Fiji

Tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation. Tropical cyclonic storms (the South Pacific version of hurricanes) can occur from November-April. Temperature sensitive visitors may wish to visit during the Southern Hemisphere winter.

Fiji is 3,000 km east of Australia within the waters of the South Pacific Ocean. It comprises a group of 332 islands across its archipelago.

Mostly mountains of volcanic origin. In most of the interior of the main islands there are some roads, many trails, and an amazing number of remote villages. Buses and open or canvas topped "carriers" traverse the mountains of Vanua Levu several times a day and the interior mountains of Viti Levu many times weekly. (The Tacirua Transport "hydromaster" bus which leaves from Nausori in the morning, runs past the hydroelectric reservoir and mount Tomanivi, and arrives the same day in Vatoukola and Tavua is the best and the scenery is truly spectacular in good weather!)

Austronesians were the first settlers, who reached Fiji by 1100 BC. From 500 BC, Melanesian mariners reached Fiji, giving rise to the modern Fijians. By the 10th century, it came under the sphere of influence within the Tu'i Tonga Dynasty, bringing Polynesian customs.

Europeans explored Fiji in the 17th century, including Abel Tasman, who in 1643, accidentally discovered the islands. Then in 1774, Captain Cook explored Fiji, combining the names "Fisi" that people from Tonga called Fiji, and "Viti" that natives Fijians called their islands. It was briefly ruled under an independent kingdom until being transitioned to colonial rule under the British Empire in the 19th century.

Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract labourers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji led to heavy Indian emigration. The population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. There was another military coup in 2006, led by Commodore Josaia Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama. An election was held in 2014 and Bainimarama's FijiFirst party won a majority of seats.

Indigenous Fijian culture and tradition is very vibrant and is an integral component of everyday life for the majority of Fiji's population. However, Fijian society has also evolved over the past century with the addition of Indian and Chinese immigrants, and because of heavy influences from Europe and Fiji's Pacific neighbours, particularly Tonga and Samoa. Thus, the various cultures of Fiji have come together to create a unique multicultural national identity.

1 January: New Year's Day

Feb/Mar: Holi

Rau Naumi (not an official holiday)

Easter (variable)

Eid al-Fitr (Islamic religious observance)

10 October: Fiji Day (Independence Day)

Oct/Nov: Diwali (Festival of Lights)

25 December: Christmas Day

26 December: Boxing Day

Fiji Travel website

Fiji has a liberal travel policy. Citizens of over 100 countries including Australia, Canada, China, countries within the European Union, India, the United Kingdom, and the US do not require a tourist visa. Most visitors are granted permits on arrival that last 4 months. The visitor permit may be extended for up to 2 additional months for a fee. All visitors receive entry stamps, but not exit stamps.

All others will need a visa. Visas can be applied for online, are processed in 3 working days, and cost $91/180 for single/multiple entry.

No visa is required if you are just transiting at the airport between two international flights, provided your layover is less than 3 hours.

Nadi International Airport (NAN IATA) is Fiji's main international airport, and the main air hub for the Pacific island nations. Suva airport also has some international flights. Flag carrier Fiji Airways flies to Nadi directly from Los Angeles (LAX IATA), San Francisco (SFO IATA and Honolulu (HNL IATA) in the United States, Vancouver (YVR IATA) in Canada, as well as Hong Kong (HKG IATA), Singapore (SIN IATA), Tokyo (NRT IATA) and many locations throughout Australia, New Zealand and the rest of the Pacific. Air New Zealand operates flights to Nadi from Auckland (AKL IATA), while Qantas operates flights from Sydney (SYD IATA).

From Brisbane the flight to Fiji is approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes, from Sydney 4 hours and 30 minutes and from Melbourne it is 5 hours and 30 minutes.

You can enter Fiji by boat from Australia through the Australian shore connection. Yachts must not stop at any island until they have clearance from Customs, Immigration, Health, and Biohazard officials. There are five official ports of entry in Fiji: Savusavu on Vanua Levu, Levuka on Ovalau, Suva and Lautoka on Viti Levu, and Oinafa on Rotuma.

Fiji is also a common port of call for cruise ships departing from Australia.

Denarau Marina on Denarau Island is the gateway to all the inhabited Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands. This is where most cruises and ferries serving Fiji's tourism-oriented western islands operate from. Denarau Island is connected to the mainland via a short bridge, and is 20 minutes from Nadi International Airport. Alternatively, there are additional services to the Yasawas from Lautoka, about 30 min to the north of Nadi.

South Sea Cruises operates daily inter-island ferry transfers throughout Fiji's Mamanuca Island resorts, except Malolo Lailai (see Malolo Cat below). Awesome Adventures Fiji and the smaller Tavewa Seabus provide daily ferry transfers out to the remote Yasawa Islands. Inter-island ferries are reasonably priced and have a good safety record, though they may be busy at the beginning and end of school holiday periods. Ferries typically offer two or three classes (depending on the ship).

For fast boats to popular Malolo Lailai, the Malolo Cat service runs multiple daily departures from Denarau. A handy resource to compare and combine all ferry departures, timetables and connections to these island groups can be found on Fiji-bookings. The furthest extremes of the Yasawa islands take most of the day to reach, depending on weather, up to 5 or 6 hours. The Mamanucas, while on average much closer to the mainland, can also take multiple hours to reach. It is compulsory to be booked at an island resort for at least 1 night if you wish to disembark at any of the islands serviced by the ferry routes.

Fiji Searoad provides slow (car) ferry routes from eastern Viti Levu to Vanua Levu, Ovalau and Koro. They also include bus transfers from all main settlements on Viti Levu in combination with their ferry departures. However, in most cases it is wise to compare the pros and cons of such a long sea voyage (typically 10-12 hr) with more abundant and much faster (however more expensive) domestic flights.

Economy ($65 pp on Suva-Taveuni route) is the cheapest option, but requires you to sleep on chairs or on the floor. Sleeper ($104 pp, Suva-Taveuni) is dormitory-like accommodation. Cabin ($135 pp on MV Suiliven, $95 pp on SOFE, Suva-Taveuni) is not necessarily the best option, as the space is very limited, cabin can be shared (4 beds) and can have hordes of bugs.

Do not attempt to take a car to another island unless you own it or have made clear special arrangements: most rental companies forbid it and they do prosecute tourists who violate this clause in the contract.

Getting to the more remote islands such as the Lau group usually is exclusively possible by boat charter, domestic flight or plane charter. An official invitation from the local chief is usually required.

Bicycles are becoming more popular in Fiji for locals and tourists alike. In many ways, Fiji is an ideal place for a rugged bike tour. However, the motor vehicle traffic can be intimidating on well-travelled roads, and there is a lack of accommodation along secondary roads. Cycling is a great way to see Fiji but make sure you carry all your own spares and supplies as bike shops are scarce. It is a good idea to carry plenty of water, a camelbak is great, as it is very hot and humid almost year round.

The main road around the largest island, Viti Levu, is sealed except for a 40-km section on the east side. A sturdy road, touring or hybrid bike is suitable.

Bike rental can be quite expensive comparing to other options: on Taveuni bike for full day costs $25. With two persons the cost is similar to renting a car.

The extensive system of narrow gauge railways used to transport sugar cane to the refineries also carried passengers for free or cheaply in the past, but the infrastructure is falling into disrepair and the opportunities are closing. Thus, the Coral Coast Railway offers a tourist train ride, but no further than Sigatoka as the railway river bridge there has collapsed. Its station is at 18°8'27"S 177°25'50"E (across the main road from The Gecko Lodge, by the turnoff to the Shangri-la Resort) and its westward excursions from that station are off, because of another unrepaired bridge collapse immediately west of the station. Mechanical failures may mean no offerings during the time of your visit.

There is talk of another tourist train scheme based in Nadi. As you leave the airport, you will cross the tracks.

Sport is a large part of Fijian culture.

Rugby union is the national sport, and even in the poorest villages, you can see children playing rugby in any open field available making use of plastic bottles or something similar as substitutes if they can't afford to buy an actual rugby ball. The ANZ stadium in Suva is Fiji's national stadium, and the Fijian national team typically performs a traditional war dance known as the cibi before every test match. Fiji contests the Pacific Nations Cup with the neighbouring countries of Tonga and Samoa, and regularly sends teams to the Rugby World Cup, having made the quarter finals twice. In addition to the traditional 15-a-side game, Fiji also regularly competes in rugby sevens, where it is the world's most successful team, having been the most successful team in the Hong Kong Sevens, as well as the winner of the gold medal at the inaugural rugby sevens tournament at the Olympics.

Soccer (also known as football) is a growing sport in Fiji. The Fiji Premier League is the highest men's soccer league in Fiji, which has promotion and relegation with the Fiji Senior League, while the highest women's league is the Fiji Women's Super League, which has promotion and relegation with the Fiji Women's Senior League. Fiji has never qualified for the Olympic football tournament, nor have they ever qualified for the FIFA World Cup or the FIFA Women's World Cup. The men's national team is nicknamed the "Bula Boys".

In Fiji the currency is the Fijian dollar, denoted by the symbol "F$" or "$" (ISO currency code: FJD). Wikivoyage articles will use $ to denote the currency.

Bills include: $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. You may also encounter a $7 Fijian note, although you're better off keeping that rather than spending it as it is quite rare. Coins include: 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, $1, and a $2 coin. In some areas, the Australian dollar is also accepted, but unlike some other Pacific Island countries, AUD is not the preferred method of payment.

In Fiji, tipping is virtually non-existent. This includes no tipping to taxis, hotels, bellpersons, restaurants, etc. However, at most all-inclusive resorts and amongst the scuba diving operations, they have a "Christmas Box" where you can donate money that is shared equally amongst all the staff at Christmas time.

Expect to pay prices similar to those of Australia in tourist regions.

Be aware when going to local markets, often some of the stall holders family will be outside on the lookout for travellers, and will escort the travellers inside using the guise of "getting the best bargains". Once inside they, and their relatives who own the stall, can become quite aggressive if the traveller does not buy their products. Be firm, tell them that you will report them to the authorities if they do not leave you alone. They will quickly change their tone and back down.

Also be aware of small travel counters acting as travel agents, even in some hotels, or on wharves where boats pull in. They may not be accredited, or may be an outright scam. While tourist police have been created to assist tourists in such predicaments, time constraints may restrict tourists ability to retrieve monies. Ask resort managers for more advice.

Traditional food in Fiji relies heavily on tubers like taro, yams, sweet potatoes (kumala), manioc (tavioka) and breadfruit (uto), served with a relish made from meat, fish, seafood, and vegetables. Dishes to look out for:

palusami, baked taro leaves marinated in lemon juice and coconut milk often with some meat or fish filling and a bit of onion or garlic

kokoda, raw fish or other seafood marinated in lemon and coconut milk, similar to ceviche

lovo, food cooked in a pit oven. Not found at restaurants, but many hotels offer lomo "feasts" for dinner.

Don't miss fresh tropical fruits, found at the farmer's market in any town when in season. Vutu is a local variety of nut mainly grown on the island of Beqa, but also available in Suva and other towns around January and February. A great deal of food is cooked in coconut milk. Chicken is often served chopped into pieces with the bones left.

While traditional Fijian cuisine is quite bland, Indian migrants brought along their food and have definitely spiced things up. South Asian cuisine is widely available and thali platters served with rice and roti flatbread are spicy, cheap and often delicious.

Due to the large number of Indians in Fiji, Indo-Fijians have developed their own cuisine, which blends traditional Indian cuisine with Fijian and Western cuisines.

Fiji is home to many local curry variants. One of the most well-known Fijian curries is fish suruwa, a type of fish curry that originated in Fiji.

Locals eat in the cafes and small restaurants that are found in every town. The food is wholesome, cheap, and highly variable in quality. What you order from the menu is often better than what comes out of the glass display case, except for places that sell a lot of food quickly and keep putting it out fresh. Fish and Chips are usually a safe bet, and are widely available. Many cafes serve Chinese food of some sort along with Indian and sometimes Fiji-style fish, lamb, or pork dishes. Near the airport, a greater variety of food is found, including Japanese and Korean.

Fiji also has some fast food options in cities and major towns, including McDonald's (locally known as "Maccas") and Burger King.

Most crime takes place in the outer suburbs of Suva and Nadi, away from the resort areas. The best advice is to stick to hotel grounds after dark, and to use extreme caution in Suva, Nadi and other urbanised areas after nightfall. Travellers have been victims of violent crime, particularly in Suva. Travellers have reported the regularity of petty robberies, muggings, and also home-invasions/rape, etc. You will notice the predominance of bars on most peoples' homes. Economic and ethnic strife has led to a low-level hum of violent crime. Some resorts and hotels have more extensive security measures than others which should be taken into account.

Muggings are often carried out by large groups of men so being in a group won't necessarily be a deterrent. Police forces sometimes have difficulties responding to crime, potentially for reasons as mundane as being unable to pay for petrol.

Fijian culture encourages sharing and sometimes small things like shoes will be "borrowed". Often by speaking with the village chief it can be arranged to get things returned.

Fiji has been subject to occasional political unrest and upheaval, including five coups d'état since 1987, with the most recent occurring in 2009. These upheavals have damaged the Fijian economy, including its tourism sector, and have led to relative international isolation. While as of April 2021 there is no significant unrest or potential for a coup, visitors should stay aware of political news in the country and those doing business in Fiji should ensure that their contracts and visas remain valid. Even in the event of unrest, tourists at resorts and hotels will likely remain safe, especially if they are not in Suva. If unrest does happen, and you happen to be in a hotspot such as Suva, avoid areas where protests may occur, and have the information for your country's embassy handy in case you are detained or are required to evacuate.

Although Fiji is a religious country, Fijians are generally quite tolerant of LGBT people. Fiji has more advanced LGBT rights than almost every other Oceanian country, the sole exceptions being Australia and New Zealand.

The age of consent in Fiji, regardless of sexual orientation or gender, is 16, with the laws being the same in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and most of Australia. Consensual sex between two men has been legal in Fiji since 2009.

Discrimination, including on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, has been banned by the Constitution since 1997. Fiji was the second country in the world to enshrine discrimination protections for LGBT people in its constitution, the first being South Africa.

Same-sex marriage and civil unions are not legally recognised in Fiji. The only Oceanian countries where same-sex marriages are legally recognised are Australia and New Zealand.

Fiji is relatively free of disease compared to most of the tropics. Avoid mosquito-borne illnesses, such as dengue fever and even elephantiasis by covering up thoroughly or using repellents while outdoors at dawn or dusk.

While water is often unsafe to drink in several Pacific Island nations, water in Fiji is generally safe to drink, though filtering or boiling is advisable when unsure. Urban tap water is treated and nearly always safe. When exceptions occasionally arise, there are public warnings or radio and print media warnings. Contaminated food is uncommon, though on occasion, mature reef fish can contain mild neurotoxins they accumulate in their bodies from freshwater algae that wash into the ocean. The effects of such "fish-poisoning" are usually intense for only a day or two, but tingling lips and unusual sensitivities to hot and cold can linger for a long time.

Drownings are common, and automobile and other motor vehicle accidents (often involving animals or pedestrians) are very common. Local emergency medical care is very good on the basics in urban areas. Expect long waits in government-run clinics and hospitals. Treatment for serious conditions often requires an evacuation to New Zealand or Australia. Even the most basic medical care is usually not available outside of urban areas.

Fiji, like most of the South Pacific, can have intense solar radiation that can cause severe skin-burns in a short amount of time. Be sure to use hats, sunglasses and liberal amounts of high-SPF value sunblock on ALL exposed skin (including ears, noses and tops-of-feet) when out in the sun. On top of that tropical boils are a common inconvenience in Fiji, this can be avoided by giving those sweaty sections of the body a soapy scrub more than once a day.

Fiji, like many Pacific Island states, has a strong Christian moral society; having been colonised and converted to Protestantism by missionaries during the 19th century. Do not be surprised if shops and other businesses are closed on Sunday. The Sabbath starts at 6PM the day before, and some businesses celebrate the Sabbath on a Saturday instead of a Sunday. Many Indians are Hindu or Muslim.

Dress modestly and appropriately. While Fiji is a tropical country, beach-wear should be confined to the beach. Take your cues from the locals as to what they consider appropriate dress for the occasion. When visiting towns and villages, you should be sure to cover your shoulders and wear shorts or sulus (sarongs) that cover your knees (both genders). This is especially true for visiting a church, although locals will often lend you a sulu for a church visit.

There is no nudist/naturist or topless bathing in Fiji.