In this Article by South Pacific travel expert Ian Osborn
Top Scenic Locations — Which Islands for Sightseeing?
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.
Mana Island Lookout / Castaway Island Lookout
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
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.
Anchorage Beach Resort is built on a hillside amongst seven acres of landscaped gardens with stunning views of the ocean and the Sabeto Mountain Range. The hotel has a lovely swimming pool and fronts a coarse sand tidal beach (no snorkelling) making it a peaceful base just fifteen minutes from Nadi Airport.
Hexagon Hotel is a centrally located motel along the Queens Road in the heart of Nadi, close to restaurants and bars and a ten minute drive into Nadi Town. With standard motel rooms offering good security, this is a convenient budget base for those looking to enjoy the nightlife of Nadi.
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.
Fiji Hideaway Resort is located alongside the Queens Highway on a small sandy beach with shallow lagoon and surfing passage. This is a theme activity resort with organised events throughout the day and night. Colourful duplex bungalows are set in a tight landscaped garden setting. Ideal for couples and families.
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.
The Pearl Resort is located on the sweeping beach at Pacific Harbour, the adventure activity centre of Fiji. This contemporary designed resort offers a great base for exploring the surrounding environment, be it the championship golf course, the tropical mountains or traditional villages.
Mamanuca & Yasawa 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
This overnight cruise offers luxury sightseeing in the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands. Although bulky in appearance, this is a spacious and well planned small cruise ship with all 50 staterooms offering ocean views. Snorkel in the warm lagoons, savour the bounty of the Fijian village lovo feast and sleep to the sound of surf.
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.