage
Image credit: Koro Sun Resort | Website
I love a good massage as much as the next overworked millennial, but a banana leaf massage in Fiji? That’s a whole new level of indulgence. You’re wrapped up in warm banana leaves, slathered in brown sugar and coconut oil, and then gently massaged from head to toe.
Fijian spas are well known for these, so you should be able to get one wherever you are, but the Rainforest Spa at Koro Sun Resort (on Vanua Levo) is widely regarded as the best, maybe because they let you pick your own banana leaves.
Give Yourself A Mud Bath
Image credit: @KatyD12345 | Instagram
I know that mud baths aren't for everyone, but the Sabeto Hot Springs just outside Nadi might just win you over. Coating yourself in mineral-rich volcanic mud exfoliates the skin, improves your circulation, and lets you feel like a kid again, all while surrounded by lush Fijian mountain scenery
Once you've had enough mud for one day, you'll move through three pools, each cooler than the one before,easing you back into a state of pure relaxation.
Bask On The Beach
Image credit: Mantaray Island Resort | Booking.com
The best thing to do in Fiji might just be doing nothing at all. Fiji’s beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world, so pack your towel and a good book and spend the day going back and forth between the ocean and your sun lounger.
You're spoiled for choice with plenty of patches of sand for everyone, but I've heard the fan favourites for swimming and relaxing are amongst the Yasawa Islands. Mantaray Island (one of the Yasawas) offers the added benefit of swimming with manta rays if you’re there between May and October (though they’re sometimes out as early as April and until November). Check out Mantaray Island Resort for accommodation on the island. Natadola Beach on Viti Levu is also a winner.
Revel In The Most Gorgeous Sunsets Of Your Life
Image credit: Nanuku Resort Fiji | Website
There’s something truly magical about watching the sun melt into the horizon, a glass of champagne in hand and canapés within reach. Fiji’s sunset cruises promise exactly that unforgettable moment.
Nanuku Resort Fiji provides a gorgeous boutique sunset cruise experience, Captain Cook Cruises pairs your sunset with a tropical buffet feast, or Awesome Adventures Fiji offers the ultimate chill session floating in a rubber tube as the sky lights up.
I can already imagine cruising along at sunset with the warm breeze on my skin as the sky turns every shade of pink and orange imaginable. Bliss.
Live It Up
Image credit: Seventh Heaven | Supplied
If paradise was a pontoon, it’d be Seventh Heaven. One of the newest things to do in Fiji, think of it as a dreamy mash-up between a cruise and an island hop in the form of a purpose-built platform where you can sound bathe in local and international jams, get an earth-shatteringly good massage, feast up, get a little…jovial, swim or simply soak up the good vibes.
And it's not just a pretty face either—Seventh Heaven is proudly carbon-neutral, powered entirely by solar panels, uses recycled and recyclable products wherever possible and is fin-free to protect coral. Yep, if you just happen to be looking for a party venue to end all party venues, you just found it babes.
You might also like:
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- Fiji's Best Beaches You Need To See To Believe
Culture & Connection
Do Good, Plant Coral
Image credit: Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort | Website
Coral bleaching is seriously messing with Fiji’s underwater wildlife. When the water heats up, corals freak out and kick out the algae they rely on—losing those jaw-dropping colours we all love as they turn ghostly white. Known as coral bleaching, it’s like the reef’s SOS signal. I’ve always thought of forests as the lungs of our planet, but it turns out the ocean’s ecosystem actually produces even more oxygen, so if the ocean takes a hit, we’re all in trouble.
While bleaching can’t be reversed, coral planting is a bright spot. Think of it like gardening underwater: clipping resilient coral, attaching it to clay “cookies,” and nurturing them until they’re strong enough to be transplanted back onto the reef.
You can help by supporting coral planters to do their thing. Places like Nanuku Resort Fiji and Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji, among others, have coral planting programmes you can get involved in.
Attend A Cultural Night
Image credit: Tourism Fiji | Facebook
iji’s stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters are definitely part of the magic, but it’s the people who truly make the place unforgettable. Their warmth and hospitality are what give Fiji its beating heart, and there’s no better way to soak that in than by attending a cultural night.
From what I’ve heard, culture is woven into every corner of Fiji’s best resorts, so there’s usually plenty of chances to dive deep into local traditions and celebrations. VOU HUB, for example, offers some seriously epic cultural shows and experiences that sound like the perfect way to connect with Fiji’s vibrant spirit.
Visit A Local Produce Market
Image credit: Tourism Fiji | Facebook
If you want to dive into Fiji’s freshest tropical flavors, the Nadi Produce Market is where it’s at. Nestled right in the heart of Nadi Town, this buzzing market really comes alive on Saturdays with stalls bursting with colour, scent, and flavour.
From breadfruit and jackfruit to soursop and taro leaves, the variety alone is enough to make any foodie swoon. And if you’re feeling peckish, there’s no shortage of ready-to-eat treats—think tropical fruit bowls, crispy handmade cassava chips, sweet fresh coconut candy, and seafood so fresh it might have been swimming this morning.
Step Inside Fiji’s Most Vibrant Temple
Just a short drive from Nadi, the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple is a striking example of Fiji’s rich multicultural makeup. As the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s known for its vibrant Dravidian-style architecture, colourful carved deities and intricate detail, each element handcrafted by Indian artisans using traditional methods.
Visitors are welcome to explore most areas of the temple grounds (except for one inner sanctum reserved for worshippers) and are encouraged to dress modestly in line with cultural customs. Shoulders should be covered, and shoes and hats removed before entering, though wraps are usually provided at the entrance for those who need them.
Whether you’re into design, history, or just curious to learn more about Fiji’s cultural layers, this serene and spectacular spot is an easy addition to your Nadi itinerary.
Shop
Stay Awhile at Port Denarau Marina
You’ll likely pass through Port Denarau on your way to the islands, but this bustling marina near Nadi is more than just a launch point. With waterfront eateries, boutique shops, and plenty of places to stock up on essentials, it’s easy to lose a couple of hours here.
Come for a browse and I guarantee you'll leave with fresh pastries, reef shoes, and a day cruise locked in. Whether you’re boarding a boat to the Yasawas, booking a fishing charter, or just soaking in the sea breeze with lunch and a drink, it’s worth carving out time to explore.
Snag Some Actually Cool Souvenirs
Image credit: Tourism Fiji | Facebook
I'm an absolute sucker for souvenirs when I'm overseas, many of which end up sitting on a shelf in my office gathering dust. But when it comes to Fiji, I love the idea of skipping the usual tourist shops and supporting local communities instead.
Rise Beyond The Reef is an economic resilience and leadership development programme in partnership with remote indigenous women and their communities from Cirisobu, Yaloku, Navilawa, Abaca, Verevere, Vatawai, Nabukadra, Nanuku and Saioko villages. These artisans create beautiful, practical and sustainable pieces using traditional knowledge and skills and we’re so here for it.
Other local businesses we’re frothing over include Nama Fiji’s socially responsible skincare, South Seas Salt gourmet seasoning, and The Distillery Co. Fiji’s Blue Turtle Gin.
Tripping for longer? Check out:
Image credit: Zidhan Ibrahim
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