Sightseeing Holidays in Fiji

village entertainment on a fiji cruise holiday

Our Top Ten Favourite Scenic Locations in Fiji

The following scenic attractions in Fiji Islands have been selected for their unique features:

Nausori Highlands, Nadi Area, Viti Levu

Sweeping views across remote valleys, towards the sugar cane farmlands and beyond to the small islands of the Mamanuca Group

Koroyanitu National Park, Nadi Area, Viti Levu

Views rainforest, of waterfalls and remote Fijian villages and visit the orchid gardens of the Sleeping Giant

Sigatoka Sandunes, Coral Coast, Viti Levu

6km of windswept sand dunes with lowland forest trails and guided walks

Tavuni Hill Fort, Coral Coast, Viti Levu

Look-out from an ancient hill fort overlooking the Sigatoka River and fertile farmlands

Navala Village, Sun Coast, Viti Levu

An amazing Fijian village with over 200 traditional thatch bures

Aerial Sightseeing, Mamanuca Islands

One of the most breathtaking scenic tours of Fiji is by taking an aerial sightseeing tour. Island Hoppers (helicopters) and and Turtle Airways (seaplanes) provide on sightseeing tours of the very beautiful Mamanuca Islands, the more remote Yasawa Group and the Nausori Highlands inland from Nadi.

These are the best two lookout points in the Mamanuca Islands with stunning views

Waya Island, Yasawa Islands

Hike the coastal trails around Waya Island and marvel at Yalobi Bay, the Sand Spit and Twin Peaks. If that's not enough head to neighbouring Naviti and walk the hill trail from Botaira to the southern tip of Naviti overlooking Manta Ray Lagoon.

Bouma National Park, Taveuni, Northern Islands

This National Park has stunning waterfalls, great views through the rainforest and a beautiful coastal walk from Lavena Village.

Rural Countryside around Labasa, Vanua Levu, Northern Islands

For something a bit different, head to Labasa Town and explore the surrounding countryside where you'll find beautiful rolling hills enclosing a valley of sugar cane farms.

Which Islands to Visit for Sightseeing in Fiji

waterfall along navua river

Fiji is a collection of small islands with many resorts on uninhabited islands or in secluded bays making sightseeing beyond the immediate vicinity quite challenging. The best island for sightseeing is Viti Levu, the largest island, followed by Taveuni in the north which has an excellent National Park. Otherwise, one of the best ways to take in the scenery, beaches, lagoons and traditional fishing villages is on an overnight cruise through the beautiful Yasawa Islands:.

Viti Levu - the main island

Being one of the largest islands in the South Pacific, and with decent tourist numbers, the main island of Viti Levu offers the best Fiji sightseeing holidays: The Nausori Highlands inland from Nadi, the Sandunes and River Valley of Sigatoka, Navua River and the rainforest inland from Pacific Harbour. Most of these sights are accessible on day tours from Nadi, which has the added bonus of being on the doorstep of the Mamanuca Islands which can be visited on numerous day cruises, game fishing charters, sailing excursions and snorkelling trips that depart from Port Denarau, although the majority of attractions are along the Coral Coast which makes a better location if you're not wanting to visit the offshore islands.

Nadi and Around

The Nausori Highlands, an hour drive inland from Nadi, make a great day out to visit villages (Nausori and Bukuya), to enjoy the rural countryside and marvel at the views from the highland plateau. Other attractions around Nadi include the hiking trails and waterfalls around the rainforest Abaca National Park, the botanical gardens of the Sleeping Giant and The Sabeto River Valley and natural mud pools.

The Coral Coast & Pacific Harbour

Sigatoka is a major hub of sightseeing attractions with Sigatoka Sandunes National Park, the family-fun Kula Eco Park with parrots, iguanas and other local fauna; the Sigatoka Pottery Village and River Valley, and Tavuni Hill Fort with historical significance and cannibal sacrificial totems.

Between Korolevu and Pacific Harbour the rainforest becomes more vibrant and the scenery more compelling as the highway meanders over mountains and eluding the coast. There are several beautiful waterfalls to visit and the fabulous Navua River with bamboo rafting, white water rafting, zip-lining and village visits.

Mamanuca & Yasawa Islands

dolphin watching in fiji islands

For sightseeing on the water, the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands offer stunning islands and cruising around with the wind in your hair and sun on your face is truly relaxing. You can take overnight cruises along through both island groups stopping along the way in bays, to visit villages or take in the views from the peak of a hill. Otherwise, for a day outing, you can take the passenger ferry through either the Mamanuca Islands (four hours on the water) or to the Yasawa Islands (eight hours on the water), or you can simply get off at a resort and spend a few hours enjoying the beach before heading home in the afternoon. Island hopping on small motor boats is another splendid way to see the Mamanuca Islands with charter boats departing from Port Denarau, Vuda Marina, Sonaisali Island or from most island resorts - you may be lucky and see dolphins along the way

Outer Islands

All the outer islands have local sights that resorts offer as day trips, more often than not including a visit to the local village school. Areas of notable sightseeing attractions in the outer islands are Taveuni, in particular the Bouma National Heritage Park with waterfalls and coastal walks; and on Ovalau Island with the charming historical old capital of Levuka.

Kadavu is one of the best islands for visiting traditional villages although getting around can cause difficulties as many villages can be reached only by boat or arduous tracks through the rainforest.

Two luxury cruise companies offer three to seven day trips departing Nadi and cruising through the Mamanuca Islands and along the Yasawa chain of islands. The Yasawa Group of islands are particularly stunning and cruise itineraries take in traditional villages with Yaqona ceremonies and shell markets, snorkelling in turquoise lagoons and relaxing on secluded beaches.

Day cruises also operate out of Nadi, departing Port Denarau in the morning and returning in the evening. Day cruise options include visiting island resorts for the day, having a BBQ lunch on a tiny uninhabited coral atoll, island hopping cruises to spot dolphins, or sailing to the remote outer islands to visit a pottery village and stunning secluded beach.

Day Cruises in Fiji Islands

The small compact Mamanuca Islands is the best destination in Fiji for a day cruise. Lying just offshore from Nadi Airport, day cruises depart from either Port Denarau 20-minutes by road south of the airport, or Vuda Marina, 10-minutes north of the airport South Sea Cruises offer day cruises to South Sea Island and Beachcomber Island for the active - parasailing, jet skies, banana boat rides and speedboats for hire. For the more sedate Malamala Island in the Mamanuca's is another small and beautiful uninhabited coral island with tours by Fiji Fun Cruises including activities, glass bottom boat and beach BBQ. Day cruises are also available to several island resorts in the Mamanuca Group and cost from F$80 for the day.

local fish market

Sailing boats are a romantic way to explore the islands, with sailing, snorkelling and usually a stopover at a remote beach, island or village along the way. The Whale's Tale is a delightful old schooner sailing around the small islands for the day with just a handful of guests and free booze on board making it popular with couples. More affordable is the Seaspray Cruise which visits the outer uninhabited island of Monu and Modriki. Captain Cook Cruises operate the Ra Marama, a schooner sailing to Tivua Island, a beautiful uninhabited coral island with good snorkelling and is popular with families.

Another great day out exploring the Yasawa Islands is by catching the Yasawa Flyer resort transfer boat to one of the beach resorts for the day for excellent snorkelling off the beach and stunning hill walks right behind the resort. These resorts take about 2 hours travelling time to reach passing beautiful islands along the way making it a good sightseeing option but with less time on land than one of the Mamanuca day cruises.

Overnight Cruise Holidays in Fiji

Overnight small ship cruises depart from Nadi passing through the northern Mamanuca Islands and on to the stunning bays, beaches and lagoons of the Yasawa Islands. These overnight cruises are usually either 3-nights or 4-nights, with combination 7-night cruises available. The highlight of the cruises are snorkelling in remote coral reefs teaming with colourful fish, visiting remote villages for traditional dances and yaqona ceremonies, and visiting some beautiful secluded bays and beaches. The beauty of these overnight cruises is that you get to visit some very secluded areas by day, and then retreat to the comfort of you cabin at night to enjoy sunsets over the empty sea and star gazing at night.

Captain Cook Cruises offers 2-, 3- and 6-night small ship cruises through the breathtaking Yasawa chain of islands. Anchor in lagoon bays, visit traditional fishing villages and enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches and snorkelling lagoons in Fiji. Ideal for couples and families with a sense of adventure.

Overseas Cruise Ships visiting Fiji

Several large ship cruises visit Fiji including P& O from Brisbane in Australia. These massive cruise vessels tend to anchor in deep-water lagoons and of these, Denarau Island and Beqa lagoons are the most popular. Guests are shuttled to and fro on smaller transfer boats, either to visit a village, to spend a day at a resort or to snorkel in a the lagoon. Some cruises dock at either Lautoka or Suva ports on the mainland allowing guests easy disembarkation to visit the town's market, shops and surrounding countryside. On occasions, Savusavu harbour in the outer island of Vanua Levu also receives cruises.