The Fiji Islands guide: what to see and when to go

They were once feared as terrible warriors and even cannibals. Today they are only scary as players of rugby. And those who have visited their islands tell of a smiling people. Moreover, very placid and calm: so much so that in public it is considered rude to run. There guide of the Fiji islands necessarily tells of a lucky land where the sun shines perpetually, where the orchids are reflected in the waterfalls in the jungle and where, as in a predictable catalog of dream places, the palms frame the white beaches.

Here visitors know they are spoiled for choice between pastimes in nature: doing diving among the coral gardens, swim among the huge manta rays as unhurried underwater planes or discover the depths of the Astrolabe Reef or try to get on a board to face Cloud Breakers, or the waves six meters high crashing off the coast of Tavarua.

Guide to the Fiji islands: we start from Suva

Suva hosts more than half of the population of the islands and also for this reason it is not only the capital of the country but an important center of regional importance for the area of South Pacific. In this city it is possible to eat in a refined floating restaurant, indulge in a cocktail in one of the many lively and sometimes extravagant places, go shopping and negotiate the price at the municipal market or explore the Fiji Museumone of the many historical and cultural sites in the city.

During the day there is so much to do and see. But even at night you will not run the risk of getting bored walking through the streets, like Victoria Parade, where life after sunset continues to pulsate and involve those who do not want to go to bed early. Suva is also a good springboard for venturing into the wildest areas around.

The discovery of Fiji: arriving in paradise

The Fiji archipelago is the fulcrum of the transport of the South Pacific and for this reason there are many connections arriving from afar that make a stopover at the airport of Nadi, the main international airport of the archipelago. From here it is very easy to reach the various areas of the island or leave with local connections directed to the other large islands of Vanua, Levu And Taveuni as well as for other destinations in the Pacific.

Once, however, a Nadi it is worth stopping and starting to take a look around trying to get into the heart of the life and culture of this archipelago. Not to be missed for example in the surroundings is the temple of Siva Subramaniya and the Garden of the sleeping giant or travel around the Sabeto Mountains.

Alternatively, and any guide will advise you to do so, you can simply choose not to choose and stop to rest and relax on the beaches of Wailoaloa and of Newtown. Preparing the journey to the next paradise island.

The guide to the Fiji islands: the sun and the sea

The climate makes the difference. Or at least that’s the way it is in these parts since the good-natured sky is one of the reasons why this archipelago has become one of the most sought-after beach holiday destinations in the world. The Fiji islands they enjoy a typically climate tropicalwith trade winds that caress the islands to make the climate pleasant during most of the year.

The maximum temperatures summer averages are thus around 31ºC but also the winter average does not differ much as it stands at around 29ºC. The Fiji they usually experience its hottest season between December and April while the coolest temperatures – so to speak – are found between May and November. Now, it’s okay that heaven looks a lot like these places: but an honest one guide of the Fiji islands he will also have to admit that it rains here too. And this can happen at any time of the year even if technically the rain season arrives between November to April.

A season that however does not make a trip to the archipelago impossible: most of the rainfall is reduced to one strong but short shower which can also be refreshing to soothe the heat. The archipelago only occasionally suffers the lash of the gods cyclones and these occur during the wet season. The weather on the smaller islands of the archipelago tends to be milder and generally less rain falls on these islets than on the main islands. However, the driest months are April, May, June and October

The best time to visit them

Yes, but having said all this remains the question to be answered by a guide of the Fiji islands: which is the best time to visit the archipelago? It can be said that it goes between the end of March and the beginning of December. From June to October, or the winter months, they can also be a time for a trip to these lands as there is always heat but less humidity. The average temperature of the sea it is pleasant all year round.

Sand dunes and cruises

We arrived in the archipelago, we took the time of the life of the place and understood that here nature shows off brazenly. But now what can we do and see? One of the first experiences to do in the islands is a visit to the spectacular sand dunes that line the Sigatoka Riverthe result of the action of time over millions of years.

They are located on the Coral Coast and not far from the mouth of the Sigatoka River, one of the most important waterways of the archipelago. This ancestral space extends over more than 650 hectares and now – since 1989 – protected by a National Park as there are many unique plant and animal species here. Not only that: according to the work done by archaeologists, the first populations of the archipelago, come from the sea. It is the Lapita ethnic group of which ancient artifacts have also been found.

To visit them you need to arrive by car following the road that goes from Sigatoka to capital Suva. After the dunes it is time to go towards the sea: another excursion not to be missed is the one by boat through the mangrove forests that are found along the pristine coast of Levu screws and where wildlife is extremely easy to spot.

During a boat trip along the winding corridors carved into the mangrove forests it is a real thrill: you can descend in this way to the delta of the Rewa River admiring for a myriad of bird species and touching the quiet daily life of the fishing villages.

Stories of mutineers and visits to the gardens

The Fiji Museum it is located in Suva, the main city of the archipelago which is home to almost 80,000 inhabitants. The museum is located in the center of a very pleasant area called Thurston Gardens that is an area of ​​botanical gardens where it is pleasant even to stop and rest in the shade of tropical plants.

The museum collects a vast archaeological collection, which dates back to 3,700 years and in practice allows you to make a real journey through the history of the archipelago. Among the many things to see, we can only suggest that you lose a few moments to admire the helm of the HMS Bounty, which was destroyed by mutineers in what is perhaps the most famous maritime history of this part of the world. Obviously it is not comparable to a European museum but it is still a pleasant address where you can spend some time between a bath and another.

The garden of the sleeping giant

To experience a moment of peace and tranquility the Garden of the sleeping giant located on the road between Nadi And Lautoka, at the foot of the Sabeto Mountains, is the right place to go. It was originally a private garden that was open to the public and takes its strange name from its unique shape which makes it look a lot like the silhouette of a sleeping giant. The garden was born in 1977 to host an impressive one orchid collection wanted by Raymond Burr (yes, just him: the protagonist of the TV series dedicated to Perry Mason) but little by little, thanks to the success among the public, it became a real park.

For about 4 euros of admission ticket anyone can experience the thrill of walking in a kind of garden of Eden made as colorful as a palette from beyond two thousand different types of orchids before sitting down for a break in the middle of a stretch of jungle. Obviously there is no shortage of different views such as lakes and pools full of the colors of water lilies and yellow lilies. For those who cannot resist the charm of the world of VIPs, you can also visit Raymond Burr’s house with part of the furnishings and photos of the actor.

Diving in the Fijian Sea

Fiji is well known to the diving enthusiasts and are considered the area with the largest variety of soft corals in the world. That’s why some of the best diving in the South Pacific is located here.

Diving is possible practically all year round and some sites are as famous as the Beqa Laguna, Rainbow Reef or the strait Somosomo with the famous Great White Wall. Over 400 coral species can be found in these waters and the variety of shapes and colors is extraordinary. The colonies then host large schools of fish and here the show recalls an aquarium. There is also a huge presence of fish: only between angelfish and butterfly there are 36 different species and there is the spectacle of large pelagics such as tuna, sharks of all kindssea eagles.

If you really want to experience an emotion, you cannot miss a bet on what is called the Great Sea Reef and is one of the largest reefs in the world. Here is an encyclopedia of sea life with over the 70% of the corals known and more than 80% of the saltwater fauna of the archipelago. Do not miss diving among turtles, dolphins and even whales.

But not only below sea level: a guide to the Fiji islands can only remember that the warm and crystal clear waters surrounding the islands are a natural playground for all water sports enthusiasts. In addition to diving of course they are available snorkeling but also the surfthe sail, the fishingthe kayak. For those who love windsurfing the best areas are in the Mamanuca islands. AND’ It is also possible to bathe in numerous waterfalls that are located in the green heart of the forests.

The climbs to the peaks of the islands

A visit to Fiji also allows you to experiment wonderful trekking like those found on the island Taveuni where of particular interest is the path that is called Lavena Coastal Walk. The path to the lake is very beautiful but also challenging Tagimaucia. From Nadi or from Lautoka it is worthwhile to commit a day to Mount Batilamu also known as the Sleeping Giant. The climb winds through the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park and it skirts small villages, pools of water and peaks with overhangs not suitable for those suffering from vertigo.

Finally, you can conclude with a relaxing mud bath in the thermal baths of Nadi in the Sabeto valley. Locals say that muds have powerful healing effects: we can’t guarantee that this is true but they are certainly relaxing thanks to the presence around the warm pools of trees and jungle glimpses.