Fiji with Kids: A handy holiday guide
Fiji
Explore Fiji with your family
Fiji is a group of volcanic islands in the South Pacific. Of over 300 islands, approximately 110 of these are inhabited.
Arriving in this Pacific paradise, the first things you’ll notice are the natural beauty of the islands and the instant rapport the friendly locals have with children – the nannies and kids’ clubs at Fiji resorts are the secret to hassle-free family travel!
Fiji’s cultural integrity and strong sense of community make it an ideal destination for families wanting to experience a vibrant culture including music, dance and delicious cuisine.
Story of the month
A week in toddler-friendly paradise!
Escaping with our one-year-old to Fiji, we discovered that Plantation Island Resort is a tropical dream – the kind of paradise two tired parents needed.
All Fiji Stories
Fiji family travel guide
The ultimate guide to Fiji with kids
Fiji is an island nation comprised of over 300 tropical islands, and replete with brilliantly colourful soft coral reefs, lagoons, white sands, aquamarine ocean as far as the eye can see, and a balmy year-round climate perfect for sunning, swimming, snorkelling and shady siestas.
Many of the islands are uninhabited and others are home to local villages, but scattered across the stunning seascape are islands that range in size and shape – from coral atolls to small volcanic islands – with family-friendly, Fijian-flavoured resorts within, and all you have to do is take your pick!
There is something about Fiji and the local people that brings you back to basics and encourages simple pleasures. ‘Fiji Time’ really is just that – relaxed and slowed down. Nothing is a problem. From day one, the fast-paced ‘we must do everything’ vibe starts to fall away.
‘Fiji Time’ quickly envelopes you; before you know it, time means nothing, and you’ll rely solely on your tummy (and kids) to tell you when to eat, drink, sleep, relax, swim, enjoy a massage, go snorkelling, or have a hit of golf. Slow it down and really relax into holiday mode with a Fiji getaway – below, you’ll find everything you need to know to plan your trip.
Fiji is comprised of two main islands – Viti Levu and Vanua Levu – and hundreds of smaller islands. Get the scoop on the top family destinations below.
Viti Levu
The largest, and most populous, island is Viti Levu – often referred to as the mainland. With flights from Australia arriving at Nadi International Airport, its resorts are easily accessible. Choose from any number of fabulous water’s edge resorts in Denarau Island, and along the beautiful Coral Coast, south towards Sigatoka and the capital of Suva.
Denarau Island
Around 25 minutes’ drive from Nadi airport, this man-made island is attached to Viti Levu by a short causeway. It has a row of resorts lining the beach you can easily hop between dining at different restaurants. Port Denarau, which is home to more restaurants and shops, is a short walk or shuttle bus ride away. Denarau is also the perfect base from which to get a taste of the distinctly different Fijian island lifestyle via a half-day or day island cruise.
Coral Coast
From Nadi, head southwest and you’re on the Queens Road taking an 80-odd km scenic road trip along Fiji’s famous Coral Coast. Follow the coast and find some of the most diverse marine habitats in the world. The changing vista is like a rural Fijian odyssey through tiny villages and traditional roadside fruit stalls, village schools and long stretches of beach, mangroves and mountains.
Vanua Levu
Discover a ‘different’ Fiji on Vanua Levu, the country’s second-largest island. In addition to pristine beaches, you’ll experience a landscape of rainforests and waterfalls – and truly spectacular views! There’s also amazing diving and snorkelling.
Savusavu is the quaint town centre of Vanua Levu, Fiji’s other ‘big’ island. The island is lush and tropical with hot springs, rainforests and waterfalls.
Connecting flights to Savusavu run daily via Fiji Airways and Northern Air. Private charter flights can also be arranged with Island Hoppers Fiji and Pacific Island Air.
Mamanuca Islands
The closest islands to Viti Levu, the Mamanucas are a popular destination for families. South Seas Cruises operate daily schedules that will deliver you to your island resort between 30 minutes and two hours from Denarau Marina, depending on where your island is located and the route taken. The Malolo Cat also leaves from the Marina and services the resorts on Malolo Lailai.
The sightseeing alone is worth the journey, as you cut across the beautiful waters and spot one island here, another over there, and another ahead. Each is different from the next – from very small atolls to mountainous and lush islands with protected lagoons tucked around their perimeters. The Tom Hanks movie Castaway was filmed at Modriki Island, and can be visited on day trips from its many resorts.
Yasawa Islands
The remote Yasawa Island Group is a must-visit for intrepid backpackers and flashpackers from around the world. In this part of paradise, you will find a handful of luxury resorts, and resorts that cater for the island-hopping market that also offer a selection of suitable family villas and bures in addition to standard dormitory-style accommodation.
Why visit Fiji with kids?
Fijians really are happy people. Their relaxed energy calms everyone, while their laughter and good humour is infectious. There is laughter and music everywhere you go.
Fijians don’t just like kids, they love them. Babies are whisked away into safe and loving arms, toddlers are adored and cosseted, school-aged kids are talked to and included. From toddlers to teens, every child has the same look of happiness, and every parent peacefully watches their kids being enjoyed and cherished.
Fiji is one of the world’s most family-friendy destinations, so don’t miss out!
Family activities in Fiji
Once you’ve got the accommodation sorted, there are a number of activities that are must-sees around the Fijian islands. Here are some of the highlights:
Water activities
Snorkelling is popular for all ages, while older kids and adults can take their first scuba diving lessons or learn to surf in sheltered lagoon and bays. Experienced surfers will enjoy some of Fiji’s legendary breaks, including Cloudbreak off Tavaru Island.
Fijian village tours
Visit remote villages–the children will be fascinated by the lively dancing and ceremonies. A Sigatoka River Safari will take you to authentic Fijian villages where families are given traditional sevu- sevu (welcome ceremonies). Meet Fijian students at a traditional village school – a real eye-opener for the kids.
Cuisine and culture
You’ll find the delicious, traditional Fijian dish ‘kokoda’ (pronounced kokonda) on just about every menu. It’s a marinated raw fish (usually mackerel) generally prepared with lime juice, chillies, onions and coconut milk.
Food and dining in Fiji
Traditional Fijian cuisine is often a fusion of locally-produced staples including fish, taro, sweet potato, cassava and coconut, and the flavours of India. Try kokoda, a delicious dish of marinated raw fish in lemon and lime and served with a thick coconut cream.
Almost all resorts hold a weekly lovo night where you can feast on mouth-watering, smoky barbecue chicken, fish, pork and vegetables that have been covered in banana leaves and cooked underground for several hours.
Of course you’ll also find contemporary western and Asian cuisine as well as kids’ favourites at most resorts, with a range of fine dining options, casual buffets and celebrity chef-created menus, as well as picnic-hamper yummies so you can escape to a secluded beach for the day and really play at being the Swiss Family Robinson!
Customs in Fiji
The Fijian greeting ‘bula’ is translated as ‘life’ and is liberally offered by Fijians as a joyous means of conveying everything from hello and how are you to welcome, and bidding farewell. Make sure you offer it heartily in return!
The Fijian ‘sulu’ (also known as pareu, lavalava or sarong) is Fiji’s most distinctive and versatile form of dress and there are at least ten different ways a sulu can be worn by a woman, including as evening wear!
In Fijian villages, only the chief can wear hats and sunglasses. The top of the head is sacred, and you should never pat or touch a Fijian’s head.
How to get to Fiji from Australia
Depending on where in Fiji you’re holidaying, Nadi International Airport is the busiest and most convenient gateway, although a handful of resorts are easier accessed by direct flights from Australia to Suva.
Fiji Airways, Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia are among the airlines that fly to the capital, Nadi. The flight is around four hours from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne – an easy trip for most kids.
How to get around Fiji
Most resorts in Fiji can provide transfers to and from Nadi Airport as part of their packages. Depending on where you’re staying, you may need to reach your resort via road, ferry, or boat transfer. Light plane, seaplane and helicopter access is also possible.
South Seas Cruises operate transfers to most of the Mamanuca Islands resorts, while the Malolo Cat services both Plantation Island Resort and Musket Cove. The Yasawa Flyer looks after Yasawa Islands hopping. You can also travel by ferry to Savusavu from Suva several times a week.
At-sea transfers and shore wade-ups are great fun and certainly add to the sense of excitement, adventure and relaxation that only an island holiday can offer, however, if you’re travelling with anyone for whom that process might be either difficult or daunting, consider staying at one of the family-friendly resorts with deeper waters and their own jetty like Plantation Island Resort, Musket Cove Island Resort or Mana Island Resort.
Best time to visit Fiji
The dry season in Fiji coincides with Australia’s winter, when temperatures are in the mid-to-high 20s with low rainfall and little chance of cyclones. Fiji has a balmy average daily temperature in winter of between 26°C and 31°C!
The wet season is from November to April, when you can expect short tropical downpours. Accommodation is usually more affordable, but it is still hot and a great time to see waterfalls flowing.
Table of Contents
Opening image: A family at Plantation Island Resort in Fiji
Content Contributors
Angela Saurine
“On previous trips to Fiji, I’ve stayed at boutique resorts on outer islands and cruised to places only usually visited by sailors. The “main island”, Viti Levu, is the perfect taste of Fiji culture for little ones.”
Elisa Elwin
“Fiji has always been our family’s ‘happy place’ – the cure for the frantic tempo and pressure. Fiji is where happiness finds you. It found us, in bucketloads, time and time again.”