Fiji Family Holiday Guide

In this Article by South Pacific travel expert Ian Osborn:
Affordable  Family Holidays —  Luxury  Family Holidays —  Kids Clubs  —  Best Family Beach Resorts  —  Adventurous Families  —  Regional Guide for Family Holidays  — Travelling with Young Children in Fiji

Fiji is undoubtedly the best destination in the South Pacific for a family holiday and Fijians natural hospitality and love of children really shines through. The following selection of family resorts in Fiji are highly recommended by Beautiful Pacific.


Family Holidays in Fiji
The Fiji Islands is one of the most popular family holiday destinations amongst Australian and New Zealanders with many of the family orientated resorts fully booked during school holidays, particularly the June and September holidays. With an enormous empathy and affection for children, Fijians make fabulous hosts and their friendly charm brings holiday-makers back to the same resort year after year. Guests are invited to story-telling, bush walks, volleyball on the beach or even to make a visit to the local village. and those with infants will find the Fijian staff eager to hold and entertain your children at every opportunity. Most resorts have complimentary kids clubs and plenty of family orientated water activities.

One problem often faced by families with three children is fitting them all in to a room - or finding two adjacent rooms. A couple of the larger hotels offer a discounted price for a 2nd room, whilst others have 2- or 3- bedroom villas. Holiday homes are not common but there are one or two around where you can do your own thing and have a kitchen to cook in.

Accommodation for Large Families
Resort Name (click for details & pix)	Picture	Summary (hotel style)	Hotel Rate (F$)	Our Best Rate (click for quotation)
Koro Makawa Resort Kadavu Island		Private Cottage	$ 890
The Reef House Mamanuca Islands		Private House	$ 648
Warwick Hotel Coral Coast, Viti Levu		Discounted 2nd Room	$ 583 - 1,197
Naviti Hotel Coral Coast, Viti Levu		Discounted 2nd Room	$ 488 - 1,030
Outrigger Resort Coral Coast, Viti Levu		Family Bures	$ 480 - 1,288
Hilton Fiji Resort Denarau Island, Nadi		3-Bedroom Apartments	$ 489 - 819
Plantation Island Mamanuca Islands		Family Bures	$ 465 - 940
The Terraces Denarau Island, Nadi		3-Bedroom Apartments	$ 457
Papageno Resort Kadavu Island		Family Bures	$ 235 - 355
Octopus Resort Southern Yasawas		Family Bures	$ 179 - 824 Dorm - $ 40

Affordable Family Holidays in Fiji

The best value family holidays in Fiji are those closest to the international airport where travelling costs are minimised, and where families can dine out at more affordable restaurants than those offered by island resorts. Nadi doesn't have a great beach, but does have the cheapest accommodation in Fiji and makes a good base if you want to sightsee on day tours either to the offshore islands or along the coast. Otherwise, the Coral Coast is the best region for reasonable beach resorts and snorkelling lagoons, from one to two hours travelling time from the airport. The popular Mamanuca Islands tend to be more expensive, but if you're looking for an island atmosphere, consider one of the beach resorts in the Yasawa Islands - it's a very scenic three hour boat ride and once your kids have endured that, the beaches are sublime, snorkelling right off the beach and the resorts tend to be much better value.

Affordable Family Holidays
Resort Name (click for details & pix)	Picture	Summary (hotel style)	Hotel Rate (F$)	Our Best Rate (click for quotation)
Plantation Island Mamanuca Islands		192 rooms Beach Resort	$ 465 - 940
Amunuca Island Resort Mamanuca Islands		75 rooms Beach Resort	$ 371 - 895
Fiji Hideaway Resort Coral Coast, Viti Levu		110 rooms Beach Resort	$ 335 - 585
Papageno Resort Kadavu Island		15 rooms Beach Resort	$ 235 - 355
Oarsman's Bay Resort Northern Yasawas		8 rooms Beach Resort	$ 284 - 350 Dorm - $ 49
Anchorage Resort Vuda Point, Nadi		39 rooms Beach Resort	$ 198 - 358
Octopus Resort Southern Yasawas		24 rooms Beach Resort	$ 179 - 824 Dorm - $ 40
Club Fiji Resort Wailoaloa Beach, Nadi		32 rooms Beach Resort	$ 185 - 245
Hexagon Hotel Nadi Suburb		120 rooms Town Hotel	$ 109 - 176
Betham's Cottages Nananu-i-Ra Island		8 rooms Beach Resort	$ 100 - 160 Dorm - $ 30

Luxury Family Holidays in Fiji

For a luxury family holiday in Fiji, there are several exceptional family-friendly island resorts in the Mamanuca Islands, although many of the upmarket resorts here are couples only. Denarau Island offers large international hotels with a somewhat bland business-like feel, but do have great amenities and its very close to the airport. The downside to Denarau Island is its poor beach and swimming lagoon, a much less friendly ambience and kids club interaction and a staid gated community lifestyle which does not represent a true Fijian holiday.

Luxury Family Holidays
Resort Name (click for details & pix)	Picture	Summary (hotel style)	Hotel Rate (F$)	Our Best Rate (click for quotation)
Vomo Island Resort Mamanuca Islands		12 rooms Island Resort	$ 1,850 - 2,450
Castaway Beach Resort Mamanuca Islands		65 rooms Island Resort	$ 1,077 - 1,377
Toberua Island Resort Off Ovalau Island		15 rooms Island Resort	$ 648 - 996
Intercontinental Resort Natadola Beach, Viti Levu		129 rooms Beach Resort	$ 618 - 1,465
Musket Cove Resort Mamanuca Islands		45 rooms Beach Resort	$ 596 - 859
Hilton Fiji Resort Denarau Island, Nadi		273 rooms Beach Resort	$ 489 - 819

Great Kids Clubs

Fijians are great with kids of all ages - the men make great play-mates accompanying kids around the resort and encouraging them to play in the sand, hit a volleyball and snorkel in the reefs. Women spend their time picking up babies to carry them around the resort and teaching their handcraft skills to primary school aged kids. The following are some of the best kids clubs in Fiji.

Kids Club, Activities & Entertainment
Resort Name (click for details & pix)	Picture	Summary (hotel style)	Hotel Rate (F$)	Our Best Rate (click for quotation)
Treasure Island Resort Mamanuca Islands		67 rooms Island Resort	$ 750 - 945
Sonaisali Island Nadi South		123 rooms Island Resort	$ 620 - 914
Shangri-La Fijian Resort Coral Coast, Viti Levu		420 rooms Beach Resort	$ 600 - 1,800
Naviti Hotel Coral Coast, Viti Levu		240 rooms Beach Resort	$ 488 - 1,030
Plantation Island Mamanuca Islands		192 rooms Beach Resort	$ 465 - 940
Fiji Hideaway Resort Coral Coast, Viti Levu		110 rooms Beach Resort	$ 335 - 585

Best Beach Resorts for Families

With plenty of idyllic beaches around the islands it can be difficult to choose which ones are best for children. A safe swimming beach is a prime consideration, and for older kids, lots of water activities. Generally the best beach resorts for children are in the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands, with the former more for motorised watersports, the later for relaxing on secluded beaches and exploring a little. Some of the larger Coral Coast hotels have night entertainment and are relatively lively (Fiji has very tame nightlife) and may appeal to families with older children.

Family Beach Holidays
Resort Name (click for details & pix)	Picture	Summary (hotel style)	Hotel Rate (F$)	Our Best Rate (click for quotation)
Castaway Beach Resort Mamanuca Islands		65 rooms Island Resort	$ 1,077 - 1,377
Shangri-La Fijian Resort Coral Coast, Viti Levu		420 rooms Beach Resort	$ 600 - 1,800
Plantation Island Mamanuca Islands		192 rooms Beach Resort	$ 465 - 940
Mana Island Resort Mamanuca Islands		150 rooms Beach Resort	$ 432 - 1,020
Papageno Resort Kadavu Island		15 rooms Beach Resort	$ 235 - 355
Octopus Resort Southern Yasawas		24 rooms Beach Resort	$ 179 - 824 Dorm - $ 40

Adventure Holidays for Families

For adventurous families there are plenty of excellent ideas. The Coral Coast hotels, particularly those closer to or around Pacific Harbour, make a great base for sightseeing with river rafting, zip-lines, rainforest hikes, remote village visits, jet ski tours and great scuba diving. Otherwise, there are some beautiful more intimate resorts in the Outer Islands of Kadavu, Vanua Levu and Taveuni which may involve an additional one hour flight in a small plane, but again, once you're there you can really get pampered and explore the off-the-beaten-track Fiji as well as experience the extreme warmth and friendliness of the Fijian people and unbelievable snorkelling and scuba diving reefs.

Adventure Family Holidays
Resort Name (click for details & pix)	Picture	Summary (hotel style)	Hotel Rate (F$)	Our Best Rate (click for quotation)
Captain Cook Cruises Cruise - Yasawa Islands		Cabin Cruise	$ 918
Koro Makawa Resort Kadavu Island		1 rooms Beach Resort	$ 890
Paradise Taveuni Taveuni Island		12 rooms Ocean Resort	$ 700 - 760
Toberua Island Resort Off Ovalau Island		15 rooms Island Resort	$ 648 - 996
Papageno Resort Kadavu Island		15 rooms Beach Resort	$ 235 - 355
Naigani Island Resort Off Ovalau Island		16 rooms Beach Resort	$ 220 - 385
Octopus Resort Southern Yasawas		24 rooms Beach Resort	$ 179 - 824 Dorm - $ 40

Regional Guide for a Family Holiday

The two most popular regions for a family holiday are the Coral Coast and the Mamanuca Islands. Both take about one to two hours to reach from nadi Airport, although to visit the Mamanuca Islands you may need to stay overnight in Nadi to connect with your international flights. The Coral Coast is generally more affordable and a good choice for those who like sightseeing. If you're looking to wind down on a beautiful beach, set on a beautiful lagoon with good snorkelling and watersports, then the Mamanuca Islands is a better choice.

The Mamanuca Islands

Theses gorgeous small islands offer the ideal family holiday location with delightful beach resorts, safe swimming lagoons, snorkelling from the beach, lots of activities, lively kids club, fantastic weather and it's just a 40-minute ferry ride from Nadi Airport.

Top Picks
Resort Name (click for details & pix)	Picture	Summary (hotel style)	Hotel Rate (F$)	Our Best Rate (click for quotation)
Castaway Beach Resort Mamanuca Islands		65 rooms Island Resort	$ 1,077 - 1,377
Plantation Island Mamanuca Islands		192 rooms Beach Resort	$ 465 - 940
Highly Recommended
Musket Cove Resort Mamanuca Islands		45 rooms Beach Resort	$ 596 - 859
Mana Island Resort Mamanuca Islands		150 rooms Beach Resort	$ 432 - 1,020
Others to Consider
Vomo Island Resort Mamanuca Islands		12 rooms Island Resort	$ 1,850 - 2,450
Treasure Island Resort Mamanuca Islands		67 rooms Island Resort	$ 750 - 945
The Reef House Mamanuca Islands		Private House	$ 648
Amunuca Island Resort Mamanuca Islands		75 rooms Beach Resort	$ 371 - 895

Nadi and The Coral Coast

Although less enticing than the beautiful beaches and swimming lagoons of the Mamanuca Islands, several good family-orientated resorts can be found around Nadi and along the Coral Coast. These resorts are easily accessible from Nadi Airport being between 20-minutes drive and an hour and a half. Beaches are pretty although of coarser sand than found in the Mamanucas and lagoons are less practical for swimming and snorkelling. However, it's resorts tend to offer better value for money with the added attraction of having more sightseeing and tour options available to fill your days.

Top Picks
Resort Name (click for details & pix)	Picture	Summary (hotel style)	Hotel Rate (F$)	Our Best Rate (click for quotation)
Intercontinental Resort Natadola Beach, Viti Levu		129 rooms Beach Resort	$ 618 - 1,465
Hilton Fiji Resort Denarau Island, Nadi		273 rooms Beach Resort	$ 489 - 819
Fiji Hideaway Resort Coral Coast, Viti Levu		110 rooms Beach Resort	$ 335 - 585
Highly Recommended
Sonaisali Island Nadi South		123 rooms Island Resort	$ 620 - 914
Shangri-La Fijian Resort Coral Coast, Viti Levu		420 rooms Beach Resort	$ 600 - 1,800
Naviti Hotel Coral Coast, Viti Levu		240 rooms Beach Resort	$ 488 - 1,030
Betham's Cottages Nananu-i-Ra Island		8 rooms Beach Resort	$ 100 - 160 Dorm - $ 30
Others to Consider
Warwick Hotel Coral Coast, Viti Levu		248 rooms Beach Resort	$ 583 - 1,197
Outrigger Resort Coral Coast, Viti Levu		254 rooms Beach Resort	$ 480 - 1,288
The Terraces Denarau Island, Nadi		164 rooms Apartment	$ 457

Yasawa Islands

The Yasawa Islands are a good choice for a more intimate beach holiday with the family - you wont find motorised watersports here or kids clubs, but the beaches are wonderful usually with snorkelling reefs right off the beach. The islands take around 3hrs to reach by passenger boat.

Top Picks
Resort Name (click for details & pix)	Picture	Summary (hotel style)	Hotel Rate (F$)	Our Best Rate (click for quotation)
Octopus Resort Southern Yasawas		24 rooms Beach Resort	$ 179 - 824 Dorm - $ 40
Highly Recommended
Captain Cook Cruises Cruise - Yasawa Islands		Cabin Cruise	$ 918
Blue Lagoon Resort Northern Yasawas		14 rooms Beach Resort	$ 179 - 569 Dorm - $ 45
Others to Consider
Oarsman's Bay Resort Northern Yasawas		8 rooms Beach Resort	$ 284 - 350 Dorm - $ 49

Outer Islands

For those looking for a bit of an adventure, and if you don't mind a bit of extra travelling by small plane or boat, there are several fantastic outer island resorts for families to experience the real Fiji away from the crowds. These resorts offer a quiet ambience, usually with excellent snorkelling, hiking trails and the opportunity to visit an authentic Fijian village.

Top Picks
Resort Name (click for details & pix)	Picture	Summary (hotel style)	Hotel Rate (F$)	Our Best Rate (click for quotation)
Toberua Island Resort Off Ovalau Island		15 rooms Island Resort	$ 648 - 996
Papageno Resort Kadavu Island		15 rooms Beach Resort	$ 235 - 355
Highly Recommended
Paradise Taveuni Taveuni Island		12 rooms Ocean Resort	$ 700 - 760
Others to Consider
Vomo Island Resort Mamanuca Islands		12 rooms Island Resort	$ 1,850 - 2,450
Koro Makawa Resort Kadavu Island		1 rooms Beach Resort	$ 890
Naigani Island Resort Off Ovalau Island		16 rooms Beach Resort	$ 220 - 385

Travelling with Young Children in Fiji

Children are enthusiastically welcomed in Fiji and most resorts allow kids under a certain age to stay for free if sharing a room with their parents - some even often free meals as incentives. The exception are the upmarket boutique resorts whose clientele is mostly the honeymoon market and many have a strict no children policy to ensure a romantic atmosphere for their guests, sometimes allowing kids at dedicated holiday periods only calling them "family weeks".

Rural villages are a fascinating environment for children of all ages and they’ll most likely be enthusiastically welcomed by the village kids, encouraged to play and generally well looked after. If travelling by car or taxi, seat belts, let along dedicated infant car seats, are difficult to find, although the major car hire companies do provide the latest safety standard car seats. Prams in general are not that practical to travel with and at many of the resorts, pathways are sandy - even around towns, pavements are uneven and not at all pram friendly.

Minor health issues are the greatest concern for parents travelling with young children, especially from the adverse effects of high humidity, intense sun and mosquito bites. Medicated baby powder for the prevention of rashes and sores is an essential item to carry. In the main towns, baby milk, nappies and children’s medications are readily available and being imported from Australia are of the highest quality. Breast feeding in public is fairly common-place, especially so in rural environments although baby-changing facilities are rarely found.