pick a pass to book...
Accommodation Inclusive
 
Feejee Beach & Culture - 3 days
Feejee Five - 10 days
Sea Breeze Island Hopping - 9 days
Travel Tips

Fiji travel tips

 

 

 

With years of experience and all of our exclusive local knowledge, we have some great Fiji travel tips. From what to pack to and what to see, you'll know you're getting the best travel advice when travelling with us. Don't worry if you haven't got all the answers before you arrive, Fijians are the some of the world's most helpful and friendly people; and of course, our fantastic Drivers and Guides will be there to give you awesome travel tips whenever needed.

Snapshot of Fiji

The Fiji Islands is one of the most stunningly beautiful countries in the world. Here you can experience sublime sun, tropical white-sand beaches, coconut palms, lush green mountains and think carpeted rainforests. Aside from that you’ll find the most hospitable people on the planet; hence, so many fantasize of coming here.

World renown for ‘Fiji time' culture and its landscape, Fiji holidays become unequivocal to any other. When you combine this laidback lifestyle with our adventurous outlook you start to see why Fiji is the easiest, safest and most fascinating country in the South Pacific.

The people of Fiji with its diversity of cultures all come together as 'Fijians'. Our history is littered with uniqueness, defiance, and resilience, which has intergraded itself into what is Fiji today.

Quick Facts about Fiji

Location
South Pacific Ocean—lying about 4,450 km (2,775 mi) southwest of Honolulu and 1,770 km (1,100 mi) north of New Zealand.
Size
18,270 sq km (11, 352 sq mi)—Slightly smaller than the US state of New Jersey; slightly less than one third Nova Scotia's size; slightly smaller than Wales.
Population
850,000
Main cities & Towns Suva City, Nadi Town, Lautoka City
Climate The climate in Fiji is tropical and warm most of the year round. Fiji has a mild average temperature of 25ºC (77ºF), however it can climb above 30 ºC (87ºF) in summer—December and January—and sink to 18ºC (65ºF) at night in winter— July and August.
Time
Fiji is one of the first places in the world to see the new day, 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) or UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). Fiji is GMT/UTC +12.
Fiji observes day light savings between October and the end of January. Dates change each year so it pays to check.
Public Holidays
There are 12 public holidays a year in Fiji, but these don't stop the buses from running and doing their thing. Besides if you're here travelling you'll probably be on holiday the entire time, you lucky thing!
The public holidays are: New Year's Day, Prophet Mohammed's Birthday, Youth Day, Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Monday, Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day, Queen's Birthday, Fiji Day, Diwali, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
Languages
English (official), Fijian (official), Fiji-Hindi (official). The majority of the local people can speak English and all signs and official forms are also in English. However, for almost all local people, English is not their mother tongue—at home, indigenous Fijians speak Fijian and Indo-Fijians speak Fiji-Hindi (which is an alter version of traditional Hindi spoken in India). Most of the people of Fiji speak all three languages and mix them in their daily talk with the variety of cultures. Join in and learn a bit of both Fijian and Fiji-Hindi, no matter how bad your attempts are the locals will truly appreciate it.
Ethnic Mix

The population of Fiji is mostly made up of native Fijians (53%), who are mostly Melanesians, although a few also have ancestry. Indo-Fijians (42%), descendants of Indian contract labourers brought to the islands by the British in the nineteenth century.

There is also a small but significant group of descendants of indentured labourers from the Solomon Islands. The other 5% are also small, but economically significant, groups of Europeans, Chinese and other minorities.

Government

Politics of Fiji normally take place in the framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Fiji is the head of government, the President the head of state, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Parliament of Fiji. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

Since independence from the British Government in1970, there have been four peaceful coups in Fiji, two in 1987, one in 2000 and one in late 2006. The military has been either ruling directly, or heavily influencing governments since 1987. Fiji had its first democratic election for a new Prime Minister in eight years in 2014. The previous military ruler swept to a landslide victory which was an endorsement of the government's policies of stamping out corruption and providing a government for the people.

Money

Fiji dollar = FJD = $.

Main Exports

Biggest Industries: tourism and sugar cane. 2014 Tourism 1,202 million
Exports: $526 million (2007); sugar, garments, gold, fish, and mineral water.
Major markets: Australia, U.S., U.K., Japan, and New Zealand.

National Sports

The national sport of Fiji is considered to be Rugby Union; however rugby league and soccer (football) is also widely played. Recently, there has also been progress and improved support for Netball.

National Icons
Kava - also called yaqonga or grog, is a huge part of Fiji culture as beaches and coconut trees. It is mildly narcotic, looks like muddy water and makes your tongue go a bit numb.
Tabua - is polished and shaped whales' teeth, they are highly valued items used in diplomatic meetings as the highest form of respectful gift.
Sun, Beach, & coconut trees - our country is widely known for its picture perfect tropical landscape. Iconic to the way we live and the biggest reason people come from all over the world to enjoy.