Fiji: Tourist & Vacation Guide

Country's codes

International phone code for Fiji: +679

Standard ISO 3166-1:

3 letters: FJI

2 letters (internet domain): .FJ

Digital country code 242

Standard EAN-13 (country barcode): N/A

Olympic country code: FIJ

FIFA code: FIJ

🇫🇯 Fiji Travel Guide

Fiji Islands Crystal Clear Water Bora Bora

🇫🇯 Fiji is the jewel of the South Pacific — an archipelago of over 330 islands draped in turquoise lagoons, white sand beaches, lush rainforests, and vibrant coral reefs. Renowned for its extraordinarily warm-hearted people and the joyful greeting of "Bula!", Fiji is the ultimate tropical paradise.

🌍 RegionSouth Pacific Ocean (Melanesia)

⭐ Famous forCoral reefs, white sand beaches, diving, island resorts

📅 Best time to visitJuly – September (dry season, cooler weather)

💰 CurrencyFijian Dollar (FJD)

  ✨ Why visit Fiji?

  Fiji offers the quintessential South Pacific dream — crystalline waters teeming with tropical fish, dramatic coral walls beloved by divers, remote island villages where traditional culture thrives, and luxurious overwater bungalows at sunset. Whether you seek adventure, romance, family fun, or pure relaxation, Fiji's 333 islands have something extraordinary to offer every traveller.

Top Attractions in Fiji

🤿 Great Astrolabe Reef

One of the world's largest barrier reefs, encircling the Kadavu island group with spectacular walls, soft coral gardens, and encounters with manta rays, sharks, and sea turtles in pristine waters.

🏝️ Mamanuca & Yasawa Islands

Fiji's most iconic island chains — a string of picture-perfect tropical islands with powdery beaches, crystal-clear snorkelling lagoons, and resorts ranging from barefoot budget to ultra-luxury.

🌿 Bouma National Heritage Park, Taveuni

Taveuni — the "Garden Island" — is home to this stunning park featuring the Tavoro Waterfalls, ancient rainforest trails, and the rare Tagimaucia flower found nowhere else on Earth.

🏄 Cloudbreak & Surf Breaks

Fiji is home to some of the world's most legendary surf breaks, including Cloudbreak off Tavarua Island — a powerful left-hand reef pass that regularly hosts elite international surfing competitions.

Best Places to Visit

🏙️ Nadi & the Coral Coast – The main gateway city with nearby temples, markets, and the scenic Coral Coast road along Viti Levu's southern shore.
🏝️ Mamanuca Islands – Day-trip or resort islands just off Nadi, ideal for snorkelling, sailing, and beach relaxation.
🌊 Yasawa Islands – A remote chain of dramatic volcanic islands with gorgeous beaches, cave snorkelling, and a more off-the-beaten-track feel.
🌿 Taveuni – The lush "Garden Island" for diving the Rainbow Reef, waterfall hikes, and birdwatching in ancient rainforest.
🏛️ Levuka (Ovalau Island) – Fiji's historic first capital, a charming 19th-century colonial town and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  💡 Travel Tip: The Yasawa Flyer catamaran ferry is a fantastic and affordable way to island-hop through the Mamanuca and Yasawa chains. Buy a multi-day pass and hop on and off at your own pace for a true South Pacific adventure.

Things to Do in Fiji

Dive or snorkel the Rainbow Reef off Taveuni — one of the Southern Hemisphere's top dive sites.
Join a traditional kava ceremony in a Fijian village for an authentic cultural experience.
Island-hop through the Yasawa Islands by catamaran ferry.
Hike to the Tavoro Waterfalls in Bouma National Heritage Park on Taveuni.
Watch a fire-walking ceremony — a uniquely Fijian tradition performed by the people of Beqa Island.

🍽️ Local Experience: Fijian cuisine is a wonderful blend of Melanesian, Indian, and Pacific flavours. Try lovo (food slow-cooked in an earth oven), kokoda (raw fish marinated in citrus and coconut cream — Fiji's ceviche), roti and curry brought by Indo-Fijian communities, and fresh tropical fruits like pawpaw, pineapple, and breadfruit.

Travel Tips for Visitors

🌧️ The wet season (November–April) brings heat, humidity, and occasional cyclones — the dry season (May–October) is the most comfortable time to visit.
🚌 Getting around the main island Viti Levu is easy by bus or rental car; outer islands are reached by domestic flight or the Yasawa Flyer ferry.
💳 Cards accepted at resorts and larger businesses; carry Fijian dollars cash for local markets, village visits, and smaller guesthouses.
👕 When visiting villages, dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees) and always bring a small gift — a bundle of kava root (sevusevu) is the traditional and most appreciated offering.

📌 Useful Country Information

Quick Facts

Total area: 7,056 sq mi (18,274 sq km) — 333 islands, of which 110 are inhabited

Population (2023 est.): ~930,000

Capital: Suva (~93,000)

🇫🇯 Suva: Capital City Profile

Other major cities: Nadi, Lautoka, Labasa, Ba

Currency: Fijian Dollar (FJD)

CurrencyRate

National name: Republic of Fiji (Matanitu ko Viti)

Language: English, Fijian, and Fiji Hindi (all official)

Ethnicity/race: iTaukei (indigenous Fijian) 56.8%, Indo-Fijian 37.5%, Rotuman 1.2%, other 4.5%

Religions: Protestant 45% (Methodist 34.6%, Assembly of God 5.7%, other), Hindu 27.9%, Roman Catholic 9.1%, Muslim 6.3%, other/none 11.7%

National Holiday: October 10, Fiji Day (independence from the United Kingdom, 1970).

Background

🇫🇯 Fiji is an archipelago of 333 islands scattered across the South Pacific Ocean, lying about 1,300 miles north of New Zealand. The two main islands — Viti Levu and Vanua Levu — account for nearly 90% of the total land area and population. Inhabited by Melanesian peoples for over 3,500 years, Fiji developed rich chieftaincy traditions and a complex inter-island culture long before European contact.
🇬🇧 Fiji became a British Crown Colony in 1874 after a period of inter-tribal warfare, and the British introduced thousands of indentured labourers from India to work the sugar cane plantations — a legacy that shaped Fiji's unique multicultural identity. Fiji gained independence on October 10, 1970, and became a republic in 1987 following a series of military coups.
🏉 Fiji punches far above its weight on the world sporting stage. The national rugby sevens team is among the greatest in history, having won Fiji's first Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Rio Games — a moment of national jubilation celebrated across all 333 islands.
🌊 Today Fiji is one of the most developed and politically stable nations in the Pacific, with a thriving tourism industry that showcases its extraordinary natural environment, warm Fijian hospitality, and the uniquely blended iTaukei and Indo-Fijian cultures that make this island nation like nowhere else on Earth.