Picture a holiday in Fiji and chances are you’ll end up daydreaming about a beach. Specifically, a beach where white sands meet cerulean waters without a sharp shell (you know the ones) or pesky rock in sight.
And when that magical moment comes where you’ve booked time off work and are contemplating which of your togs will go best with a piña colada, you can thank your lucky stars that the team at Urban List thought well ahead to pick the best beaches so you can get straight down to that sweet, sweet relaxation, as soon as you land. Read on for the best beaches in Fiji to bliss out on.
Natadola Beach
Viti Levu
Image credit: @robert_kennedy_fiji | Instagram
Just 30 minutes from Nadi, Natadola Beach on the Coral Coast is one of the best beaches in Fiji for surfers, no matter your skill (or lack thereof) on a surfboard. Yep, newbs and pros alike regularly flock to this gorgeous stretch of sand to ride the waves which are, helpfully, split into two areas. Natadola Inside break is the domain of beginner surfers and, further out towards the entrance of the channel, Natadola Outside is for when you’ve levelled up. Wherever you choose to hang ten (or five, or one) you’re in for a great time.
Horseshoe Bay
Matangi Island
Aptly named, Horseshoe Bay is, in fact, shaped like a horse shoe… the most beautiful horse shoe that ever existed. It’s wrapped by the adults-only Matangi Private Island Resort so you’ll have to be a guest to explore it for yourself. Nevertheless, fringed by tropical rainforest and volcanic rock faces, the white sands and crystal clear waters are definitely worth it, especially if you’re after a tranquility that can’t be shattered by screaming children. Mini-buses are available from the neighbouring Taveuni Island. They’ll take you to a boat landing and, from there, it’s a 20-minute water taxi to the resort.
Liku Beach
Totoriki Island
Another Mamanucan treasure, Liku Beach is one of the best beaches in Fiji for romantic sunsets which makes sense when you know that ‘liku’ actually is Fijian for sunset. It goes without saying then (but we’re going to anyway), that the combination of sunsets and adults-only Totoriki Island Resort, this beach is a bit of a magnet for honeymooners. But there’s more to Liku Beach than getting lost in somebody’s eyes, the lagoon and coral reefs are ripe for exploring making it a great spot for snorkeling, diving, and just about any other aquatic adventure you can think of. Head here via a 15-minute helicopter or a 1-hour transfer and speedboat from Nadi Airport.
Cast Away Island Beach
Modiki/Monuriki Island
Image credit: @nk.tyo | Instagram
Fiji has set the scene for many a Hollywood blockbuster and TV series—Survivor, we’re looking at you—but perhaps the most famous is Cast Away. Yep, back in 2000 Tom Hanks pretended to be stranded on an island and now you can too on the tiny island of Modiki. This is one of the best beaches in Fiji for movie buffs and anyone prone to interrogating you on long car rides about the one thing you’d take with you if you were going to be stranded on a desert island. Guided tours are a neat thing to do here, and include free time for you to do some exploring of your own before heading back to the mainland, or wherever your next stop is.
Seagrass Bay
Laucala Island
Hella private (access is granted only to those baller enough to stay at the 5-star Como Laucala Resort), if you’re lucky enough to step foot on the sands of Seagrass Bay, you’re going to want to take a moment to revel in this beach’s sheer beauty, probably sitting down—it’s that stunning. One of the best beaches in Fiji, and definitely the most exclusive, the resort has its own Dive and Marine Activities Centre, plus the tech for basically all watersports that ever existed, so you’re sure to have a total ball here. This is a beach day gone luxe.
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Wailoaloa Beach
Nadi
This brown sand beach might not be the stereotype that pops to mind when you daydream about Fiji but Wailoaloa is still one of Fiji’s best beaches because, afterall, one of the reasons we’re so in love with Fiji in the first place is due to the warm, friendly culture of the local people. Just a three-minute drive from Nadi it’s super accessible and has truck loads of vibe with wonderful sunsets and mackin’ local restaurants to feast at—Vasaqa Fiji does really good street food and Olive Tree knows a thing or two about Mexican fusion.
South Sea Island
Mamanucas
This sandy oasis is a favourite among island hoppers and it’s easy to see why. A day trip to South Sea Island is likely to include snorkeling, kayaking, beach volleyball, swimming, massage, diving, traditional Meke performances, coral discovery via underwater submersible, and, of course, a tasty feed of epic proportions. There’s even a saltwater swimming pool for the especially sea critter-adverse. South Sea Island is a 30-minute boat ride from Port Denarau making it one of the best beaches to visit for an all-inclusive, well-rounded experience where nature meets Fijian culture.
Honeymoon Beach
Turtle Island
While the name doesn’t give it away at all, Honeymoon Beach is one of the best beaches in Fiji for, well, honeymoons, and it isn’t just good on paper—it white sands and baby blue waters tick all the boxes IRL too. The thing that sets it apart from other beaches, however, and makes it a prime destination for loved up honeymooners is the candlelit dinners thrown by private resort Turtle Island on small floating pontoons. Yeah, we just melted too.
Devil’s Beach
Turtle Island
Balancing out Honeymoon Beach is its saucy, wicked sister Devil’s Beach, also on Turtle Island. Despite being named for Satan, it’s just as much of a paradise as Honeymoon Beach is. In fact, it was the spot where the 1980 movie The Blue Lagoon, a bizarre mix of sexual awakening-meets-survival was filmed. Yep, this sand is Hollywood-approved, folks but we think this is one of the best beaches in Fiji for the name alone, especially if you’re planning a Halloween vacay.
Malamala Beach
Mamanucas
Image credit: @selebucho | Instagram
If there was a beach to end all beaches, it might just be Malamala Beach Club. Picture-perfect and ridiculously ‘Gram-worthy, this Mamanucan gem is home to the world’s first island beach club. Just 25 minutes from Port Denarau, getting to this beach is easy via a coach connection or vessel transfer. Alternatively, private boats are welcome, just call ahead to make sure a mooring’s available for you. Happily, day passes mean you don’t have to be staying at the club to enjoy all that the beach offers (although, it’s definitely worth considering). Relax in a beachside cabana, cocktail in hand and live the good life you’ve always known you were born for.
Sand Cay
Beqa Lagoon
Petite but perfectly lavish Beqa Lagoon is one of the best beaches in Fiji for dreamy moments in the utmost privacy. Make your way here via air and speedboat transfer, helicopter, or road and speedboat transfer. We’d recommend checking into the adults-only Royal Davui Island Resort to truly get the most out of this beach. Why? Four words: sand cay beach picnic. Does it get any better? We think not. The folks at Royal Davui will take you on a seven-minute boat ride to a tidal island for a remote, romantic picnic for just you and bey. You might just get in the mood to have… scintillating conversation on this beach. The Bachelor can f*ck right off, this date is unrivalled.
Long Beach
Nacula
If you’re all about sandy beach jogs or just want to recreate that iconic opening from Baywatch (but, you no, less cringe), Long Beach is for you. As the name suggests, this ain’t a short stretch of sand. Check into Long Beach Resort then lope up and down the sand to your heart’s content—giving your ankles a run for their money while you’re at it—then cool-off in the refreshing waters that are swimmable even at low tide. Talk about added value.
Anywhere In The Yasawa Islands
Image credit: @cwaddell88 | Instagram
If you can’t choose between Fiji’s best beaches why not have them all? Seriously though, Yasawa Island Resort is an all-inclusive resort with no less than eleven private beaches, every one of which is absolutely sublime. If that wasn’t enough of a clincher, there are apparently 15 words for ‘heaven’ in Fijian and ‘yasawa’ is the first. *Swoon.* What’s more, the Yasawa Island group is the driest part of Fiji meaning balmy tropical weather all year round so you can beach it up without a care in the world.
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