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Only 10 hours from Los Angeles, the Fiji archipelago comprises more than 300 islands scattered across 230,000 square kilometers of the South Pacific Ocean. About 100 of the largest are inhabited. Most are encircled by coral reefs that form cool, blue lagoons and superb natural harbours.
It is so pristine here that Fiji water is bottled and sold throughout the world. But it is the genuine warm hospitality of the Fijians that lures visitors. The friendliness of Fiji stems from tribal custom. Fijians believe that family and friends – old and new – are life’s greatest gifts. Indeed the communal life-style creates a sense of extended family for Fijians where no one is left without love or the necessities of life. Fiji’s ecological diversity ranges from sand dunes to virgin rainforests, rivers, and spectacular waterfalls. It also features pristine reef systems, prairie grasslands, sprawling mangroves, and miles of white sand beaches, and hundreds of uninhabited islands. The dry season in Fiji is May to October; the wet, November to April. The west side of the major islands including Viti Levu and Vanua Levu are protected from the prevailing south east trade winds and receive less rainfall than the windward (east) sides of the islands. [ top ] Scuba diving Fiji, the “soft coral capital of the world” with more than 350 species of soft coral, is an exciting and diversified venue for scuba divers - beginner or advanced and offers reef, drift, wreck, wall dives and live-aboard experiences as well. Weather conditions: Summer: November – April For the avid snorkeller, Fiji is a wonderland! Shallow reefs with beautiful corals, reef fish, turtles, and myriad marine creatures big and small abound. You may wish to try a resort dive course where you try out the scuba equipment in a pool or warm shallow lagoon. Then you take a shallow instructor-led dive into the sea. The next step, of course, is to truly take the plunge and earn your Scuba certification.
The Taveuni region features world class diving. Jerry’s Jelly, located on Taveuni’s Rainbow Reef, is a series of coral heads covered in every hue of soft corals. An abundance of tropical reef fish, numerous crevasses and small caverns make this site a favourite of photographers. It is located 15 minutes away by boat and is at a maximum depth of 65 feet. Beqa Lagoon is host to incredible walls. Side Streets is off Beqa Lagoon. At this site you will see more than a dozen superb coral heads with lush canyons of gorgonians in vivid reds and yellows. The tunnel walls are decorated with soft corals and black coral trees. Imperial angelfish, whitetip reef sharks and coral trout lazily circle the coral heads. Even the living clam shells are lavishly decorated with brilliant soft corals. The Great Astrolabe Reef, off Kadavu, surrounds a string of jeweled islands set in pristine tropical waters. Here you will encounter walls covered with hard and brilliantly coloured soft corals, schools of pelagics, endless swimthroughs, sharks, rays and unbelievable visibility. Some resorts cater specifically to scuba divers. Dive operators will also pick you up from larger diversified resorts. Fiji also offers premier live-aboard diving vessels capable of reaching the outlying virgin reefs. [ top ] Adventure For exciting rafting or kayaking fun, travel to Pacific Harbour.
From here you’ll be driven into Fiji’s interior where
you can meet the friendly local people in their traditional villages.
Mid morning kayak or raft down the exciting rapids of the Nasau
River. Midway through your trip, lunch is served in a crystal clear
lagoon setting. After lunch raft or kayak until mid-afternoon and
conclude your day with a motorized boat ride back to Pacific Harbour. On the island of Taveuni be sure to visit the Bouma Forest Park and Reserve, where you can hike seven kilometers of bracing bush walks. The highlight is three gorgeous waterfalls – two of which are accessible by a fairly strenuous hike along a well-marked trail. You’ll feel like explorers as you ford white-water rapids and trek through the virgin stand of rain forest. Take the challenging hike to Lake Tagimaucea, an opal set in a
volcanic crater 2,500 feet above sea level. This area is home to
a rare flower of the same name, an exquisite bloom whose scarlet
petals protect a snow-white center. Locals claim it grows nowhere
else on
The Fiji Islands are steeped in tradition and culture. Be enchanted as you listen to a welcoming meke, an important part in the traditional Fijian ceremonies of welcome. This beat of the lali (drum) and the actions correspond to the chanting of the meke. When watching a meke, listen to the music, watch the movement of
hands, arms, legs, head, eyes and mouth and enquire about the translation
of the words. They all contribute to the development of a people,
strengthening of a culture, transmitting knowledge, and the prediction
of past and current events and forecasts for the future. Take part in a traditional Kava ceremony. You will sit in a closed circle of participants. Fresh water is poured into a tanoa bowl; pulverized kava root is added to make the earthen cocktail. This is poured into a bilo shell. Clap, say “bula,” drink and drain the bilo shell and clap twice. Your clap must carry a presence and command respect from the village men. [ top ] Romantic Fiji Here is why Fiji is ideal for your engagement, honeymoon or anniversary trip:
Fiji is noted for its intimate “bures” (pronounced boo-rays). These are the traditional thatched buildings of Fiji. Adopted from the Fijian village concept, the resort bures are attractive and more spacious than many hotel suites and widely spaced for both privacy and free flow of ocean breezes. From small intimate Coral Coast resorts with garden and beach bures to upscale island resorts featured in the Blue Lagoon; to private island resorts where the only occupants will be you, your spouse, and your friends, Fiji offers a home to every traveller. And, oh, the food! Imagine dining on home made white Belgian chocolate ice cream with pancakes or waffles – for breakfast! Private beaches, picnics replete with champagne. From Continental favourites to spicy Indian curries, tandooris and rotis to Fijian specialties such as kokoda (chilled scallops, grouper or wahoo marinated in lime, coconut and coriander) and luscious, meltingly tender fish steamed in lolo (coconut cream), you’re sure to enjoy the tastes of Fiji. At the end of the day, dine by flickering candlelight on fine china
overlooking the
Activities at Qamea include swimming in the sea or their swimming pool, windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, canoeing and world-class diving.
Activities include snorkeling, tennis, croquet, bushwalking, and relaxing in your hammock. At Yasawa you will have an opportunity to visit the Blue Lagoon Caves or an actual Fijian village.
[ top ] Fiji for Families
The Cousteau Resort’s Bula Camp welcomes children from infants to 12 years old. Here your child has an opportunity to explore the island and learn about Fijian culture. The resort’s rain forest hike is fun for the entire family. To learn scuba at the Cousteau Resort, the child must be 10 years or older. Beginners can take the resort course (a briefing and a pool checkout dive) and then take an actual shallow dive with an instructor. The entire family can also go through the entire five-day scuba certification program at the resort. Cruising in Fiji – an ideal add-on to a stay at one of Fiji’s island resorts. If you wish to visit remote villages and learn about the Fijian culture, snorkel in gardens of colourful coral, wander long stretched of white sand beaches and on unspoiled tropical islands where few have gone before, consider adding a cruise to your Fiji vacation. Blue Lagoon Cruises – Be one of the elite few to experience isolated beaches and uninhabited Fiji islands. Enjoy swimming, windsurfing, fishing, snorkeling, coral viewing, scuba diving, volleyball, bushwalking, spy boarding kayaking, beach picnics, nightly entertainment and romantic beach walks. Unique to Blue Lagoon cruises is a visit to Nanuya Lailai, a pristine island with crystal clear waters and buttery white sand beaches. Tropical Paradise Stroll on warm expansive beaches with your loved one; picnic on your “own” private island; explore the rainforest with its plunging waterfalls. Gallop your horse into the surf. Dine under the stars. Be pampered in Fiji’s premier spa with a couples’ massage. Or simply laze in your hammock for two. Snorkel with your children. Sail, kayak, windsurf, snorkel, scuba, fish. Relax you’re on Fiji time. In Fiji you can do as much or as little as you choose. Azure blue skies, the delectable smell of frangipani, warm sand beneath your feet, friendly Fijian smiles, and the taste of fresh seafood and exotic tropical fruits will make your visit to Fiji unforgettable. Call us now to make your Fiji dream vacation or honeymoon a reality. http://snugharbourtours.fijiagent.com
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Your
U.S. flight usually arrives very early in the morning at Nadi on
the main island of Viti Levu. From Nadi if you are not staying on
the mainland, you travel to your island resort by: small plane,
seaplane, charter aircraft, helicopter, or catamaran ferry.
If
you are certified and crave excitement, Supermarket,
off Mana Island in the Mamanucas, is an adrenaline charged dive.
Count on seeing bronze whalers, whitetip reef sharks and blacktip
oceanic sharks. 
See
the Beqa Islanders walk on white hot volcanic rock. Watch the fearsome
“wesi” spear dance. Listen to myths and legends passed
down through generations of story tellers. 
Fiji
offers some of the most gorgeous upscale island resorts in the world.
One wise choice is the Qamea Beach Club: this intimate boutique
resort caters to a maximum of twenty-eight adults in fourteen luxuriously
appointed beachfront bures and villas, all with sweeping views of
the ocean and sunsets. The bures featuring king-size beds, sitting
rooms, large bathrooms, outdoor showers, verandahs, replete with
hammock, are all built in the traditional Fijian style. Qamea’s
Premier Villa, offering 1,500 square feet of space, plus an additional
400 square foot covered deck, is replete with a private plunge pool.
The Premier Villa has a Bose Wave stereo system and offers the most
refined furnishings and elegant décor. 
Another excellent choice is Yasawa Island where there are eleven
private beaches from which to choose for your romantic private picnic.
Your thatched bure is one of only eighteen, all constructed with
local timbers and designed in traditional art décor. Your
bure has a sitting room, king bed, minibar, Bose stereo system,
large indoor tiled shower, double mahogany vanity, outdoor shower,
and wraparound wooden deck. All bures offer both ceiling fans and
air-conditioning for your comfort. 
The
warmth and care of the Fijians and their love, especially, of children
make Fiji an ideal destination for your family’s vacation.
Several resorts offer children’s programs. Among them are
Matangi, Malolo, and Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort.[ Top | Destinations | About | Certifications | Testimonials | Contact | Search ]
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